Inglis' knee injury was also a catalyst for his battle with depression that saw him admit himself to a mental health clinic last May for a three-week stint of treatment and therapy.
There were doubts he would be physically fit to start the season but Inglis returned earlier than expected, playing 20 minutes in Souths' Charity Shield win over the Dragons last month.
Warriors and former Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is confident new recruit Hiku is up to the task of marking Inglis, but believes the Warriors forwards can help his cause on attack.
The pair have opposed each other at fullback at test level on two occasions — during the 2014 Four Nations, with New Zealand winning both times — while Hiku shifted to the centres and Inglis remained in the No1 jersey as the Kiwis notched a third straight victory over the Kangaroos in the 2015 Anzac test.
"Pet [Hiku] is capable enough," said Kearney. "It's a big job for the team. We can make his job easier if the guys in the middle are doing their job and we're getting ball on our terms, not their terms."
Both sides will reduce their squads to 19 players 24 hours out from the game before confirming their final 17 an hour before kickoff.
