NRL: Multiple changes to Warriors lineup as new recruits make the cut, while Reece Walsh ruled out

New recruits Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Chad Townsend have come straight into the Warriors team for the 16th-round NRL clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Central Coast Stadium on Friday night.

Watene-Zelezniak and Townsend only trained with the squad for the first time on Monday, but they were always going to be picked, given their combined experience of 330 NRL games.

On the debit side, Reece Walsh will miss the match, due to the hamstring strain that forced him out of the second State of Origin clash on Sunday.

That means captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will start at fullback, for only the second time in the last five games, since Walsh's blazing arrival on the NRL scene.

Euan Aitken and Josh Curran were also unavailable for selection, as they serve time in isolation for the next two weeks.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make his Warriors debut against the Dragons. Photo / Photosport

Watene-Zelezniak will make his Warriors debut on the wing while Townsend takes the No 7 jersey in the first game of his second stint at the club.

Marcelo Montoya moves into the centres in place of Aitken while Tohu Harris has been selected at lock.

Coach Nathan Brown has brought Eliesa Katoa into the second row and moved Ben Murdoch-Masila onto the edge after using him as a starting prop in the loss to Newcastle last time out.

Wayde Egan is back at hooker after missing one game after a brutal head knock against the Storm while Jazz Tevaga reverts to the No 14 jersey. Leeson Ah Mau, Bunty Afoa and Bayley Sironen make up the rest of the game day interchange bench.

Warriors team

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Adam Pompey
4 Marcelo Montoya
5 Edward Kosi
6 Kodi Nikorima
7 Chad Townsend
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Wayde Egan
10 Kane Evans
11 Eliesa Katoa
12 Ben Murdoch-Masila
13 Tohu Harris

Interchange:

14 Jazz Tevaga
15 Leeson Ah Mau
16 Bunty Afoa
17 Bayley Sironen
18 Rocco Berry
20 Jack Murchie
21 Taniela Otukolo
22 Sean O'Sullivan

(four to be omitted)