Simon Mannering is making a much needed return to the Warriors this week - after sitting the last two weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Photo: Photosport

The Warriors were left scratching their heads last week after a pitiful defensive effort led to a 30-14 loss to St George Dragons last weekend.

Coach Stephen Kearney said Mannering who was out with a hamstring injury was certainly missed, in the sides two recent losses.

"He adds a lot to our group and it's good to have him back this week."

James Gavet also returns to the starting lineup joining Ben Matulino in the starting front row,

Albert Vete who is line for his 40th career match is on the bench - his most recent NRL outing was in round three against Canterbury-Bankstown in Dunedin.

He returns after impressing for the club's Intrust Super Premiership side in its 20-18 win over Wentworthville on Sunday, a match in which he played 48 minutes, making 172 metres from 14 runs as well as 13 tackles without a miss.

Solomone Kata and Manu Vatuvei, both recovering from calf injuries are still out of contention.

Warriors

ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK, CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD, BLAKE AYSHFORD, DAVID FUSITU'A, KEN MAUMALO, KIERAN FORAN, SHAUN JOHNSON, JAMES GAVET, ISSAC LUKE, BEN MATULINO, BODENE THOMPSON, RYAN HOFFMAN,SIMON MANNERING.

Interchange

NATHANIEL ROACHE, SAM LISONE, ALBERT VETE, BUNTY AFOA, TUIMOALA LOLOHEA, TOAFOFOA SIPLEY, LIGI SAO, MASON LINO

-RNZ