League: Nines history as Warriors focus on NRL

Simon Mannering will start against the Broncos on Sunday. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Warriors are very much in NRL mode after the diversion of the Auckland Nines and will field a team as close to their best as possible in Sunday's pre-season match against the Broncos in Dunedin.

The club have juggled a couple of pre-season matches in and around the nines but can now focus entirely on their upcoming NRL campaign, which kicks off against the Eels on March 9.

They will take a 22-man squad to Dunedin. Half played in the Auckland Nines, including new recruits Sam Tomkins and Jayson Bukuya, and Shaun Johnson and Simon Mannering will also play their first full-sided game since the World Cup.

"It's a really important game for us," coach Matt Elliott said. "It's a selection trial for a large number of our squad and our only genuine trial to get our systems in place."

Winger Manu Vatuvei (thigh) and Dane Nielsen (leg) have niggling injuries and won't be risked and Ben Henry is suffering knee soreness after missing most of last season.

The Warriors were one club to come through the nines unscathed and they are in a relatively good position heading into a new season.

Kevin Locke (knee) and Thomas Leuluai (groin) are more long-term injury worries and both are likely to miss the start of the campaign.

It makes some selection decisions for the Eels game easier. New signing Chad Townsend is likely to start in the halves if Leuluai isn't fit and Elliott will need to make a decision on where Locke fits in when he returns to full fitness.

Warriors squad to play Brisbane: Jayson Bukuya, Glen Fisiiahi, Nathan Friend, David Fusitua, Charlie Gubb, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Jacob Lillyman, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Simon Mannering (captain), Suaia Matagi, Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino, John Palavi, Dominique Peyroux, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Carlos Tuimavave. APNZ