Warriors name unchanged team for Roosters as calf injury sidelines Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

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Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to miss three more games before making his first appearance of the 2023 NRL season.

Watene-Zelezniak was a late withdrawal from the side that defeated the Newcastle Knights 20-12 in Wellington on Friday night, with Edward Kosi drafted into the starting side on the right wing and delivering what was arguably his best first-grade performance.

It has since been confirmed Watene-Zelezniak, a former Kiwis captain, has torn his calf muscle – during the trial against the Melbourne Storm – and is not expected back until round five against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Sydney on April 2.

Head of performance at the Warriors, Balin Cupples, said a cautious approach was being adopted in getting Watene-Zelezniak back on the field.

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The significant blow will have been softened slightly by Kosi’s effort against the Knights, especially defensively, but the experience and speed of Watene-Zelezniak will be missed.

With Watene-Zelezniak remaining sidelined, new Warriors coach Andrew Webster has named an unchanged side for Saturday’s match against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to be out of action with a calf injury until round five.

John Davidson/Photosport

Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to be out of action with a calf injury until round five.

The only change to the Warriors’ extended squad will see Bayley Sironen make a return from a knee injury, also suffered in the trial against the Storm.

Jazz Tevaga, who has not been sighted yet in 2023 following shoulder surgery over the off-season and then having his recovery further hampered due to a hernia, has been named to make his return in the Warriors New South Wales Cup team.

That game, also against the Roosters, takes place immediately before the NRL clash between the same two sides.

The Roosters, who lost their opening match of the season to expansion club the Dolphins, have injury problems of their own with former Warrior Matt Lodge suffering a facial injury on Sunday plus Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Connor Watson, Paul Momirovski, Sitili Tupouniua, Billy Smith and Angus Crichton (personal reasons) all sidelined.

But in a huge boost to the Roosters, Kiwis fullback and last year’s Golden Boot winner Joey Manu has been named to start at right centre after missing last week’s game due to a facial injury.

Warriors V Roosters: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Saturday 5pm (NZT)

Warriors: Charnze Nicolll-Klokstad, Edward Kosi, Brayden Wiliame, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Te Maire Martin, Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore, Tohu Harris (captain). Interchange: (from) Dylan Walker, Bunty Afoa, Josh Curran, Tom Ale, Viliami Vailea, Freddy Lussick, Ronald Volkman, Taine Tuaupiki, Bayley Sironen.

Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Joey Manu, Jaxson Paulo, Luke Keary, Sam Walker, Lindsay Collins, Brandon Smith, Fletcher Baker, Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher, Victor Radley. Interchange: (from) Jake Turpin, Drew Hutchison, Naufahu Whyte, Terrell May, Corey Allan, Ben Thomas, Sandon Smith, Siua Wong, Elie El-Zakham.

Referee: Adam Gee

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