Valentine Holmes has officially been ruled out of Thursday night's NRL season-opener against Brisbane, dropped off Cronulla's extended bench.
Holmes was struggling to overcome a hamstring injury when he was named at No.21 on Tuesday, however - as part of the NRL's new teams policy - squads are reduced to 19 on the eve of the match.
Holmes was the first man to drop off that bench, along with recruit Daniel Mortimer, while Fa'amanu Brown remains on the bench in the utility hooking role.
It means Gerard Beale will play fullback against his former club, while Edrick Lee will hold his spot on the wing.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan on Tuesday said he expected Holmes to return for the following weekend's match against Canberra, but did not wish to risk his hamstring in the opening round.
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Tony Williams remains an outside chance of playing in round one. Picked on Tuesday as No.18, he remains part of an extended bench that will be reduced to four an hour before kickoff.
The Broncos on Wednesday indicated their first-pick 17 would be the team to take the field on Thursday night, with four forwards selected on the bench and no room for utility Kodi Nikorima.
