NRL: Luck and Hurrell back to boost Warriors

The Warriors will need all the luck they can get after dismal performances in recent weeks. Photo / Getty Images

The return of loose forward Micheal Luck and rookie centre Konrad Hurrell have boosted the poorly-performing Warriors ahead of a tough challenge against North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday.

Luck, 30, has been cleared, after playing for the Auckland Vulcans in their New South Wales Cup encounter against Wentworthville last Saturday.

It was only Luck's third match of the year and his first since two interchange appearances for the Warriors' games against Cronulla and North Queensland in June and July.

Satisfied his left shoulder survived the test, Luck comes on to the interchange, while Hurrell is back after missing last Sunday's crushing loss to Cronulla with a niggling foot injury.

Their recalls have come about through the absence of standoff James Maloney and prop Ben Matulino. Both players had appeared in all 20 matches so far this season but have been ruled out with injuries picked up against the Sharks, Maloney will be out for one or two weeks with a medial ligament strain in his left knee and Matulino is likely to miss three to four weeks with a slight tear in the pectoral muscle on his left side. It means Matulino may miss the rest of the season.

"Both Lucky and the medical staff are satisfied he has come through last Saturday's match in good shape and Konrad is also good to go again," said Warriors head coach Brian McClennan.

"Losing both Jimmy and Ben is a setback. They're obviously important players for us but that's what happens in this game and in this competition. Injuries are always a part of it and it's now up to others to make the most of the opportunity they've been given."

Maloney lasted only 16 minutes of the Cronulla contest before being replaced by debutant Carlos Tuimavave.

With Hurrell returning to the centres, Ben Henry reverts to the second row where he started in the match against Manly. Elijah Taylor moves to loose forward.

Having lost Matulino, one of the NRL's best front rowers this season, McClennan has juggled his front row options by listing Jacob Lillyman and Sione Lousi as the starting props, with Russell Packer named on a five-man interchange with Sebastine Ikahihifo, Luck, Steve Rapira and Sam Lousi; Lousi also comes back into the squad after being used off the bench against Newcastle and Manly.

Not included yet is regular captain Simon Mannering, who is still recovering from an ankle sprain. It means Manu Vatuvei is named to lead the side for the third week running, his 149th career game giving him another opportunity to score the one try he needs to become the first player in history to score 100 NRL tries for the Warriors. His 150th appearance is set to come at home against Penrith a week later.

Warriors team to play North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, on Saturday, kick-off 9.30pm NZT is: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Lewis Brown, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei (c), Carlos Tuimavave, Shaun Johnson, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Ben Henry, Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Russell Packer, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Micheal Luck, Steve Rapira, Sam Lousi.