The National Rugby League’s next round of fixtures is bringing a wave of dramatic lineup changes across the competition, headlined by speed centre Bronson Xerri’s shock recall to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs starting side. Xerri will get his first start of the season outside of the opening round in Las Vegas this Thursday, when the Bulldogs face off against competition heavyweights and title favourites Penrith Panthers. He will replace captain Stephen Crichton, who is currently sidelined recovering from an AC joint injury.
Xerri’s path back to the starting 13 has been anything but smooth. After being dropped to reserve grade following the season opener, speculation quickly mounted that the winger could seek an immediate release from his contract to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Things grew even more tense on Good Friday, when Crichton picked up his early injury, but Ciraldo opted to leave Xerri on the bench instead of slotting him into the starting lineup. Instead, the coach shifted five-eighth Burton to left centre and called Sean O’Sullivan up into the halves.
Now that he has earned his shot against the league’s top side, Penrith centre Paul Alamoti says he expects a fired-up, hungry performance from the returning Bulldogs speedster. “I think we’ll see a lot of fire and a lot of energy from him, and rightfully so,” Alamoti told reporters ahead of the clash. “The position that he’s been in, that’s what I’m expecting from him: someone who is hungry on the field, who is locked in on every single play. He won’t miss a beat.”
For the unbeaten Panthers, the lineup news is far less chaotic, with hooker Mitch Kenny returning to the side fresh after serving a suspension.
Down the coast at St George Illawarra Dragons, the club has announced a major overhaul of its halves pairing for a must-win upcoming clash, following a messy performance against North Queensland Cowboys last round. Kyle Flanagan is back in the starting seven just weeks after suffering a sickening head knock, slotting back into the number seven jersey. Big-money off-season signing Daniel Atkinson, who struggled with a poor kicking performance against the Cowboys, will shift to five-eighth to accommodate Flanagan’s return.
Dragons captain Clint Guthrie will miss the next several weeks with a hamstring injury, opening the door for Tyrell Sloan to step into the fullback position, where he will add much-needed attacking speed to the side. On the wing, Setu Tu will come in to replace suspended forward David Fale.
Across at Brisbane Broncos, captain Adam Reynolds has been named in the starting side despite exiting last week’s match early with a groin injury. Reserves back Tom Duffy has been named on standby to step into the side if Reynolds is ruled out unfit pre-match. Blake Mozer has been named on the bench to replace the injured Ben Hunt, while Jesse Arthars will get the start at fullback after superstar Reece Walsh was ruled out for at least a month with a fractured cheekbone.
Speaking ahead of his first start in the fullback role, Arthars said he was not feeling added pressure filling in for the representative star. “I don’t feel the pressure. Obviously we are two different players and I just want to bring my strengths,” Arthars said. “I am sure the boys will have faith in me, and that is something I want to repay to my teammates and to Madge (coach Michael Maguire) for picking me and trusting me.”
Josiah Karapani is returning to the Cowboys starting lineup on the wing after missing last round over disciplinary issues, and he will go up against Brisbane’s Arthars. Cowboys centre Braidon Burns is still in doubt after leaving last week’s match with an ankle injury.
For Sydney Roosters, the side is getting two key playmakers back this round: enforcer Victor Radley returns after serving a club-imposed suspension, while prop Spencer Leniu is back from a hamstring injury. Hugo Savala will step into left centre to replace the injured Billy Smith.
Elsewhere across the league, Brandon Smith has finally received medical clearance to make his season debut for the Melbourne Storm after spending the opening weeks of the year sidelined with a lingering calf injury. For the Canberra Raiders, Jed Stuart will start on the wing in place of Xavier Savage, who is out with an ankle injury. At Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Mawene Hiroti has been named to replace injured centre Jesse Ramien, who will go up against the Roosters’ new starting centre Savala. The Storm have also welcomed outside backs Moses Leo and Jack Howarth back into the squad after extended time on the injury list.
New Zealand Warriors will be without starting five-eighth Luke Metcalf for multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, with Chanel Harris-Tavita stepping into the playmaking role to replace him.
Parramatta Eels are facing a crisis of injuries after a bruising Easter Monday loss, with four key players ruled out of the next round: Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell, Jonah Pezet and breakout rookie Apa Twidle are all unavailable. Araz Nanva will make his first grade debut on the right wing, while Ronald Volkman has been named starting five-eighth, with starting centre Will Penisini hopeful of a return from his own injury issue.
Finally, Jeral Skelton has been recalled to the starting wing for Wests Tigers ahead of their clash against Newcastle Knights, who will be without star centre Bradman Best, who is out with a groin injury.