Halfback Mason Lino has been called up to make his NRL debut for the Warriors against North Queensland in this weekend's final home NRL game of the season at Mount Smart Stadium.
Mason Lino in action for the Junior Warriors against the Roosters in the 2014 Holden Cup semi-final Photo: Photosport
Warriors standoff Chad Townsend has been unwell all week and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night, so Lino, who won the Under-20 Grand Final last year with the Junior Warriors, and has been playing in the club's New South Wales Cup reserve grade side this season, gets his chance.
The 21-year-old will start alongside Tuimoala Lolohea in the halves against the Cowboys on Saturday.
Warriors prop Sam Rapira is suspended for the game, after accepting a dangerous throw charge, but Bodene Thompson finally returns.
The ban will deny Rapira a farewell appearance in front of family, friends and members.
The 10-season NRL veteran, who has played 173 NRL games for the club since 2006, is leaving the country to finish his playing career with Huddersfield in the English Super League.
Sam Rapira in action for the Warriors Photo: Photosport
Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins escaped suspension for his dangerous contact charge, with an early guilty plea, and he's free to play the Cowboys.
Bodene Thompson has recovered from an ankle injury which ruled him out of the last three matches, and he returns from injury to replace Rapira.
Bodene Thompson at Warriors training Photo: Photosport
Sione Lousi returns from the New South Wales Cup side as a starting second rower, in place of Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who's been demoted to the Cup team.
The 25-year-old Lousi will make his fifth NRL appearance this year and the 47th of his career, while Thompson, who played in each of the first 18 games of the campaign, is on the bench.
Warriors:
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ken Maumalo
3. Dominique Peyroux
4. Solomone Kata
5. Jonathan Wright
6. Chad Townsend
7. Tuimoala Lolohea
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Nathan Friend
10. Albert Vete
11. Sione Lousi
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering (captain)
Interchange:
14. Konrad Hurrell
15. Bodene Thompson
16. Sam Lisone
17. Charlie Gubb
18. Matt Allwood
