South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold predicts Robbie Farah will play a crucial role in helping keep the Rabbitohs in the top four, beginning with Friday's NRL season debut against Cronulla.
Farah finally gets his chance in the top grade after first-choice rake Damien Cook was selected to play for NSW in next week's State of Origin opener against Queensland.
Seibold praised Farah, a veteran of almost 300 games, for his patience so far this year, having not played in the NRL since the final game of last season.
"He's been outstanding, very professional in a really challenging situation for him because I've always said Robbie's not a reserve-grade player," Seibold told AAP on Tuesday.
"He's a first-grade player with representative experience. It's just that Damien Cook deserves an opportunity and he took the opportunity. Faz has been waiting and he's worked really hard."
Inserting a player of Farah's experience comes at a critical point in the Rabbitohs' season, with Cook one of four players away on Origin duties.
Skipper Greg Inglis, summer recruit Dane Gagai, and powerhouse second-rower Angus Crichton are also in camp for their respective state teams.
The Rabbitohs are currently in third spot and are aiming for five straight victories for the first time since their breakthrough premiership season of 2014.
"Souths are in the unusual situation of having four State of Origin players. I don't think that's happened in the past, so Robbie will have an important role to play for us," Seibold said.
"We really needed to look at the depth in our squad and Faz provides a heap of experience."
Farah is one of a number of changes to the side to take on Cronulla, with Adam Doueihi starting at fullback and Braidon Burns and Hymel Hunt in the centres.
The Sharks get Andrew Fifita back from a knee injury, Sosaia Feki deputises for Maroons winger Valentine Holmes, while second-rower Wade Graham will challenge a high tackle at the judiciary.
In other team news on Tuesday, Parramatta star Corey Norman has been ruled out for a week due to foot injury, with Bevan French at fullback and Clint Gutherson retaining his spot in the halves.
Prop Nathan Brown could also make an anticipated return from injury against a Newcastle outfit that have lost Nathan Ross to a groin issue. He is replaced by Cory Dennis.
Manly have opted to start Matt Wright and Shaun Lane to cover for NSW representatives Tom and Jake Trbojevic against a Cowboys side that have recalled Lachlan Coote.
In the final match of a shortened round, the Sydney Roosters have moved Blake Ferguson to fullback for James Tedesco (Origin) and get Daniel Tupou back from a long-term pectoral injury.
