NRL: Young star steps up for Warriors' biggie

Mason Lino will form a fledgling halves combination with rookie No 7 and fellow Marist club-mate Tui Lolohea tonight. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The Warriors will rely on another young playmaker to help steer the side's attack in tonight's clash with the North Queensland Cowboys at Mt Smart Stadium.

Mason Lino will make his NRL debut, replacing five-eighth Chad Townsend who has been unwell all week and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old will form a fledgling halves combination with rookie No 7 and fellow Marist club-mate Tui Lolohea, as they line up against Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston and five-eighth Michael Morgan.

"Chad hasn't trained all week and he's still not right so we made the call to bring in Mason," said Warriors coach Andrew McFadden.

"He has been doing a terrific job for [coach] Stacey Jones in our New South Wales Cup side and deserves this.

"It's a massive moment and opportunity for him. We had his mum and dad in this morning to present his first jersey to him, and tomorrow he has the chance to make his debut in front of them as well as the rest of his family and friends plus our members and fans.

"We're all excited for him in what will be our last home game of the season."

Lino was co-captain when the Junior Warriors won the NYC premiership last year.

He finished his time in the competition with a record 503 points from 62 appearances (only Ben Henry with 64 and John Palavi with 63 have played more NYC games for the club).

The former Avondale College student was set to take up a contract with AS Carcassonne in France last year but needed shoulder surgery instead and was given an opportunity to remain with the Warriors.

After a long recovery, he made his first NSW Cup appearance of the year against Manly in May, and was man of the match in last Saturday's 20-16 win over Wests Tigers after scoring a try and kicking four goals from four attempts.

The Warriors are well aware of the challenge they face in toppling the third-placed Cowboys, who are coming off consecutive defeats to Cronulla and South Sydney.

The presence of Thurston looms as the obvious threat, but McFadden explained most of their preparation has been focused on getting their own game in order.

"I haven't really put a whole lot of attention on the opposition this week," said McFadden. "It really has been about building our own energy up and looking after ourselves.

"He [Thurston] is the obvious one. He's in career-best form and he's the best player in the world, so he's going to be a challenge and a great test for us."

McFadden accepts the recent run of five consecutive defeats and mounting pressure have affected his younger players, but says it is vital they retain their confidence to play their natural games.

"It's incredibly important this weekend. It's a challenge there's no doubt," he said.

"The pressure of week-to-week footy takes its toll and all the extra scrutiny from outside has an impact particularly on a young squad.

"We've got to try to take as much pressure off them there and get them to go out there and win."