Warriors: Friend to take field for 200th NRL game

Nathan Friend in action for the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors have started a milestone season - their 20th in the Australian competition - and on Saturday celebrate another couple of achievements when they face the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium.

The club's main celebrations will focus on next weekend's round four game against the Broncos, when they recreate the inaugural game in 1995.

Hooker Nathan Friend and back rower Ben Henry will get the ball rolling on Saturday when they rack up personal milestones.

The 34-year-old Friend has again been named on the bench in an unchanged side for his landmark 200th NRL appearance and Henry (23) will play his 50th first-grade match.

Friend, now in his 14th NRL season, began the journey to his 200th appearance with one game for Brisbane in 2002 followed by 34 for Melbourne (2003-2006) and 100 for Gold Coast (2007-2011). He makes his 65th appearance for the Warriors on Saturday.

Henry made his first-grade debut against Manly in 2012 and last year played his first test for the Kiwis.

"We've already had five players appearing for the club for the first time and now Nathan and Ben reaching these milestones," said Warriors coach Andrew McFadden. "They're occasions we place a lot of emphasis on.

"It's also special to have two such valuable team members being able to bring up their milestones in front of family, friends, members and fans at our home. Friendy and Ben have made terrific contributions to the club and I know the rest of the boys are thrilled for them.

"We're also excited to be at home for our next two games in our 20th anniversary season. We can't wait to get out there in front of our own supporters after two tough games on the road. This is the place the boys love playing at with a big and vocal crowd there behind them."

The Warriors go into the match after their impressive 18-6 win over the Raiders last weekend.

The Eels, meanwhile, followed a 42-12 win over Manly with 32-12 defeat to the Bulldogs.The Friend and Henry milestones launch a series of achievements set to follow in the next few weeks.

Hoffman plays his 248th game this week leaving him on track to bring up his 250th against his former teammates in Melbourne on April 6 and the club's try-scoring record holder Manu Vatuvei is on target to make his 200th NRL appearance in the sixth-round home game against Wests Tigers - joining Stacey Jones and Simon Mannering as the only players to reach the mark with the Warriors.

The Warriors will play their 500th game in the competition in May's return match against the Eels in Sydney.

Warriors team to play the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday (5pm): Sam Tomkins, Jonathan Wright, Tuimoala Lolohea, Solomone Kata, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Thomas Leuluai, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering (c). Interchange: Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete, Matt Allwood.