LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NZ Warriors have announced that Caelys Putoko will make his New South Wales Cup debut against Penrith at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, with a kick-off at 2:40 PM.
This promotion comes due to injuries among first-graders Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua, as well as stand-in centre Kurt Capewell, a Queensland Origin hero.
With their options for outside backs significantly diminished, NSW Cup centre Moala Graham-Taufa has been called up for his first NRL appearance of the season, having played three times last year.
Last week, the reserve grade team secured a 46-22 victory over the Eels, but Setu Tu left that match early due to a head knock, paving the way for Daeon Amituanai to fill in for him.
Consequently, Putoko, a product of Hamilton Boys' High School rugby union, steps into the centre position.
He had a brief stint with the Gold Coast Titans last season before joining the Warriors in the offseason.
Notably, Putoko has already made an impact at the junior level, scoring five tries in 12 games for the Jersey Flegg team.