The return of veteran half Shaun Johnson and Chanel Nicoll-Klokstad will boost the NZ Warriors, with their NRL playoff hopes on the line against Parramatta Eels on Friday.
The pair have been missing from recent games tending to a variety of injuries, but have been named in the starting line-up this week, with the Auckland side probably need to win their remaining five games to make the post-season.
Johnson, 33, was stood down "at least four weeks", after their horror 66-6 defeat to Gold Coast Titans last month, as coach Andrew Webster lamented his star's inability to get his body healthy, after Achilles tendon, shoulder and hamstring complaints this season.
Right on time, the club's leading pointscorer is back in his familiar No.7 jersey, replacing Te Maire Martin in the line-up. Martin drops to an extend bench, with Chanel Harris-Tavita retaining his spot outside Johnson in the halves.
RTS to wing
Competition for those halves jerseys will juice up this week, with Luke Metcalf — who started the season paired with Johnson — returning to reserve grade from a broken leg.
Nicoll-Klokstad last took the field against Canterbury Bulldogs three weeks ago, but left the field with concussion before halftime and has taken some time to recover. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck filled the No.1 jersey in last week's win over Wests Tigers, but returns to the wing against the Eels.
The Warriors have lost the services of impact forward Jackson Ford with a knee injury. His place on the bench is taken by Tom Ale.
Warriors: 1-Chanel Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Ali Leiataua, 4-Moala Graham-Taufa, 5-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Mitchell Barnett, 11-Marata Niukore, 12-Kurt Capewell, 13-Dylan Walker
Interchange: 14-Freddy Lussick, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Jazz Tevaga, 17-Leka Halasima, 18-Demitric Sifakula, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Te Maire Martin, 22-Ed Kosi, 23-Bunty Afoa
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