Veteran Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad starts at fullback for the first time in more than three months in One New Zealand Warriors’ round 22 NRL clash against Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina on Saturday (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).
The 30-year-old will make his 146th career appearance replacing injured Taine Tuaupiki in the only change to the listed starting lineup used in last Saturday’s 6-18 loss to the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Sydney.
Tuaupiki has been sidelined for one to two weeks with a foot sprain that forced him off the field in the 35th minute.
In an injury-disrupted season, Nicoll-Klokstad has made played just 10 matches so far with his last in the #1 jersey coincidentally against the Titans in the Warriors’ 28-20 win at Go Media Stadium on April 18.
Troubled by a neck injury, he didn’t play again until round 15 as an injury replacement for winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira in the tight loss to the Sharks at home.
He started on the wing in the next three games scoring four tries in the victory over the Cowboys in Christchurch.
As well as the rest of the starting lineup, heads coach Andrew Webster has named the same four players from 14-17 including hooker Sam Healey who wasn’t against the Bulldogs.
Completing the listed sis-man bench are halfback Luke Metcalf and utility forward Eddie Ieremia-Toeava with the extended bench comprising centre Rocco Berry, winger Luke Laulilii and hooker-loose forward Jaydee Auloa.
Last week’s loss and the Roosters’ one-point win over the Knights saw the Warriors slip to third.
They face a Gold Coast side which is coming off back-to-back wins over the Sea Eagles and Dragons, lifting it to 13th on the ladder.