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NRL Warriors v Panthers Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. When: Saturday, May 6, 5pm. Coverage: Live Sky Sport 4, live updates on Stuff from 4.40pm.
In a major boost to the Warriors’ hopes of avoiding three straight NRL losses, captain Tohu Harris and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad have been named to return from injury against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday.
The influential pair missed last Sunday’s loss to the Roosters, after leaving the field with injuries during the Anzac Day defeat to the Melbourne Storm and their return is timely with Warriors head coach Andrew Webster taking on his old mentor Ivan Cleary. Webster was an assistant coach at Penrith up until the end of last season.
Harris suffered a recurrence of an MCL knee injury that has now seen him miss three games and leave the field with the injury twice, against the Bulldogs in round four and on Anzac Day.
However, Harris being named in Webster’s side on Tuesday, for the Magic Round clash in Brisbane, should be treated with some level of caution by Warriors fans. He was also named for the round five and six matches against the Knights and Sharks before being a late scratching.
Nicoll-Klokstad failed an HIA assessment during the 30-22 loss to the Storm but has been named to return, replacing last week’s full-in fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who shifts back to the right wing.
Stuff
Tohu Harris has been named to return for the Warriors against the Panthers after missing the loss to the Roosters.
The backline reshuffle means Marcelo Montoya, who has just re-signed with the club for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, shifts back to right centre with Viliami Vailea coming out of the side.
Harris’ inclusion allows Marata Niukore to shift back to the right edge with Josh Curran named to come off the bench.
Freddy Lussick, who was not required off the interchange bench on Sunday, has dropped back to the extended squad.
Demitric Sifakula, who made his NRL debut at just 19-years-old against the Roosters, retains his spot on the interchange bench.
For the Panthers, Kiwis prop James Fisher-Harris returns following several weeks out with a knee injury in a game-changer of an addition and fellow prop Spencer Leniu is a chance to be back after missing last week with a calf injury.
Cleary’s men will be desperate to bounce back after suffering a shock upset loss to the West Tigers last week in what was their first victory of the season.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be back in the No. 1 jersey for the Warriors at Magic Round in Brisbane.
With the Warriors currently sitting in eight and Penrith seventh – despite both being on 10 competition points – a win for either side will be vital with three more teams, the Dolphins, Titans and Raiders, also stuck in a logjam on 10 points.
The Warriors will spend next week in Australia with a quick backup before taking on the Bulldogs in Sydney on Friday week before their first bye of the season.
Despite the return of Harris and Nicoll-Klokstad, the Warriors still have Brayden Wiliame (calf), Mitch Barnett (neck), Te Maire Martin (broken leg), Jazz Tevaga (calf) and Luke Metcalf (hamstring) all sidelined with injury.
Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marcelo Montoya, Adam Pompey, Ed Kosi, Dylan Walker, Shaun Johnson; Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore, Tohu Harris. Interchange: Bayley Sironen, Josh Curran, Demitric Sifakula, Tom Ale. Reserves: Freddy Lussick, Taine Tuaupiki, Viliame Vailea, Ronald Volkman, Kalani Going.
Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Sunia Turuva, Tyrone Peachey, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, James Fisher-Harris, Scott Sorensen, Zac Hosking, Isaah Yeo. Interchange: Soni Luke, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Jaeman Salmon. Reserves: Jack Cogger, Luke Garner, Tom Jenkins, Spencer Leniu, Chris Smith.
Referee: Todd Smith
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