KEY POINTS:
After weeks of dismal performances on the road, the Warriors yesterday received a spark of hope ahead of this Sunday's trip across the Tasman when stalwart figure Ruben Wiki and playmaker Jerome Ropati were named in the line-up to face Penrith.
The pair will be much needed.
Ropati
returns from an ankle injury to replace centre Brent Tate, who was yesterday selected for Queensland in next Wednesday's opening State of Origin clash. Wiki will return to action from the five-man bench after recovering from a wrist injury. The pair made their return to full-contact training this week and join a team freshened after last week's bye.
The rest of the Warriors line-up is the same as the team that beat Canberra in Auckland 10 days ago.
Epalahame Lauaki starts, keeping Logan Swann on the bench, as the Warriors go for big impact early. Teenager Russell Packer retains his place after a good debut against the Raiders but it is likely he'll be the man to drop off as the coaching staff seek to maintain experience on the field through the interchange.
Lance Hohaia was happy to return to his regular fullback slot after the late call-up for Friday's centenary test in the unfamiliar position of five-eighths. Their runs have been conducted by assistant coach John Ackland for the past two days, while head coach Ivan Cleary has been in Christchurch watching how the Crusaders prepare, an arrangement forged through former All Black coach John Hart.
Second rower Sonny Fai is over his shoulder problem and is expected to turn out for the Warriors under-20s against their Panthers counterparts.
Penrith prop Petero Civoniceva is with the Queensland team and hooker Luke Priddis resumes the captaincy, while Matt Bell steps up from their bench to take Civoniceva's place at prop. Named as 18th man is former Aucklander Hutch Maiava, 32, who was sacked by Hull earlier this year after a series of off-field incidents. Maiava, who has been playing for Windsor in the Sydney competition, is named on a five-man bench.
The Panthers have produced mixed form and secured just three wins from seven games, attracting a home crowd average of just over 13,000.
Meanwhile, Kiwi Benji Marshall will make his return from knee injury for the Wests Tigers this weekend as does hooker Robbie Farah, against the Knights in Newcastle.
NZ Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Jerome Ropati, Ryan Shortland, Patrick Ah Van, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon Mannering, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck (c); interchange from Ian Henderson, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu, Russell Packer.
Panthers: Rhys Wesser, Luke Rooney, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Michael Gordon, Maurice Blair, Luke Lewis, Tony Puletua, Luke Priddis, Matthew Bell, Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith; interchange from Paul Aiton, Joseph Paulo, Jarrod Sammut, Sam McKendry, Hutch Maiava.