Warriors coach Matt Elliott has kept faith in his players by naming a largely unchanged side to take on North Queensland at Mt Smart Stadium on Easter Monday.
In reality, he doesn't have much choice. With a treatment room still bulging with as many as 12 of the first-grade squad out - including Manu Vatuvei (ankle), Nathan Friend (shoulder), Steve Rapira (ear), Jerome Ropati (knee) and Russell Packer (bicep) - he's once again turned to the players who have been so disappointing this season. Friend is nearing a return and might come into consideration if he's given the all-clear by the surgeon.
Prop Sam Rapira returns after recovering from the hand injury that kept him out of Sunday's 28-4 defeat to Cronulla and winger Glen Fisiiahi has also been named to play after the recent loss of his sister to cancer.
It means Bill Tupou has been named on an extended five-man bench and 19-year-old Ngani Laumape, who made his debut against the Sharks, retains his place. He gained 116m from 13 runs on Sunday, the most of any Warriors player, but it doesn't mask an otherwise limp performance from the side.
"There was little to be pleased about in our performance against Cronulla but Ngani's effort was certainly one really positive feature," Elliott said. "He has worked hard throughout the offseason and did all he could in the trials and for the Vulcans. He didn't let anyone down at all on Sunday."
