By PETER JESSUP
The Auckland Warriors have kept as many of the weekend's victorious side as they were able for this Saturday's away assignment against Parramatta.
But some changes have been forced by injury and suspension as the team now seek some stability in turnout and performance.
Jerry Seuseu moves to the front row starting line-up to replace the suspended Terry Hermansson, who will miss away games against the Eels, the Bulldogs and North Queensland, allowing a return for the Anzac test, should he be picked.
Mark Tookey, the players' player of the day at Newtown last weekend, comes on to the bench for Seuseu. Monty Betham was not considered, with a slight shoulder injury and a glandular-related virus that has swelled his throat ruling him out of training and play this week. His bench spot goes to Matt Spence.
In the starting 17, wing Shontayne Hape goes to Newtown - to give him time to consolidate rather than a demotion for bad performance - and regular Odell Manuel comes back after good work at the Jets, including three tries last weekend.
To Newtown this week go Hape, Clinton Toopi, Joe Galuvao and Wairangi Koopu. To Brisbane Souths go Paul Whatuira, Talite Liavaa, Francis Meli and Henry Perenara.
The New Zealand Rugby League annual meeting on Friday will receive accounts showing its projected loss of $300,000 for the 1999 season has been cut by two-thirds.
The end-of-year tri-series was a winner for the league, returning a six-figure profit. That balances out costs from folding up companies that ran the old Lion Red Cup, a $200,000 loss on the national competition last season and retirement of other debt, none of which is expected to be repeated next year.
Board members Ken Stirling and Bob Hadden will vie for the vice-chairman's seat held by Wayne Morris, with the latter standing again for the board.
There is no vote for chairman, with Gerald Ryan still having a year to go in that job, and few other changes are expected.
Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Lee Oudenryn, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Odell Manuel, John Simon (capt), Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Jerry Seuseu, Logan Swann, Ali Lauitiiti, Jason Death. Interchange Henry Faafili, Tony Tuimavave, Matt Spence, Mark Tookey, 18th man Scott Pethybridge.
Rugby League: Injuries, suspension force changes
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.