Team lists: Bronson Xerri misses out on starting spot, Knights settle on Tyson Gamble in the halves

The Knights didn’t travel to Las Vegas but they’ve rolled the dice with Tyson Gamble winning the race to partner Jackson Hastings in the halves, with new recruit Jack Cogger to start on the bench for Thursday’s game against Canberra.

Gamble and Hastings combined to help the Knights storm into the finals last year, but there was a firm belief that Cogger would slot straight into the starting side after his performance for Penrith in the grand final.

There are several fresh faces for the Knights with Enari Tuala replacing Dom Young on the wing, while Dylan Lucas has edged out new recruit Kai Pearce-Paul for the starting back row spot.

As revealed last week, Jayden Brailey will miss the opening game with a hamstring injury, but is expected back by round three, with Phoenix Crossland to fill in at dummy-half.

The Raiders have also made some massive calls with Ethan Strange replacing Jack Wighton in the halves, while Kaeo Weekes has missed out on the 17.

It’ll be a new-look forward pack with skipper Elliott Whitehead set to miss 3-4 weeks with a calf injury, which sees new recruit Zac Hosking start in the back row, with Englishman Morgan Smithies named at lock.

The Bulldogs have opted not to go with Bronson Xerri in what would have been his first NRL game since 2019, with the speedster named in reserve grade where he’ll play centre.

There’s better news for the other key recruits with Stephen Crichton to play left centre which means Blake Taaffe will get first crack at the back.

Drew Hutchison partners Matt Burton in the halves, while Jaeman Salmon starts at lock with Josh Curran to come off the bench.

The Eels have been forced into a backline reshuffle with Bailey Simonsson shifting to the wing to replace the suspended Maika Sivo, which means Morgan Harper will make his club debut at left centre.

He’s not the only man set to play his first game for Parramatta, with Kelma Tuilagi named on the bench alongside Brendan Hands who has lost his starting spot to Joey Lussick.

There’s mixed news for the Panthers, with Jarome Luai set to overcome a shoulder injury for Friday’s trip to Melbourne, but the defending premiers will be without the injured Scott Sorensen.

Winger Sunia Turuva has overcome a knee injury he sustained in the World Club Challenge, while Luke Sommerton replaces the suspended Mitch Kenny at hooker.

Storm star Cameron Munster has been battling a groin injury but has been named to play, with Joe Chan winning the race to start on the left edge now that trent Loiero has moved to lock.

Meanwhile, veteran coach Wayne Bennett has made some shock calls with new recruit Jake Averillo overlooked for the Queensland derby, with Tesi Niu to start.

Herbie Farnworth and Sean O’Sullivan have both overcome injury concerns, with Ray Stone named at lock to replace Tom Gilbert who will miss the entire season with a torn ACL.

And Taine Tuaupiki will fill in for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Kolokstad at fullback, while the Sharks have named co-captain Cameron McInnes at lock, with fellow co-captain Dale Finucane to come off the bench.