Hiku on bench as Luke reaches 250

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has named an unchanged starting lineup for Friday’s NRL clash against Newcastle, while backline utility Peta Hiku is in line to return via the bench.

The Warriors host the 11thplaced Knights at Mt Smart Stadium looking to back up last week’s gutsy 18-12 win over the Dragons and cement their place in the top eight.

The match marks in-form hooker Issac Luke’s 250th NRL appearance and he will again take his place in the No 9 jersey after returning from a calf injury last week. Adam Blair will line up on the right edge with fellow veteran Simon Mannering at loose forward.

Hiku is set to make his first appearance since last month’s victory over the Broncos. He was a late withdrawal from the following week’s loss to the Storm due to a hand injury and also missed the next two games, although he was included on the extended bench on both occasions.

But with a spot opening up in the side due to Sam Lisone’s twoweek suspension, the Kiwis international has been named in the No 17 jersey.

Having achieved the best away record in the club’s history last week (8-3 with one game to go) the Warriors head into Friday’s match in eighth spot on 26 points.

Another win would give them their 13th victory of the year, their best regular-season return since 2011. In 38 matches, they have a 19-18 edge over Newcastle with one draw.