Lino adds NRL poise for Warriors: Kearney

Jul 19, 2017 - 4:16 AM Ata Hingano's versatility is a curse, with Warriors boss Stephen Kearney retaining the young gun on the bench for Saturday's NRL trip to North Queensland.

Capable of a playmaking role or working from dummy-half, the 20-year-old Junior Kiwi has been named on the bench in three of the past six weeks.

Despite the knee injury to star halfback Shaun Johnson in last week's loss to Penrith, Hingano will be an interchange against the Cowboys, with Mason Lino - a specialist half - chosen to start in the No.7 jersey.

The 23-year-old Lino, a NSW Cup regular, has made just three NRL appearances for the club - the last in 2015.

He will cover for Johnson in Townsville, as the Auckland-based side scrap for a place in the finals.

Johnson will be out for at least six weeks, having ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and is unlikely to play NRL again in 2017.

"What it does do is give someone an opportunity to really put his best effort forward. Mason's been doing a wonderful job in reserve grade," Kearney said.

"Ata covers a couple of positions - that's probably why he's on the interchange.

"Mason, he's got a real calmness about him and they're sitting second on the table, the reserve grade team - he's certainly keeping them pretty steady."

Lino has a strong kicking game and is precise from the tee.

Kearney said, apart from the Samoan international's on-field composure, he also had the force of character to succeed in first-grade - but might need some advice from Kieran Foran.

It'll be especially important against the Cowboys, who have thrived despite a season-ending injury to Johnathan Thurston and sit in sixth place.

The Warriors are 11th and need to win at least five of their final seven matches to make the finals for the first time since 2011.

"He's stepped up this week, coming straight in, bossing a few lads around - that's certainly his strength, and he's got a real level head," Kearney said.

Source: AAP