Atu Tupou making NYC return today

Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Atu Tupou will make his second NYC appearance today more than four months since his debut.

Tupou was impressive off the interchange bench in his maiden appearance against Canberra in early April only to be forced off with a long-term knee injury.

He has been confirmed on the bench for today’s 24th-round NYC clash against fifth-placed Penrith at Mount Smart Stadium. Albert Vete is 18th man.

The rest of the team is the same as named early in the week.

The Vodafone Junior Warriors need to win today to remain in contention for the minor premiership after Canberra and Canterbury-Bankstown both won on Friday night. The Raiders top the table on 36 points with the Bulldogs on 35; the Vodafone Junior Warriors will move to 35 points if they beat the Panthers.

VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v PENRITH PANTHERS

Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
11.45am, Sunday, August 19

VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS

1 OMAR SLAIMANKHEL
2 DAVID FUSITUA
3 NGANI LAUMAPE
4 NGATAUA HUKATAI
5 VILIAMI LOLOHEA
6 PETA HIKU
7 MASON LINO
8 LIGI SAO
9 SILIVA HAVILI
10 NATHANIEL PETERU
11 JOHN PALAVI (c)
12 SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO
13 DAVID BHANA
Interchange:
14 TRENT BISHOP
15 TOKA LIKILIKI
16 SIULONGOUA FOTOFILI
18 ATU TUPOU

COACH: JOHN ACKLAND