Young prospect Konrad Hurrell has won the race for a starting centre spot for the Warriors, forcing the experienced Krisnan Inu onto an extended bench for their NRL opener against Manly on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Hurrell, who signed a new deal with the club earlier this month, will make his NRL debut against the defending premiers at Eden Park in Auckland.

He joins fit-again Jerome Ropati in the centres for the match, a replay of last year’s NRL grand final. It will be Ropati’s first NRL match since a serious knee injury 10 months ago.

He featured in the Warriors’ final trial match on February 18, scoring a try and linking well with Hurrell.

In other team news hooker Nathan Friend will play his first NRL match for the club after joining from Gold Coast in the off-season, while Lewis Brown is part of an extended interchange bench and will cover hooker.

Inu is also on the bench along with Sione Lousi who will fill the third prop’s place after injuries to brothers Sam and Steve Rapira in the pre-season.

Second rower Ben Henry, another graduate from last year’s Toyota Cup-winning side, will make his NRL debut if he takes to the field.

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (capt), Elijah Taylor. Interchange (from): Lewis Brown, Sione Lousi, Ben Henry, Ukuma Ta’ai, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu, Alehana Mara.