NZ Warriors have welcomed back Marata Niukore and Bunty Afoa for their NRL clash against Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Friday.
Niukore returns from a three-match suspension, while Afoa has been named starting prop, after sitting out last week's win over Cronulla Sharks under concussion protocol.
Niukora will join Jackson Ford in the second row, with Mitchell Barnett and Tom Ale relegated to the bench to make way.
Ford will play his 50th NRL match, in his 17th start in a breakout season, since moving from St George Dragons.
While the forward pack has seen a reshuffle, Warriors coach Andrew Webster has opted for the same backline for the fifth straight fixture.
Just two points separate the teams on the NRL ladder, with the Raiders holding the advantage in fourth place.
With superior points differential, a home win would see the Warriors leapfrog the Raiders on the table.
Warriors: 1-Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Rocco Berry, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Luke Metcalf, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Marata Niukore, 13-Tohu Harris ©
Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Mitchell Barnett, 16-Tom Ale, 17-Freddy Lussick.
Join Newshub at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Raiders NRL clash
