Roosters and Bulldogs forced into fullback changes for Sunday clash

With State of Origin II only a week away and a spate of injuries, the Roosters and Bulldogs look set to ring the changes with new faces at fullback for their Sunday afternoon clash.

• Cleary: I’ve always been a halfback
• Crawley: How can NRL act the victim in Ponga saga?

The Roosters and Canterbury are likely to field new-look No.1s with Roosters coach Trent Robinson considering resting James Tedesco while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is expected to make his Bulldogs debut at fullback.

Regular centre Joey Manu is shaping as a likely replacement for Tedesco when the Roosters take on the Bulldogs at the SCG on Sunday.

James Tedesco will get a break before Origin II. Image: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Robinson has made a habit of resting his Origin stars in recent years with Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton missing from their last-start loss to Penrith after playing for the Blues in Origin I. Tedesco will be picked for the Blues ahead of Origin II in Perth.

The Bulldogs could also reshape their backline to accommodate the arrival of Watene-Zelezniak. Despite being named in the centres it is likely Watene-Zelezniak will shift to his preferred fullback role. That will see Nick Meaney shifted to the wing and either Reimis Smith or Marcelo Montoya to the centres.

DWZ looks set to make his Doggie debut. Image: Phil Hillyard

Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed skipper Boyd Cordner would play despite battling an ankle injury he picked up in Origin I.

“It would be painful … Then it’s about his ability to push through (the pain) and if anyone is going to do it, Boyd is,” Robinson said.

Mitchell will return for the Roosters with his Origin spot on the line.

“We’ve gone through what you do as a coach and a player and the support that a player needs at this time,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “No matter what’s been said before, whether you’ve had pats on the back or criticism, it’s ‘get ready to play’. That’s been our focus.”