Barnstorming prop Iafeta Paleaaesina makes a rare return to the Warriors' starting lineup for the NRL match against the Eels in Hamilton on Saturday.
Warriors head coach Tony Kemp has rewarded Paleaaesina for a string of impressive performances off the interchange bench, notably against the Storm last weekend when he
barged over to score a crucial try in their 24-16 victory.
With the Warriors' big men tasked with compensating for the loss of injured captain Steve Price, Paleaaesina was arguably the most effective, topping the team's hit-up stats with 20 and also making the most metres (167).
Paleaaesina's elevation means former Kangaroos front rower Richard Villasanti will notch his 100th first-grade appearance via the bench.
The rejig of the front row is the only tinkering Kemp has made to the 17-man squad who outmuscled the more favoured Storm in Auckland.
Kemp said Paleaaesina's first start since the 6-24 loss to the Wests Tigers in Christchurch in early April was an appropriate reward for the 23-year-old.
"It's a selection based totally on merit. Villa hasn't done anything wrong for us but Feka [Paleaaesina] has come up to another level again in the last two weeks."
Kemp was also lavish in his praise of playmaker Stacey Jones, who retains the captaincy.
"We were delighted with the way he took on all the extra responsibilities. Now it's up to Stacey to maintain it week in, week out. It's what we need from him if we are to continue our bid for the top eight."
Loose forward Sione Faumuina returns from a one-match suspension as the 18th man but winger Manu Vatuvei still has to bide his time behind the more experienced but out-of-sorts Francis Meli.
The 10th-placed Warriors are one win outside the eight and cannot expect an easy ride against the second-placed Eels.
- NZPA
Warriors
Hamilton, 7.30pm Saturday
Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Clinton Toopi
Jerome Ropati
Todd Byrne
Nathan Fien
Stacey Jones (c)
Ruben Wiki
Lance Hohaia
Iafeta Paleaaesina
Louis Anderson
Wairangi Koopu
Monty Betham
Eels
Wade McKinnon
Matt Peterson
Ben Smith
Daniel Wagon
Eric Grothe
John Morris
Tim Smith
N Cayless (c)
Mark Riddell
Paul Stringer
N Hindmarsh
Glenn Morrison
Chad Robinson
Warriors: Richard Villasanti, Karl Temata, Tevita latu, Awen Guttenbeil. 18th man: Sione Faumuina.
Eels: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Adam Peek, Aaron Cannings, Michael Vella, Luke Burt (two to be omitted)
