Johnson ruled out but Luke, Blair to play

AUCKLAND: Shaun Johnson has been ruled out of the Warriors clash with the Roosters this Saturday, but there is good news for the two other highprofile players injured last week.

Issac Luke has been named at hooker, despite dislocating his shoulder in the 264 win over the Tigers, while Adam Blair is also expected to start after leaving the field with an ankle injury.

Mason Lino will start at halfback in the only change to the

playing 17 named for the Warriors’ clash against the Roosters.

The 24yearold Lino will make his fourth appearance of the season after previously filling the position against the Roosters,

North Queensland and Melbourne.

Johnson has been omitted after being forced off the field in the 70th minute of the victory over the Wests Tigers but Luke and Blair are in contention to play.

Luke was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 55th minute while Blair left the field with an ankle complaint after returning from the bench for his second stint.

‘‘Adam is fine and will play,’’ Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney said.

‘‘We gave Issac every chance to play last week after injuring his knee against Melbourne and he came through.

‘‘Once again, we’ll give him every opportunity this week.’’

There is one change on the extended bench with utility Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) back after he was unavailable last week.

The secondplaced Warriors face another tough examination this week with the Roosters sitting sixth on the ladder after going to a 54 record with their 2220 victory over Manly last Sunday.

When the two sides met in the fourth round the Roosters, who came into the season as one of the premiership favourites, fell to a 306 loss at Allianz Stadium.

Since then the Roosters have beaten Cronulla 2810, lost to South Sydney 2614, had a 60 win over CanterburyBankstown, lost to the Dragons 248 and accounted for Manly.

The Warriors have had an identical winlosswinlosswin sequence in their past five matches against North Queensland, Brisbane, St George Illawarra, Melbourne and the Tigers. — NZME