Roosters' backline woes worsen; Fifita benched, Taylor dropped
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The Roosters' top-four hopes and backline stocks have taken another hit with Dale Copley and Adam Keighran sidelined for Friday night's clash against South Sydney.
Playmaker Lachlan Lam will start in the centres for the first time in his NRL career with Brad Abbey set for his club debut.
Keighran (head knock) and Copley (leg) were left out of the Roosters backline in a side that will also be without Nat Butcher (knee).
Roosters forward Siosiua Tauekiaho has been named but is also under an injury cloud after undergoing a HIA late in the side's win over the Dragons last week.
It's been a horrendous season for Robinson on the injury front, particularly in the backline, with Keighran and Copley joining Josh Morris, Matt Ikuvalu, Billy Smith, Joseph Suaalii and Brett Morris (retirement) on the sidelines.
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With a top-three spot already sewn up, the Rabbitohs have named Damien Cook for the clash but the representative hooker could be rested due to a quad complaint.
The Bunnies lost Josh Mansour (knee) and Keaon Koloamotangi (suspension) earlier in the week with Jaxson Paulo and Jaydn Su'A the replacements.
Meanwhile, Titans coach Justin Holbrook has run out of patience with off-contract playmaker Ash Taylor dropped and David Fifita benched ahead of the side's crucial clash against Newcastle on Thursday night.
Taylor has been left out of the 21-man squad following back-to-back losses with Tyrone Peachey stepping into the five-eighth shoes alongside Jamal Fogarty in the halves.
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Peachey has a strong track record against the Knights, winning 10 of 13 career games, and returns to a starting role for the first time since June.
Fifita's move back to the bench comes after a quiet performance against Melbourne last week.
The Titans must beat Newcastle to remain in finals contention while the Knights can cement their spot in the finals with a win at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien has made squad changes of his own with Sauaso Sue replacing David Klemmer (suspension) at prop and Tyson Frizell returning in the back-row from a one-match ban.
At the Raiders, coach Ricky Stuart has recalled Matt Frawley to halfback for the side's vital stoush with the Warriors on Friday night.
Frawley replaces Sam Williams in the No.7 jersey as the Green Machine look to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
The Warriors welcome back Matt Lodge from suspension while Sean O'Sullivan replaces Chanel Harris-Tavita at five-eighth.
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Elsewhere, the Wests Tigers will be without Adam Doueihi due to a knee complaint with Jock Madden named.
Melbourne will welcome back Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith, Justin Olam and Dale Finucane after the quartet missed last week's win over the Titans.
