Teams: Sticky swings axe in Raiders shake-up

Ricky Stuart has swung the axe after his side's awful performance in round eight, with three young guns all dropped ahead of a crucial match against Manly.

While the pressure mounts on the struggling Rabbitohs and their coach Jason Demetriou, the train keeps on steaming ahead for Penrith, who are set to welcome back two premiership heroes for Thursday night's clash. 

In the biggest game of the round, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo will return for the Broncos after missing round eight through injury, with the star five-eighth named for a blockbuster clash against the Roosters, who are coming off a huge Anzac Day win.

Manly will be without star back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu in a huge blow and will also be sweating on the judiciary results on Tuesday night in regards to Daly Cherry-Evans.

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Elsewhere, the Dragons have been faced with the unenviable task of replacing Moses Suli in the centres – but it gives Zac Lomax another chance at his preferred spot.

Newcastle will be without a few key players for their fixture against the Warriors, but will welcome back firebrand prop Jack Hetherington from suspension. 

Wayne Bennett will welcome back two key forwards, while Jesse Bromwich has overcome a calf issue and will start in the front-row.

Parramatta has earned a bye at the perfect time, with the side given a week off after their loss to Manly and injury to star fullback and captain, Clint Gutherson. 

Here's all the team news ahead of round eight. 

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ROUND 8 TEAMS

All times in AEST

Thursday

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers, Accor Stadium (7.50pm)

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Jacob Gagai 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Damien Cook 10. Davvy Moale 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Sean Keppie 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Dion Teaupa 22. Adam Christensen

Rabbitohs team news: Keaon Koloamatangi will shift into the front-row alongside Davvy Moale, with Michael Chee Kam starting on the edge. Taane Milne is out due to suspension, which will see Izaac Thompson return on the wing.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Jack Cole 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Tyrone Peachey

Panthers team news: Moses Leota and Sunia Turuva are both back on deck for the premiers, which sees Paul Alamoti drop out of the side despite a strong performance.

Friday

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders, Brookvale Oval (6pm)

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Ben Condon 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Sea Eagles team news: Daly Cherry-Evans will front the judiciary on Tuesday night and has been named at halfback. Haumole Olakau'atu is out due to suspension for the same tackle and has been replaced by Ethan Bullemor in the back-row.

Raiders: 1. Albert Hopoate 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Peter Hola 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru

Raiders team news: Ricky Stuart has made a couple of unforced changes, with young guns James Schiller and Chevy Stewart dropping out of the backline. Albert Hopoate will wear the No.1 jumper, while Nick Cotric is on the wing. Elliott Whitehead returns from injury in the back-row, pushing Simi Sasagi out of the side.

Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters, Suncorp Stadium (8pm)

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Oates 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Blake Mozer

Broncos team news: Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam return from injury for Brisbane, with Jock Madden and Corey Oates making way. 

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Connor Watson 14. Siua Wong 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Sandon Smith 22. Victor Radley

Roosters team news: Daniel Tupou is back from a knee issue on the wing, pushing Joseph Suaalii to the centres in order to replace the injured Michael Jennings. Star forward Victor Radley has been named among the reserves. 

Saturday

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers, Accor Stadium (3pm)

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe 19. Blake Wilson 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Toby Sexton 22. Jacob Preston 23. Jake Turpin

Bulldogs team news: Jacob Preston is closing in on a return from a broken jaw, while Kurt Mann starts at lock after overcoming a hand injury.

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Starford To'a 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Solomona Faataape

Tigers team news: No changes for Benji Marshall's side despite a loss to Brisbane. 

Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm, Cbus Super Stadium (5.30pm)

Moeaki Fotuaika of the Titans reacts at full-time during the round three NRL match against the Bulldogs.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Joe Stimson 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jacob Alick-wiencke 21. Keano Kini 22. Aaron Schoupp

Titans team news: Despite picking up their first win of the season, Des Hasler has made a number of changes to his side. Moeaki Fotuaika is out with concussion and Joe Stimson will start at prop, while outside backs Alofi Khan-Pereira and Aaron Schoupp have been axed in favour of Phillip Sami and Harley Smith-Shields.

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Jack Howarth 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Grant Anderson 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell

Storm team news: Tyran Wishart has been named on the wing in place of the injured Xavier Coates, with utility Bronson Garlick coming onto the bench. 

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins, Queensland Country Bank Stadium (7.35pm)

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Heilum Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jaxon Purdue

Cowboys team news: Heilum Luki is back from injury for the Cowboys in a major boost, while Viliami Vailea makes his club debut in the centres with Tom Chester out.

Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Mason Teague

Dolphins team news: Wayne Bennett will welcome back Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu for the all-Queensland affair, while front-rower Jesse Bromwich has been named despite suffering a calf injury. His brother Kenny will miss at least a week after failing his HIA against the Knights. 

Sunday

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors, McDonald Jones Stadium (2pm)

Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Thomas Cant 22. Thomas Jenkins

Knights team news: No changes to the side that defeated the Dolphins. Jacob Saifiti, Jed Cartwright and Greg Marzhew have all been named to overcome injury.

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Adam Pompey 20. Zyon Maiu'u 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Warriors team news: Bunty Afoa and Kurt Capewell return to the lineup this week in a welcome boost of experience for Andrew Webster's team. 

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Pointsbet Stadium (4.05pm)

Zac Lomax of the Dragons warms up during the round six NRL match between Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Royce Hunt 22. Billy Burns

Sharks team news: Just the one change for the local derby, with Toby Rudolf returning on the bench in place of Tuku Hau Tapuha. 

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Fa'amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Toby Couchman 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Jesse Marschke

Dragons team news: Moses Suli is out of action after a nasty head knock on Anzac Day, which will see Zac Lomax move to the centres and Mikaele Ravalawa return on the wing. Luciano Leilua has been named among the reserves and could be a late inclusion. 

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