Friday’s grudge match won’t have as much feeling after the Roosters decided to rest nine of their biggest stars for the showdown with the Rabbitohs which means they will finish in fourth spot and will play the minor premiers in the first week of the finals.

All the talk this week had been on how Hugo Savala would handle the move into the halves following Sam Walker’s injury, but the Roosters won’t give anything away in the final round.

Savala, James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans and Naufahu Whyte are just some of the big names who will be rested on Friday, with props Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins both to get minutes in the middle.

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou will return from injury against a Rabbitohs side that sees Latrell Mitchell start at left centre with Tallis Duncan not named.

Jye Gray has also been recalled at fullback, with Jai Arrow named at five-eighth for his 100th game for the club.

There had been speculation that the Panthers would rest everyone, but it’s the complete opposite with all of their stars named to take on the Wests Tigers, with a couple of huge inclusions also in the squad.

Co-captain Isaah Yeo has been named on the extended bench as he eyes an early return from a pec injury, while Mitch Kenny will start at dummy-half for the first time since round seven.

The late John Farragher has been named in jersey No. 23 as the Panthers honour him with a special jersey to celebrate his lifelong impact on the club.

Cronulla will rest a stack of stars with fifth spot virtually wrapped up. Nicho Hynes, Teig Wilton and Blayke Brailey have been given the night off, while Tom Hazelton and Mawene Hiroti are unavailable.

Riley Jones and Michael Gabrael will get their first starts in the centres, while Riley Pollard has been picked at five-eighth.

There are some big ins for the Warriors in their quest for the minor premiership with halves Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita named to start, while Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell have both been rested.

Selwyn Cobbo won’t play for the Dolphins, while Cowboys duo Griffin Neame and Jeremiah Nanai have been given the week off to recover from minor injuries.

Originally published as NRL teams wrap: Roosters and Sharks rest a stack of stars for the final round as Panthers name duo to return from injury