NRL team lists: Trent Robinson will be without five of his biggest stars on Friday night, while the Storm made a big call on whether to rest their guns

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NRL team lists: Trent Robinson will be without five of his biggest stars on Friday night, while the Storm made a big call on whether to rest their guns

The Roosters have been forced to make five major changes for their grudge game against the Rabbitohs on Friday night, while the Sea Eagles have made a big call on who will replace the injured Tom Trbojevic as they ****** for a home final in week one.

Sunday’s costly loss to the Raiders has seen Roosters coach Trent Robinson shuffle his squad with Sam Walker (ACL), Brandon Smith (ACL), Victor Radley (shoulder), Nat Butcher (concussion protocols) and Daniel Tupou (rested) all out.

Sandon Smith will partner Luke Keary in the halves with Blues utility Connor Watson set to start at *******, while Junior Pauga has been named on the wing, Sitili Tupouniua in the back row and Naufahu Whyte at lock.

Camera IconSandon Smith has some big boots to fill after he was named to replace the injured Sam Walker. Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia

The Rabbitohs have also lost a key player with Jack Wighton to miss the final round of the season with a calf injury.

Tolu Koula has been named at fullback ahead of Lehi Hopoate as Trbojevic’s replacement as the superstar nurses an AC ****** injury ahead of the finals, while Clayton Faulalo comes onto the wing in place of Jason Saab (ankle).

They face a Sharks side that gets Jesse Ramien and Ronaldo Mulitalo back, with Nicho Hynes named in the No.7 jersey after returning at five-eighth last week.

Newcastle get some big reinforcements back as they battle the Dolphins for the remaining spot in the finals, with Tyson Frizell and Tyson Gamble both selected in the 17, while Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul is lurking in the reserves.

The visitors welcome back Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima from concussion protocols, with the latter to come off the bench after an impressive display from the new halves pairing last week.

Youngster Isaiya Katoa has been left out of the 17 for their biggest game of the year.

The Storm have chosen not to rest their big guns for the second week in a row, with 11 of their regulars all back for the trip to Brisbane, although Ryan Papenhuyzen (bone bruising) won’t play on Thursday.

He’s replaced by the exciting Sua Fa’alogo who made his debut in the corresponding fixture last year, while representative winger Xavier Coates has been named in the reserves after missing two months with a hamstring injury.

The Broncos have made a number of changes with Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs, Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison all missing, but star fullback Reece Walsh could make a return from injury after he was listed in the reserves.

David Fifita (ankle surgery) won’t take on the Panthers this week, with the premiers getting Scott Sorensen back from injury as they look to seal a top-two finish.

The Bulldogs will be without the suspended Bronson Xerri and Matt Burton (concussion protocols), with Drew Hutchison to start in the halves against North Queensland.

And the Wests Tigers have named Aidan Sezer for the Spoon Bowl despite him suffering a shoulder injury, while Kelma Tuilagi returns for the Eels in the back row.

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