Kevin Locke (pictured) returns at fullback but prop Russell Packer has been ruled out for the Vodafone Warriors 16th-round NRL clash against Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium today (4.05pm kick-off; match day sponsor: New Zealand Herald).
Locke, originally named on a six-man bench, has recovered from the hip flexor injury which kept him out of the last two wins against Manly and the Sydney Roosters. He comes back into the side after last appearing in the clubs 56-18 win over todays opponents at Suncorp Stadium on June 3.
His return results in Glen Fisiiahi moving to the right wing while Ngani Laumape, originally selected there, turned out for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup today.
Packer suffered an ankle injury at training earlier in the week. Suaia Matagi will start in his place, making his third NRL appearance.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v BRISBANE BRONCOS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
4.05pm, Sunday, June 30
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Henry Perenara
VODAFONE WARRIORS
18KEVIN LOCKE
1GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
20SUAIA MATAGI
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
15JACOB LILLYMAN
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
Locke, originally named on a six-man bench, has recovered from the hip flexor injury which kept him out of the last two wins against Manly and the Sydney Roosters. He comes back into the side after last appearing in the clubs 56-18 win over todays opponents at Suncorp Stadium on June 3.
His return results in Glen Fisiiahi moving to the right wing while Ngani Laumape, originally selected there, turned out for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup today.
Packer suffered an ankle injury at training earlier in the week. Suaia Matagi will start in his place, making his third NRL appearance.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v BRISBANE BRONCOS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
4.05pm, Sunday, June 30
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Henry Perenara
VODAFONE WARRIORS
18KEVIN LOCKE
1GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
20SUAIA MATAGI
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
15JACOB LILLYMAN
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
