AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 31: (L-R) Wairangi Koopu of the Warriors shakes hands with team-mate Ruben Wiki after the round 25 NRL match between the Warriors and the Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium on August 31, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Warriors legend Ruben Wiki will make a comeback more than eight years after retiring at the NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park on February 4 and 5.

Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney is yet to name his 18-man squad for the fourth NRL Nines tournament but today confirmed his former Kiwi team-mate will fill one of the spots.

Wiki, who turns 44 this Saturday, will swap his regular role as the club’s NRL strength and conditioning coach to join players he trains, many of whom weren’t even born when he began his first-grade playing career in 1993.

“It was a huge buzz when Mooks (Kearney) asked me,” said Wiki.

“I might have dropped the hint in the past that I’d like to have a go, especially when guys like Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies were picked, but I didn’t think it would happen.

“I’ve got some work to do getting ready for contact again but I’m looking forward to it. While I’m a bit nervous about it, the thought of pulling on a Warriors jersey again is cool. I’m so honoured and excited.

“I’ve never played on Eden Park either so now I have the chance to run out there in front of my family and thousands of fans. That’s unreal.”

Wiki follows Brad Fittler, Steve Menzies, Braith Anasta and his former Canberra Raiders team-mates Ken Nagas and Jason Croker who have all previously made comebacks at the NRL Nines. Like them, Wiki needs to fulfil some requirements to be re-registered by the NRL.

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