The Warriors welcome Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back into the starting side for their round 16 match against the bottom of the table Gold Coast Titans.

 

The centre returns from a hamstring injury and replaces Rocco Berry, who went off with a shoulder injury in the first half of the Warriors’ 38-24 loss to the Melbourne Storm.

 

Tuivasa-Sheck made his 200th NRL appearance this season but hasn’t featured since the 14-8 loss to the Knights in round nine.

 

The 12th-placed Warriors had their three-match unbeaten run spoiled by the Storm last weekend as they gave up a 14-0 lead inside the first 18 minutes.

 

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said the loss was disappointing because of the start his team had.

It hurts because the boys played so well, there’s no point winning every stat and not the scoreboard.”

Two of the Warriors experienced forwards will also be missing this weekend as they prepare for State of Origin game two in Melbourne on June 26.

Kurt Capewell (Queensland) and Mitchell Barnett (New South Wales) will be unavailable as they go into their respective State of Origin camps.

Tom Ale replaces Capewell on the interchange and Dylan Walker moves to second row in place of Barnett with Warriors captain Tohu Harris returning to the starting team.

Capewell said he wasn’t sure if he would get another chance to play Origin, after moving to the Warriors at the start of this season.

“I didn’t really know if it was over or not, but I knew it would be hard to get back in the team as there’s some great talent in Queensland,” said Capewell.

“It’s been a great move for me personally with my footy as a player and a leader.”

Capewell hasn’t featured for Queensland in two years and is a surprise inclusion given the lack of game time this season due to injury.

The Maroons hold a 1-0 lead in the series after they beat NSW 38-10 which included a sending off for Joseph Suaalii in the early stages of the opening match.

Barnett was named in the NSW wider 20-man squad for game one but has been promoted to 18th man for the second match.

The 30-year-old recently re-signed with the Warriors, extending his contract by two years until 2027.

Another player missing this weekend is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who is replaced by Edward Kosi, as the winger serves a one-match suspension for his high tackle against the Storm.

The Warrior’s winger took an early guilty plea for his tackle on Grant Anderson which has given him a one-match ban, allowing him to return for the round 17 match against the Broncos at Mount Smart.

The Warriors will be looking for revenge after their 27-24 loss at home to the Titans on Anzac Day.

The Titans fell to the bottom of the NRL ladder last weekend after a narrow 18-10 loss to Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers.