NRL: Reinforcements arrive for Warriors

Ryan Hoffman has returned from injury for the Warriors. Photo / Getty

The Warriors welcome back senior forward Ryan Hoffman from injury, and Sam Rapira, Konrad Hurrell and Dominique Peyroux have all been called into the side for Saturday's vital clash with the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium.

Hoffman is set for his first game since a calf injury forced him off the field only 22 minutes into the final State of Origin match in Brisbane on July 8.

After last appearing for the club against Canberra in round 16, the New South Wales back-rower has missed the Warriors' last five games against Melbourne, the Sydney Roosters, Manly, Cronulla and St George-Illawarra.

The 259-NRL game veteran comes into the second-row alongside Raymond Faitala-Mariner while captain Simon Mannering moves back to lock.

The loss of Kiwis international Ben Matulino to a three game suspension means Rapira will start at prop in just his fourth game of the season.

Matulino today accepted an early guilty plea for his grade two shoulder charge on St George-Illawarra playmaker Gareth Widdop, rather than risk a five match ban by contesting the charge.

He will be available for selection for the Warriors final round match against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney on September 6.

Coach Andrew McFadden said the club's hands were tied and lamented inconsistencies in the NRL's revised rules around the shoulder charge.

"With the way the rules are now around shoulder charges we had no option but to enter an early plea in this case," said McFadden.

"However, our issue is that in this instance the charge and punishment doesn't fit the crime; it's out of proportion to the outcome of the tackle.

"There was no contact with the head and no injury was caused yet Ben now has to miss three games.

"On the other hand there was a tackle in the previous round where a player was knocked out and still couldn't play last week yet the player charged with the tackle didn't miss a game.

"The NRL needs to cater for inconsistencies like this. In a case like Ben's tackle, why doesn't the NRL do what happens in rugby union and use the sin bin?"

There are two changes in the backline with Peyroux named in the centres and versatile Jonathan Wright moving to the left wing for the injured Manu Vatuvei (shoulder). It's not yet known how long Vatuvei will be out of action.

After his surprise axing for last week's match against the Dragons, centre Konrad Hurrell has been named on the interchange bench alongside front-rowers Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Charlie Gubb.

"It's been a really tough period for us with injuries and our form," said McFadden.

"Fortunately we have Ryan back at last. We've obviously missed him while Sam also gives us plenty of experience.

"Dom has been working hard in the NSW Cup much of the season and he'll provide plenty of energy while Konrad will give us impact from the bench."

The 10th-placed Warriors and 14th-ranked Panthers are both looking for a late-season change of fortune, having lost their past four and five matches respectively.

Warriors: 1. Sam Tomkins, 2. Ken Maumalo, 3. Dominique Peyroux, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Jonathan Wright, 6. Chad Townsend, 7. Tui Lolohea, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Nathan Friend, 10. Sam Rapira, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Simon Mannering.

Interchange: 14. Konrad Hurrell, 15. Albert Vete, 16. Sam Lisone, 17. Charlie Gubb.