League: Warriors to unveil new-look spine against St George-Illawarra Dragons

Warriors hooker Issac Luke will have his first run together with fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, halfback Shaun Johnson and halves partner Jeff Robson against the Dragons in Nelson. Photo/Getty

The Warriors will road test their new-look spine for the first time when they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in their second and final NRL trial match at Nelson's Trafalgar Park on Saturday.

Coach Andrew McFadden is yet to reveal his starting line-up but has mad e clear his plan to field Kiwis test fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, halfback Shaun Johnson and hooker Issac Luke with ex-Cronulla veteran Jeff Robson partnering Johnson in the halves.

"It'll be exciting having the chance to see our new spine in action for the first time," said McFadden.

"Issac had his first hit-out against Gold Coast in Whangarei after missing the NRL Nines and now we have the chance to put the combination of our spine players together.

"As well as those four players we have nearly all of our front-line players available for what is a really important trial for us."

The 25-man squad includes six players vying for outside back positions and seven front-row contenders, highlighting the strong competition for spots at the club this season.

Wing and centre options Manu Vatuvei, Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea, Konrad Hurrell and Jonathan Wright are all traveling to Nelson while the front-row stocks include Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Albert Vete, Ligi Sao, Sam Lisone and Charlie Gubb plus James Gavet, who has been on trial during the preseason.

Apart from Luke, Vete, Sao, Gubb and Gavet, other players backing up from the trial in Whangarei will be Ben Henry, Ata Hingano and Matt Allwood.

The occasion holds special significance for captain Simon Mannering who is set to play his and the club's first match in his home town.

The back-rower missed last week's All Stars clash in Brisbane after withdrawing from the game following the birth of his second son.

"It's terrific for Simon that he has this chance to play in front of family and friends at home for the first time in his career," said McFadden.

"It's special for us as a club as well taking NRL football to another part of the country. We're all looking forward to it."

The Warriors arrive in Nelson on Thursday and have a training session scheduled that afternoon.

Warriors squad to face Dragons in Nelson, Saturday, 5pm kick-off: Matt Allwood, Blake Ayshford, James Gavet, Charlie Gubb, Ben Henry, Ata Hingano, Ryan Hoffman, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Thomas Leuluai, Jacob Lillyman, Sam Lisone, Tui Lolohea, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering (c), Ben Matulino, Nathaniel Roache, Jeff Robson, Ligi Sao, Bodene Thompson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Albert Vete, Jonathan Wright.