NRL: Lillyman call-up maroons Warriors

Jacob Lillyman. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors will bid for a fifth successive NRL victory on Sunday without Jacob Lillyman after the converted prop was recalled to the Queensland State of Origin team after a two-year absence.

With Sam Rapira already sidelined with a dislocated thumb, Lillyman's selection for next Wednesday's Origin opener in Brisbane means the Warriors will be without both senior props for the match against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium.

Kiwis forward Ben Matulino has been promoted into the starting line-up alongside Russell Packer, while Jeremy Latimore is the lone specialist prop on a seven-man bench.

Lillyman's selection comes after he packed on 4kg of muscle in the off-season in a bid to convert to prop fulltime after spending most of his career in the back row.

In his third season with the Warriors, Lillyman joins an elite group of players to have gained Origin selection while playing with the club. Kevin Campion, PJ Marsh, Steve Price and Brent Tate have all represented Queensland while playing for the Warriors.

"It's brilliant for Jake and also for the club," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"Jake has worked so hard for this and he's made a great job of transforming himself into a front rower."

Lillyman has been hugely impressive this season but his selection on the Maroons' interchange bench ahead of the likes of massive Souths prop Dave Taylor is still a surprise.

Also recalled alongside Lillyman is Broncos back-rower Corey Parker, who returns after a six-year absence.

"It shows that if you play well for your club you get that opportunity again. I am so happy for them," coach Mal Meninga said of the pair.

"They have had a taste and now they have it again. It will make them better players for us I believe. I can't get the smiles off their faces.

"It is hard to get into that squad when Queensland is going so well but they forced their way through form."

Taylor has been named as Queensland's 18th man but is in the Rabbitohs team for Sunday's match.

In other changes, Lewis Brown has been listed to start in the centres in place of Shaun Berrigan, who has been relegated to the bench after an unhappy comeback from a broken hand in Sunday's victory over the Knights.

Cleary said Brown was expected to recover from the minor knee injury that forced him off the field against the Knights, although the presence of Joel Moon on the extended bench suggests that is no certainty.

Aaron Heremaia has been named at hooker after missing two games following a family tragedy, while Ukuma Tai'i, who has also been on compassionate leave, is back on the bench.

Alehana Mara, who brilliantly set up the Warriors' final try against the Knights in just his second start at hooker, is on the interchange bench where he seems likely to compete for a spot with the also in-form Lance Hohaia, who scored two tries against the Knights.

The Warriors head into the match having won six of their past seven matches.

Although they sit sixth on 12 points, they're just two points ahead of 10th-placed Souths on the congested NRL ladder. The Rabbitohs are also on a win-streak, having notched victories over Cronulla and Wests Tigers.