KEY POINTS:
Prop Ruben Wiki makes his National Rugby League (NRL) return in one of several changes to the New Zealand Warriors' side named today to face bottom-of-the-table South Sydney on Friday.
The former Kiwis skipper has been recalled after playing for feeder club the Auckland Vulcans last Saturday.
With skipper Steve Price picked for the Queensland State of Origin team today after two matches back from injury, Wiki has been included in the starting 13 against the Rabbitohs in Auckland.
When he runs on to Mt Smart Stadium, he will get within three matches of being the first New Zealander to make 300 NRL appearances.
Apart from Price, centre Brent Tate will also be missing because of Queensland duty.
Tate's absence means Aidan Kirk moves from the left wing into the centres, a position he has filled regularly for the Auckland Lions and the Vulcans over the past two seasons.
Another feature is the return of giant winger Manu Vatuvei after a six-week stint on the sideline due to a leg injury.
Vatuvei scored seven tries in the first seven matches of the year.
But he hasn't played since the game against Gold Coast in late April, when he was forced off with what turned out to be a spiral fracture of his left fibula.
Also back is utility Lance Hohaia, who missed the 18-16 win away to Newcastle last Saturday because of a thigh problem.
While Hohaia had been the regular fullback before being injured, he will be used off the bench, with Patrick Ah Van retained after his outstanding error-free performance against the Knights.
In his first outing at fullback this season, Ah Van scored a try and kicked three goals from four attempts, including the matchwinner two minutes from fulltime.
He also gained 157m from 15 runs, made six tackles with no misses and produced four tackle breaks.
There is also a switch in the second row, with Epalahame Lauaki back in the starting 13 and 20-year-old Sonny Fai moving to the bench.
New Zealand Warriors: Patrick Ah Van, Michael Crockett, Aidan Kirk, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Nathan Fien, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck (captain).
Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Russell Packer, Sonny Fai.
- NZPA
