Foran set for Warriors home NRL debut

Kieran Foran is poised to make his belated Warriors debut this week, named at five-eighth for Sunday’s fifth-round NRL match against Gold Coast in Auckland.

A hamstring twinge in the the warm-up to last Sunday’s clash with St George Illawarra forced the 26-year-old Kiwi international to the sidelines for the 26-12 loss in Sydney.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said on Tuesday that Foran is now in line to appear for his new club for the first time in front of his home crowd.

“Kieran felt a twinge in his hamstring in the warm-up and it wasn’t worth the risk to play him,” he said.

“He had good power in the leg at the time and has responded well since. He’s making good progress.

“We’re certainly hopeful he will be able to play and will give him every opportunity to prove his fitness.”

In the reshuffle forced by Foran’s late injury on Sunday, Kearney moved Tuimoala Lolohea to five-eighth, centre David Fusitu’a to Lolohea’s spot on the right wing and 18th man Blake Ayshford into the centres.

Ayshford backed up from an 80-minute effort for the Warriors reserve grade side with another 80 minutes against the Dragons.

The 28-year-old Ayshford has been named on the right wing for Sunday’s game, while the starting pack named is the same as that used against the Dragons.

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