Warriors start looking locally

The New Zealand Warriors have been searching the Bartercard Cup again for experienced props with go-forward as they try to resurrect their National Rugby League season.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the likes of Glenora's 31-year-old Ben Valeni turning out for the side, and interest has been shown in Marist-Richmond's Kurt Cawdron.

And it wouldn't surprise either to hear Mark Tookey is leaving the Warriors.

The lack of go-forward this year is an indictment of all the props in the team and no small part of the team's problems.

So Karl Temata gets his chance to start against North Queensland on Sunday at Ericsson Stadium.

Waiting on the wings are Shannon Stowers, 24 and 1.8m and 115kg, and Kane Ferris, 19 and 1.9m and 106kg.

It's clear that it will be some time before the development programme produces the goods and so the buy the Warriors crucially need is an experienced prop who can give the Warriors some thrust.

The domestic Bartercard league has produced some player who can fit their need. The Bulldogs found Hutch Maiava, Souths have David Fa'alogo as a regular starter now and Canterbury's Taylor Pelenise has recently shifted across the Tasman.