Hiku benched for Maumalo
Peta Hiku has been forced to make way for the returning Ken Maumalo in the only change to the Warriors’ starting side for Sunday’s home NRL clash against the Storm.
Hiku bounced back from a horror night against the Panthers two weeks ago with a strong display on the left wing during Sunday’s 26-6 win over the Broncos.
But with Maumalo back from a knee complaint, the Kiwis international has dropped to the interchange bench with Gerard Beale preferred at right centre, where Hiku was originally named last week before a late switch.
Anthony Gelling moves out of the 17 as a result but has been retained on the extended bench which includes prop Bunty Afoa, who has made an earlier than expected recovery from a dislocated elbow.
Afoa suffered the injury during the loss to the Sharks three weeks ago and was originally thought to be sidelined for double that period.
The 21-year-old has been one of the club’s most improved players this season and his possible return would strengthen the forwards ahead of what is sure to be a physical encounter against the Storm.
Fellow front-rower James Gavet, meanwhile, makes his 50th NRL appearance this weekend six years after his debut.
It has been a long and disrupted journey for the Warriors junior, who played one game for the Bulldogs and had stints at the Wests Tigers and Broncos before returning to Auckland in 2016.
The 28-year-old struggled with injury early in his career but has been a regular in the Warriors pack over the last two seasons, with Sunday’s match against the Storm his 13th this year.
The Warriors sit seventh on the ladder with an 11-6 record, one of four teams on 24 points just two behind Melbourne.
The Storm have won the last five games against the Warriors and will welcome back State of Origin stars Billy Slater, Josh AddoCarr, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi after missing last week’s close win over Manly.
At a glance
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu’a, Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Blake Green, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali’i, Simon Mannering, Adam Blair. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Chris Satae, Joseph Vuna, Peta Hiku, Mason Lino, Karl Lawton, Bunty Afoa, Anthony Gelling.
Storm: Billy Slater, Suliasi Vunivalu, Will Chambers, Curtis Scott, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Brodie Croft, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Nelson AsofaSolomona, Felise Kaufusi, Ryan Hoffman, Kenny Bromwich. Interchange: Tui Kamikamica, Tim Glasby, Christian Welch, Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes, Joe Stimson, Dale Finucane, Cheyse Blair.