Teams: Massive names set to return; Bennett makes big finals call
Updated . First published
After 27 rounds of action, the NRL finals have officially arrived.
South Sydney head into the post-season with an almost fully fit squad for the first time in what feels like forever and coach Wayne Bennett has made one big call around a key position ahead of their elimination clash with the Knights.
Wayne Bennett has a huge decision to make. Getty Images
Newcastle, meanwhile, copped a crushing blow in round 26 before the bye and will be light on forwards, with two big boppers on the sidelines.
Trent Robinson took a cautious approach and rested a bunch of Roosters stars in the last round, but will welcome all of them back to play Penrith – who are also looking strong at the right time of year – in a blockbuster qualifying final.
Cronulla are set to welcome back their most important player from injury, while the Cowboys are heading to the judiciary on Tuesday night.
The other qualifying final will pit the Dolphins against the Warriors, with both clubs naming nearly full-strength outfits.
Nine.com.au has all the team news for week one of the finals below.
Friday
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights, Allianz Stadium (7.50pm)
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Junior Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Adam Elliott 19. Latrell Siegwalt 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Talanoa Penitani 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Rabbitohs team news: Tallis Duncan (hamstring) returns in the back-row, while Euan Aitken (shoulder) is sidelined for the rest of the year. Matt Dufty gets the nod at fullback, usurping Jye Gray for the No.1 jersey this week.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Diesel Hagan
Knights team news: Mixed news with back-rower Francis Manuleleua (elbow), Dom Young (suspension) and Tyson Frizell (suspension) all named to return, but Jacob Saifiti (suspension) and Trey Mooney (shoulder) are both sidelined for the entire finals series. Phoenix Crossland (knee) returns in the hooker role.
Saturday
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins, Go Media Stadium (4.05pm)
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jackson Ford 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Adam Pompey 21. Jett Cleary 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Makaia Tafua
Warriors team news: Huge boost with Jackson Ford (pectoral) returning on the bench, while Leka Halasima (ankle) is named at centre. Taine Tuaupiki has retained the fullback spot, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the wing.
Jackson Ford is back for the finals. Getty
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Brian Pouniu 22. Tevita Naufahu
Dolphins team news: Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) are all back on deck after being rested in round 27.
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys, Allianz Stadium (7.50pm)
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Toby Rudolf 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Mawene Hiroti
Sharks team news: Enormous and timely boost with five-eighth Braydon Trindall (shoulder) named to return from injury. He will partner Nicho Hynes in the halves, while Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton are also back from a rest. Cult hero Tom Hazelton (suspension) has been named on the bench.
Braydon Trindall will return for Cronulla. NRL Imagery
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. John Bateman 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Coen Hess 18. Kaiden Lahrs 19. Ethan King 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Liam Sutton
Cowboys team news: Griffin Neame (toe), Jeremiah Nanai (knee) and Zac Laybutt (concussion) all return in the starting side. Reuben Cotter is named at lock pending the outcome of his judiciary hearing on Tuesday night.
Sunday
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Billy Scott 20. Luron Patea 21. Kalani Leuluai-going 22. Jesse McLean
Panthers team news: Isaah Yeo comes into the starting side after getting through last week’s return unscathed, with Lindsay Smith at prop and Liam Henry dropping back to the bench. Luke Garner remains at centre with Paul Alamoti (hamstring) another week away from returning.
Isaah Yeo is back for Penrith. Getty Images
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Egan Butcher 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Taylor Losalu
Roosters team news: Trent Robinson welcomes back a host of stars, including back-rower Angus Crichton (foot) and Victor Radley (concussion). Daly Cherry-Evans and Hugo Savala form a new-look halves pairing with Sam Walker (ankle) sidelined. Spencer Leniu has been named on the bench.
