Maroons boost as Walsh, Ponga named to return

Maroons coach Billy Slater has received a massive boost ahead of the upcoming Origin series opener with superstar fullbacks Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga named to make their NRL returns.

Walsh has missed Brisbane's past three matches after suffering a fractured cheekbone in the Round 5 defeat of Gold Coast, while Ponga has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring in Newcastle's Round 2 defeat of Manly.

The pair are expected to battle it out for the Queensland fullback role before becoming World Cup rivals after Ponga changed his international allegiance to New Zealand.

Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is also in contention for the Maroons No.1 jersey but he can also play centre.

Walsh is scheduled to make his comeback in Saturday night's match against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, while Ponga is set to return in Newcastle on Sunday against the Rabbitohs.

The Broncos will also welcome back Kangaroos forward Patrick Carrigan from suspension and Aublix Tawha, who has been sidelined with a facial fracture.

NSW Origin hopeful Bradman Best has also been named to make his comeback in the centres for the Knights after suffering a groin strain in the Round 5 win against the Raiders.

In other Round 9 team news, Storm coach has made changes to the side to play the Dolphins on Friday night in a bid to avoid a seventh consecutive loss.

Tyran Wishart will step into the halfback role in place of the injured Jahrome Hughes (wrist) - the only forced change to the side which lost 48-6 to the Rabbitohs on ANZAC Day.

Melbourne junior Hugo Peel is set to make his NRL debut on the wing, replacing Manaia Waitere, who has been dropped to the interchange along with the entire backrow of Joe Chan, Cooper Clarke and Trent Loiero.

Samoa internationals Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati will start in the secondrow, with Alec Macdonald at lock. Another Victorian product Trent Toelau is on the bench after returning to the club from Penrith.

Wests Tigers also have significant changes due to injury and suspension, with the international trio of Jahream Bula (shoulder), Api Koroisau (suspended) and Kai Pearce-Paul (head knock) all set to miss Sunday's match against the Sharks.

Fellow Fijian Sunia Turuva will take over the fullback role from Bula, with Jeral Skelton coming into the side on the wing.

Tristan Hope replaces Koroisau at hooker, while rookie backrower Tony Sukkar, who is set to play for Lebanon at this year's World Cup, will wear English secondrower Pearce-Paul's No.12 jersey.   

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named Cameron McInnes at lock after making a successful return from an ACL injury in last weekend's loss to the Cowboys.

Kiwis international Briton Nikora also comes into the team in the back row, in the only other changes to the team which played in Townsville. Jesse Colquhoun and Billy Burns have both been named on the interchange bench. 

Injured playing for the Jets in the NSW Cup last weekend, Sione Katoa was unavailable for selection, as was Ronaldo Mulitalo who is moving closer to a comeback as his recovery from an ACL tear continues.