Following the completion of the second round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 3 with the exact same line-up.
Nelson Asofoa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys), Jack Bostock (The Dolphins) and Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels) are just a few players that are set to be available for selection heading into Round 3.
However, while some return, the Rabbitohs' injury woes have continued, a Penrith Panthers star will be unavailable and so will a key member of the Canberra Raiders forward pack, among others.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
A late omission from their match last week against the North Queensland Cowboys, Sharks forward Thomas Hazelton (back soreness) is set to be available.
His return means Craig Fitzgibbon will field his best possible team - a part from injured winger Sione Katoa.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sam Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton
The Rabbitohs will receive Jack Wighton (suspension) back and he will slot straight back into the centres, but their forward stocks will be heavily depleted this weekend.
Lachlan Hubner is facing a three-match ban for a Grade 2 Crusher Tackle on Clinton Gutherson from last week's clash, while Tallis Duncan (hamstring) will also be unavailable.
Tallis Duncan will go for scans on a hamstring injury after leaving the field early today.
Location of the strain appeared to be higher up on the hammy - as a general rule these tend to have slightly longer recovery times. Likely multi-week absence in store for him. pic.twitter.com/K18IiQ2ywv
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 15, 2025
According to NRL Physio, Duncan will undergo scans and is likely to face a "longer recovery" time due to the strain being higher up the hamstring.
He will not only miss this week's match against the Cronulla Sharks but could also face a multi-week absence from the field.
Their absences will force Wayne Bennett into a massive shake-up in the forward pack with Thomas Fletcher, Jacob Host and last week's 18th man, Liam Le Blanc, options to take their spots in the team.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Siliva Havili 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Jacob Host 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola
