League: Fien out, Webb returns as Warriors head west

Brent Webb

The Warriors go to Perth today without Nathan Fien, who was tried at five-eighth against Penrith but lasted just 10 minutes before smashing an eye socket, which will keep him out for up to a month.

Jerome Ropati goes back to five-eighth because Brent Webb returns at fullback after recovering from a back strain.

The lineup is otherwise unchanged from the team who lost a close one to Penrith.

The Sharks have named the same team who beat Melbourne last weekend, but prop Jason Stevens (City) and wing Luke Covell (Country) must take a six-hour flight after playing in Friday night's trial for the New South Wales State of Origin team.

Matthew Reick and Keith Galloway would be the logical fill-ins. The latter returned to league a fortnight ago after a five-week break following the high tackle from John Hopoate.

The NRL is taking the game to Perth to maintain a presence in the western city, with the aim of expanding back there at some stage.

The Warriors fly today because Wednesday and Friday are the only days their airline sponsor, Air New Zealand, flies direct. But the players will use the time in Perth to put in extra media work.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater has pleaded guilty to a head slam on Cronulla wing David Simmons and is banned for this round. Roosters second-rower Michael Crocker has admitted a high tackle charge and is out for two games.

Cronulla's Stevens, who has suffered serious neck injury in the past, complained during the game and afterwards about the grapple tactics employed round the head/neck area by Storm hooker Cameron Smith.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have released some of their seating to Waikato Stadium for the Lions-Maori rugby game on June 11.

The Warriors play the Melbourne Storm at home that weekend, with the day and time yet to be set by the NRL, but the club has already agreed to let the contractor which provides the temporary seating at the north end of Ericsson Stadium to remove about 4000 seats.

The exposed scaffolding will be covered in a red mesh to make things more appealing for television.

Pacific Scaffolding will take the seats to Hamilton and return them before the next Warriors home game against Brisbane, with the club compensated for the disruption.

Season ticket-holders at the northern end will receive a free upgrade to the eastern stand and the stadium will still have a capacity of more than 21,000, as per NRL requirements.

* Perth, Saturday 11.30pm (NZ time)

Warriors

Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Todd Byrne, Clinton Toopi, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Louis Anderson, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbeil, Karl Temata, Wairangi Koopu

Sharks

David Peachey, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Paul Mellor, Luke Covell, Adam Dykes, B. Kimmorley (c), Jason Stevens, Matt Hilder, Danny Nutley, Reece Williams, Phil Bailey, Paul Gallen

Interchange:

Warriors: Epalahame Lauaki, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Richard Villasanti, Lance Hohaia.

Sharks: Hutch Maiava, Phil Leuluai, Michael Sullivan, Greg Bird.