McClennan names strong squad to face Titans

In naming a 25-man squad for his first match as head coach, Brian McClennan today confirmed 11 of the 17 players used in the grand final against Manly will take the field while hooker Friend will make his Vodafone Warriors debut against his former club.

Also included are six members of the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ 2011 NYC premiership-winning side – captain Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Carlos Tuimavave, Sam Lousi, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Sebastine Ikahihifo. Another nine players in the squad for this weekend are Vodafone Junior Warriors graduates.
Not being used against the Titans are fullback Kevin Locke, winger Manu Vatuvei, loose forward Micheal Luck, centre Jerome Ropati and prop Russell Packer. Vatuvei is on the Gold Coast with the NRL All Stars for their annual encounter with the Indigenous All Stars this Saturday night.

“The other boys aren’t ready for this weekend,” McClennan told www.warriors.co.nz.
“Micheal (Luck) is coming along well after his shoulder surgery but won’t be back for a few weeks yet.
“Jerome isn’t ready to play just yet but hopefully he’ll play a trial before the season starts while Kevin and Russell should be in contention for next weekend’s trial against South Sydney (at Coffs Harbour).”
McClennan said he planned to give all 25 players named some time on the field against the Titans but was still to settle on his starting line-up.

While 2011 grand finalists Locke, Vatuvei, Luck and Packer won’t play this weekend, the other 11 on the club’s 2012 roster will all appear – winger Bill Tupou, centre Krisnan Inu, halves James Maloney and Shaun Johnson, front rowers Jacob Lillyman, Sam Rapira and Ben Matulino plus back rowers Simon Mannering, Feleti Mateo, Elijah Taylor and Lewis Brown.

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Tue, Jan 31st 2012