League: Wrist fractures Faumuina's dream

A broken wrist has left Warriors loose forward Sione Faumuina stranded one game short of making his 100th NRL appearance this season.

The former Kiwis international was invalided out of last weekend's 36-6 loss to Penrith after just 26 minutes and scans have subsequently revealed a fracture in his left wrist.

Faumuina, 25, is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks and may require surgery.

His unavailability has created another selection headache for head coach Ivan Cleary ahead of the match against the Cronulla Sharks in Auckland on Saturday night, which doubles as England-bound stalwart Awen Guttenbeil's testimonial match.

The Warriors will also be without their most experienced player, vice-captain Ruben Wiki.

The Kiwis veteran was yesterday suspended for one match by the NRL judiciary after lodging an early guilty plea to a grade three careless high tackle charge arising from last weekend's match.

"It's a shame for Sione and Ruben that they can't be part of a special occasion. They've both played a lot of football with Awen," Cleary said.

The pair's absence should be offset by fullback Brent Webb's anticipated return from a hip injury.

Wairangi Koopu has been named as a starting second rower with Louis Anderson moving to loose forward and Evarn Tuimavave has been listed as Wiki's front row replacement after missing the game against Penrith.

Back rower Epalahame Lauaki has also been recalled after a four-month layoff from injury.

Prop George Tuakura, 30, is in line to become one of the NRL's oldest debutants should he play on Saturday after Cleary named a provisional five-man bench.

Webb, who missed the last two rounds against Parramatta and Penrith, is poised to play his 99th game for the club.

Makeshift fullback Patrick Ah Van reverts to the right wing while Cooper Vuna drops out of the side.

Though the Warriors' season is effectively over Cleary has demanded a much improved effort from the side.

"The performance against Penrith wasn't acceptable. We all expect better than that."

The Sharks arrive with plenty of motivation to end a five-match losing streak that sees them in danger of dropping outside the top eight for the first time in three months.


Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm

Warriors: Brent Webb, Patrick Ah Van, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Evarn Tuimavave, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Louis Anderson
Interchange: (from) George Gatis, Sam Rapira, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck, George Tuakura.

Sharks: Brett Kearney, Darren Albert, Nigel Vagana, Ben Pomeroy, Luke Covell, Adam Dykes, B. Kimmorley (c), James Stosic, Kevin Kingston, Luke Douglas, Reece Williams, Lance Thompson, Paul Gallen
Interchange: (from) Richard Villasanti, Matt Hilder, Cameron Ciraldo, Beau Scott, Darren Mapp.

- NZPA