Rugby league: Issac Luke named in New Zealand Warriors squad to face Wests Tigers in NRL's second round

Issac Luke is back for the Warriors, though his return to first grade will only come via the bench.

After missing both pre-season trials and the round one 40-6 victory over the Bulldogs as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery, the Kiwis veteran has been named on an extended bench in the squad to face the Tigers on Sunday.

Luke's no certainty to play, but coach Stephen Kearney seemed confident the 31-year-old could see some action at Campbelltown.

"Issac is also making good progress in his recovery and is certainly a good chance of playing against the Tigers," said Kearney.

"We are waiting to see if he is fit enough and once we know that we have got a bit of a plan to work out with the medical team about what is best going to suit Issac and obviously for us to have an idea of what is best going to suit the team."

But long term, Luke is set to face strong competition from Nathaniel Roache for the No9 berth this season, as the 22-year-old impressed in Saturday's win, his first NRL match since August 2017.

"He was strong, off the back of a couple of trial performances where we gradually increased his time," said Kearney. "He squeezed out 55 minutes with a halftime break in between. It was a positive sign for him."

Isaiah Papali'i could also make his first NRL appearance of the year, after being stood down last week as a sanction for a drink driving incident.

"Isaiah paid the price last week after failing to live up to the standards we expect of our players," said Kearney.

"He's full of remorse about what happened and he's also hungry to win his place back in the side."

Where he might play is uncertain though. Papali'i mainly played as a back rower last season, but was earmarked to wear the No13 jersey in 2019.

"I haven't made up my mind," said Kearney. "He trained all pre-season in the middle but he is lucky that he can also fill a role on the edge. He will fit in where we think it is best going to suit the team."

The Warriors have no major injury concerns, with wing Ken Maumalo expected to recover in time from a slight knock carried out of Saturday's win.

"He's pulled up alright [and] rolled back into training in pretty good shape, said Kearney.

"[There were] a few sore bodies; round one, a pretty hard ground, I was expecting a few bumps and bruises."

It's an unchanged starting side for round two, though Blake Ayshford has dropped out of the 17 from last week.

Kearney is wary of the Tigers, who impressed in their 20-6 win over Manly with veterans Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall pulling the strings.

"Given the [wet] conditions the two senior players in the side were great," said Kearney. "Fantastic, experienced, crafty players who picked apart Manly. Knowing Benji and Robbie, that's certainly what we have to watch out for."

Warriors team to face the Tigers on Sunday in Cambelltown:

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 David Fusitu'a
3 Peta Hiku
4 Solomone Kata
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Adam Keighran
7 Blake Green
8 Agnatius Paasi
9 Nathaniel Roache
10 Bunty Afoa
11 Adam Blair
12 Tohu Harris
13 Lachlan Burr

Interchange:

14 Jazz Tevaga
15 Sam Lisone
16 Leeson Ah Mau
17 Isaiah Papali'i
18 Gerard Beale
20 Chanel Harris-Tavita
22 Issac Luke
23 Ligi Sao
(Four to be omitted)