12 Jun 2013

Locke and Packer back for Warriors

6:00 am on 12 June 2013

Fullback Kevin Locke and prop Russell Packer have been named in the Warriors' starting 13 for their NRL match against the Sydney Roosters in Auckland on Sunday.

The pair were late withdrawals before the Warriors' 18-16 upset over Manly last weekend when the Auckland-based club continued their remarkable bounce-back in the competition.

The victory over the Sea Eagles was the Warriors' third in a row since they were thrashed 62-6 by Penrith.

Locke missed the Manly match with a hip problem while Packer had a sternum complaint.

Coach Matthew Elliott is optimistic both will be ready to face the Roosters.

Locke and Packer's return to the team sheet means the starting 13 is the same as originally selected against the Sea Eagles.

With Locke's inclusion, Glen Fisiiahi, who was the players' player of the day last Sunday, moves to the wing.

Outside back Ngani Laumape and prop Suaia Matagi, who both started, drop to an expanded seven-man bench.

The match against the Roosters will be Elliott's 250th as a NRL coach.

The Roosters won the season's previous meeting between the sides 16-14 at Eden Park.