Brett Morris’s scintillating return to fullback against Wests Tigers last week has seen him handed the No.1 jersey for St George Illawarra’s NRL clash with Manly on Saturday.
Morris was named in the custodian role just before kick-off at Kogarah last Friday for the first time since 2008 after injuries to centres Matt Cooper and Beau Scott forced coach Steve Price into reshuffling his side.
The move was a roaring success with the Dragons running out 36-12 winners and Morris producing a man-of-the-match display.
Cooper returns to the starting line-up and Scott is named on an extended bench with Kyle Stanley likely to drop out of the side if NSW utility Scott is passed fit to play.
Manly have not named Tony Williams in their side to face the Dragons following his possible seven-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Cronulla’s Isaac De Gois on Monday.
A decision is yet to be taken by Manly whether to challenge the grading of the charge, but Jamie Buhrer moves into the starting line-up to replace him.
South Sydney coach Michael Morgan has once again named Greg Inglis at fullback after his barnstorming performance against Penrith last week.
Inglis will start at the back against Brisbane in Perth on Friday with Dylan Farrell named on the wing.
Talented Brisbane utility Dane Gagai will travel to Perth as 18th man and there’s speculation the 21-year-old will replace unsettled winger Gerard Beale, who had a contract offer to him withdrawn this week.
Beale has been linked this week with a move to St George Illawarra.
Liam Fulton will deputise for Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah against Canberra on Monday.
The Tigers skipper pleaded guilty to a grade-two dangerous tackle charge and will miss his side’s next two games..
Utility Sean Meaney moves onto the bench to replace Fulton, with Gareth Ellis named and expected to return following a corked thigh that ruled him out of the defeat by the Dragons last week.
Raiders coach David Furner has named Blake Ferguson at fullback to replace the injured Josh Dugan with rookie winger Dimitri Pelo coming in for his NRL debut.
Under-fire Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney has named the same side that flopped so dismally in Townsville against North Queensland last week, for Friday’s western Sydney derby with Penrith.
The Eels were spanked 42-6 but must again do without Jarryd Hayne, who is still out with a knee injury.