NZ Warriors half Chanel Harris-Tavita will return from a ruptured testicle to face Newcastle Knights at Redcliffe on Saturday.
Harris-Tavita, 23, suffered the painful injury during his team's record 70-10 Anzac Day loss to Melbourne Storm a month ago, but will reclaim his spot in the starting line-up at the cost of new recruit Daejarn Asi, who slips to the extended bench.
Powerhouse prop Addin Fonua-Blake has succumbed to a foot injury, leaving the Warriors without the formidable middle combination they hoped would carry them to the playoffs this season. Fellow prop Matt Lodge was released by the club last week, after he refused to commit to returning to Auckland next season.
Utility Jazz Tevaga, who started at hooker against St George Dragons, moves to prop, with another recent signing - Freddy Lussick - introduced at dummy half, with regular No.9 Wayde Egan still nursing a calf injury.
Centre Jesse Arthars is also poised for a return, named to the extended bench, along with former Queensland State of Origin forward Dunamis Lui, who was added to the roster this week.
Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Viliami Vailea, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Ben Murdoch-Masila, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Jazz Tevaga, 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Tohua Harris, 13-Jack Murchie
Extended Bench: 14-Taniela Otukolo, 15-Aaron Pene, 16-Bunty Afoa, 17-Eliesa Katoa, 18-Jesse Arthars, 20-Rocco Berry, 21-Dunamis Lui, 22-Daejarn Asi, 23-Pride Petterson-Robati, 24-Ronald Volkman, 25-Jackson Frei
Join us at 5pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Knights NRL clash
