Brisbane’s big boost for blockbuster bout

The Broncos have received a double boost for Friday night’s blockbuster clash against the Roosters in what will be their first meeting following what went down in Las Vegas.

Star five-eighth Ezra Mam (finger) and Selwyn Cobbo (shoulder) are back on deck after they missed the thumping win over the Wests Tigers, while Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds are good to go despite coming off early with cramp.

They take on a Roosters side that welcomes back towering winger Daniel Tupou, while Victor Radley and Sandon Smith have both been named on the extended bench after injury layoffs.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has made a stack of changes to the side that was belted at home last week, with rookie fullback Chevy Stuart replaced by Albert Hopoate, while James Schiller has been dropped with Nick Cotric to start on the wing.

Brisbane’s big boost for blockbuster bout

Skipper Elliott Whitehead returns in the back row against a Sea Eagles side that has named Daly Cherry-Evans, although Jake Arthur is on standby if the veteran halfback loses his case at the judiciary.

Sunia Turuva is back on the wing for Penrith after he was given the night off in Townsville following a draining week in which it was announced he was moving to the Wests Tigers in 2025.

The Panthers also get premiership-winning prop Moses Leota back, but Scott Sorensen will miss Thursday’s game against Souths who have named Izaac Thompson in place of the suspended Taane Milne.

There’s good news for the Tigers with skipper Api Koroisau named despite coming off with a back injury in last week’s loss to the Broncos, while the Knights have also selected Jacob Saifiti who appeared to injure his calf in the win over the Dolphins.

The Storm have suffered a blow with try-scoring machine Xavier Coates (hamstring) set to miss the trip to the Gold Coast, with Tyran Wishart named in his place, although Sua Fa’alogo is in the reserves and could come into the side.

They face a Titans side that gets Phillip Sami back, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira dropped despite scoring five tries in his past three games.

Heilum Luki makes his long-awaited return from injury via the bench for the Cowboys against a Dolphins side which features the returning Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu.

And Zac Lomax will remain at right centre for the local derby, with Jack Bird shifting to the left to replace Mosese Suli (head knock) in what will be game 150 against his former side.