Roosters rest nine players including new halves duo
Jasper Bruce |
The Sydney Roosters’ new halves combination will go into the finals cold after the Tricolours rested Hugo Savala, Daly Cherry-Evans and seven other players from the last round of the regular season.
With a top-four finish already secured, the Roosters have named second-gamers Toby Rodwell and Reece Foley as their starting halves to face South Sydney on Friday night.
Billy Smith, James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Rob Toia and Siua Wong all drop out as the Roosters eye as healthy a team as possible for the finals.
But the upshot is that Savala and Cherry-Evans will not have a dress rehearsal before the play-offs, when they will be tasked with steering the ship in the absence of injured halfback Sam Walker.
Savala and Cherry-Evans have started in the halves together only twice before, most recently in the round-19 defeat of Parramatta, and will reunite against either the Warriors or Penrith for a week-one qualifying final.
Roosters veteran Daniel Tupou has recovered from a shoulder injury for his first game since July, but Angus Crichton (foot) and Victor Radley (concussion) remain out for round 27.
Souths have recalled fullback Jye Gray to the starting line-up and promoted Latrell Mitchell back to centre after he returned from injury via the bench last week.
Tallis Duncan is rested amid a breakout season.
The third-placed Dolphins have lost star winger Selwyn Cobbo to an ankle injury for their last game of the regular season, bringing Tevita Naufahu into the starting side against Gold Coast.
Despite locking up a top-two finish, Penrith have resisted the urge to rest players en masse, naming their best available team in pursuit of the minor premiership.
The Panthers also have three-time premiership winner Mitch Kenny back from a leg injury for his first game since April, and have included Isaah Yeo in their extended squad.
Yeo is considered unlikely to return from his pectoral injury against Wests Tigers this Sunday, however.
The Panthers have also named the late John Farragher in jersey 23 on their team sheet, after the long-time clubman and former player died last year, aged 68.
Paul Alamoti remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Luke Garner replaces Izack Tago (knee) at starting centre.
Penrith’s minor premiership rivals the Warriors have Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin back from hamstring problems to start in the halves against Manly.
But Kurt Capewell and Wayde Egan have been rested at the end of taxing seasons, while Jett Cleary drops to the extended bench after an impressive NRL debut.
Cronulla have named centre Michael Gabrael and five-eighth Riley Pollard for NRL debuts as Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey and Teig Wilton all rest before the finals.
Club debutant Riley Jones also comes into the centres to face Melbourne after Mawene Hiroti suffered a rib injury against Parramatta last week.
Robert Derby replaces Zac Laybutt (head knock) on the wing as eighth-placed North Queensland host Canberra.
Raiders games record holder Josh Papalii has been named to start at prop in his final NRL match before retirement.
AAP