NRL: Five debuts for Warriors' season opener

Simon Mannering of the Warriors will lead the team out for the first game of the season this Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

Five players are in line to make their debuts for the Warriors in Saturday's NRL season-opening clash against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium.

Head coach Andrew McFadden has named experienced recruits Bodene Thompson and Ryan Hoffman to start in the second row in their first appearances for their new club with captain Simon Mannering moving to loose forward.

Solomone Kata has been confirmed to make his NRL debut in the centres playing on the left edge alongside the club's try-scoring record holder Manu Vatuvei, who is heading into his 12th campaign in the Vodafone Warriors' 20th anniversary season.

Named on an extended bench are young props Sam Lisone and Albert Vete who, like Kata, are products of the club's NYC system; Kata and Lisone were in the premiership-winning Junior Warriors side last year.

"Ryan and Bodene have made a huge impact since joining us early in the New Year," said McFadden.

"They bring so much to the squad in terms of not just their ability but their attitude and work ethic. They certainly have all the qualities we want to see across the board in our club.

"Solomone, Sam and Albert have also made a big impression with their work in the off season and their efforts in the trials. They've really earned their selection."

Returning to the side after three NRL appearances last year is Tuimoala Lolohea, who has been named on the right wing teaming up with explosive centre Konrad Hurrell. Lolohea was also in the club's grand final-winning NYC side last year.

Veteran utility Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker with Nathan Friend on the bench. The 34-year-old Friend is only three games away from his 200th career appearance.

The Newcastle clash is the first of back-to-back away games for the Warriors. On Sunday week they're in Canberra to take on the Raiders before having consecutive home games at Mt Smart Stadium against Parramatta (5pm, March 21) and Brisbane (2pm, March 29).

"It's a tough start to the season but for us it's all about preparing well and being in a position to produce the level of performance we expect of ourselves," said McFadden.

Warriors v Newcastle
Hunter Stadium, 6.30pm Saturday

TEAM:
Sam Tomkins
Tuimoala Lolohea
Konrad Hurrell
Solomone Kata
Manu Vatuvei
Chad Townsend
Shaun Johnson
Jacob Lillyman
Thomas Leuluai
Ben Matulino
Bodene Thompson
Ryan Hoffman
Simon Mannering (c)
Interchange: Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete, Suaia Matagi