12 Feb 2009

Warriors Captain to miss first NRL trial

9:01 am on 12 February 2009

World Cup winners Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei and Sam Rapira plus Kiwi great Stacey Jones and new signings Denan Kemp and Joel Moon will all feature for the Warriors in their National Rugby League against Melbourne in Hamilton tonight.

But captain Steve Price and centre Brent Tate will miss the match as they work back to full fitness after being ruled out of the World Cup final, Price with a torn calf muscle and Tate with a hip flexor problem.

And among others injuries have ruled out are centre Jerome Ropati, halfback Nathan Fien and second rower Simon Mannering.

Tonight's match will showcase the NRL's new dual refereeing concept. It's in use for all trials this year before being fully introduced in all games when the season starts on March 13.