Two players from the New Zealand Warriors' NRL Nines team and a total of six with first-grade experience have been included in a 23-man squad for the club's opening trial against Gold Coast in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Warriors winger Solomone Kata celebrates a during the NRL Auckland Nines. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Head coach Andrew McFadden has selected outside back Matt Allwood and utility Nathaniel Roache after they were both involved in the NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park.
Allwood made a try-scoring appearance against Canberra while the 18-year-old Roache wasn't used in any of the side's four games.
As well as Allwood, who had 11 NRL appearances for the Raiders last year, others with first-grade experience are 32-game utility Dominique Peyroux, former Parramatta utility Api Pewhairangi, props Charlie Gubb and Upu Poching plus back rower John Palavi.
Also included are seven players from the Junior Warriors' 2014 NYC premiership-winning squad.
McFadden says this first trial is really important in terms of looking at options, testing their depth and finding out what players have to offer whether it be for the NRL or New South Wales Cup sides.
The Warriors have strong links with Toowoomba with Steve Price, Michael Witt and current hooker Nathan Friend all hailing from the area while former wing Justin Murphy lives in the region now.
WARRIORS - TRIALS PROGRAMME
Saturday, February 7 Titans v Vodafone Warriors, Toowoomba 7.00pm
Saturday, February 14 Vodafone Warriors v Panthers, Rotorua 3.00pm
Sunday, February 15 Luke Tipene Celebration Day, Glenora 11.00am
Saturday, February 21 Inter-squad trials, Papakura 12.30pm
