Graham picked to play after withdrawing from Origin, Knights confirm Ponga positional switch

The Knights have given up on their Kalyn Ponga experiment, while the Rabbitohs have dropped a bombshell by picking Campbell Graham.

The Sea Eagles will be without several of their biggest stars, including the injured Jake Trbojevic. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

South Sydney has dropped a selection bombshell, with Campbell Graham named to play just a day after he withdrew from the NSW State of Origin squad due to a sternum injury.

The Rabbitohs revealed on Monday that Graham had been managing his training loads at the beginning of each week to ensure he was fully fit to take the field.

It meant he wouldn’t be available for the first few training sessions with the Blues, which is why NSW withdrew their 18th man from the squad ahead of next week’s game in Adelaide.

Campbell Graham has been named to play this weekend despite being withdrawn from the Blues squad due to injury concerns. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Graham has been named to play along with Damien Cook, who lost his Origin spot, while Liam Knight replaces Cam Murray at lock and Blake Taaffe fills Latrell Mitchell’s massive boots at the back.

There could be a late change as well, with Keaon Koloamatangi a chance of returning from the leg injury which has kept him sidelined since Round 7.

The Rabbitohs play on Saturday night against a Raiders side which will be without Origin rookie Hudson Young, while Elliott Whitehead will miss the game through suspension.

It’s created a major reshuffle in the pack, with Joseph Tapine switching to lock, while Corey Horsburgh and Corey Harawira-Naera are new back-row pairing.

Kalyn Ponga’s time at five-eighth is over, with the Knights star returning to fullback following his latest head knock. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

There’s major news in Newcastle, where Kalyn Ponga has the chance to press his claims for an Origin recall after the dumped star was named at fullback for the first time this season, possibly ending the club’s five-eighth experiment.

The Knights have also named Queensland discard Dane Gagai, while Lachie Miller has been dropped to the bench after a few poor performances.

Kaeo Weekes will replace Tom Trbojevic at fullback for the Sea Eagles, with Cooper Johns named to partner Josh Schuster in the halves despite Jake Arthur joining the club this week.

The Sea Eagles will be without Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans, while Jake Trbojevic (calf) and Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) face extended stints on the sideline.

The Dragons have announced Jack de Belin as their skipper while Ben Hunt is away on Origin duty. Picture: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

Jack de Belin has been named to captain the Dragons on Thursday night with Ben Hunt away on Origin duty.

Jayden Sullivan with partner good mate Talatau Amone in the halves, while the Molo brothers will start in the front row, with Blake Lawrie set to miss several weeks with a hand injury.

The Dragons will also be without Jaydn Su’A (hamstring), which sees Jack Bird return to partner Ben Murdoch-Masila in the second row.

They take on a Dolphins side which has switched Kodi Nikorima to fullback, with Anthony Milford set to start in the halves.

Wayne Bennett has had to make a number of changes with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert in Maroons camp, while Felise Kaufusi is suspended.

Kenny Bromwich returns to the back row, Ray Stone will start at lock and cult hero Valynce Te Whare is on the bench after his outstanding debut at Magic Round.

The Eels have handed Joe Ofahengaue a club debut after signing him from the Wests Tigers this week. Picture: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

Out west, new recruit Joe Ofahengaue will slot straight into Parramatta’s starting side, just days after joining the club.

It’s perfect timing, given Junior Paulo is on Origin duty, while Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey are both unavailable.

They’ll host a Cowboys side coming off a thumping loss to the Wests Tigers and without several Origin stars.

Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and Tom Dearden are all unavailable, with Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby to make their debuts on the left edge.

There is some good news in the middle, however, with Griffin Neame back from a throat injury, while Jason Taumalolo has been listed in the reserves after missing the past five games with a knee injury.

Jason Taumalolo could make his return after having knee surgery. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

The Broncos have been forced to make a stack of changes for their trip across the ditch, with the son of a club legend set to make his team debut.

Tristan Sailor has been named at fullback, with the Broncos set to be missing Origin quintet Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler.

There is some good news though for Brisbane, with Adam Reynolds cleared to return against a Warriors side which includes Luke Metcalf for the first time this year.

Originally published as Graham picked to play after withdrawing from Origin, Knights confirm Ponga positional switch