Centre Brent Tate and fullback Wade McKinnon were both added
to the Warriors' line-up after their final training session
today ahead of tomorrow's National Rugby League trial against
Manly at North Harbour Stadium.
Tate hasn't played since a season-ending knee injury against
his old Brisbane club in the third match of the club's 2009
campaign.
Earlier this week the 27-year-old was confident he would be
able to have time on the field against the Sea Eagles and,
after training well this morning, he was added to an enlarged
bench.
Joining him is experienced fullback Wade McKinnon, who had
seemed likely to miss the last two trials after rolling his
ankle in training ahead of last weekend's clash against North
Queensland in Cairns.
However, McKinnon, 29, recovered well early in the week and
ran freely in training today to claim a spot on the bench
tomorrow.
Manly coach Des Hasler has named his first-choice side to
start the trial, which will be played in two 40-minute halves
rather than 20-minute quarters as has been the case in each
of the Warriors' previous trials against the Sydney Roosters
(26-8) and North Queensland (28-6).
Included in the team are outstanding fullback Brett Stewart
and his back rower brother Glenn while Anthony Watmough is in
the second row.
Kiwi internationals Steve Matai and Kieran Foran ware also in
the run-on side. Foran, the newest Kiwi test player, is at
halfback in place of the departed Matt Orford, now with
Bradford in the English Super League.
Among the bench players is former Kiwi back rower Joe
Galuvao, now with yet another new club after previous stints
with the Warriors, Penrith, South Sydney and Parramatta.
The team is: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Joel Moon,
Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour,
Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Ben
Matulino, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Alehana Mara, Jeremy
Latimore, sione Lousi, Patrick Ah Van, Shaun Johnson, Jesse
Royal, Jacob Lillyman, Bill Tupou, Wade McKinnon, Brent Tate.
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