KEY POINTS:
Memories of the 52-6 thrashing that Manly handed out to the Warriors in round three this season will be fresh in the minds of both teams when they meet again at Mt Smart on Sunday.
That game more than any other exposed the frailties of the injury-weakened Auckland club and while they'll be out to rectify those and erase the sour taste of a real towelling, the only danger for the Sea Eagles appears to be walking up thinking it's already won.
Nathan Fien's good performances at five-eighth have kept him in the halves as Michael Witt returns after injury to resume the six jersey.
Fien is probably better suited to the trench warfare closer in at halfback than he is to the six spot, while Witt's kicking game should improve the performance of the team as a whole. Halfback Grant Rovelli is shunted to 18th man as coach Ivan Cleary seeks more incision and precision in attack.
They regain strike power on the left wing with the return of Manu Vatuvei after a spiral fracture to the fibula in his left leg, last week's left wing Aidan Kirk switched to the right and Michael Crockett dropped. Vatuvei hasn't played since round seven.
Epalahame Lauaki returns to the bench after being dropped to the Auckland Vulcans last week then serving up a good performance. Under-20s second rower Ben Matulino did enough against Cronulla to hold his spot ahead of Wairangi Koopu.
Cleary has opted for a four-forward bench to face the Eagles, who use the same and are tough up front. They should come with confidence after demolishing the until-then in-form Roosters 42-0, seven of their eight tries coming through the backs, then resting for a weekend with the bye.
Manly prop Jason King and wing Michael Bani have both been out since round eight with leg injuries, both expected back soon.
Centre Steve Bell has just signed a two-year deal with Les Catalans in Super League starting 2009.
Warriors
Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (captain), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck.
Interchange: Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino. 18th man: Grant Rovelli.
