Tomkins: Nuuausala will add '˜oomph'

The Kiwi prop is set to make his home debut tomorrow night in front of a bumper crowd at the DW Stadium.

In an interesting sub-plot, Nuuausala - nicknamed the Wrecking Ball - rejected St Helens to sign for the Warriors.

And Tomkins has tipped the 29-year-old to make a big impact once he gets up to speed, following a low-key outing at Leeds a week ago.

He said: “Frank is a big body, he’s aggressive and he plays with passion, and gives us oomph in the middle.

“He’d not played ina while and you can’t replicate what we do in the game. You can do all the running and cycling you want, but you need to play to get match-fit and he’ll pick it up quickly.”

Tomkins, who spent the past two seasons at New Zealand Warriors, is poised to play his first derby in more than three years.

And the 27-year-old admitted: “I missed it mad when I was away.

“It’s always special to play against St Helens, especially at home, and I’ve not played much at the DW this year.

“You never lose your excitement for a game like this.”

Tomkins missed last week’s 18-16 loss at Leeds - which ended an eight-game winning run - due to an ankle injury.

But he is back fit and was yesterday named in Shaun Wane’s provisional 19-man squad.

John Bateman has also been included after serving his eight-game, club-imposed suspension, while Sean O’Loughlin returns from a one-match ban.

Josh Charnley and Taulima Tautai are out as they begin two-game suspensions.

Dom Crosby will also return, replacing Joe Bretherton.