Better late than never - skipper Simon Mannering returns for the Warriors' final NRL match of the season against the Canberra Raiders in Auckland on Sunday.

After missing the last five games with an ankle injury, Mannering takes his place in a radically re-arranged side.

Caretaker coach Tony Iro has made several changes to his combination after last Saturday night's disappointing 6-38 loss to St George Illawarra in Wollongong.

Feleti Mateo comes out of the second row to start at standoff.

Pita Godinet, used off the bench last week, links up with Mateo at halfback.

Centre Konrad Hurrell is back in the starting line-up for his 17th game in his rookie season and Ben Matulino, a late inclusion on the bench against the Dragons, starts in the front row with Jacob Lillyman.

Standoff James Maloney and utility Lewis Brown, who have both appeared in every game so far this year, are vying for interchange berths with five other players while halfback Shaun Johnson has been omitted.

Johnson left the field with an eye injury last Saturday night but Iro said he had recovered and was fit to be considered.

"This is a case of us picking the side we think will give us the best chance of winning against the Raiders," said Iro.

Iro said Johnson may turn out for the Auckland Vulcans in their final New South Wales Cup match against Cronulla at Mount Smart Stadium No 2 on Saturday.

A decision on the final make-up of the Warriors' bench wouldn't be confirmed until just before kick-off on Sunday.

In Mannering's absence the Warriors have had five straight losses to Manly, Cronulla, North Queensland, North Queensland, Penrith and St George Illawarra extending their run of defeats to a record-equalling seven (previously achieved in 1997, 2000 and 2004-2005).

Warriors: Carlos Tuimavave, Bill Tupou, Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Feleti Mateo, Pita Godinet, Jacob Lillyman, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering (c), Michael Luck. Interchange: Russell Packer, Sione Lousi, Ukuma Ta'ai, Lewis Brown, James Maloney, Sam Lousi, Sebastine Ikahihifo.

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