26 Apr 2016

Rare game or two off for Mannering

6:40 pm on 26 April 2016

Veteran Warriors forward Simon Mannering will miss his first match for the side in three years after suffering a nasty gash to his lip in the side's loss to the Melbourne Storm.

The 29-year-old is expected to be out for up to two weeks and could also miss the Kiwis Test against Australia next week.

Warriors captain Simon Mannering leaves the field with a severe cut to his mouth during the NRL match against the Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2016. © Copyright Image: Jeff Crow / www.photosoprt.nz

Simon Mannering leaves the field with a severe cut to his mouth Photo: Photosport

Mannering has played 73 consecutive games for the Warriors since round eight in 2013.

He's been replaced in the Warrriors side to play St George-Illawarra in Auckland on Sunday by Charlie Gubb, who'll make his first run-on start for the side.

Gubb is one of several changes from the side that capitulated 42-0 to Melbourne on Monday night.

Utility Jazz Tevaga and props Albert Vete and James Gavet have been recalled, while new signing Shaun Lane will make his debut.

Rookie hooker-back rower Tevaga will make his fourth appearance after being used in earlier matches against Melbourne, Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters.

Tuimoala Lolohea, who has a knee injury, will be out for two weeks and is replaced at fullback by David Fusitu'a.

Rookie hooker-back rower Tevaga will make his fourth appearance after being used in earlier matches against Melbourne, Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters.

Tuimoala Lolohea, who has a knee injury, will be out for two weeks and is replaced at fullback by David Fusitu'a.

With Fusitu'a named at fullback, Jonathan Wright will start on the right wing and veteran prop Jacob Lillyman is also in the run-on line-up, after being used from the bench in the last two games.

St George Illawarra has been the Vodafone Warriors' most challenging opponent since coming into the competition on 1999.

The Dragons have a 19-4 winning record in 23 encounters although the Warriors have won three of the 11 meetings at Mount Smart Stadium, the most recent a 44-16 victory in 2007; with Mannering out this week, Manu Vatuvei will be the only survivor from the side that played that day.

WARRIORS:

1 David Fusitu'a

2 Jonathan Wright

3 Blake Ayshford

4 Solomone Kata

5 Manu Vatuvei

6 Thomas Leuluai

7 Shaun Johnson

8 Jacob Lillyman

9 Issac Luke

10 Ben Matulino

11 Bodene Thompson

12 Ryan Hoffman (c)

13 Charlie Gubb

Interchange:

14 Jazz Tevaga

15 Sam Lisone

16 Albert Vete

17 Shaun Lane

18 James Gavet