NRL: Mannering, Vatuvei back for Warriors

Captain Simon Mannering, winger Manu Vatuvei and halfback Brett Seymour have been named along with debutant prop Mataupu Poching for the New Zealand Warriors' National Rugby League (NRL) match against North Queensland in Auckland on Saturday.

Mannering and Vatuvei have had restricted game time this season because of hamstring injuries while Seymour has been out of action with a broken thumb since his club debut against Gold Coast in the opening round.

"We've been waiting patiently for Simon, Manu and Brett to return and it's a great boost for us to have them back straight after the bye round," coach Ivan Cleary said today.

"All three are obviously hugely important to the side for a whole range of reasons. We've had to battle through recently without them but at last we have some better news in terms of our injured players."

While Mannering, Vatuvei and Seymour boast more than 300 NRL appearances between them, the match against the Cowboys marks the debut at this level of 22-year-old Poching.

He has impressed for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup to earn a call-up to the first-grade side.

"Upu is rewarded for his consistency for the Vulcans. He has really stood up for them every week and has done everything we've asked of him," Cleary said.

Poching has been named to team up with Kiwis prop Sam Rapira in the starting front row while the other change in the packs sees Mannering replace Lewis Brown, with Ben Matulino moving to the interchange bench.

With Seymour restored at halfback, James Maloney replaces Joel Moon at standoff and Kevin Locke comes in on the right wing for Patrick Ah Van, who has a broken jaw and is expected to be out of action for four weeks.

New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Mataupu Poching,

Simon Mannering (captain), Ukuma Ta'ai, Micheal Luck.

Interchange (one to be omitted): Ian Henderson, Ben Matulino, Jeremy Latimore, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal.

- NZPA