NRL teams: Huge relief for injured Sea Eagles stars as several teams make major changes in the halves

It’s good news for a couple of Sea Eagles stars, but team list Tuesday has thrown up some major shocks in the halves at a couple of desperate clubs.

Manly fans can breathe easy after superstar Sea Eagles duo Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans were both named to take on the Raiders despite being forced off in New Zealand with injuries.

Trbojevic (hamstring tightness) and Cherry-Evans (back spasms) both received good news when their scans came back, with the pair set to be given every chance to play given the Sea Eagles play the final game of the round on Sunday evening.

Veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has been named to play the Raiders after leaving the field last week with a back issue. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The Sea Eagles also get Tolu Koula back from injury, while their opponents have lost Zac Hosking to a broken arm, while Xavier Savage is back from suspension and replaces Albert Hopoate on the wing.

There are big changes in the halves for Sunday’s other game with Cameron Ciraldo naming Bailey Hayward at five-eighth in place of Matt Burton who is out with a knee injury.

Sitili Tupouniua joins the starting side in place of Viliame Kikau (knee), while the Eels have named Dean Hawkins at halfback instead of Ronald Volkman who only played the first two rounds after the club got dispensation from the NRL.

Speedster Josh Addo-Carr is also a chance of making his club debut against the team that sacked him, although the winger has been named in the reserves.

The Storm are being coy on Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s availability after the towering prop was named on an extended bench for the grand final rematch.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named on an extended bench for the Storm in what would be his first game back from suspension.Picture: NRL Photos

The New Zealand international missed last year’s clash after he copped a five-match ban for a high shot in the preliminary final, but is likely to come into the 17 after he avoided another suspension for a hip-drop tackle in reserve grade.

The Panthers have brought in Daine Laurie for the injured Dylan Edwards, with Brad Schneider and Isaiah Papali’i the fresh faces on the bench.

The Roosters have received a triple boost with representative forwards Lindsay Collins, Victor Radley and Spencer Leniu all back on deck for the trip to New Zealand, while Kotoni Staggs could be a late inclusion for the Broncos.

Brisbane’s opponents have made a major change with Jake Clifford replacing rookie Tom Duffy at halfback, while Jeremiah Nanai is on the bench after he was dropped last week, while veteran Jason Taumalolo returns from injury.

Jahream Bula has been named at fullback for the Tigers despite sending a scare through the team last week, while the Titans will be without try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira (hamstring) out for at least a month.