NRL : Stitched up Luck back in Warriors side for crunch match

Warriors lock Michael Luck. Photo / Supplied

A couple of hefty whacks from teammate Russell Packer gave Micheal Luck's stitched up leg the road test he was looking for at training yesterday.

Luck's bandaged thigh was none the worse for wear after the treatment, paving the way for his return against the Titans on Friday night, just 20 days after the workaholic loose forward's leg was peeled open by Anthony Watmough's boot.

"It's good," Luck said. "I had a pretty tough session. I gave it everything that would come Friday night, so I am confident."

Having missed only two matches, Luck believed his match fitness would still be at its peak for what is sure to be a high-intensity finals encounter with the Titans at Skilled Park.

"Last week was as hard a training week as any I've had since the pre-season," he said.

Coach Ivan Cleary wasn't surprised Luck had recovered from a horrific injury in time for the club's return to finals football.

"Everyone knows how tough Lucky is, and we're certainly glad to have him back in the side," he said. "Being the sort of person he is, he wanted to play last week, but it wasn't possible. His cut has healed really well, he's been putting in the work and he's ready to go."

Hooker appears to be the only area of concern heading into the match. Ian Henderson walked around a bit and collected a few bibs at training but that was the extent of his involvement.

Understudy Alehana Mara, who has stood in for Henderson for the last three matches, also appears likely to be ruled out. Mara, who was sighted wearing a moon boot at Sydney airport on Sunday, was due to undergo a scan on his injured ankle today.

Lewis Brown spent time running at dummy half, a role he will likely reprise on Friday night when Aaron Heremaia needs a rest.

"We've got a few options there," Cleary said. "Aaron has played some big minutes at times as well."

Cleary inserted Luck straight back into his starting line-up, relegating Jacob Lillyman to a six-man bench.

Prop Jesse Royal appears likely to join Mara in dropping off that bench, meaning a return to the side for Joel Moon, who can cover the halves and centre.

Centre Jerome Ropati is the only other injury concern. He trained lightly yesterday before pulling out of the session early.

Cleary insisted the move was simply a precaution to protect Ropati as he manages an ongoing abdominal complaint.

"He can train but he doesn't want to make it worse," Cleary said. "It's just trying to keep him fresh. It wouldn't be the finals without having some blokes a bit touch and go. Every side will be experiencing a bit of that."

Preston Campbell, who was influential in two regular season victories over the Warriors, has been named to return at fullback for the Titans after sitting out last week's victory over the Tigers with a hamstring injury.

Titans coach John Cartwright's line-up contains no surprises, with stand-in fullback William Zillman switching to wing to accommodate Campbell's return.

Titans captain Scott Prince is expected to play despite damaging a shoulder joint against the Tigers.

Former Warrior Clinton Toopi lines up at centre against his old club.

TITANS

Friday at Robina

Preston Campbell
Kevin Gordon
Steve Michaels
Clinton Toopi
William Zillman
Mat Rogers
Scott Prince
Luke Bailey
Nathan Friend
Anthony Laffranchi
Greg Bird
Mark Minichiello
Ashley Harrison

WARRIORS

Lance Hohaia
Kevin Locke
Brent Tate
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Brett Seymour
Sam Rapira
Aaron Heremaia
Russell Packer
Simon Mannering (c)
Lewis Brown
Micheal Luck

Titans: Michael Henderson, Brad Meyers, Matthew White, Bodene Thompson, Luke O'Dwyer, Jordan Atkins.

Warriors: Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Ukuma Ta'ai, Jacob Lillyman, Jesse Royal, Joel Moon (two to be omitted).