Tom Trbojevic is back for Manly in round 16, with ponga nrl featuring a major lineup boost for Saturday night’s clash with Canterbury. He has been cleared to return from a hamstring injury after being sidelined since April, and he will take over the captaincy duties once again.
That gives Manly a proven fullback and captain at the same time they are trying to hold a top-four spot. For a side entering a tight stretch, getting Trbojevic back changes both the spine of the team and the leadership on the field.
Trbojevic back for Canterbury
Trbojevic will line up on Saturday night, ending a spell out that began in April. The return comes with the captain’s role restored to him, which gives Manly its first-choice voice as well as its first-choice fullback.
His absence had stretched across the middle part of the season, so this is not a routine recall. It is a direct reset for a club trying to protect its position near the top of the ladder while facing Canterbury in round 16.
Origin backing up for Newcastle
Newcastle also gained help after State of Origin game two on Wednesday night. Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas were both named to back up, while Bradman Best is returning to the Knights side after a hamstring injury.
Api Koroisau has also been named to back up from Origin at hooker. That leaves Newcastle with extra first-team pieces available after a week when several Origin players were asked to back up.
Knights, Tigers and Dragons
There is movement elsewhere in the round 16 lists as well. Jermaine McEwen has been suspended for one match after an off-field incident, and Thomas Cant has been named to start in his place.
Adam Doueihi has been named in the No.22 jumper for Wests Tigers and could be a shock late inclusion after a lengthy absence. Christian Tuipulotu is among the reserves for the Dragons and could also come in late, while Jaydn Su’A is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a pectoral injury.
Manly’s immediate change is the clearest one: Trbojevic is back, the captaincy is back with him, and Canterbury now faces a different version of the Sea Eagles than the one that has played without him since April.
