Newcastle v Souths at Ausgrid Stadium, Friday night, September 2, 7.35pm
Souths have named powerful winger Chris McQueen as Greg Inglis’s centre replacement for this must-win clash while Nathan Merritt (quadriceps) and John Sutton (hand) are both out of the casualty ward. The Knights have recalled centre Adam MacDougall and utility Matt Hilder after they both missed last weekend’s loss to Canterbury through injury.
Newcastle
IN: Adam MacDougall, Matt Hilder, Cameron Ciraldo, Mark Taufua
OUT: Peter Mata’utia, Keith Lulia, Zane Tetevano, Marvin Karawana
Souths
IN: Nathan Merritt, John Sutton
OUT: James Roberts, Greg Inglis
St George Illawarra v Penrith at WIN Stadium, Friday night, September 2, 7.35pm
There are no injury concerns for the Dragons as they attempt to climb as high on the ladder as possible to avoid early elimination but the Panthers have suffered a double blow with the loss of departing forwards Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse. Both have knee complaints. Luke Lewis returns from a shoulder injury for the Panthers’ final hit-out of 2011.
St George Illawarra
IN: Adam Cuthbertson
OUT: Mitch Rein
Penrith
IN: Matthew Bell, Luke Lewis
OUT: Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse
Warriors v North Queensland at Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday night, 7.30pm (NZ)
Both teams have lost key men for this all-important clash at Mt Smart Stadium. The Warriors will be without in-form hooker Aaron Heremaia for a fortnight with a hand injury while boom North Queensland rookie Tariq Sims is gone for the season after breaking both bones in his lower leg last Saturday night against the Sharks.
Warriors
IN: Alehana Mara, Ukuma Ta’ai
OUT: Aaron Heremaia, Elijah Taylor
North Queensland
IN: Ashton Sims
OUT: Tariq Sims
Cronulla v Wests Tigers at Toyota Stadium, Saturday night, 7.30pm
Bryce Gibbs returns at prop for the Tigers after missing last Monday night’s big win over the Titans with a gashed knee but front row team-mate Todd Payten, due to retire at the end of this season, will be lucky to play again after tearing a calf muscle.
Cronulla
IN: Dean Collis, Taulima Tautai
OUT: Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Mannah
Wests Tigers
IN: Bryce Gibbs
OUT: Ben Murdoch-Masila
Gold Coast v Parramatta at Skilled Park, Saturday night, 7.30pm
The Titans and Eels have named unchanged line-ups for the Skilled Park clash that will determine the fate of this year’s wooden spoon.
Gold Coast
Unchanged
Parramatta
Unchanged
Canterbury v Canberra at ANZ Stadium, Sunday, 2pm
Veteran Michael Hodgson has been recalled to the Bulldogs’ line-up to play the final game of his career alongside close friend and sometimes housemate Andrew Ryan. The Raiders have lost centre Joel Thompson to a one-game suspension.
Canterbury
IN: Michael Hodgson
OUT: Grant Millington
Canberra
IN: Sam Mataora
OUT: Joel Thompson
Brisbane v Manly at Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, 3pm
The Sea Eagles have not needed to look beyond the 24 players who have already played for the club this season when naming a side for Sunday’s game in Brisbane, despite losing winger David Williams to injury (neck fracture) and at least three players to suspension. William Hopoate returns from a knee injury at fullback, while Michael Oldfield takes Williams’ place and Vic Mauro and Daniel Harrison were named on interchange. Terence Seuseu is on standby if Glenn Stewart is suspended. The Broncos’ line-up is unchanged for Darren Lockyer’s last regular season game at Suncorp.
Brisbane
Unchanged
Manly
IN: William Hopoate, Michael Oldfield, Vic Mauro, Daniel Harrison
OUT: Brett Stewart, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Darcy Lussick
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne at Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday, 7pm
The return of playmaker Cooper Cronk from an ankle injury will make for a more settled Melbourne line-up this Sunday night when they take on the Roosters at the SFS. Gareth Widdop reverts to five-eighth and Rory Kostjasyn to the interchange. Jesse Bromwich and Atelea Vea replace suspended forwards Adam Blair and Sika Manu.
Sydney Roosters
IN: Sam Perrett
OUT: Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Melbourne
IN: Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Atelea Vea
OUT: Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Sisa Waqa
