Ruben Wiki named Warriors captain for Auckland Nines

RETURNING veteran Ruben Wiki will lead the Warriors at the Auckland Nines as the New Zealanders search for their first title.

Ruben Wiki from the New Zealand Warriors celebrates a win with Tony Puletua from the Penrith Panthers during their round 25 home game in the Telstra League Premiership. Warriors won 42-20. -- 31 August 2008 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Greg Bowker

RETURNING veteran Ruben Wiki will make his rugby league comeback in style by leading the Warriors at next weekend’s Auckland Nines.

Wiki, who hung up the boots in 2008, will return to the field two days before his 44th birthday at the head of a New Zealand squad desperate to take the club’s first title in the abbreviated format.

Johnson has thrived at all three Nines tournaments.

Shaun Johnson and Solomone Kata, who have both starred in previous appearances at the tournament, will return but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a notable absentee.

The Warriors will take on Manly, Parramatta and St George Illawarra in the pool stages.

FULL SQUAD

Ryan Hoffman, Junior Pagua, Matt Allwood, Blake Ayshford, Ata Hingano, Solomone Kata, Shaun Johnson, Ruben Wiki (c), Mason Lino, Bunty Afoa, James Gavet, Tuimoala Lolohea, Jazz Tevaga, Ofahiki Ogden, Lewis Soosemea, Toafofoa Sipley, Isaiah Papalii, James Bell

Originally published as Ruben Wiki named Warriors captain for Auckland Nines