League: Panthers rule out Puletua return

Comebacks dominated speculation yesterday, with the Panthers denying Kiwi backrower Tony Puletua has any chance of playing the Warriors tomorrow and Manly refusing to talk about John Hopoate.

A Panthers spokesman said they would be "out for blood" after being criticised by their fans on a club website.

They have beaten the Warriors five times in a row, including the 2003 elimination final. There is a confidence they can win again, a desire to finish the Warriors' playoffs hopes, as well as drive to silence the critics.

Puletua was "certainly not coming back this week" after three months off following a shoulder injury, Panthers spokesman Rob Weaver said.

The Warriors will start with the huge pack used in the past two games. They fly to Australia today with basically the same team they have had for several weeks. The return of Steve Price is a huge plus.

* Wing Francis Meli has been offered an even bigger pay packet from Warrington than was on offer at St Helens and looks sure to move.

* Manly are bizarrely considering the reinstatement of bad-boy Hopoate after his 17-week ban for knocking out Sharks teenager Keith Galloway ends this weekend. Hopoate would have to apply for re-registration with the NRL.

* The NRL has switched the round 25 Bulldogs-Panthers game from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon after recent trouble from Dogs fans during night matches.

* Anyone involved with Kiwis teams over the years is invited to a get-together organised by Mangere East stalwart Peter Leitch at the Hawks clubrooms on Monday night.