NRL: Cleary asks Moon to spark backline

Joel Moon. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Standoff Nathan Fien has borne the brunt of coach Ivan Cleary's anger over the last Sunday's disappointing 12-34 National Rugby League defeat to North Queensland.

Fien found out today that not only had he been dropped for the next match, he was also surplus to requirements at the Warriors for next season after four years with the club.

Cleary has reshuffled the Warriors' backline for Sunday's away match against Canberra Raiders, replacing Fien at standoff with Joel Moon.

Moon, a former Brisbane Bronco, who turns 21 tomorrow, started the season in the No 6 jersey but has been used in the centres recently.

"We've been concerned about our combination in the halves and needed to look at changes," Cleary said.

"It's a tough call to make but there's room for only one halfback in the line-up.

"We've been really pleased with the way Stacey (Jones) has been going for us at No 7 which meant Nathan had to miss out.

"With Brent Tate out for the rest of the season, we've had a look at Joel in the centres but he's a player we're committed to at No 6, so he moves closer in to give us a better-balanced combination."

With Moon switched to standoff, Patrick Ah Van, 21, returns at right centre for his 45th appearance for the club.

Jones will play his ninth consecutive match in his comeback season, taking his career tally within three of his 250th appearance.

Returning to a six-man interchange bench is prop Jesse Royal, who missed the North Queensland match with a hamstring strain.

He joins Lance Hohaia, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown and utility Aaron Heremaia.

With Fien omitted this week, six players are now in line to maintain their sequence of playing in all 10 matches so far this year - hooker Ian Henderson, second rowers Jacob Lillyman and Simon Mannering, Moon, prop Russell Packer and centre Jerome Ropati.

Like the Warriors, Canberra will be coming off a heavy loss going into Sunday's match after a 6-46 loss to Melbourne at Olympic Park last night.

- NZPA