Junior New Zealand Warriors captain Ben Henry is optimistic he will lead the team in Sunday's National Youth Competition (NYC) grand final against South Sydney in Sydney.
The 18-year-old second rower was forced off the field with an ankle injury in the first half of last Friday's preliminary final match against the Bulldogs in Brisbane.
He was named in the side on Tuesday and has been receiving treatment for an ankle sprain throughout the week.
Junior Warriors coach John Ackland said he was still hopeful his captain would take the field, rating him a 60-40 chance.
Henry said his injury had been responding to treatment and he was desperate to play in the grand final.
The Junior Warriors' 23-16 win over the Bulldogs carried them into their first NYC grand final and the chance to give the club their first premiership.
It is Ackland's second coaching experience on the final day of the Australian competition's season, having guided the Warriors' under-19 side to an unsuccessful outing in the 1997 grand final.
In reaching Sunday's final, the second-ranked Junior Warriors have been forced to grind out playoff wins against Manly (25-22) and the Bulldogs (23-16).
As minor premiers, South Sydney, coached by former Kiwis forward David Kidwell, edged Gold Coast 24-22 in week one of the finals but pounded Canberra 64-18 last Saturday night.
The Junior Warriors won both matches against the Rabbitohs this season. A Shaun Johnson field goal secured an 19-18 win in Sydney in July, while the match in Auckland in May was an emphatic 41-18 win to the home team.
Junior New Zealand Warriors: Glen Fisiiahi, Omar Slaimankhel, Sosaia Feki, Siuatonga Likiliki, Elijah Niko, Carlos Tuimavave, Shaun Johnson, Neccrom Areaiiti, Elijah Taylor, Mark Ioane, Matt Robinson, Ben Henry (captain), Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Nafe Seluini, Charlie Gubb, Sam Lousi, Daniel Palavi, Henry Chan-Ting, John Palavi.
