A 30-year-old who last played a NRL game in 2009 has been named to replace Kangaroos flyer Dylan Walker by defending champions South Sydney.
Even poker-faced Rabbitohs mentor Michael Maguire could see the amusing side of veteran ex-Canterbury player Daryl Millard slotting into the undefeated ladder leader’s star-studded backline for Friday night’s clash with Parramatta.
“He spent some time out in Catalans in France (but) I think he is off the wine now and got the boots ready to go,” Maguire laughed.
“We’ve got a good fill-in there.”
Millard – who last played a NRL game six years ago for the Bulldogs – held out young gun Aaron Gray to book his South Sydney debut in the centres.
Millard replaces Walker who faces a month on the sidelines after playing 80 minutes and scoring two tries with a broken hand last round.
“Walks is making a name for himself about how tough he is,” Maguire said of Walker.
Parramatta are unchanged despite having Nathan Peats, Isaac De Gois (concussion), Will Hopoate (shoulder) and Brad Takairangi (ankle) under an injury cloud.
At Manly, Jamie Lyon (leg) and Kieran Foran (hamstring) have been named to make their return on Saturday night against St George Illawarra after missing last round’s loss to the Bulldogs.
George Rose is on an extended Dragons bench after missing last round due to the birth of his child, while Trent Merrin will start at lock, replacing Jack de Belin.
At Cronulla, Wade Graham is at pivot for Ben Barba (suspension) while young gun Jack Bird is set to make his NRL debut off the bench in Saturday night’s home clash with Gold Coast.
The Titans will show off their own rising star, with ex-NYC Player of the Year Kane Elgey set to make his debut in place of halfback Daniel Mortimer (wrist, two weeks).
At Wests Tigers, prop Aaron Woods (knee) has been named while winger Delouise Hoeter will make his debut replacing Pat Richards (suspension) against the Bulldogs on Friday night.
At Newcastle, prop David Fa’alogo replaces Korbin Sims (suspension), Jarrod Mullen (concussion) and Beau Scott (ankle) have been named and Four Nations bolter Sione Mata’utia is 18th man against Penrith on Saturday.
At the Warriors, rookie Tuimoala Lolohea replaces fullback Sam Tomkins (knee, six weeks) against Brisbane on Sunday.
The Broncos are unchanged despite the return of gun back Dale Copley (calf).
At Canberra, fullback Jack Wighton returns against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday – one week after suffering a fractured eye socket.
For North Queensland, winger Antonio Winterstein has been welcomed back for Monday night’s home showdown with Melbourne after the sudden death of his younger brother.
Winterstein replaces winger Kyle Feldt and Matthew Wright is in for Justin O’Neill (concussion, shoulder).
“He’s got his head back around playing footy again,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said of Winterstein.
