As expected, Shaun Johnson has been named to start for NZ Warriors, listed to wear the No.7 jersey for Saturday's NRL semi-final against Newcastle Knights.
Johnson, 33, was an absentee for the Warriors' qualifying final defeat to Penrith Panthers last weekend, after being withdrawn late through a calf injury.
But after coach Andrew Webster stated his confidence Johnson would play against the Knights in the do-or-die semi-final, the star halfback has been named in the halves alongside Te Maire Martin.
Johnson's return sees Dylan Walker drop from the starting side onto the interchange bench, named to wear No.14 in the role that he's made his own so far in 2023.
Elsewhere, the Warriors starting side is otherwise unchanged, with Webster keeping the faith with the side that otherwise failed to challenge the Panthers.
Saturday's clash will be the third time the Warriors meet Newcastle this season.
In round one, the Warriors opened their season with a 20-12 victory in Wellington, before the Knights got their revenge in round six with a 34-24 defeat in Newcastle.
Regardless of the result, Saturday's clash will be the Warriors' last at home this season, with victory to send Webster's side into the NRL's preliminary final against Brisbane Broncos away from home.
NZ Warriors: 1-Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Rocco Berry, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Te Maire Martin, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Mitchell Barnett, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Marata Niukore, 13-Tohu Harris (captain)
Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Jazz Tevaga, 16-Bayley Sironen, 17-Josh Curran, 18-Freddy Lussick, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Bunty Afoa, 22-Tom Ale, 23-Ed Kosi
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