21 Apr 2009

Warriors chalk up a first for 2009 season

6:25 pm on 21 April 2009

For the first time this season the Warriors are set to have an unchanged line-up when they face last year's beaten grand finalist Melbourne, in Saturday's National Rugby League match in Melbourne.

Coach Ivan Cleary has named the same combination that started Sunday's golden point 17-16 win over the Sydney Roosters.

With frontline fullback Wade McKinnon still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Lance Hohaia has been named at at fullback.

Hohaia's fellow World Cup-winning Kiwi team-mate Simon Mannering has been named in the centres. He started there last Sunday before moving into the second row during the first half.

Ben Matulino will run on in the second row while Cleary has retained the same bench used against the Roosters of Nathan Fien, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal and Patrick Ah Van.