NRL 2021: All the team news for first week of finals

The Panthers have been forced into a major reshuffle after fullback Dylan Edwards was ruled out of Penrith’s clash with South Sydney.

Josh Addo-Carr says he'll be right to face Manly. NRL Imagery

Penrith have been forced into a major reshuffle on the eve of their finals match with Dylan Edwards ruled out of their clash against South Sydney.

The fullback will miss the game because of a minor foot complaint. The injury is not expected to sideline him long-term.

With Edwards missing, the Panthers will shift winger Stephen Crichton to fullback and recall out of favour Charlie Staines in Crichton’s place.

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Staines has become the forgotten man of Penrith’s premiership campaign. He has not played since round 21 with the likes of Paul Momirvoski picked in his place.

Staines has scored 14 tries from his 20 matches this season after a blistering start to his NRL career last year.

Dylan Edwards will miss the Panthers clash with Souths on Saturday. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Edwards has been troubled by injuries all season.

He has been troubled by an ongoing foot injury he picked up mid-season while a hand injury meant he missed three games early in the year.

Crichton played fullback when Penrith beat South Sydney 56-12 earlier this year.

Penrith have trimmed Brent Naden from their extended squad with the experienced Matt Eisenhuth.

The Rabbitohs remain unchanged with rookie Blake Taaffe again lining up at fullback as South Sydney make-do without their top choice fullback in Latrell Mitchell.

South Sydney rested Alex Johnston, Dane Gagai, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Adam Reynolds Thomas Burgess, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray last week.

Meanwhile, the Roosters and the Titans are also expected to be 1-17 with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves expected to take up his spot in the Roosters’ starting line-up. Victor Radley also returns from suspension.

David Klemmer is expected to overcome a rib injury and take his spot in Newcastle’s do or die game against Parramatta on Sunday.

David Klemmer has been battling a rib injury. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

FINALS WEEK ONE TEAMS

ROOSTERS V TITANS

Saturday 11 September, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 5:40pm

ROOSTERS: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Adam Keighran, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Drew Hutchison, 7. Lachlan Lam, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Sam Walker, 15. Isaac Liu 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Dale Copley, 19. Ben Thomas

TITANS: 1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Tyrone Peachey, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Erin Clark, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. David Fifita, 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Toby Sexton

PANTHERS V RABBITOHS

Saturday 11 September, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 7:50pm

PANTHERS: 2. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Matt Burton, 20. Charlie Staines, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Tevita Pangai Junior, 17. Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth, 19. Izack Tago

RABBITOHS: 1. Blake Taaffe, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Mark Nicholls, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Tevita Tatola, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 21. Patrick Mago, 22. Taane Milne

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is back for the Eels. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

EELS V KNIGHTS

Sunday 12 September, Browne Park, Rockhampton, 4:05pm

EELS: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Haze Dunster, 3. Viliami Penisini, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Ray Stone, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Nathan Brown.

Bench: 14. Will Smith, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Isaiah Papali’i, 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson, 19. Oregon Kaufusi, 20. Tom Opacic, 21. Jakob Arthur

KNIGHTS: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson.

Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Phoenix Crossland, 19. Jirah Momoisea, 20. Simi Sasagi, 21. Jack Johns

Originally published as NRL 2021: All the team news for first week of finals