Playmaker Luke Brooks has become Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire’s latest big name scalp after being dumped for Friday’s NRL round 10 clash with Brisbane.
Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall has fought his way back into the starting side, partnering Billy Walters in the halves after Brooks was axed for the first time in his eight-season career.
Maguire has gone with a new-look halves pairing after giving Brooks the tap on the shoulder and also losing five-eighth Josh Reynolds to a two week dangerous contact ban.
Maguire indicated no one was safe at the joint venture this season when he axed Tigers favourite son Marshall a month ago.
Marshall finally made an NRL return off the bench last round after four weeks on the sidelines and will now run out in the No.7 jersey with Walters – son of Queensland coach Kevin – at five-eighth.
Brooks has been out of sorts this season with just one try assist for the year but his days appeared numbered when he missed nine tackles in last round’s 18-10 loss to South Sydney.
Ahead of Thursday’s grand final rematch, Canberra’s Siliva Havili slots in at hooker for Josh Hodgson (knee) with unheralded Tom Starling on the bench as back-up.
Curtis Scott is another new face on the interchange while Jordan Rapana is on the wing for Bailey Simonsson (knee).
For the Sydney Roosters, co-captain Boyd Cordner (head knock) and veteran winger Brett Morris (groin) return while hooker Jake Friend has been named despite suffering concussion in last round’s romp over North Queensland.
Winger Matt Ikuvalu, the first Rooster since 1955 to score five tries in a match in last round’s rout, retains his spot with Morris replacing English import Ryan Hall.
Interim Canterbury coach Steve Georgallis has quickly stamped his mark by recalling halfback Lachlan Lewis, moving Nick Meaney to fullback and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to the wing for Saturday’s clash with St George Illawarra.
Kerrod Holland is at centre after Reimis Smith copped a one week ban for his cannonball tackle that injured Broncos skipper Alex Glenn.
Alex Johnston replaces suspended fullback Latrell Mitchell (striking), Dane Gagai slots into centre for Campbell Graham (facial fracture) while Corey Allan and NRL debutant Jaxson Paulo start on the wings for South Sydney against Newcastle on Saturday.
Connor Watson (ankle), Mitch Barnett (neck) and Sione Mata’utia (head knock) have been included on the Knights bench with Jacob Saifiti replacing his injured brother Daniel in the starting front-row.
Taniela Paseka replaces Morgan Boyle (groin) at prop for Manly against an unchanged Parramatta for Saturday’s clash.
Warriors five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (head knock) and back-rower Eliesa Katoa (ankle) return for Sunday’s clash with Cronulla.
Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) replaces Nene Macdonald on the wing and Toby Rudolf is at lock at the expense of Jack Williams but Andrew Fifita (hamstring) is out for the Sharks.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with North Queensland, Penrith centre Dean Whare returns while Brent Naden moves to the wing for last round’s four-try hero Charlie Staines, who has been isolated from the team following biosecurity breaches.
