The finals have arrived in the NRL, with some blockbuster clashes to look forward to in the opening week.
Penrith will fancy their chances of progressing through in their elimination final as they travel across to New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters are also in a sweet spot ahead of their clash against the Cronulla Sharks, who will be able to call upon their talisman Nicho Hynes after a welcome reprieve.
Finally, Canberra will welcome their stars back after they were rested in Round 27 as the minor premiers prepare to take on the red-hot Brisbane Broncos.
MORE: All the latest injury news and updates for every NRL club
NRL FINALS RESULTS THIS WEEKEND:
Melbourne Storm 26-18 Canterbury Bulldogs
(Friday, September 12 at AAMI Park, 7:50pm)
Melbourne confirmed team:
1. Nick Meaney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Grant Anderson
20. Jack Howarth
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
14. Jonah Pezet
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
4. Joe Chan
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
7. Tyran Wishart
11. Ativalu Lisati
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Tui Kamakimica
17. Bronson Garlick
Storm team news:
It couldn't have gone much worse for Craig Bellamy and the Storm last week as injuries plunged the club's finals campaign into chaos.
Jahrome Hughes, who was returning from a shoulder injury against Brisbane, suffered a fractured forearm, which is likely to sideline him for the rest of the season.
Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a head knock in the closing stages of the defeat and has been ruled out of the qualifying final.
Meanwhile, Nelson Asofa-Solomona copped yet another suspension after getting charged for a high tackle.
Stefano Utoikamanu replaces the enforcer after being rested in Round 27, while Bellamy has made some interesting choices to replace Papenhuyzen and Hughes.
Nick Meaney has been moved to fullack, with Joe Chan promoted from the bench to take his place in the centres.
Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet are in a battle to grab the halfback role and the former has been handed the No.7 jersey.
In a major boost, Harry Grant returns to the side at hooker after missing the last two games due to suspension. He pushes Bronson Garlick back to the pine.
Ativalu Lisati started in the absence of Shawn Blore, with the forward once again getting the nod in the backrow.
Jack Howarth has been included in the extended squad as he bids to recover from a groin issue, while Sua Faalogo also looms in the reserves.
UPDATE:
Craig Bellamy has made a raft of late changes, with Howarth returning from injury to take his place in the centres. His inclusion has pushed Chan into the backrow and Lisati to the bench.
Meanwhile, Pezet has been handed the start at halfback, while Wishart goes back to act as the utility and Garlick moves to 18th man.
Canterbury confirmed team:
1. Connor Tracey
2. Jethro Rinakama
3. Enari Tuala
4. Stephen Crichton
23. Jacob Kiraz
6. Matt Burton
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Bailey Hayward
16. Josh Curran
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Kurt Mann
15. Sitili Tupouniua
21. Toby Sexton
22. Harry Hayes
5. Blake Wilson
Bulldogs team news:
Canterbury suffered a few injuries during the last round of the regular season when they were battered by Cronulla.
Bronson Xerri copped a head knock that ruled him out of the majority of the game and the qualifying final this week, while Marcelo Montoya sustained an ankle injury in the closing stages.
Jethro Rinakama and Blake Wilson have been brought in on the wings, while Enari Tuala has switched into the centres.
However, in what could be a major boost, Jacob Kiraz also looms as a potential late addition after being included in the reserves.
Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau were in the wars against the Sharks, but managed to get through the clash and will take their places in the side.
Sam Hughes dropped to the bench in a late move by Cameron Ciraldo last week, although the prop has been listed to start in this one. Josh Curran reverts to being used off the pine.
UPDATE:
Reed Mahoney has dropped off the bench, with Toby Sexton earning a surprise recall.
Meanwhile, in several late changes, Kiraz has returned to the backline, with Wilson moving to 18th man.
There has also been a change up front, as Curran has been handed a start while Hughes has dropped out of the side and been replaced by the returning Harry Hayes.
New Zealand Warriors 8-24 Penrith Panthers
(Saturday, September 13 at Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm)
New Zealand confirmed team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Adam Pompey
11. Leka Halasima
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Tanah Boyd
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
4. Kurt Capewell
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark
14. Te Maire Martin
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Tanner Stowers-Smith
20. Samuel Healey
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Warriors team news:
Rocco Berry suffered a dislocated shoulder during his side's clash against Manly last week and has been sent to the casualty ward yet again.
Kurt Capewell has been moved to the backline to cover for Berry, while Leka Halasima has been promoted from the bench to start in the backrow.
In some welcome good news for the Warriors, Jackson Ford is available after serving a suspension, while Wayde Egan is also set to return after missing Round 27 due to a hip complaint.
Tanner Stowers-Smith has moved back to the bench and Sam Healey has dropped to the reserves to accommodate their returns.
UPDATE:
Capewell and Halasima have swapped positions with the latter slotting into the centres and the former reverting to the backrow.
Meanwhile, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has dropped to 18th man and Healey has been added to the bench.
Penrith confirmed team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Paul Alamoti
3. Izack Tago
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To'o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
14. Brad Schneider
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
9. Luke Sommerton
15. Liam Henry
16. Isaiah Papali'i
17. Luke Garner
18. Thomas Jenkins
Panthers team news:
The four-time reigning premiers finished in seventh spot on the ladder but are virtually injury-free as they attempt to defend their title again.
Brian To'o and Liam Martin were handed an extra week of rest in Round 27, but the duo will return for this one.
Thomas Jenkins has somewhat surprisingly dropped out of the side to accommodate for To'o's return, while Luke Garner has dropped out of the starting side for Martin.
However, it's not all good news for the Panthers, with Mitch Kenny unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Luke Sommerton has been named as his replacement at hooker.
Daine Laurie was a late addition to the bench against the Dragons, but he has been shifted to the reserves.
UPDATE:
Brad Schneider has been added into the starting side, with Sommerton going to the bench.
Cronulla Sharks 20-10 Sydney Roosters
(Saturday, September 13 at Sharks Stadium, 7:50pm)
Cronulla confirmed team:
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Toby Rudolf
11. Billy Burns
12. Teig Wilton
13. Jesse Colquhoun
14. Oregon Kaufusi
15. Siosifa Talakai
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele
21. Briton Nikora
18. Daniel Atkinson
Sharks team news:
The Sharks were impressive as they hammered the Bulldogs in the lead-up to their elimination final this week.
Yet they faced the prospect of being without Nicho Hynes for their do-or-die finals clash after he was charged for a hip-drop tackle.
However, the playmaker has seen his initial charge downgraded and he will be free to take his place in the side.
Braydon Trindall missed the victory due to an ankle injury, although he is back on deck and replaces Daniel Atkinson.
Briton Nikora has served his suspension, yet he has only been listed in the reserves with Billy Burns keeping hold of his starting spot in the backrow for now.
Oregon Kaufusi was a late addition on the bench last week after recovering from a calf injury and the forward has retained his place in the 17.
UPDATE:
Thomas Hazelton has been ruled out due to a knee infection and has been replaced on the bench by Atkinson.
However, Atkinson has also dropped out one hour before kick-off, with Nikora added to the pine.
Sydney confirmed team:
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Hugo Savala
7. Sam Walker
8. Spencer Leniu
14. Benaiah Ioelu
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Victor Radley
13. Naufahu Whyte
9. Connor Watson
15. Egan Butcher
16. Blake Steep
17. Siua Wong
20. Sandon Smith
Roosters team news:
The Roosters are running hot heading into the finals and Trent Robinson has named an unchanged outfit after they got the job done against South Sydney last week to secure their place in the finals.
Connor Watson has been named in the No.9 jersey, yet he has consistently been dropped to the bench for Benaiah Ioelu lately. This move has been repeated once again.
Canberra Raiders 28-29 Brisbane Broncos
(Sunday, September 14 at GIO Stadium, 4:05pm)
Canberra confirmed team:
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Jed Stuart
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Corey Horsburgh
14. Owen Pattie
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Morgan Smithies
17. Ata Mariota
18. Matty Nicholson
19. Danny Levi
Raiders team news:
Ricky Stuart opted to rest the majority of his stars last week for their dead-rubber against the Dolphins.
Kaeo Weekes returns to take the No.1 jersey off Chevy Stewart, while Savelio Tamale and Sebastian Kris also start in the backline.
Manaia Waitere and Michael Asomua drop out as Jed Stuart and Matt Timoko have been brought back into the side.
Adam Cook and Ethan Sanders have been replaced in the halves by Ethan Strange and Jamal Fogarty.
Tom Starling returns to the spine, pushing Owen Pattie back to the bench and Danny Levi out of the 17.
Joe Tapine starts up front and will be partnered by Josh Papalii, who has been named despite suffering an ankle injury in training.
Noah Martin and Matty Nicholson have lost their places in the backrow to Hudson Young and Zac Hosking.
Corey Horsburgh has switched back to lock, while Morgan Smithies has dropped to the bench.
Trey Mooney, Joe Roddy and Kain Anderson have also been removed from off the pine, with Ata Mariota joined by the returning Simi Sasagi.
Brisbane confirmed team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Billy Walters
7. Ben Hunt
8. Corey Jensen
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Ben Talty
17. Jaiyden Hunt
18. Jesse Arthars
19. Fletcher Baker
Broncos team news:
Brisbane are in impressive form after winning their last four games in a row to claim fourth spot on the ladder. So, Michael Maguire has opted to name a relatively settled side.
Reece Walsh was pictured being hampered by a calf complaint in training. However, the fullback has been named to start.
Gehamat Shibasaki has returned to the fold after he was dropped last week due to a disciplinary issue.
Deine Mariner has switched back to the wing after performing well in the centres in Round 27, while Jesse Arthars has dropped out.
Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Xavier Willison are all closing in on a return to action, but the qualifying final has arrived too soon for the quartet.
Jack Gosiewski will not be a late addition despite the forward being included in the extended squad.