5 Mar 2018

Mannering to miss Warriors' NRL opener

1:17 pm on 5 March 2018

Veteran forward Simon Mannering will miss the Warriors' opening match of the NRL season against South Sydney in Perth.

Warriors veteran Simon Mannering to miss NRL season opener with a shoulder injury

Warriors veteran Simon Mannering to miss NRL season opener with a shoulder injury Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

Mannering failed to board the plane departing from Auckland on Monday after being unable to shake off a shoulder injury that's been plaguing him since last week's 20 to 14 pre-season win over the Gold Coast.

The 31-year-old could be looking at sitting on the sidelines for up to a month at the conclusion of his scan result, in what would be an enormous early-season blow for Stephen Kearney's side.

Possible replacements in the No.13 jersey for Saturday's match against South Sydney are Ligi Sao and young forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Bunty Afoa.

- RNZ