The NZ Warriors are sweating on the fitness of half Kodi Nikorima for Sunday's clash with the red-hot Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
The marquee mid-season signing has been named to an extended bench for their Sydney Cricket Ground clash, giving him every chance to prove his fitness, after missing the win over Manly with an ankle injury.
Rookie half Chanel Harris-Tavita has earned the start at stand-off, after another outstanding all-round effort in the Warriors' 24-16 upset victory over the Sea Eagles, part of unchanged line-up from the 17 that took the field at Mt Smart.
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Front-rower Leeson Ah Mau - one of only two players to have featured in all 20 fixtures this season - will become the NRL's newest member of the 200-game club, when he takes the field on Sunday.
The off-season acquisition has been one of the club's most reliable performers this year, averaging 111 running metres per game and making 98 percent of his 587 attempted tackles.
The makeshift arrangement at hooker will continue, with utility Jazz Tevaga starting and Adam Keighran coming off the bench as back-up.
Scratched before last week's game, centre Blake Ayshford has also been named to the extended bench.
The Auckland-based team are slowly edging towards 'must-win' territory in their quest for a spot in the top eight, as the playoffs draw ever closer.
They currently sit 11th on the ladder and face a Roosters side coming off an impressive 22-18 win over the in-form Canberra Raiders to sit second on the table.
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