Youngster set for debut

Young outside back Charnze NicollKlokstad is poised to make his NRL debut while Manu Vatuvei could be back when the Warriors face the Roosters in Auckland on Sunday.

The club’s reverse grade team player of the year in 2016, NicollKlokstad has been named to start on the right wing for the match at Mt Smart Stadium after centre Solomone Kata injured his hamstring in the 20-14 loss to the Storm in Melbourne on Anzac Day.

Kata’s absence means Blake Ayshford makes the shift from right centre to left centre, with David Fusitu’a moving from the wing into Ayshford’s berth to partner Nicoll-Klokstad on the right edge.

The other notable news in the team naming is the return of Vatuvei on the extended bench, the big winger and prop Albert Vete both coming back into the fold in place of Ata Hingano and Charlie Gubb.

Vatuvei has made just one NRL appearance this season, aggravating the knee injury that kept him out of action in the pre-season in the round three loss to the Bulldogs in Dunedin on March 17.

Vete played the first three matches of the campaign, but has been turning out in reserve grade since.

Auckland-born, Nicoll-Klokstad started his playing career as a City Newtown Dragons junior before moving to Melbourne.

He was in the Storm’s NYC squad before being signed by the Warriors for the 2016 season.

After some strong displays for the Warriors’ unbeaten Intrust Super Premiership side, NicollKlokstad gets his opportunity with Kata sidelined having injured his hamstring just before halftime in the match against Melbourne on Tuesday.

The extent of the injury and how long the blockbusting centre would be out of action for was still to be confirmed.

Sunday’s match against the third-placed Roosters, who are coming off a golden-point victory against the Dragons, will be the 50th Warriors appearance for veteran second rower Ryan Hoffman.

The Warriors fell to 12th with a three-win, five-loss record after their defeat to the Storm.