The Warriors have lost another player minutes away from tonight's clash with the Dolphins at Mt Smart Stadium, as fullback Taine Tuaupiki has been withdrawn.
Tuaupiki's partner is due to give birth imminently according to a statement from the Warriors.
Flying winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will now slot in at fullback in a Warriors side relying on depth against the Dolphins.
Earlier, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was also ruled out with illness.
The club's first-choice fullback had been switched to the centres to replace Rocco Berry, who was withdrawn last night due to the hand injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s match against Penrith.
Moala Graham-Moala will replace Nicoll-Klokstad to make his Warriors' debut.
The 22-year-old Marist Saints junior came through the Sydney Roosters’ system making his NRL debut against South Sydney in 2021 – his only appearance until now – when he was briefly used as 18th man.
When Berry was withdrawn yesterday Chanel Harris-Tavita was moved into the halves for his first game since being ruled out with a calf injury following the sixth-round match against Manly.
With regular prop Addin Fonua-Blake stood down for a breach of club standards, Marata Niukore will start in the front row in his comeback appearance from a foot injury which had forced him to miss the club’s last seven matches.
It will be only his second game of the season.
Shaun Johnson, Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Wayde Egan are also out with injury.
Click here for the full lineup.
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