KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Warriors will field the bulk of their frontline players for their National Rugby League pre-season match against North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.
Eight of the 12 players who missed the 64-4 win over the Auckland Lions last weekend have been picked in the 20-man squad to travel to Mackay on Thursday.
They include skipper Steve Price, vice-captain Ruben Wiki and former Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon.
Also coming into the squad are winger Manu Vatuvei, centre Simon Mannering, five-eighth Jerome Ropati, hooker Nathan Fien and back rower Micheal Luck.
After the trial against the Cowboys, the Warriors will have a final pre-season hitout against the Bulldogs at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium on March 3.
Coach Ivan Cleary said he intended to field his best available line-up, or close to it, over the next fortnight, especially against the Bulldogs.
"Last Sunday's trial was a good run for a lot of players but now we have to step up our preparation as we take on two tough NRL opponents," he said.
Not involved against the Cowboys are back rowers Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu and Louis Anderson, three-quarter Cooper Vuna, utility Patrick Ah Van and former Sydney Rooster reserve grade fullback Aidan Kirk.
Cleary said Anderson had picked up a minor shoulder injury against the Lions and would sit out against the Bulldogs as well.
Swann was being kept back to face the Bulldogs, while Koopu was not considered because of a shoulder injury.
Ah Van and Kirk were working their way back to full fitness after off-season surgery.
The trip to Mackay marks a return for halfback Grant Rovelli to his home town and a ground, Leprechaun Park, that he knows well.
The park is home to the Brothers club and Rovelli played for rivals Souths in his junior days.
New Zealand Warriors' squad: Wade McKinnon, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Todd Byrne, Michael Crockett, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Steve Price (captain), Ruben Wiki, Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, George Gatis, Micheal Luck, Epalahame Lauaki, Sonny Fai, Corey Lawrie.
- NZPA
