New skipper Simon Mannering's wait to lead the New Zealand Warriors continues after he was ruled out of the club's NRL season opener against Gold Coast at Skilled Park on Sunday.

Mannering, 23, took over the captaincy in the off-season from prop Steve Price but missed all three of the Warriors' trial matches because of a hamstring injury.

Coach Ivan Cleary said on Tuesday the decision was made not to risk the second rower while he was making 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," he said.

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

With Mannering out, lock Micheal Luck, in his 99th match for the Warriors, will deputise as skipper.

Mannering's absence means 20-year-old Sione Lousi, a former Junior Warrior who played in all three trials against the Sydney Roosters, North Queensland and Manly, is in line to make his NRL debut from the bench.

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

At fullback, Lance Hohaia has been chosen to start ahead of regular custodian Wade McKinnon, who is on the interchange bench.

Centre Brent Tate will play his first NRL match since suffering a serious ankle injury against Brisbane in round three last year.

The other centre is Jerome Ropati, while Joel Moon, an option for both the five-eighth and centre spots, is named on the bench.

Apart from Mannering, Price and fellow forward Jacob Lillyman were ruled out with heel and foot problems respectively.

Meanwhile, former Melbourne Storm flyer Joseph Tomane's impressive trial form has won the boom teenager a centres spot for the Titans.

Tomane, 19, was locked in a battle with ex-Kiwi international Clinton Toopi for a starting spot at Skilled Park.

Coach John Cartwright named an extended bench, with doubts over the fitness of key forwards Luke Bailey (knee), Brad Meyers (sternum) and Michael Henderson (toe).

Anthony Laffranchi has been put at notice that he may have to play in the front-row.

Tomane, who scored 15 tries in 10 appearances for the premiers last year, had a superb game in atrocious conditions during a trial match against North Queensland in Darwin recently.

"In the trials especially, he's been our most damaging player," Cartwright said.

"Even in Darwin, where there wasn't much passing of the football, he was still our most dangerous player.

"Clinton has been good in the trials but he just needs some consistent football."

Former Sydney Rooster Riley Brown held off competition from Will Zillman to claim the utility spot off the bench.

Cartwright wants to give hooker Nathan Friend enough opportunity to rest in expected hot conditions for the game.

Much interest will focus on the new-look halves combination of Greg Bird and captain Scott Prince.

Warriors prop Steve Price, who will miss the game due to a heel injury, said Bird's recruitment would strengthen the Titans across the park as it allowed Mat Rogers to return to his favoured centres position.

Titans squad: Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Mat Rogers, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Brad Meyers, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Sam Tagataese, Will Matthews, Riley Brown, Michael Henderson, William Zillman, Bodene Thompson (three to be omitted).

New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck (capt). Interchange: Wade McKinnon, Jeremy Latimore, Jesse Royal, Sione Lousi, Joel Moon. (one to be omitted)

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