New Zealand suffer major blow for inaugural Denver Test with star quartet set to miss out on historic clash
NEW Zealand have suffered a major blow on the eve of the historic Denver Test match against England, with a number of key players ruled unavailable for the clash.
Warriors
Don't miss out on the headlines from Warriors. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GAL’S HEIR: Cooma kid proves the strongest Shark of all
NEW Zealand have suffered a major blow on the eve of the historic Denver Test match against England, with a number of key Warriors players ruled unavailable for the clash.
The New Zealand Herald are reporting that halfback Shaun Johnson, fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, second-rower Tohu Harris and outside back Gerard Beale will all miss the inaugural clash in the US for varying reasons.
In a further dampener on the Kiwi camp skipper Adam Blair has been charged with a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge in the Warriors’ win over the Cowboys in Townsville.
If found guilty he will miss two matches - including the Denver Test - opening a vacancy for a new national captain.
It is believed that Johnson and Beale will bypass the clash due to recent returns from injury, despite both making successful comebacks at club level.
Johnson’s season has been plagued by groin and ankle injuries, but the gun playmaker has excelled at every opportunity when on ground in 2018.
Beale made his return to the top grade a month ago after breaking his leg in October last year during New Zealand’s World Cup opener against Samoa.
Harris and Tuivasa-Sheck appear to be prioritising club over country, with both men playing the majority of the NRL season to date.
The credibility of the clash has come under fire since the announcement last year, with NRL coaches reluctant to release player’s mid-season for a draining trip to North America.
That scrutiny is set to intensify following the withdrawal of the Kiwi stars who will lose 68 matches worth of Test experience for clash.
With the quartet to receive the week off, a maximum of four Warriors players will be on show for the clash.
Hooker Issac Luke returns to the side after being overlooked for the 2017 World Cup campaign for now out of favour Knights rake Danny Levi and Wigan dummy-half Thomas Leuluai.
Listen below as Nick Campton and Tim Williams discuss NRL Round 15, the Denver/Pacific Tests, Origin Game II and plenty more.
Be sure to Subscribe to the podcast over at iTunes.
Joining him will be centre Peta Hiku, debutant winger Ken Maumalo and potentially skipper Adam Blair should he fight his judiciary charge and win.
The withdrawals will open the door for Joe Tapine and Kevin Proctor to start in the back-row, while Te Maire Martin and Kodi Nikorima could be set to form a youthful halves pairing.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is expected to shift from wing to fullback.
The squad is set to be announced following the Tigers’ clash with the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
The English camp have suffered a loss of their own, with rejuvenated Rabbitohs prop George Burgess ruled out of the fixture with a minor quad strain.
The recall was significant for Burgess who missed selection for England’s World Cup squad that ended its tour in a narrow loss to Australia in the final.
The NRL premiership winning prop will be replaced in the squad by Hull FC forward Scott Taylor.
Watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as New Zealand suffer major blow for inaugural Denver Test with star quartet set to miss out on historic clash
NRL Off-Season Power Rankings: Surprise leader emerges, Broncos in crisis
One club has emerged as a surprise leader, with just one blemish on their premiership credentials, while the Broncos are in disarray. We reveal how every club is poised to tackle the NRL pre-season.
Warriors continue signing spree
The Warriors have continued their off-season signing spree with a key forward inking a new deal to stay with the club.