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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has opted to rest skipper Boyd Cordner for the second week in a row for their round two NRL game against Manly.
Sydney Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner has been put on ice for at least another week as the NRL club forge ahead with his extended preseason in round two.
The Australian and NSW Origin captain battled quad and calf injuries last season, playing 19 of a possible 27 games, as the Roosters pushed for back-to-back premierships.
His injury history has prompted the club to take a conservative approach to start the year despite losing their opening match of the season against Penrith.
Cordner missed the Roosters trial games as well as the World Club Challenge in February, and will now miss at least the first two rounds of the season after he was not named in Robinson's team to play Manly on Saturday.
"The whole thing is to get volume into him now, speed, strength, endurance, so he can carry out what is a long season and a great season for him, when you get to play the matches he does," Robinson said last week.
However, in a boost for the premiers Angus Crichton will star in the second row after missing the opening round with a case of pneumonia and testing negative for coronavirus.
Cronulla star Josh Dugan is also a chance to make his season debut against Melbourne on Saturday after being named on an extended bench, while Bronson Xerri has been left out.
Brisbane have been forced to name 20-year-old forward Ethan Bullemor to make his debut against South Sydney after Tevita Pangai Junior copped a four week suspension last weekend.
With Alex Glenn, Matt Lodge, Joe Ofahengaue and now Pangai Junior unavailable, Jamil Hopoate will move into the second row after just one NRL game, with Bullemor named on the bench.
The Warriors have called on inexperienced duo Adam Pompey and Adam Keighran to play in the backline against Canberra for Peta Hiku and Patrick Herbert, who returned to New Zealand over the weekend.
St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty has been named in the No.1 jersey for the Dragons' clash with Penrith after recovering from a facial injury he suffered at the NRL Nines last month.
Zac Lomax, who filled in at the back in round one's loss to the Wests Tigers, has been shifted to the wing.
Meanwhile, North Queensland will unleash representative forward Josh McGuire against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night after missing the first game of the season through suspension.
The Bulldogs have named 19-year-old local junior Jake Averillo to debut against the Cowboys, coming off the bench in place of Kerrod Holland who was injured at training this week.
NRL ROUND 2 MATCHES (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Thursday
Bulldogs v Cowboys at ANZ Stadium, 8.05pm
Friday
Dragons v Panthers at Jubilee Stadium, 6pm
Broncos v Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 8.05pm
Saturday
Warriors v Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Roosters v Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval 5.30pm
Sharks v Storm at Jubilee Stadium, 7.35pm
Sunday
Wests Tigers v Knights at Leichhardt Oval, 4.05pm
Titan v Eels at Cbus Super Stadium, 6.15pm
