Follow the action as the NZ Warriors host the Cronulla Sharks at Go Media Stadium. Overlooked again by New South Wales ahead of State of Origin game two, in-form Warriors prop Jackson Ford says he has had little communication from the Blues’ management. Ford has had a strong year in the middle for the Warriors, emerging as a reliable 80-minute workhorse in the middle and sitting second on the Dally M player of the year standings when voting went behind closed doors two weeks ago. But the 28-year-old was again a notable exclusion when Laurie Daley’s squad was announced for next week’s second State of Origin clash, to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Blues, who go to Melbourne with a 1-0 lead after a second-half comeback in game one, have made several changes, including prop Payne Hass and half Mitchell Moses being called in after missing game one with injuries. Speaking to the media this week, Ford said “there hasn’t been much chat” between himself and the New South Wales team. “First of all, I was stoked to see them get the win. I’ve just got to keep playing football here. It hurts a little bit, but whatever Laurie picks, you know, he’s coach at the end of the day, so I back the Blues to get it done again in game two.” After his exclusion from the game one squad, Daley noted Ford had been overlooked because he wanted a forward who could cover the middle and the edge. While deployed primarily in the middle for the Warriors over the past two seasons, Ford is listed as an edge forward and has spent plenty of time there through his four years with the St George Illawarra Dragons and his first two years with the Warriors. “There was something come out about that, but, as I said, he [Daley] hasn’t reached out to me,” Ford said. “I think maybe I’ve probably looked at the media a bit too much and felt like, you know, I’ve just got to take it back and look at sort of where I’ve come. I’m stoked to be in the midst of the Origin selections. That’s a big achievement for me. [I’ve] just got to keep pushing forward and playing some good footy, hopefully.” The Blues’ loss is the Warriors’ gain this week, with Ford assuming the role of the elder statesman in the front row with senior forwards James Fisher-Harris (calf injury) and Mitch Barnett (Origin duties) both unavailable for selection for Saturday night’s match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Auckland. That sees Tanner Stowers-Smith start at prop alongside Ford, young props Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (seven games) and Jason Salalilo (debut) in line to make an impact from the bench. With seven first-choice players unavailable across the squad, there are plenty of new faces in the initial squad this week, which also included hooker Makaia Tafua, second rower Kayliss Fatialofa and utility Jye Linnane who will all be on debut for the Warriors. “Could be a few debuts this week, but I feel like some of the young boys have really stepped up this year anyway, so whoever’s getting the go, we’re going good, so it’s good depth,” Ford said. The Sharks are one of three teams to have beaten the Warriors this year, claiming a 36-22 win in Sydney in round five back in April. “We’ve spoken about that. We’ve lost one now, so we don’t lose to them twice. We owe them one so I feel like we’re going to come out with lots of energy and it’s a big occasion. We’ve had a week off, so we’re ready to go.” NZ Warriors’ unavailabilities for round 15Mitch Barnett (NSW Origin duties)Kurt Capewell (Queensland Origin duties)James Fisher-Harris (calf) - return date TBCSam Healey (thumb) - round 17Leka Halasima (hamstring) - TBCTanah Boyd (ACL) - out for the seasonRoger Tuivasa-Sheck (knee) - out for the seasonHaizyn Mellars (hamstring) - round 17