DUANE Mann returns to Warrington tomorrow when he captains Tonga's World Cup opener against Group 2 favourites New Zealand.

And he is looking for some local support to spur on the Islanders in their first major international challenge.

"I enjoyed my three years at Warrington," said Mann. "I have got a lot of good friends there and I hope the crowd get behind us."

Mann took over the Tongan captaincy when original choice Jim Dymock opted to play for Australia.

Mann said: "It is a big honour but I just want to be able to represent Tonga. When I captain sides I like everybody to have an involvement and there are only a couple of calls I would make personally.

"We have ball players who will control the game and with all communication and talking we need 13 captains out on the paddock."

The World Cup gets under way today with Group 1 giants England and Australia clashing at Wembley.

The minnows of that group - Fiji and South Africa - face each other tomorrow at Keighley.

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