Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh has been left out of the side following his “brain explosion” against the Knights that earned him a post-match spray in the press conference from Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.
The fiery forward was sent to the sin bin for slapping Dane Gagai which cost his side a gift two points from next to the posts and ended their hopes of making the finals.
Stuart made his feelings clear after the match and has subsequently dropped Horsburgh, while Savelio Tamale has earned a recall in the centres with Simi Sasagi unavailable.
It has led to speculation that Horsburgh won’t be at the club next year.
“It should have been 26-all, and there’s a brain explosion when we got a penalty,” Stuart said after Knights game.
“It was a fu—ng brain explosion and (we) lost the opportunity.
“We lost the start of the season because we were self-entitled and undisciplined and we lost the opportunity to still then continue and try to make the semis.
“It wasn’t everybody’s fault. There are 16 other blokes there that made a lot of massive effort.
“There’s one s**t bloody decision choice (that) has cost us.”
There’s mixed news for some of the best fullbacks in the world with James Tedesco back on deck for the Roosters after he missed last week’s win over the Bulldogs.
Dylan Edwards, the man he replaced for NSW this year, has been listed on an extended bench for Penrith after missing a couple of games with a shoulder injury.
But there’s no Tom Trbojevic in the Sea Eagles squad for their must-win game against the Dolphins despite strong speculation that he would be good to go this Friday night.
He remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, but they do get Clayton Faulalo back from his own hamstring injury.
Lindsay Smith will start at lock for the injured Isaah Yeo when the Panthers take on the Roosters for top spot on Thursday.
Liam Henry has been promoted to the front row, with Edwards to come in for Jaxen Edgar if he’s cleared to play.
The Rabbitohs have received a huge boost for their blockbuster battle with the Bulldogs, with winger Campbell Graham back in the team after overcoming a calf strain.
Jayden Sullivan earns a rare start at halfback with Ashton Ward (hamstring) unavailable, while the same injury means Bulldogs enforcer Sitili Tupouniua is out for an extended period.
Mawene Hiroti replaces the injured Jesse Ramien at Cronulla who will also be without the suspended Addin Fonua-Blake for their clash with Canberra.
The Broncos will again be without Adam Reynolds (concussion) this weekend, while the Dolphins have lost bench star Kurt Donoghoe (thumb).
Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland are huge inclusions for the Knights, while Apa Twidle replaces star fullback Isaiah Iongi who will miss the rest of the season for the Eels with a knee injury.
Originally published as NRL team lists: Ricky Stuart swings the axe after star forward’s ‘brain explosion’, mixed news on superstar fullbacks for key matches