4 Mar 2014

Tomkins named for NRL debut

6:25 pm on 4 March 2014

The Warriors' biggest off-season signing, Sam Tomkins, will make his National Rugby League debut from fullback in the club's season opener against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.

Tomkins, who came from the English Super League club Wigan, will make his first Warriors appearance along side fellow newcomers, Jason Bukuya and Chad Townsend.

Townsend gets his first chance to impress in the halves, starting at standoff, alongside the halfback, Shaun Johnson, while Bukuya starts in the second row.

The former Warriors under-20 star, John Palavi, also makes his first-grade debut starting at lock.

The centre, Konrad Hurrell, has failed to make this side, with Carlos Tuimavave named to start with Dane Nielsen in the centres.

Warriors:

1. Sam Tomkins

2. Glen Fisiiahi

3. Dane Nielsen

4.Carlos Tuimavave

5. Manu Vatuvei

6. Chad Townsend

7. Shaun Johnson

8. Sam Rapira

9. Nathan Friend

10. Ben Matulino

11. Jayson Bukuya

12. Simon Mannering (c)

13. John Palavi

Interchange:

14. Jacob Lillyman

15. Suaia Matagi

16. Sione Lousi

17. Feleti Mateo

18. Jerome Ropati