NRL: Berrigan returns for Warriors

NZ Warriors player Shaun Berrigan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Shaun Berrigan returns to the starting lineup for the New Zealand Warriors for their NRL match against the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle today after being cleared to make his comeback four weeks after breaking a bone in his hand.

Berrigan, who broke his left hand in the club's 20-10 loss to Manly on April 16, was expected to spend up to six weeks on the sidelines but was passed fit to play and will replace Lewis Brown in the centres.

Brown drops to the interchange bench, one of a number of changes to the side name on Tuesday.

Hooker Aaron Heremaia has stayed in Auckland for family reasons, while second rower Ukuma Ta'ai, who was due to start on the bench, also stayed in Auckland after returning home on Monday for family reasons.

Alehana Mara, who started his first NRL match in last week's 34-14 win against Gold Coast, takes Heremia's starting place with Lance Hohaia, Jeremy Latimore and Ben Matulino joining Brown on the interchange bench.

- NZPA