Rapid fire Tuesday, Round 5: Xerri (sort of) returns, Dragons and Sea Eagles hold firm, Cowboys make intriguing centre call

The Bulldogs have made a call on Bronson Xerri, and two under fire clubs are resisting the urge for radical change.

EDITOR | March 31, 2026 - 4:57pm

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The Canterbury Bulldogs will leave Bronson Xerri a chance of some game time this weekend against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, while fans expecting changes at the Manly Sea Eagles under new coach Kieran Foran and the St George Illawarra Dragons will be left disappointed.

Injuries and returns are the other common theme as the NRL heads full bore into Round 5.

Here are all the changes for the coming weekend in this week's edition of Rapid fire Tuesday.

Just the one change to the 19 for the Dolphins. Oryn Keeley loses his spot on the bench with Kurt Donoghoe having a chance to return.

Jason Saab is out suspended, so Clayton Faulalo comes into the side.
Kieran Foran's first time carries no significant unforced changes.
He has named Brandon Wakeham to start at nine again, with last week's late swap seeing Jake Simpkin fall to the bench.
Joey Walsh is the 20th man.

The Rabbitohs haven't played since their win over the Wests Tigers in Round 3. Campbell Graham comes back in on the wing, with Moala Graham-Taufa moving to the six-man bench.
Lachlan Hubner also returns on the bench for South Sydney.
Latrell Siegwalt and Thomas Fletcher are the two drop outs of the squad, while Salesi Ataata is the 20th man.

Samuel Hughes returns for the Bulldogs, with Lipoi Hopoi going back to the bench.
Josh Curran, who had limited game time after being smashed in the ribs against Newcastle, is not named.
Harry Hayes and Bronson Xerri have also been named on the six-man bench, with Xerri a chance to play in the centres at some point if Cameron Ciraldo again decides to shuffle Stephen Crichton into the five-eighth role.
Alongside Curran, Jonathan Sua and Fletcher Baker miss out on the six-man bench.

Mitch Kenny is out with suspension, so Freddy Lussick is promoted to start at hooker.
Jack Cogger returns as the new face on the bench for Ivan Cleary's side, with no other changes.

Moses Leo has suffered delayed concussion symptoms and will miss out. Nick Meaney returns in his place. That means Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown stays on the wing.
Tui Kamikamica has suffered a suspected stroke and will be replaced by young forward Lazarus Vaalepu on the bench.
No other changes for the Storm, with Jack Howarth expected to line up in the centres despite appearing to suffer an injury against the Cowboys.

There were calls for Shane Flanagan to make big changes to his side, but he has held relatively firm.
Tyrell Sloan's shaky defence sees him fall back to the bench, with David Fale to play on the wing.
Moses Suli is back for Hayden Buchanan, who misses out entirely.
Lyhkan King-Togia joins the side at five-eighth, with Kyle Flanagan out. Kade Reed is in the reserves.
Toby Couchman is back on deck for the Dragons as well after a concussion, with Blake Lawrie dropping to the bench. Loko Pasifki Tonga misses the 19.

An intriguing call from Todd Payten, with Tom Chester ahead of Kyle Laybutt in the pecking order. He will start at centre, with Laybutt dropping back to the bench.
Harrison Edwards also joins the six-man bench. Kai O'Donnell and Liam Sutton drop out.

No changes for the Titans. Lachlan Ilias stays at five-eighth, AJ Brimson the centres, and Klese Haas prop with Moeaki Fotuaika coming from the bench. They beat the Dragons, but this will be a tougher test...

Jesse Arthars (wing) and Gehamat Shibasaki (centre, promoted from the bench) are back in the starting side, with Grant Anderson (injury) and Josiah Karapani (off-field issue) missing.
Payne Haas returns to the front-row. Xavier Willison reverts to the interchange bench.
Va'a Semu drops out, and Antonio Verhoeven is on the six-man bench.

Only one change for the Sharks as Mawene Hiroti replaces Chris Vea'ila on the bench.
Briton Nikora is close to a return - he is in the extended squad.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad remains in the centres, with Taine Tuaupiki at fullback.
Mitch Barnett is out with a broken thumb. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is the new face, but Morgan Gannon could yet come in after being named among the reserves.

Just the one change for the Knights. Trey Mooney is back from suspension, Pasami Saulo drops to the bench, and young gun Cody Hopwood misses out.
That means Fletcher Sharpe (knee) and Phoenix Crossland (broken nose) are both good to go for Justin Holbrook's side, who have had an under-the-radar, but fantastic start, to 2026.

Josh Papalii comes back into the front row for the Raiders. Morgan Smithies falls to the bench.
Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart both drop off the bench while Matt Timoko and Chevy Stewart are added.

The Eels will be without Isaiah Iongi (syndesmosis) and Matt Doorey (ACL). Joash Papalii is the new fullback, while Jack de Belin and Apa Twidle are added to the bench.
Jason Ryles has resisted the urge to make any other changes despite the blowout loss to Penrith last weekend.