BRENDON Tuuta will knuckle down in Warrington's Challenge Cup pack on Sunday - despite only 15 days of pre-season Wolves training behind him.

The bruising bonecruncher will play in the second row as the Wolves set out on the road to Wembley with a fourth round battle at first division Wakefield Trinity.

Former Castleford and Featherstone hitman Tuuta spent the close-season at home in New Zealand while waiting for a work permit.

Coach Darryl Van de Velde explains that Toots, as he is known to his teammates, has the nod over other players because of his never-say-die attitude.

Van de Velde says: "I know Tuuta is not match fit. In fact he's probably 12 weeks behind the other players where training is concerned.

"But since arriving in Britain on January 31 he has absolutely trained his heart out.

"In our behind-closed-doors practice game on Friday he kept on going because he just loves to compete.

"When things are tough he just keeps on going. This is the attitude I like.

"And he's in the team on Sunday for a specific reason. There's a defensive role I want him to take on."

Van de Velde will hand full senior debuts to five other squad members too, giving a whole new look to a side which performed abysmally for most of last season.

In the front row of the pack, skipper Danny Farrar, from Penrith Panthers, will have company from another debutant, Danny Nutley, from South Queensland Crushers.

Lee Briers has a new half back partner in Adam Doyle, from Western Suberbs, while the right flank has a fresh appearance in the shape of Michael Eagar, from South Queensland Crushers, in the centre, and Jason Roach, from Castleford, on his wing.

Lee Penny (foot) and Mark Forster (shoulder) return from injuries after missing pre-season friendlies against Huddersfield and Salford. Jon Roper is fit to start too after recovering well from a knee operation.

Second rower Ian Knott and centre Vince Fawcett did not train until Wednesday this week due to flu but will play.

Adam Fogerty is over his broken hand trouble but has a thigh problem and will sit out for this week. Mark Hilton, plus centre Toa Kohe-Love, are still sidelined with injuries although New Zealander Kohe-Love should be available for the next round, should Warrington get through.

Team: Penny; Roach, Eagar, Roper, Forster; Doyle, Briers; Chambers, Farrar, Nutley, Tuuta, Knott, Wainwright. Subs: (From) Stevens, Whittle, Causey, Morley, McCurrie, Fawcett, Wingfield, Rudd.

Van de Velde saw Wakefield put in an impressive display at home to Widnes on Sunday.

The Yorkshire side opened their league campaign with a 24-22 win that showcased how dangerous Australian centre Darren Casey and stand off David Mycoe can be.

Van de Velde said: "Wembley is the holy grail in this game and the excitement of the cup makes every player raise their game.

"We're going to give them the respect they deserve and there's certainly no point thinking they won't give us a game just because they're in the division below.

"They started off impressively on Sunday and went 12-0 ahead in the first 10 minutes. We'll be addressing that in training this week and making sure we're ready to soak up anything they care to throw at us at the start."

Sunday's match will kick off at 4pm. It has been switched from 3.30pm at Wakefield's request.

Warrington will continue to keep their options open with regards to signing a 25th first team squad member.

The Wolves have been linked with former Wigan and Halifax winger Mark Preston but Van de Velde says: "I have not been considering Preston."

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