Te Maire Martin is helped from the field after breaking his leg against the Knights. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Warriors will field a new halves combination against the Cowboys in their round seven NRL clash in Auckland this weekend.
Shaun Johnson will partner Dylan Walker who has been promoted to the playmaker role with Te Maire Martin breaking his leg against the Knights on Saturday.
Walker has provided plenty of utility value for coach Andrew Webster since his arrival from Manly and the 192-game veteran shifts from hooker to join the in form Johnson at Mount Smart.
The side's new spine also includes hooker Freddy Lussick who replaces the injured Wayde Egan.
Meanwhile, Tohu Harris and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will both look to make their return from injuries as the Warriors look to bounce back from their second loss of the season.
Watene-Zelezniak has yet to appear for the Warriors in 2023 but made a stunning return to the field for the club's New South Wales Cup side scoring four tries and topping 200 run metres.
Skipper Tohu Harris has missed the past two matches with a calf complaint but is hopeful he will again lead the side against North Queensland.
The outlook is not as positive for Martin who is facing up to eight weeks on the sideline following confirmation he fractured his left fibula while trying to score a try in Newcastle.
The fifth placed Warriors have enjoyed one of their strongest starts to the season in a number of years while the Cowboys languish in 15th spot.
Kick off is at 5pm on Saturday evening.
