KEY POINTS:
The Warriors have lost Lance Hohaia for another two games and George Gatis comes back on to their bench for the game against the Rabbitohs in Sydney on Sunday.
The team is otherwise unchanged after beating the Cowboys in Auckland before having the bye.
Souths will field the
same team that completed the far more formidable feat of beating the Cowboys in Townsville on Monday night.
Travel and rehab mean the Rabbitohs couldn't train yesterday and so face a short preparation. And few teams have won at the weekend after playing the Monday night game.
Hohaia was not considered for selection. The ear gash he received against the Cowboys is healing but he has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left fibula and may also miss next weekend's match against the Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium.
Louis Anderson remains unavailable with an ankle problem and Wairangi Koopu was not considered.
"We've had a few injuries but we've seen the benefits of the greater depth we now have in our squad," said coach Ivan Cleary.
The Rabbitohs will field a similiar team to that which won tough in Townsville this week .
Luke Stuart faces a grade one contrary conduct charge for kicking Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen in the head for what appeared to be an accidental slip of the boot rather than an intentional lunge.
Whichever way he pleads, he will not be suspended because of his clear record for seven years.
Kiwis captain Roy Asotasi injured a neck/shoulder nerve in the Cowboys game but is expected to be okay.
The Warriors yesterday re-signed five-eighths Michael Witt, 23, who has played in each of their five games this season. Witt came on a one-year deal which has been extended to the end of 2009.
Also retained are John Ackland as assistant coach and Craig Walker as strength and conditioning coach through to the end of the 2009 season.
Tony Iro will coach the Warriors team in the NRL's new under-20s competition, with former Kiwi great Dean Bell as manager.
Last year's regular NRL five-eighths, Jerome Ropati, steps up from Bartercard Cup, where he played last weekend and scored a try in a win over Harbour after recovery from a back injury.
He plays in the NRL premier league for the Auckland Lions against Souths' feeder side Norths at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Former Roosters fullback Aidan Kirk also plays there, his first game since signing for the Warriors, after recovery from a knee injury.
The Roosters yesterday extended the contracts of two 19-year-old New Zealanders, former Warrior Frank Paul Nu'uausala and Setaimata Sa, to the end of 2009.
Warriors versus South Sydney
Telstra Stadium, 4pm Sunday
Warriors
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Todd Byrne
3. Tony Martin
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. Michael Luck
Interchange: George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Corey Lawrie.
South Sydney
1. David Peachey
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Shannon Hegarty
5. Reece Simmonds
6. Jeremy Smith
7. Joe Williams
8. Peter Cusack (c)
9. Daniel Irvine
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. Luke Stuart
12. David Fa'alogo
13. Dean Widders
Interchange: Shane Rigon, John Sutton, Manase Manuokafoa, Jaiman Lowe.