The Warriors will stand down forward Isaiah Papali’i from their NRL opening match against the Canterbury Bulldogs but won’t say why.

Coach Stephen Kearney confirmed the second-rower isn’t being considered for Saturday’s match in Auckland because of what he termed a “club issue”, but will be in the selection frame for round two.

Kearney suggested the reason for Papali’i’s omission wasn’t serious, expressing satisfaction the Warriors had avoided the grievous off-field transgressions that have plagued rival clubs over the off-season.