Warriors put their faith in Lino
The Warriors may be heading into the high-stakes clash against the Panthers without their onfield general but coach Stephen Kearney has all the confidence in the world in back-up half Mason Lino.
A calf injury to chief playmaker Blake Green has Lino poised to make his seventh appearance of the season tonight at Mt Smart Stadium.
It’s a big occasion for the
24-year-old to walk into, with the Warriors still looking to book their first finals appearance since
2011 after last week’s slip-up against the Bulldogs. Lose and their playoff hopes could come down to the final regular
What: When, where: Warriors:
NRL, Warriors v Panthers
8pm tonight, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu’a, Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Mason Lino, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali’i, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Tohu Harris, Bunty Afoa, Peta Hiku, Leivaha Pulu, Anthony Gelling, Tevita Satae, Karl Lawton.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Josh Mansour, Waqa Blake, Dean Whare, Christian Crichton, Tyrone Peachey, Nathan Cleary, Trent Merrin, Wayde Egan, Regan Campbell-Gillard, Viliame Kikau, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: Tyrone May, Moses Leota, Corey HarawiraNaera, James Tamou, Sione Katoa, Kaide Ellis, Adam Keighran, Liam Martin.
Panthers:
season game against Canberra, provided the Wests Tigers, who faced a must-win clash against Manly last night, remain in contention.
But Lino has made great progress in 2018, playing a key role in
victories over the Roosters, Dragons and Eels earlier in the season. Kearney has always been a big admirer of Lino’s attitude, which is why he didn’t hesitate to select him once it became clear Green was unavailable.
‘‘150 per cent,’’ Kearney responded when asked of his confidence levels in Lino. ‘‘He’s done the job for us before so why wouldn’t I be [confident].
‘‘The boys will obviously be rallying around him to help him with his job but he’ll be fine.’’
Lino has hefty boots to fill with Green becoming such an important part of the Warriors attack since joining the club this season.
But influential hooker Issac Luke has seen enough from Lino to know that he can make an important impact.
‘‘I think Mase has really stepped up when he’s had the chance,’’ Luke said. ‘‘I know he battles to fight to be in the NRL squad week by week. But when he gets his chance he does stand up for us.’’