Auckland, New Zealand, March 09, 2010 - Simon Mannering's hamstring injury will keep him out of the Vodafone Warriors' NRL season-opening clash against Gold Coast at Skilled Park in Robina on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was due to make his debut as captain but it was decided not to risk him as he continues his recovery.

"Simon's close to being right but there's no point in playing him at this stage of the season until we're all satisfied he's ready to go," said Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary.

"Hopefully he'll be able to play next week but we won't rush things."

With Mannering out, Micheal Luck will lead the side, as he did standing in for Steve Price last year and in the club's last two trials this season. Luck will be playing his 99th match for the Vodafone Warriors on Sunday, leaving him in line to join the 100 club in the first home game of the season against Cronulla on March 20.

Mannering's absence has created an opportunity for back rower Sione Lousi (20) to become the latest Vodafone Junior Warriors NYC graduate to make his NRL debut. Lousi, a 2008-09 Vodafone Junior Warrior, is set to become Vodafone Warrior No 159 after being named on the interchange bench.

He featured in all of the Vodafone Warriors' three trials against the Sydney Roosters, North Queensland and Manly.

"He did a terrific job in every match and he has also worked really hard throughout the off-season," said Cleary.

While Lousi will make both his NRL and club debut, new recruits James Maloney, Brett Seymour and Jeremy Latimore will make their first NRL appearances for the Vodafone Warriors (Maloney will become No 156, Seymour No 157 and Latimore No 158).

Cleary today confirmed James Maloney, who made four appearances for the Melbourne Storm last year, would have the first opportunity to partner Brett Seymour in the halves.

"There's a lot of competition for that spot, which is a good thing for us, and Jimmy showed in the trials that he deserves a shot at the job this time," he said.

Lance Hohaia is named to start at fullback, the job he filled in the two trials he played against North Queensland and Manly, with Wade McKinnon on the interchange.

Also ruled out for this match were Steve Price (heel) and Jacob Lillyman (foot).

VODAFONE WARRIORS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Skilled Park, Robina 1.00pm, Sunday, March 14

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 LANCE HOHAIA 2 KEVIN LOCKE 3 BRENT TATE 4 JEROME ROPATI 5 MANU VATUVEI 6 JAMES MALONEY 7 BRETT SEYMOUR 8 SAM RAPIRA 9 AARON HEREMAIA 10 RUSSELL PACKER 11 LEWIS BROWN 12 BEN MATULINO 13 MICHEAL LUCK (c) Interchange: 14 WADE McKINNON 15 JEREMY LATIMORE 16 JESSE ROYAL 17 SIONE LOUSI 18 JOEL MOON