NRL: Tuqiri a chance for Warriors clash

Lote Tuqiri. Photo / Getty Images

Wests Tigers officials remain hopeful of having Lote Tuqiri back on deck this weekend despite the dual international limping off just minutes into his comeback against Newcastle.

Tuqiri was named on the wing for Sunday's trip across the Tasman to face the Warriors, with his availability pending a fitness test on Thursday after injuring his ankle in Monday night's win over the Knights.

The veteran flyer had been making his comeback from a broken arm against the Knights before falling awkwardly in the opening minutes at Leichhardt Oval.

Tuqiri underwent scans on Tuesday, with Tigers officials holding out hope he had only suffered a bad sprain.

There was no room for young centre Tim Simona, who made an impressive NRL debut against the Knights, with Wade McKinnon returning to the side after overcoming a hamstring injury.

While pleased with securing the golden point win over the Knights, Tigers coach Tim Sheens said his team would have to improve if it was to topple the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

"The middle of the second half (against the Knights) we were terrible - too many errors, to many forced passes and that in turn puts pressure on our defence.

"Their attitude was great - they hung in and hung in and we finally executed and got the result but we're putting too much pressure on ourselves with the mistakes."

The Warriors welcome back Lance Hohaia from injury, his return helping compensate for the loss of Aaron Heremaia with a hand injury.

St George Illawarra have been ravaged by injury and State of Origin commitments, with nine first-choice players unavailable for Friday night's meeting with Gold Coast.

Toyota Cup backrower Alex McKinnon - who sat on the bench for an entire game last year when he received a late call-up after Dan Hunt snapped his Achilles tendon - will make his debut in the centres alongside Matt Prior.

The Titans will be without Greg Bird (NSW Origin) and Ashley Harrison (Queensland Origin) but welcome back Anthony Laffranchi after eight weeks out with an ankle injury.

Michael Oldfield and Joe Galuvao come into the Manly side for NSW representatives Will Hopoate and Anthony Watmough for Saturday night's Brookvale Oval tussle with North Queensland.

The Cowboys will have young playmaker Michael Morgan deputising for Johnathan Thurston at halfback, while Ashton Sims starts in place of Maroon prop Matt Scott.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has pushed rookie centre Jack Reed to lock for Sunday's match against Canberra, with Dale Copley moving into the centres and Shea Moylan coming onto the wing for the depleted Broncos.

The Raiders will be without injured trio Terry Campese, Josh Dugan and Joel Thompson, with Nathan Massey to again start at fullback and Blake Ferguson in the centres.

Justin O'Neill, Rory Kostjasyn and Ryan Hinchcliffe will start for Melbourne in place of Queensland Origin trio Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith respectively when the Storm host the Sydney Roosters on Monday night.

The Roosters will again have Braith Anasta and Todd Carney in the halves, with Willie Mataka replacing the injured Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the centres.

- AAP