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Mason Lino injected into starting line-up for crucial Panthers clash as Warriors battle injuries

August 22, 2018
Mason Lino celebrates.
NRL Premiership rugby league. Vodafone Warriors v St George Illawarra. Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Friday 20 April 2018. © Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.nz

The Warriors will be hoping stand-in half Mason Lino can produce another strong performance in this weekend's crucial clash with the Penrith Panthers with veteran playmaker Blake Green ruled out.

Lino, who makes his seventh appearance of the season, has been called in to cover Green after he sustained a calf injury.

While he is expected to return against the Raiders next week, the injury was serious enough to bring in Lino for his second pairing with Shaun Johnson in the halves in 2018 - their first was a 6-12 loss to the Storm in round 19 last month.

Lino shone for the Kiwi club early in the season, filling in for Johnson and guiding the team to wins against the Roosters and Dragons who currently sit second and fourth on the NRL ladder, respectively.

"He made a wonderful contribution for us earlier on in the season when we had Shaun out obviously so he's very capable of doing the job," coach Stephen Kearney said of Lino on Radio Sport.

Elsewhere in the team, experienced back rower Tohu Harris is also set to return after suffering meniscus tears in both knees which has seen him sidelined since June.

The Warriors are also dealing with the possibility of another change for Friday's game at Mount Smart Stadium with Gerard Beale likely ruled out with a hamstring issue.

"If Gerard is no good, then Peta Hiku will be a straight swap," coach Kearney said.

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu'a, Gerard Beale / Peta Hiku, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Mason Lino, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali'i, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering

Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Tohu Harris, Bunty Afoa, Peta Hiku, Leivaha Pulu, Anthony Gelling, Chris Satae, Karl Lawton

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