All-new Warriors named for opener
Seven newcomers, including debutant Sam Cook, have been named for the Warriors’ season-opening NRL clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the new Perth Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Cook has claimed a spot as the interchange hooker after impressing throughout the pre-season and in each of the Warriors’ 20-14 trial wins over the Storm and the Gold Coast Titans.
Cook is the only player set to make his first-grade debut this week but centre Peta Hiku, standoff Blake Green, prop Adam Blair and second rower Tohu Harris will make their first NRL appearances for the club.
The encounter is the first leg of the Perth NRL double header which is rounded out by the 2017 premiership-winning Melbourne Storm facing CanterburyBankstown.
Cook apart, second rower Leivaha Pulu and centre Anthony Gelling are included on the extended eight-man bench along with front rower Agnatius Paasi, who played one NRL game for the
Warriors in 2014 before making 54 appearances for the Titans from 2015-2017.
Veteran backrower Simon Mannering has been ruled out by a shoulder injury and his place has been taken by 19-year-old Isaiah Papali’i.
Ligi Sao claims the No 13 jersey after strong trial showings, while James Gavet partners veteran acquisition Blair in the front row.
Halves Shaun Johnson and Green have their first NRL start together, as do outside backs Hiku and David Fusitu’a on the right edge.
The match is the Warriors’ 10th in Western Australia dating back to 1996. They have never won there.