South Sydney could be without brothers Tom and George Burgess for their round-two clash against Manly after both were left out of Rabbitohs' top-17 on Tuesday.
George got a recall to an extended bench, however Tom was left out of the 21-man squad as coach Michael Maguire searches for a winning combination after their first-up loss.
Alex Johnston has been named to start in the No.1 jumper vacated by injured star Greg Inglis, with rookie Braidon Burns set to make his NRL debut on the wing.
"(Johnston has) put a lot of time throughout the pre-season. Greg had some time off after the international stuff and Alex spent a fair bit of time at fullback," Maguire said on Tuesday.
"So I'm really confident he's going to come in and really enjoy playing fullback. It's something he's always wanted so now is the opportunity for him."
In good news for Rabbitohs fans, halfback Adam Reynolds is a chance of making an early return from appendicitis after being included on the extras list.
It is believed a specialist will have to clear him later this week before making a comeback.
The Sea Eagles have been forced into numerous changes after suspensions to Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake, and a fractured eye socket for Lloyd Perrett.
New buys Jarrad Kennedy and Shaun Lane come into the 17, along with utility Cameron Cullen.
The other big inclusion among NRL squads is high-profile Brisbane signing Benji Marshall, who was named in the No.18 jumper for their local derby against North Queensland.
Fellow utility Kodi Nikorima has also been selected in an otherwise unchanged line-up to take on a Cowboys side buoyed by the return of winger Antonio Winterstein.
In Melbourne, Tim Glasby has gotten the nod to deputise for Jesse Bromwich (thumb), with rookie Joe Stimson pencilled in for his first game in the big time.
Brendan Elliot has been picked to replace injured youngster Dylan Phythian (ACL) at fullback in Newcastle's change, while Penrith named Dylan Edwards for Peta Hiku (eye socket).
As expected, Canberra received a boost ahead of their clash with Cronulla with fullback Jack Wighton (illness) and Junior Paulo (suspension) coming back.
However, Clay Priest (suspension) and Joseph Tapine (finger) are out, with Scott Sorensen in.
The Sydney Roosters, Canterbury, the Warriors, Gold Coast, St George-Illawarra, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers are unchanged.
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