LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a significant change for the NZ Warriors, hooker Freddy Lussick has been brought onto the bench for their NRL week one finals battle against the Penrith Panthers.
The match will take place at BlueBet Stadium with a local time kick-off of 4.05pm and a NZT kick-off of 6.05pm.
This line-up update was reported by warriors.kiwi under the article titled "Finals Confirmed Line-up: Lussick on bench".
Lussick will be taking the place of Bunty Afoa in the interchange alongside Bayley Sironen, Josh Curran, and Jazz Tevaga.
Taine Tuaupiki will serve as the 18th man, while Afoa will be the 19th.
Due to Shaun Johnson's absence, Te Maire Martin will start at halfback, and Dylan Walker, known for his versatility, will take the position of standoff.
Despite primarily being used off the bench in the middle of the field this season, Walker has previously had four starts at standoff and has played extensively in the halves earlier in his career with South Sydney and Manly Warringah.