KEY POINTS:
There is great contrast between the injury fortunes of the Warriors and their opponents the Newcastle Knights, who come to Mt Smart this Saturday.
While Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has a full squad of 26 top-grade players to choose from, his opposite Brian Smith has again chopped and changed as some players return from the sidelines and others go there.
The Warriors start the same 13 and use the same 17 that beat the Tigers away at Campbelltown and the same 17 that beat the Dragons at home a fortnight ago.
They are fortunate in having no injury concerns at the business end of the season and eight players have been named for the Auckland Lions, who retain an outside chance of a playoff spot in premier league.
The Knights have lost five-eighth Jarrod Mullen with a dislocated shoulder, just two weeks after he recovered from a hamstring strain. Captain Danny Buderus is still out injured as are Milton Thaiday, Todd Polglase and others. The Knights have used an NRL-high 36 players this season.
Returning are prop Adam Woolnough, Steve Simpson in the second row and Daniel Tolar and Daniel Abraham on the bench.
The Warriors have won five of six since losing five in a row. Newcastle have won only one of their last five games but Cleary rates them a dangerous proposition.
Mt Smart Stadium, 7.30pm Saturday
NZ WARRIORS
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Michael Crockett
3. Jerome Ropati
4. Simon Mannering
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. George Gatis
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Reserves: Wairangi Koopu, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Nathan Fien.
KNIGHTS
1. Kurt Gidley
2. Jame McManus
3. George Carmont
4. A. MacDougall
5. Cooper Vuna
6. Brad Tighe
7. Luke Walsh
8. Mitchell Sargent
9. Terrence Seu Seu
10. Adam Woolnough
11. Steve Simpson
12. Cory Paterson
13. Zeb Taia
Reserves: Michael Young, Jesse Royal, Kirk Reynoldson, Daniel Tolar, Daniel Abraham.
