Kiwi international Jerome Ropati will return to the New Zealand Warriors NRL side to face North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night.

Ropati, who missed the last three matches with ankle ligament damage, was the only change in the 17 named by coach Ivan Cleary.

He comes in for Ryan Shortland, who has been dropped after playing in back-to-back wins over Newcastle and the Bulldogs, scoring two tries against the Knights in his club debut.

Cleary said Shortland's strong performance while standing in for Ropati was a sign of the depth in the squad.

The match will be a personal milestone for converted fullback Lance Hohaia, who will make his 100th first-grade appearance.

Hohaia made his debut against the Cowboys in Townsville in 2002 as a 19-year-old, the Warriors recording a 50-20 victory which still stands as the club's last win at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

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