NRL: McKinnon pays for bad timing

The emergence of the dynamic Kevin Locke has been a glowing beacon in an otherwise miserable Warriors campaign. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Wade McKinnon may come to regret failing to turn up on time for a reconditioning session in Sydney on Sunday morning.

McKinnon's breach of team protocol - albeit well down the scale by NRL standards - has opened the door for exciting prospect Kevin Locke to make his first start at his favoured fullback position against the Titans on Sunday.

McKinnon's timing has been off for much of the season but, with the Warriors' season about to swing into experimental mode, his tardiness at the weekend could hardly have been more ill-timed.

The emergence of the dynamic Locke has been a shining beacon in an otherwise miserable campaign.

In deference to McKinnon, calls for Locke to be installed at fullback as a means of sparking the team's mis-firing attack have been to date fairly muted.

But now he has been handed the chance, few would expect Locke to relinquish the No 1 jersey easily.

"It's disappointing that we've needed to stand Wade down," coach Ivan Cleary said. "He has been playing strongly for us but we expect our players to abide by the team protocols."

McKinnon isn't the only victim of a dramatic reshuffle that provides several pointers to the club's future. Kiwis centre Jerome Ropati has been axed for the second time this season, while hooker Ian Henderson is also out. The fourth casualty is standoff Isaac John, who has been dispensed with after a three game trial.

Patrick Ah Van shifts into Locke's wing spot, while under-20s captain Elijah Taylor makes his debut at centre in place of Ropati.

The most intriguing selection sees Lewis Brown - who has impressed in the second row - given a chance at his favoured hooking position.

With Brown moving into the starting line-up, second rower Ukuma Ta'ai has been restored to the bench. Utility Aaron Heremaia, mainly used as a bench hooker this season, gets his chance to show what he can do at standoff.

As well as Brown, plenty of interest will surround the efforts of 19-year-old Taylor, a consistent performer at national youth championship level who has been knocking on the first grade door for some time.

Still eligible for a third season with the Juniors next season, Hawera-born Taylor can play in the centres, at standoff and in the back row. He is the eighth youth player to be promoted to the first-grade side following Sonny Fai, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino last season plus Leeson Ah Mau, Daniel O'Regan, Locke and John this year.

"It's great that we're able to give a debut to another player who has come through our system," Cleary said. "In the last two seasons we've seen the benefits of the NYC competition and the chance it has given us to bring through local players. It's more proof the programme is working and in Elijah we have another player who clearly has a lot to offer ..."

Micheal Luck will continue to captain the side in the absence of Steve Price, who is still out with a rib cartilage injury.

Luck is well set to break the 1000-tackle barrier for the season. He finished with 65 in Saturday's 32-32 draw against the Panthers. That has boosted his season-high total to 838 in 18 games (an average 46.6 per match) with five rounds still to go.

Castleford's overseas player Sione Faumuina is packing his bags six weeks after coach Terry Matterson dropped him.

Faumuina, 28, arrived on a 12-month contract this year and made 21 straight appearances but the New Zealander fell from favour amid reports of a breach of club discipline. Castleford say the parting of the ways is by mutual agreement.

Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm Sunday

WARRIORS
Kevin Locke
Patrick Ah Van
Elijah Taylor
Joel Moon
Manu Vatuvei
Aaron Heremaia
Stacey Jones
Sam Rapira
Lewis Brown
Russell Packer
Simon Mannering
Ben Matulino
Micheal Luck (c)

Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Jacob Lillyman, Ukuma Ta'ai

TITANS
William Zillman
Kevin Gordon
Mat Rogers
Jordan Atkins
David Mead
Preston Campbell
Scott Prince (c)
Luke Bailey (c)
Nathan Friend
Michael Henderson
Anthony Laffranchi
Mark Minichiello
Josh Graham

Interchange: Aaron Cannings, Matthew White, Brad Myers, Chris Walker, Will Matthews (one to be omitted).

DROPPED
Wade McKinnon
Jerome Ropati
Ian Henderson
Isaac John