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Brent Tate
Centre Brent Tate's selection for representative duty has
forced the sole change to the New Zealand Warriors' starting 13
for their National Rugby League match against Penrith on
Sunday.
Tate was today included in the Queensland squad to face New
South Wales next week in what will be his 13th State of
Origin appearance.
He has been replaced for the Warriors' trip to Penrith by
Jerome Ropati, who missed the club's past two matches with a
hamstring injury.
Also returning is veteran prop Ruben Wiki, who is included on
a five-man interchange bench after being sidelined from the
14-6 win over the Canberra with a hand injury.
The Warriors have had a bye since beating the Raiders.
However, they have fullback Lance Hohaia and second rower
Simon Mannering backing up from the Kiwis' 28-12 defeat to
Australia in last Friday night's centenary test in Sydney.
The Warriors, who have a 100 percent record at home so far
this season, will be seeking their first away win having lost
on all four previous trips across the Tasman.
They are 11th on the table, with the same number of
competition points as the ninth-placed Panthers.
New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Jerome
Ropati, Ryan Shortland, Patrick Ah Van, Michael Witt, Grant
Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon
Mannering, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck (captain).
Interchange (one to be omitted): Ian Henderson, Wairangi
Koopu, Russell Packer, Logan Swann, Ruben Wiki.
