Warriors named for home clash
against the Raiders

Winger Francis Meli has been called straight back into the starting line-up for the club?s match against the Canberra Raiders in Auckland this weekend. Meli sat out last week?s loss to the Roosters due to a one-match suspension for a striking charge from the previous week?s game against South Sydney.

Meli?s return sees two-game rookie, Manu Vatuvei, move to the interchange bench. Vatuvei will be joined on the fresh reserves bench by Louis Anderson and Evarn Tuimavave. Anderson is returning having missed several weeks with an abdominal strain, whilst Tuimavave is back in the top grade following a short stint in Bartercard Cup to regain match fitness having also spent time on the sidelines injured.

The other fresh reserves for this match are prop Mark Tookey and utility Sione Faumuina who were named amongst the interchanges last week. The five-man bench will be cut to the four allowed closer to kick-off on Sunday.

Also returning from injury is utility back Tony Martin who has missed one match with a knee strain. Monty Betham will again play hooker and captain the side, having made his return from an 11-week layoff with a broken arm against the Roosters.

The team for this Sunday?s game against the Raiders at Ericsson Stadium, kicking off at 2:00pm is:

1. Brent Webb 2. Henry Fa?afili 3. Vinnie Anderson 4. Tony Martin 5. Francis Meli 6. Stacey Jones 7. Lance Hohaia 8. Jerry Seuseu 9. Monty Betham (c) 10. Iafeta Paleaaesina 11. Richard Villasanti 12. Awen Guttenbeil 13. Wairangi Koopu 14. Louis Anderson 15. Mark Tookey 16. Manu Vatuvei 17. Evarn Tuimavave 20. Sione Faumuina

In further club news, fullback Brent Webb will play his 50th NRL game against the Raiders on Sunday. All of these matches have been played with the Vodafone Warriors.