Shaun Johnson at Warriors training. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Halfback Shaun Johnson has been named to start the Warriors NRL pre-season game against the Dolphins at Mt Smart stadium on Saturday.
Johnson spent time in a moonboot after suffering a pre-season ankle injury.
He's been named in the halves alongside Luke Metcalf, with Te Maire Martin in the wider reserves.
Missing from the trial will be first-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, sidelined with a moderate hamstring strain which is expected to keep him out of the opening three rounds of the NRL season.
Filling his spot is 2023 rookie Taine Tuaupiki, who started at fullback against the Tigers in Christchurch.
Second rower Kurt Capewell will make his first appearance for the Warriors alongside 2023 regular Jackson Ford, who backs up after being used in last Sunday's 16-18 trial loss to the
Wests Tigers.
Capewell comes in for Marata Niukore who has been named on the extended bench with the pack otherwise the same as last year's preferred combination with Addin Fonua-
Blake, Wayde Egan and Mitchell Barnett in the front row and captain Tohu Harris at loose forward.
Wingers Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Marcelo Montoya are reunited with the returning Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the centres following his exceptional performance in his return to rugby league last Sunday.
The four players who represented the Māori All Stars in Townsville last Friday night have all been named on the extended bench - Jazz Tevaga, Dylan Walker, Adam Pompey and Te Maire Martin.
Meanwhile Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich comes in for his first run of the year in what is a full-strength pack for coach Wayne Bennett.