29 May 2015

Sport: Young Tongan called up to Warriors

8:28 am on 29 May 2015

Young Tongan hooker Siliva Havili has been called up to the Warriors' first grade side for its clash with the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League on Sunday.

The 22-year-old will start on the reserves bench with Nathan Friend moving into the starting hookers role after Thomas Leuluai was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro says he believes in Havili, despite his NRL inexperience.

"Big blow last week losing Thomas Leuluai for the season but Siliva has played for New Zealand and was a part of the Four Nations' squad last year so he's a kid who we've got a lot of belief in - he's got some huge potential - and now has his opportunity to actually realise that."

The Warriors do the hard yards in training as they prepare for the NRL Nines

Warriors take on Newcastle Knights on Sunday Photo: Photosport