League: Warriors put priority on winning trial games

There is more than a little interest in the performance of halves for the Warriors and the Eels in their trial game at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium tomorrow.

The Warriors start Jerome Ropati in the five-eighth spot that no one has cemented since Phil Blake departed.

Coach Tony Kemp said he regarded Ropati as an option at fullback also, but 2002-2003 Junior Kiwi Toshio Laiseni gets a chance there after recovering from shoulder surgery for an injury suffered in pre-season 2004. Laiseni, 19, from Otahuhu, is highly regarded as an elusive runner.

Lance Hohaia starts at halfback, but is likely to have to compete for the six jersey rather than seven during the season, with Stacey Jones said to be over his injury woes and in better shape than for some time. He is off the bench, but Kemp said that would come early in the game of four 20-minute quarters. All 20 players named will get a run.

Not considered for selection were Tevita Latu and Sione Faumuina , who are still recovering from shoulder surgery, and centre Vinnie Anderson, who has a viral flu infection. Captain Steve Price and another new buy, Nathan Fien, have "minor niggles" and will not play. Price's knee is okay after surgery, the club said, his omission unrelated to that.

Former Cowboys' half Fien will not play halfback or five-eighth, apparently. He is earmarked for the hooker's role, with hope his kicking game will provide attacking creativity and options to complement Jones' work. Last year's hooker, Louis Anderson, will compete in the backrow. Kemp said there was "no finality" at five-eighth, centre and fullback. He is happy with the improved coverage he has in all positions, thanks to off-season recruiting.

He has placed a priority on winning the three trial games after three losses last pre-season started a bad slide.

The Eels have left former Warrior PJ Marsh out of their 21-man squad, but another who was regarded as a great prospect starts for them at six. Marcus Perenara was hampered by shoulder problems last year and cut from the Auckland club. A Kiwi prospect, he will be keen to show his ability.

At halfback is 18-year-old Gold Coast junior Tim Smith, 18, rated highly by coach Brian Smith (no relation). The 2000 Warrior Peter Lewis is at lock.

Former Aussie international and Eels assistant coach Rod Reddy has been in Waikato this week conducting courses for players and coaches, furthering links established by Kiwi/Eel Mark Horo, and the Eels are taking their "home" game against the Warriors in June to Hamilton.

Souths have re-signed former Mt Albert secondrower David Fa'alogo for two more seasons. They play Brisbane in Bundaberg this weekend, with the Broncos running out PNG centre Ricky Sibiya and wing Leon Butt, who scored four tries for NSW rugby schoolboys versus Otago schoolboys in Dunedin last October.

Super League kicks off in England, with pundits expecting the Hull side, reinforced by Stephen Kearney and others, to compete for the title, and that gets an early test as they meet champions Hull.

Former Eels centre Jamie Lyon, who quit the game last year citing boredom, will start for St Helens against Widnes.

Two teams will be relegated from Super League this year, and a spot prepared for French side Perpignan to enter in 2006.

New Plymouth, Sunday, 4pm

NZ WARRIORS:

Toshio Laiseni, Rowan Baxter, Tony Martin, Francis Meli, Todd Byrne, Jerome Ropati, Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Louis Anderson, Richard Villasanti, Epalahame Lauaki, Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu

Interchange: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Brent Webb, Clinton Toopi, Monty Betham, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki.

EELS:

Joel Reddy, Ashley Graham, Ben Smith, Luke O'Dwyer, John Williams, Marcus Perenara, Tim Smith, Peter Lewis, Ian Henderson, Paul Stringer, Nathan Cayless (c), Josh Cordoba, Chris Muckert

Interchange: Brad Wallace, Jack Afamasaga, Blake Green, Justin Tsoulos, Weller Hauraki, Brett Delaney, Aaron Cannings, Brett Anderson.