Jerome Ropati, Krisnan Inu and Ukuma Ta'ai have all been named in a 19-man squad for the Warriors' final trial against the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles at Toll Stadium in Whangarei on Saturday.
Ropati, about to enter his 10th NRL season, is in line to play his first match since March 27 last year after having his season ended by a knee injury against St George Illawarra in round three.
Inu and Ta'ai both played in the 26-10 win against Gold Coast on February 4 but missed last week's 22-14 victory over South Sydney, Inu turning out for the Auckland Vulcans in a trial in Auckland and Ta'ai a late defection through injury.
As well as Ropati, Inu and Ta'ai, the Warriors will use Kiwi internationals Kevin Locke, Lewis Brown, Ben Matulino and Russell Packer as well as Pita Godinet, Alehana Mara, Sione Lousi and Glen Fisiiahi in Whangarei.
Another feature of the selection is the inclusion of Junior Warriors back rower John Palavi, the club's 2011 NYC Player of the Year. It means there will be seven members of the 2011 premiership-winning Junior Warriors side on show at Toll Stadium, Palavi joined by Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Samiuela Lousi, Sio Suia Taukeiaho and Carlos Tuimavave.
Out of contention through injury are Micheal Luck, Jacob Lillyman, Sam Rapira and Steve Rapira, who will all miss the start of the season.
Warriors head coach Brian McClennan said it was vital younger players in the squad were given the chance of more substantial match experience in the NRL environment.
"Quite a few of our senior players have trained really well and had some really solid time on the field in our trials against Gold Coast and South Sydney,'' he said.
"Our younger players, especially the boys who have come up from the Vodafone Junior Warriors, have had a little bit of a taste of NRL trials football but this weekend we want to make sure they all get some good game minutes under their belts.''
With Lillyman and the Rapira brothers injured, McClennan will again be looking at propping options against Sunshine Coast. Apart from Matulino and Packer, the Warriors used Sione Lousi and Ikahihifo in front row roles against the Rabbitohs. McClennan said Sione Lousi would have time there again at Toll Stadium while it's likely Palavi, Sam Lousi and Ta'ai, as well as Ikahihifo, will also spend time as front rowers.
While generally pleased with the efforts in the first two trials, McClennan was still seeking further improvements.
"We've lost some players through injury but I'm confident our players will handle that challenge,'' he said.
"The major challenge, though, is ensuring they stick to the systems we have put in place and play to our structures.''
Warriors squad to play Sunshine Coast: Lewis Brown, Glen Fisiiahi, Pita Godinet, Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Krisnan Inu, Kevin Locke, Samiuela Lousi, Sione Lousi, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, John Palavi, Ivan Penehe, Jerome Ropati, Ukuma Ta'ai, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Carlos Tuimavave.
