Former Shark Brett Seymour and fellow off-season recruits
Jeremy Latimore and James Maloney will make their first
appearances for the Warriors in their opening National Rugby
League pre-season trial on Saturday against the Sydney
Roosters at Rotorua International Stadium.
As well as confirming first-up outings for the new trio,
coach Ivan Cleary said two of the club's outstanding
prospects Elijah Taylor and Shaun Johnson would play in the
first of the club's three preseason hit-outs on consecutive
weekends.
"The match against the Roosters will be a great chance not
only for us but also for the public to have a good look at
our three new signings," said Cleary.
"Brett, Jeremy and James have all settled in really well with
us. They've trained well and they've also fitted into life in
Auckland. Now they have a chance to show us what they can
do."
Seymour joined the Warriors after a total of 101 NRL
appearances for in stints with Brisbane, where he teamed up
with Darren Lockyer, and Cronulla. Latimore made his debut
for Parramatta last year while Maloney did the same for
Melbourne.
Cleary won't confirm the Warriors' full squad for the Rotorua
match until later in the week and he's yet to determine which
exact position Seymour will play.
"Brett will be in the halves but whether it's at six or seven
is something we'll decide a little later. He can certainly
play in both positions."
Cleary also confirmed the club's newest Kiwi international
Ben Matulino will play in Rotorua along with Kevin Locke, who
toured with the Kiwis' Four Nations squad last year but
didn't play a match.
After playing the Roosters, the Warriors travel to Cairns for
their second trial against North Queensland on February 20,
then return home to take on Manly at North Harbour Stadium on
February 27.
They open their NRL season against the Gold Coast Titans in
Robina.
