NRL: Warriors' propping quartet reunited

Jacob Lillyman returned to action two weeks ago against the Broncos after missing the start of the season. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors' front-row rotation was a major part of their run to the NRL grand final last year and the four props involved are reunited for the first time this week.

Kiwis Ben Matulino and Russell Packer, who have appeared in every match this season, have been named to start against West Tigers in Sydney on Friday night.

Fellow Kiwi Sam Rapira and six-time Queensland Origin representative Jacob Lillyman, who both missed the opening weeks because of respective shoulder and arm injuries suffered in pre-season trials, are on the bench.

Rapira is coming back from a second spell in the casualty ward for an ankle problem and says the team's good form of late makes it easier to slot back in.

"The boys are going well so hopefully I can jump on the the back of their good performances and make an impact,'' he said.

"It's easier coming back when the side is on a winning run.''

As for the quartet's ability to get back to their menacing form of last year as a unit, Rapira said there was still some way to go.

But it was only little things that needed working on before the combinations would start coming together again.

After an up-and-down beginning to 2012, the Warriors have strung together three wins in four matches to lift themselves into the top eight.

Over that period, their forwards have shown plenty of aggression up front and Rapira said it was something they would definitely look to continue against the Tigers, but with a proviso.

"You have to control it as well,'' he said.

"You can't give away silly penalties, otherwise good teams will put points on you, but definitely we want to come out with that from the start.''

- AAP