Manu named at fullback for Roosters’ conflict with Storm

Joey Manu has crushed teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii within the race to switch James Tedesco at fullback for the Sydney Roosters’ NRL conflict with Melbourne on Thursday.

The Roosters’ first-choice centres, Manu and Suaalii are each helpful fullbacks in their very own proper, enjoying there for New Zealand and Samoa respectively on the 2022 World Cup.

Suaalii switched to fullback when a head knock compelled Tedesco from the sphere towards Parramatta final week, as Manu watched on due to suspension.

Suaalii has but to expire at fullback in his younger NRL profession, one thing Manu has finished on 10 earlier events when Tedesco has been unavailable.

Utility Drew Hutchison retains his spot within the centres to accommodate Manu’s transfer.

The Storm welcome Jahrome Hughes again from suspension for the sport, pushing promising rookie Jonah Pezet to the reserves.

Damage-plagued Canberra veteran Jarrod Croker has been named to play his first sport since Could in a lift to his bid to succeed in 300 NRL video games.

Croker will assume the Raiders captaincy towards Brisbane, marking sport 293 for the centre.

Parramatta’s reigning participant of the yr Shaun Lane has recovered from a jaw harm and can play his first sport of the season towards the Wests Tigers, who’ve moved Adam Doueihi again to five-eighth rather than Brandon Wakeham.

Charlie Staines will begin at fullback for the Tigers – the one aspect winless in 2023. The choice retains Daine Laurie within the reserves for a minimum of one other week.

The Eels welcome winger Haze Dunster again from the horror knee harm he suffered in final yr’s pre-season trials. Bailey Simonsson drops out via suspension.

Manly’s new five-eighth Josh Schuster returns from the quad harm that saved him out of the draw with Newcastle, whereas winger Jason Saab is again from an ACL harm sooner than anticipated.

Schuster and Saab face a Penrith aspect that loses James Fisher-Harris to a knee harm however welcomes Soni Luke again from concussion.

State of Origin back-rower Liam Martin continues to be a minimum of one other week away with a hamstring harm, whereas Scott Sorensen retains his spot within the second row forward of Luke Garner.

North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater returns from suspension to face intrastate rivals the Dolphins, however there may be nonetheless house for his understudy Tom Chester on the bench.

State of Origin prop Reuben Cotter can also be again for the Cowboys, changing the injured Jordan McLean.

South Sydney’s Taane Milne will play his first sport since being despatched off for a stunning excessive deal with on Spencer Leniu in final yr’s preliminary remaining.

Milne counted the World Cup in direction of his six-match ban, nevertheless it has taken a concussion to veteran Alex Johnston for him to interrupt again into the aspect.

Prop Max King has been cleared of a critical eye harm and can line up for Canterbury, who lose Jayden Okunbor (suspension), Franklin Pele (arm harm) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion) for the conflict with Souths.

The Rabbitohs welcome their participant of the yr Junior Tatola again from a knee harm.

Tohu Harris and Te Maire Martin have been named to return for the Warriors towards Newcastle.

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