Warriors to start without Tomkins

The Warriors will be without a key player for their NRL season opener against the Knights in Newcastle tonight.

Fullback Sam Tomkins has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Warriors captain Simon Mannering says they're looking to remove an unwanted tag of notorious slow starters.

"It's about translating that on to the field, and maybe we haven't done that too well in the past to begin with."

The Warriors haven't won a first round game since 2009.

Kick-off's at 6:30pm.