The two-time Anderson Medal winning forward has rejoined the ranks at the Maitland Blacks and will once again line up for the first XV.
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Blacks coach Todd Bowd has named Perkins at breakaway for Saturday’s rescheduled Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union clash with arch-rivals Singleton at Rugby Park.
It will be his second start in the top grade after playing the full 80 minutes in last weekend’s 47-21 away loss to The Waratahs.
A week earlier the former Blacks skipper came off the bench and scored the match-winning try against Nelson Bay at home, in what was Maitland’s maiden victory of 2015.
Earlier this year Perkins had been playing lower grades and assisting Bowd with coaching in the pre-season.
However, the 35-year-old father of three, who played in both the Blacks last premiership in 1999 and last grand final appearance in 2010, has now returned on a more regular basis much to the delight of Bowd.
“He’ll be back for the rest of the year now,” Bowd said.
“He adds experience to the team and you can’t buy experience.
“He is an explosive runner with very good pace off the mark and puts a lot of pressure on the defence.
“He is also very fit and after getting back into the groove in seconds he is good to go.”
Perkins’ fellow flanker Nick Davidson leads the competition best and fairest count after six completed rounds and could well follow in the 2003 and 2008 footsteps of his new teammate.
At the other end of the spectrum Bowd has Steven Whitehead debuting on the wing with young centre pairing Isaac Enright, recently selected in the NSW Country under 18s, and Jye Estatheo.
Rhys Watson replaces Dan Runchel at hooker.
Kick-off is 3pm.
And in other news, 18 Hunter players will represent the NSW Country women’s team against Sydney and the ACT at Campbelltown on Sunday including Margaret Watson, Erin Green and mother-daughter combination Tammy and Candice Clay.
BLACKS: 1 James Curran 2 Rhys Watson 3 Tevita Naitini 4 Theo Risley 5 James Johnston 6 Nick Davidson 7 Adam Perkins 8 Sean O’Connor (c) 9 Luke Cunningham
10 Ryan McCormack 11 Rob Williamson 12 Isaac Enright 13 Jye Estatheo 14 Steven Whitehead 15 Josh McCormack
