Warriors on tour for back-to-back games

Last updated 16:58 23/06/2009

IAIN MCGREGOR/Waikato Times

FULL MOON: The Warriors will have former Bronco Joel Moon back for the Gold Coast match.

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The Warriors will embark on a 10-day tour for their next two NRL matches against Gold Coast and Brisbane.

After facing the Titans on Saturday, the team will be based on the Gold Coast next week before travelling to Brisbane on the eve of their encounter against the Broncos next Friday.

Facing just a six-day turnaround between the two games in Queensland, coach Ivan Cleary said staying on was the logical decision.

Both the Warriors and Gold Coast go into this week's match after a bye last weekend and a win beforehand, the Warriors a 13-0 shutout against Newcastle and the Titans a last-minute 24-20 away victory over the Sydney Roosters.

The Titans are one of three sides sharing the competition lead on 22 points but are third on points differential behind St George Illawarra and the Bulldogs.

The Warriors will have former Bronco Joel Moon, 21, back for the Gold Coast match.

He was initially ruled out of the Newcastle game due to concussion but returns in the centres, resulting in Simon Mannering switching back to the second row.

That change sees 20-year-old Ben Matulino on the bench alongside Aaron Heremaia, Jesse Royal, Jacob Lillyman and Russell Packer, with one to be omitted closer to game time.

"Joel was cleared to play late in the week of our game against Newcastle so he had a run for the Vulcans that weekend," Cleary said.

"Now he's ready to come back into the NRL side for what is another really important match for us. We made some progress in our wins against Wests Tigers and the Knights, especially with our defence. That was pleasing, but we need to keep improving if we're to win consistently and that has to start now."

Mannering, one of only three players to appear in each of the club's 13 games this season, will be playing his 91st NRL match on Saturday, while Micheal Luck, Steve Price and Manu Vatuvei are also nearing the 90-game mark for the Warriors.

Both Luck and Price are in line to play their 88th matches for the club and Vatuvei his 86th.

WARRIORS: Wade McKinnon, Kevin Locke, Patrick Ah Van, Joel Moon, Manu Vatuvei, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, Sam Rapira, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (captain), Simon Mannering, Lewis Brown, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Aaron Heremaia, Jesse Royal, Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Russell Packer (one to be omitted).

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-NZPA