In a series analysing who will line up in each position for all 16 teams in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership in 2020, NRL.com looks at the New Zealand Warriors.
NRL.com says: With Issac Luke departed and Nat Roache injured, former Panther Wayde Egan could go straight to starting hooker. It would be tough to leave Chanel Harris-Tavita out of the 17 but he may have to bide his time as a utility given Kodi Nikorima can also play hooker as a way to get the young half into the game.
Usual lock or bench weapon Jazz Tevaga is expected to miss the opening rounds as he recovers from off-season ankle surgery.
The club's front-row stocks are slim, with Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei gone for the season with knee injuries and Sam Lisone being released to the Titans.
Indigenous All Stars representative Josh Curran looks set to get his shot on the interchange, pending his fitness after picking up an ankle complaint in the club's final trial.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (foot), Agnatius Paasi (ankle) and Kodi Nikorima (ankle) also copped injuries in the trials but coach Stephen Kearney is confident they'll be right for round one.
David Fusitu'a is set to start in the centres after shifting to the position in the pre-season.
Jamie Soward says: I'd start Karl Lawton at hooker over Wayde Egan and put Kodi Nikorima back to the bench. Chanel Harris-Tavita has to start rather than trying to shoehorn Nikorima into a halves role.
I'd also look to some young blood in the pack with Leivaha Pulu in the second row and Adam Blair back to the bench where he can still play an important impact role.
