Winger Sisa Waqa forced his way into Melbourne’s extended 21-man squad for Sunday’s NRL grand final after overcoming a knee injury, while Canterbury named an unchanged lineup on Tuesday.

Waqa missed last Friday’s 40-12 belting of defending premiers Manly after he injured his knee in the warm-up.

But the 26-year-old trained on Tuesday and has been named to start against the minor premiers ahead of local product Mahe Fonua, who drops back to the bench.

Joining Fonua as those likely to be cut from the bench are utility Rory Kostjasyn, prop Siosaia Vave and winger Anthony Quinn.

Veteran prop Jason Ryles failed to overcome a hamstring injury.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler named the same 18-man squad he has used throughout the finals series, with Dene Halatau as 18th man.

Canterbury progressed to the grand final with a gritty 16-10 win over Manly in week one followed by a comprehensive 32-8 victory over South Sydney last weekend.

Teams:

Canterbury: Ben Barba, Sam Perrett, Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu, Jonathan Wright, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (capt), Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: James Graham, Dale Finucane, Corey Payne, David Stagg.

Melbourne: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Dane Nielsen, Will Chambers, Justin O’Neill, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (capt), Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor, Jaiman Lowe, Richie Fa’aoso, Rory Kostjasyn, Mahe Fonua, Siosaia Vave, Anthony Quinn. (four to be omitted)