NRL: Luck back on Warriors' side

Micheal Luck. Photo / Getty Images

Loose forward Micheal Luck and prop Sam Rapira will return from injury layoffs for the New Zealand Warriors when they play National Rugby League (NRL) rivals Gold Coast on Friday night.

Luck is set to make his 208th appearance and Rapira his 111th in the first of the club's back-to-back Friday night matches in Auckland, the second of them against the Canterbury Bulldogs on July 15.

Luck was originally due to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after partially dislocating the patella in his left knee during the 22-26 loss to Wests Tigers on June 12 but has recovered quicker than expected.

Rapira has been out of action for two months after dislocating his left thumb in the opening minute of the Kiwis' Anzac test against Australia on May 6.

He subsequently needed surgery to repair the injury and is one of five players named on the interchange bench along with his younger brother Steve, whom he is yet to play alongside in the NRL.

"It's obviously a big positive for us having such experienced players like Lucky and Sam coming back from their injuries," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said today.

"Lucky has come back quicker than initially thought while Sam has worked hard to recover from his thumb injury."

Also returning are fullback Kevin Locke and rookie halfback Shaun Johnson as the Warriors, fresh from a bye last weekend, look to end a four-match losing streak.

Locke, who missed the 8-16 loss to Melbourne with a knee injury, is back in the No 1 jersey with Lance Hohaia moving to the bench while Johnson will make his fourth NRL appearance, replacing the injured Brett Seymour.

With Luck making his comeback, Elijah Taylor is included on the bench with captain Simon Mannering and Feleti Mateo starting in the second row.

Prop Jacob Lillyman, who turns out for Queensland in tomorrow night's State of Origin decider, will make his 50th appearance for the Warriors on Friday.

New Zealand Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Lewis Brown, Shaun Berrigan, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (captain), Micheal Luck. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Steve Rapira.

- NZPA