'Next man up': Warriors back young guns as injuries test team's depth against Sharks

The Warriors believe their best football is still ahead of them as injuries and representative duties force a new generation of players to step up against the Cronulla Sharks this weekend.

The club returns to Go Media Stadium on Saturday night for the first time in almost two months but will do so without co-captains Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris as well as Queensland Maroons star Kurt Capewell.

Barnett is away on State of Origin duty while Fisher-Harris has been ruled out with a calf strain for the first time this season.

The absences have opened the door for several younger players with up to four potential debutants named in the extended squad.

Forward Demitric Vaimauga is expected to play a key role in helping guide the inexperienced bench but says his focus remains simple.

"I do want to, not so much change anything, but just do my job well," Vaimauga told a club media session in Auckland.

"And I guess set the platform for the boys that are coming on, especially with how young our bench is."

The 21-year-old believes the Warriors learned an important lesson from their narrow loss to Penrith before last week's bye.

"I think something I took out of it was how high our ceiling is," he said. "I feel like we're far from perfect, but we're kind of not too far from the scoreboard.

Demitric Vaimauga trains with focus as he steps into a bigger role off the bench, ready to help set the platform for the club’s new wave of young players. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

"I think we just double down on our fundamentals and what works for us."

Winger Alofi'ana Khan-Pereira echoed that confidence, saying the squad is ready to embrace a "next man up" mentality as injuries continue to test the club's depth.

"Of course, I'm going to put my hand up straight up," Khan-Pereira told journalists. "I guess it's just a next man up mentality. The boys are so keen. Whoever's next, they definitely know what to do."

The Warriors have built much of their success this season on squad depth with coach Andrew Webster regularly calling on players across the wider roster to fill key roles.

That depth will be tested again against a Sharks side also missing several stars.

Former Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake is away with the New South Wales Blues while Maroons forward Briton Nikora and halfback Nicho Hynes are unavailable.

Alofi'ana Khan-Pereira backs the “next man up” mindset as the Warriors continue to trust their squad depth with senior players missing through Origin and injury. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Tanner Stowers-Smith replaces Fisher-Harris in the front row while Marata Niukore comes into the starting side for the injured Leka Halasima.

Young hooker Makaia Tafua, second-rower Kayliss Fatialofa, front-rower Jason Salalilo and utility Jye Linnane are all in contention for NRL debuts.

The Warriors remain firmly entrenched near the top of the NRL ladder and will be looking to strengthen their position before the Origin period reaches its peak.

Away from the on-field focus, Webster also backed former Warriors forward Kane Evans after Evans publicly came out this week.

The Warriors coach said the club would support any player facing a similar situation, while Khan-Pereira praised Evans for his courage.

"Good on him," Khan-Pereira said. "It's got to be pretty great to come out like that. Most of all, I'm pretty proud of him."

Listen to Sky Sport rugby league commentator Beaven Dewar's preview of this weekend's NRL key matchups below.

NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks kicks off at 7.30pm Saturday, 13 June, Go Media Stadium, Auckland.

For more NRL action, visit https://www.nrl.com/

TEAMS

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Marata Niukore, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Makaia Tafua, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Kayliss Fatialofa, 18. Jason Salalilo, 20. Jye Linnane Reserves: 21. Luke Metcalf, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 23. Jacob Auloa

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sam Stonestreet, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. KL Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Baydon Trindall, 7. Niwhai Puru, 8. Jesse Colquhoun, 9. Jayden Barrell, 10. Tony Rudolf, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cam McInnes Interchange: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Oregon Kaufusi, 16. Siosifa Talakai, 17. Tom Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha Reserves: 20. Sione Katoa, 21. Michael Gabrael, 22. Blake Hosking