Dane Nielsen back in his Melbourne Storm days. Picture: Ian Currie Source: Herald Sun
THERE will be no showdown with his old team for Warriors centre Dane Nielsen who will be one of three big names to miss Thursday's Anzac Day blockbuster with the Melbourne Storm.
Nielsen, who joined the New Zealand outfit this season after five years in Melbourne, has failed to overcome a rib injury and was ruled out by Warriors coach Matthew Elliot.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy named new Kiwi international Tohu Harris to start at lock in place of regular Ryan Hinchliffe who strained his medial ligament in Melbourne's last start win over South Sydney.
After also losing prop Siosaia Vave to a calf injury, Bellamy named a seven-man bench which includes Junior Moors and young forwards Slade Griffin and Kenny Bromwich.
All the teams for round seven of the NRL
A surpise return from centre Justin O'Neill could also be on the cards after he was named on the bench.
O'Neill hasn't played since breaking his jaw in Storm's Round 2 win over North Queensland in Townsville.
While O'Neill might play the Warriors will also be without giant winger Manu Vatuvei, who has a sternum injury, while captain Simon Mannering will also miss after injuring his calf in the lead-up to last Friday's Trans-Tasman Test in Canberra.
Warriors skipper Simon Mannering will miss his side's clash with the Storm. Picture: Sandra Mu
Glen Fisiiahi will replace Vatuvei for the AAMI Park match while Jacob Lillyman, Elijah Taylor, Pita Godinet and Jerome Ropati come on to a five-man bench.
Elliott said his players were likely to chance their arm rather than be cautious against the unbeaten premiers in a bid to end Melbourne's winning streak.
"You're not going to beat them by being conservative," he said on Tuesday.
"That's why historically they don't enjoy playing the Warriors. If we want to try to match Melbourne with Melbourne-style football, we'll come second."
Storm v Warriors, 7pm Thursday (Anzac Day), AAMI Park
Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Tafeaga Junior Sa'u, Mahe Fonua, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Tohu Harris. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Junior Moors, Kenneath Bromwich, Lagi Setu, Slade Griffin, Maurice Blair, Justin O'Neill
Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Ngani Laumape, Konrad Hurrell, Glen Fisiiahi, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Russell Packer, Feleti Mateo, Ben Henry, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Pita Godinet, Jerome Ropati (one to be omitted)
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