Warriors regain Lillyman

Sporting News Logo

The in-form Warriors have made just one change to their side for Sunday's clash with the Rabbitohs.

Fresh off a 13-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm - their fifth consecutive win - the Warriors made a brief appearance in the top four before slipping back to fifth on points differential.

Their starting team is subsequently unchanged for this week's game, the only alteration coming to an extended bench where forward Jacob Lillyman replaces Sione Louis as 18th man.

Lillyman returned for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup last week after being sidelined with a foot injury for three-months.

Despite the side's enjoying contrasting formlines over the past month, Warriors' coach Ivan Cleary was wary of the ninth-placed Bunnies.

"While we've had a good run lately with some consistent performances we face another major test against the Rabbitohs this week," Cleary said.

"They've got Sam Burgess, who has been in outstanding form this year, as well as David Taylor and Roy Asotasi in their pack and their backline is a really settled combination."

"They'll be absolutely desperate after being beaten late by the Dragons last week."

"Nothing changes for us. We still have to front up again this week and make sure we compete as well as we can to be in contention."

Warriors team:1. Lance Hohaia, 2. Kevin Locke, 3. Brent Tate, 4. Jerome Ropati, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. James Maloney, 7. Brett Seymour, 8. Jesse Royal, 9. Aaron Heremaia, 10. Russell Packer, 11. Simon Mannering (c), 12. Lewis Brown, 13. Micheal Luck, Interchange:, 14. Ian Henderson, 15. Ben Matulino, 16. Jeremy Latimore, 17. Ukuma Ta'ai, 18. Jacob Lillyman

Author(s)