KEY POINTS:
Wing Michael Crockett returns to the Warriors playing side against the Raiders in Canberra this weekend despite facing a sexual assault charge.
Wade McKinnon's return at fullback is the only other change from the side that beat the Titans on Saturday.
Crockett flew to Sydney on Monday after being asked to present himself by Redfern police, who were investigating a complaint made by a woman while the Warriors were in Sydney to play the Roosters. Crockett, 24, was charged then bailed and returned to Auckland yesterday. He has denied any misconduct.
The club is refusing further comment given the case is before court.
Todd Byrne, who was McKinnon's replacement last weekend when the number one was ruled out with an ankle problem, is retained as 18th man, and Patrick Ah Van is relegated to play for the Auckland Lions in the curtainraiser in Canberra.
"Todd did a terrific job for us ... but we're in the situation where Wade and Michael are again available and we have to make some hard calls," said coach Ivan Cleary, who again has the good fortune of a fully fit squad.
The Warriors need to keep winning to cement a top-four spot and earn a home playoff. They need to go into the finals with momentum - not limp in and face a top-two team away.
Of the teams competing for the lower six spots in the top-eight, the Warriors have one of the easier runs home, though there really is no such thing as easy. They play just one top-eight side, the Eagles at home, and North Queensland play one top-eight side, while Brisbane and Parramatta have two top-eight opponents in the last rounds and the Bulldogs have three.
The Raiders have no finals hopes now but will be looking to restore pride after being thumped by the Bulldogs last Sunday. Their inspirational captain Alan Tongue was named yesterday to play after missing the Dogs game following nose surgery. He must still get a medical clearance.
The Raiders have dropped five-eighth Michael Dobson and returned Terry Campese in a halves switch that has been going on all season.
Bench man Josh Miller is out with a shoulder injury. Fullback Marshall Chalk is dropped and in another on-going swapsie, David Howell moves over from wing where he has been for the past two games.
The Raiders have a reasonable record at home but were not able to beat top sides the Storm, Eagles or Cowboys.
* Cowboys lock Sione Faumuina has been charged with a grade two reckless high shot on Luke Priddis following Monday's win over Penrith and will be out a minimum of five weeks if he pleads guilty and a maximum seven if he fights the case and loses.
* The NRL is reviewing its guidelines to referees and its judicial policy regarding "grapple tackles." Chief executive David Gallop has told the judicial committee to "as a matter of urgency, establish guidelines that will outlaw a tackle that places severe pressure on the neck of the ball-carrier".
The instruction follows more concern about the style of the Storm and the knee injury caused to utility Greg Eastwood when Greg Inglis came in to grab Eastwood's neck/shoulder area when the Broncos player was already held.
New interpretations are expected to be in place this weekend.
* Justin Hodges has re-signed with the Broncos through 2011.
Canberra Stadium, 9.30pm Saturday
RAIDERS
1. David Howell
2. David Milne
3. Phil Graham
4. Colin Best
5. Brett Kelly
6. Terry Campese
7. Todd Carney
8. Dane Tilse
9. Ryan Hinchcliffe
10. Scott Logan
11. Matt Bickerstaff
12. Glen Turner
13. Alan Tongue (c)
Reserves: Lincoln Withers, Trevor Thurling, Neville Costigan, Michael Weyman, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
NZ WARRIORS
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Michael Crockett
3. Jerome Ropati
4. Simon Mannering
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. Nathan Fien
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Reserves: Wairangi Koopu, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, George Gatis.
