Kodi Nikorima will slot back into the NZ Warriors No.6 jersey for Friday's match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium.
Nikorima has come off the bench in recent weeks, but will reclaim the starting spot in one of two changes to the run-on side that was crushed 42-16 by the Sharks last weekend.
The other sees Lachlan Burr back to the bench for Agnatius Paasi, who will notch his 100th NRL appearance.
Rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita moves to the interchange to make way for Nikorima, where he'll be joined by Ligi Sao, who comes in for centre Blake Ayshford.
Ayshford is on the extended bench, with Bunty Afoa, Adam Keighran and Adam Pompey.
In 34 previous encounters, the Warriors have a 19-15 edge in wins over South Sydney, but the Rabbitohs won the most recent match 28-24 in April.
The Sydneysiders currently sit fifth on the NRL ladder with 30 competition points, 11 more than the 13th-placed Warriors, whose playoff hopes are essentially over.
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