NRL: Leuluai returns to Warriors for Tigers game

Warrior Thomas Leuluai in action during the 2013 season. Photo / Richard Robinson.

Thomas Leuluai will make a welcome return to the Warriors side to play the Wests Tigers in Wellington on Saturday after missing the first three games of the season with a groin injury.

The 28-year-old played every minute of the club's 24 matches last season, but has been sidelined since picking up a groin injury at last year's World Cup.

He was close to making a return in the important 20-16 win over the Cowboys on Saturday night but has now been cleared to make his comeback at a ground where he made his NRL debut as a 17-year-old against the Bulldogs in 2003.

Leuluai has been named on the interchange bench alongside props Jacob Lillyman and Suaia Matagi and centre Konrad Hurrell, who was used predominantly as a back-rower against North Queensland.

The starting line-up named is unchanged from the one used in that match. Back-rower Feleti Mateo finished the game in Townsville but was ruled out this afternoon with a knee complaint, ending a run of 79 consecutive appearances since joining the Warriors in 2011.

"We were hoping Feleti would be clear to play but his knee isn't quite right,'' coach Matthew Elliott said. "That's disappointing but, on the other hand, it's great having Thomas back.

"He was a really important part of our spine last year. He's obviously very handy in the halves and also gives us cover at hooker. We probably made a mature decision not to play him last week. He's a fairly useful bench player.''

While Leuluai's return is significant, the match will also mark Simon Mannering's 92nd game as captain, overtaking the mark set by Steve Price, and centre Dane Nielsen will also make his 100th NRL appearance.

Mannering is also just eight short of becoming only the second Warriors player to rack up 200 NRL games for the club (Stacey Jones made 261 appearances).

"Simon commands so much respect from everyone in the club,'' said Elliott. "He's such a high-quality player and leader as well as being a fine person.''

Mannering, in his fifth season as captain and his 10th as an NRL player, will achieve his record in a city which was briefly home for him before he moved to Auckland after signing with the Warriors.

Warriors side to play Wests Tigers at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday (5pm): Sam Tomkins, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (c), Sione Lousi. Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Suaia Matagi, Konrad Hurrell, Thomas Leuluai.