Josh Rogers will miss today’s under-20s clash against the Warriors in Auckland which means the Gold Training Titans side will go into the game with inexperienced halves against the big mobile Kiwi-based side.
Josh Ralph (pictured) will again take his place with AJ Brimson, who has been in impressive form since being elevated from Gold Coast’s Mal Meninga team a month ago, partnering him in the halves.
The Warriors are, like in the NRL, on the same competition points as the Titans but have an inferior for-and-against average. Yet they have won their past two games against top-eight teams Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks and will be extremely tough to beat at home.
“They are a big side as usual with plenty of skill so we will have to be a lot better and more consistent defensively to beat them,” said coach Ben Woolf.
Jed Cartwright, who has had a staggered season because of injury, has recovered from some breathing difficulties which saw him replaced late in the second half against the Raiders on Sunday and is looking forward to getting a long stint on the field while centre Christian Mika, who was also replaced and didn’t return against the Raiders, has been passed fit.
The match will kick off at 12.40pm in Auckland – 10.40 am in Queensland.
The team to play the Warriors is:
1- Brian Kelly
2- Tyronne Roberts-Davis
3- Phillip Sami
4- Christian Mika
5- Fred Keil
6- Josh Ralph
7- AJ Brimson
8- Simione Fatafehi
9- Jordan Scott
10- Nathan Watts
11- Kelepi Faukafa
12- Jed Cartwright (capt)
13- Max King
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14 – Corey Manicaros
15 – Justin Fai
16 – Apiata Noema-Matenga
17 – Jerome Veve
