Warriors

A first half hat-trick from David Fusitua seemed to give the Warriors an unassailable advantage, despite his side conceding the first try at Mount Smart Stadium.

But the Knights struck back with three quick tries in the second spell turning the Warriors 20-8 half-time lead into a 22-20 defecit.

Hoffman stepped up in the 73rd minute, running onto a short ball and busting over the line when his side needed it most.

Half-back Shaun Johnson told Sky Sport to open the season with a win was "definitely a positive."

Tuivasa-Sheck was playing his second game back since a serious knee injury ended his 2016 season after just seven games.

Awarded the captaincy two weeks ago, Tuivasa-Sheck is finding his feet in the unfamiliar role.

"I'm feeling comfortable, especially with the boys around me - they're helping me, they're supporting me," he said.

"I haven't done so much stuff as a captain, I've just been one of the boys yelling out the calls and reminding them of their jobs."

Lauiti'iti was at the home of the Mangere East Hawks on Thursday as part of the Downer NRL Auckland Nines community carnival, promoting the 2017 Rugby League World Cup along with the 'Volcano' Lesley Vainikolo.

The pair have been selected in the starting line-up by new head coach David Kidwell, in a 19-man team that includes seven changes from side that lost 16-0 to the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test in May.

Among those changes is the return of 17-test veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who last wore the Kiwis jersey at the 2013 World Cup.

Hooker Issac Luke - who is the most-capped player in the side - will play his 37th test for the Kiwis on Saturday after he missed the May Test due to poor form.

In front of a bumper 25,109 crowd keen to catch their first glimpse of the Titans' superstar recruit, it was Warriors' playmaker Shaun Johnson who stole the show.

Johnson set up two second-half tries to break a 10-10 half-time deadlock, as the Warriors (24 points) leapfrog the Titans (23) into seventh on the competition ladder.

Solomone Kata's intercept try, his second four-pointer of the match and 12th of the season, sealed the match for the visitors.

RNZ reports Hurrell has been named to start for Gold Coast against the Warriors in their NRL clash in Robina on Sunday.

Hurrell has been in barnstorming form for the Titans after being let go by the Warriors earlier this season following a string of poor performances and off field indiscretions.

But he told reporters he's settled in well on the Gold Coast and said beating his old team would be satisfying.

"The Warriors game is just another game, but... I'd be a little bit extra happy for a win," he said.

After more than a month since his last NRL Telstra Premiership appearance – spent on medical leave following his punishment for failing to meet team standards – the 216-game veteran was back to help the Kiwi side produce their best performance of the year in a 36-18 victory over Brisbane.

After the win coach Andrew McFadden paid tribute to the hulking winger, while Shaun Johnson, Tuimoala Lolohea, Solomone Kata and captain Ryan Hoffman all joined him in showing their admiration for Vatuvei.

Canberra dominated the majority of the 80 minutes, scoring three tries directly from Warriors handling errors in their own half, on a night where they crossed for six four-pointers in greasy conditions.

Up 22-0 at the break, the Green Machine didn't let up in the second period, as they registered their first win in their last six games against the Kiwi side.

The early minutes suggested a grinding affair was on the cards, but once Canberra got over the top of the Warriors' pack in the middle the points quickly followed.

Packer is hoping to revive his NRL career after signing with the St George Dragons in October.

However the 26-year-old is reportedly facing deportation under new Australian immigration laws after being jailed for two years in 2013 for assault.

The office of immigration minister Peter Dutton says Packer's case is being reviewed but no decision has been made at this stage.

Grant says the government's decision is nothing to do with them but he's satisfied Packer has done enough to renew his career.