Versatile Jerome Ropati returns to standoff for the Warriors' second-round NRL clash against Parramatta at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old one-test Kiwi started in the centres in last Sunday's season-opener against Melbourne but has been named to wear the No 6 jersey replacing suspended first-choice standoff Sione Faumuina.

Faumuina received an automatic two-match ban after entering an early guilty plea on a grade three careless high tackle charge during the 16-22 loss to the Storm.

Ropati started at standoff twice last year in away matches against Brisbane and Cronulla, spending most of the season in the centres after some appearances at fullback covering for an injured Brent Webb.

"We're disappointed to lose Sione just when we're trying to bed him in at No 6," said Cleary.

"But we're also fortunate to have a player of Jerome's ability to come into the position."

With Ropati changing roles, Tony Martin is switched to his preferred position in the centres allowing last season's leading try-scorer Todd Byrne to return on the right wing after missing last Sunday's match. In 22 matches last year, Byrne scored 14 tries.

Ex-North Queensland back rower Micheal Luck, originally named on the bench for the Melbourne match, was ultimately promoted to start and will do so again in Hamilton on Saturday night.

"The players couldn't be faulted for their effort on Sunday and we didn't want for chances to score either. Where we let ourselves down was in our execution as well as a soft period defensively in the second half. They're the primary areas we have to improve," said Cleary.

Saturday night's match enables Awen Guttenbeil to move within one match of becoming only the second player to reach 150 first-grade appearances for the Warriors. Guttenbeil, who turned 30 on Tuesday, was one of the side's busiest players against the Storm with 32 tackles and 12 runs.

Former Kiwi Wairangi Koopu scored his 24th career try immediately after coming on from the bench last Sunday and needs just one more to crack 100 first-grade points.

This is the second time the Eels have brought their "home" match against the Warriors to Hamilton. In last year's corresponding match Parramatta won 28-18.

The Warriors travel to Hamilton on Thursday morning. En route they're due to stop off at 11.00am at Rakaumanga School, a total immersion Maori language school, where Koopu was educated.

Later captain Steve Price and vice-captain Ruben Wiki will accompany hooker Lance Hohaia on a visit to his old school St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton.

The team's due to have a public training session at Waikato Stadium at 4.00pm on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the club's elite development squad will have its fifth match in six weeks when it faces Bartercard Cup side Waicoa Bay at Davies Park in Huntly on Saturday (2.30pm kick-off).

Last Sunday the junior players, bolstered by first-grade squad members, overwhelmed Bartercard Cup side the Tamaki Leopards 58-4 in the curtain-raiser at Ericsson Stadium.