League: Ropati back as Tate heads to Origin

Centre Brent Tate's selection for representative duty has forced the sole change to the New Zealand Warriors' starting 13 for their National Rugby League match against Penrith on Sunday.

Tate was today included in the Queensland squad to face New South Wales next week in what will be his 13th State of Origin appearance.

He has been replaced for the Warriors' trip to Penrith by Jerome Ropati, who missed the club's past two matches with a hamstring injury.

Also returning is veteran prop Ruben Wiki, who is included on a five-man interchange bench after being sidelined from the 14-6 win over the Canberra with a hand injury.

The Warriors have had a bye since beating the Raiders.

However, they have fullback Lance Hohaia and second rower Simon Mannering backing up from the Kiwis' 28-12 defeat to Australia in last Friday night's centenary test in Sydney.

The Warriors, who have a 100 percent record at home so far this season, will be seeking their first away win having lost on all four previous trips across the Tasman.

They are 11th on the table, with the same number of competition points as the ninth-placed Panthers.

New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Jerome Ropati, Ryan Shortland, Patrick Ah Van, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon Mannering, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck (captain).

Interchange (one to be omitted): Ian Henderson, Wairangi Koopu, Russell Packer, Logan Swann, Ruben Wiki.