The Warriors' worst start in seven NRL seasons has prompted coach Ivan Cleary into an unprecedented wielding of the axe, with New Zealand Test fullback Lance Hohaia the biggest casualty of a drastic shake-up.

Just five players from the side which went down to St George Illawarra have retained their position for Sunday's must-win clash against Cronulla in Taupo on New Zealand's north island, with completely new combinations in the centres and the halves.

Only one change was forced on Cleary as he strives for his first win of 2011, with centre Jerome Ropati to miss the remainder of the season as he undergoes a knee reconstruction.

Hohaia's dumping for rookie Glen Fisiiahi was the most dramatic change, while skipper Simon Mannering will partner utility Shaun Berrigan in a makeshift centre pairing.

Off-season signing Feleti Mateo has been thrown into five-eighth, with James Maloney sliding over to halfback to replace the dumped Brett Seymour.

"As players, we're all disappointed with the way we've started this season," Mannering said.

"We haven't been performing to the standards we expect of ourselves.

"With the changes made, it has been made clear to us that everyone has to perform to hold onto their spots.

"There's a long way to go this season but those of us who have been given the opportunity against Cronulla this week know we have to come up with a much improved effort."

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan had the luxury of naming an unchanged side as Cronulla go in search of a third straight win.

The return of Sam Burgess couldn't have come at a better time for South Sydney following Eddy Pettybourne's three-week ban for a lifting tackle, the Bunnies to go up against a Manly team strengthened by captain Jamie Lyon's inclusion.

Wests Tigers have rushed former Sydney Roosters lower grader Jacob Miller into their side for Sunday's meeting with the tri-colours - the Tigers struggling to come up with 17 fit players for the Sydney Football Stadium match.

Canberra coach David Furner resisted the temptation to tinker with his halves despite back-to-back losses, but Test prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs has been demoted to the bench with Dane Tilse to start in a reshuffled pack.

Travis Waddell has also come into the run-on 13 for Saturday's home game against Gold Coast, who along with the Warriors are the only side yet to win this season.

"Our starts in the last two weeks have lacked a bit with execution in the last couple of weeks and we've decided to change the dynamics of the team to try and get a better start this weekend," Furner said.

"I thought Travis time on the field last weekend was pretty good and we were impressed with most of what he did."

Parramatta welcome back centre Joel Reddy after he made his return from shoulder surgery in the NSW Cup, while former North Queensland firebrand Carl Webb will make his Eels debut against his former club in place of the suspended Fuifui Moimoi.

Under-fire Penrith coach Matt Elliott has been forced to put Kevin Kingston in at halfback for the injured Luke Walsh, while Luke Lewis was named at lock but remains in doubt with a thumb injury.

Skipper Kurt Gidley returns at five-eighth for the depleted Knights who also have veteran Adam MacDougall back at centre with Wes Naiqama shifting to fullback for Sunday's first home game of the year against the Dragons.

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