Veteran winger Manu Vatuvei will return to the Warriors' fray in one of six changes made for their clash against the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday.
It will be the first start for Vatuvei since their ANZAC weekend capitulation against the Storm and just his second of the season at Mt Smart Stadium after being granted a leave of absence following his role with the 'Nightshift Six'.
In other changes, Solomone Kata returns after serving a one-game suspension, while Nathaniel Roache, Albert Vete, Charlie Gubb, and Ligi Sao have all been recalled on a five-man bench.
“It’s terrific knowing Manu is ready to play again,” said Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden.
“His presence alone means so much to the team and what he brings with his effort is critical to our performance.
“Solomone has been one of our best all season and he’ll provide lots of energy while the players brought in on the bench have all earned their call-ups on the weight of what they’ve done for our reserve grade side.
“Nate was our first-choice interchange dummy half at the start of the year until he was injured. He has been back for a few weeks now and has been playing really well so he comes back in.
Like the Warriors, Brisbane comes into the contest with back-to-back-losses and three defeats in its last four outings. The Broncos also have six players set to back up after lining up for Queensland in tomorrow night’s first 2016 State of Origin match in Sydney.
Newshub.
