Luke out but Foran back for Manly clash
AUCKLAND: Hooker Issac Luke has been ruled out, but fiveeighth Kieran Foran will make his NRL return when the Warriors face Manly in Perth.
Luke suffered a shoulder injury 33 minutes into the Warriors 2114 win over Canterbury on Friday night.
His replacement then, youngster Nathaniel Roache, will don the No 9 jersey at nib Stadium on Saturday.
Former Sea Eagle Foran has got over the quad injury that keep him out of the Bulldogs match and he comes in for Ata Hingano, who drops to the bench.
‘‘It’s obviously disappointing that Issac is unavailable for this game,’’ coach Stephen Kearney said.
‘‘But Nate did a great job when he came on against the Bulldogs and this is a real opportunity for him.’’
Centre Solomone Kata remains unavailable for selection after being given bereavement leave last week to fly home to Tonga after the sudden death of his older brother.
Prop Sam Lisone will also sit out against Manly because of family reasons.
The Warriors are 10th on the table, six points and six places below the Sea Eagles, who downed premiers Cronulla 3518 at the weekend to make it four wins in a row.
A Disgraced former Sydney Roosters centre Shaun KennyDowall will face his former club next month after being thrown a lifeline by Newcastle.
The exNew Zealand international has inked a deal until the end of the 2019 NRL season to resurrect his playing career with the struggling Knights.
He will be available immediately for coach Nathan Brown. However, he will miss the next two to three weeks with a hamstring injury.
He is expected to be back in time for the Knights’ round 20 clash against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. ‘‘It’s a fresh start and chance to really get to know the community and get the respect of the boys and the club,’’ KennyDowall said.
‘‘I’m looking for a fresh start and I’ve got new motivations and goals to come here and make a difference. It’s time to get on the field and get stuck in.’’
KennyDowall was sacked by the Roosters after pleading guilty to cocaine possession earlier this month.
The 29yearold escaped conviction but was placed on a good behaviour bond after being caught with 0.29g of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub. — NZN/AAP