Sea Eagles ... name a new look pack which includes Justin Horo. Source: Braden Fastier / News Limited
Manly coach Geoff Toovey has named a new-look pack for Friday night's NRL opening round clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
While the backline has a familiar feel to it with Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and winger David Williams all included, new faces Justin Horo and Brenton Lawrence will both start in the forwards.
Former Parramatta back-rower Horo takes the place of departed NSW State of Origin star Tony Williams in the second row, while ex-Gold Coast bruiser Lawrence will pack down alongside Brent Kite in the front row with Jason King (shoulder) still out injured.
Joining King on the sidelines is representative lock Glenn Stewart, with Jamie Buhrer to start the game in the No.13 jersey.
Newcomers Jesse Sene Lefao and Peta Hiku have also been included on a six-man interchange bench alongside ex-Melbourne forward Richie Fa'aoso.
Meanwhile Steve Turner is expected to be named to replaced Dally M medalist Ben Barba at fullback for Canterbury-Bankstown's opening round clash with North Queensland on Saturday.
The former NSW State of Origin winger was named in the custodians role for Barba who has indefinitely been stood down from club duties due to off-field issues.
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Turner, 28, managed just eight games last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
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Despite the loss of their star player, Bulldogs coach Des Hasler says Barba's absence will not hinder their season.
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"Benny is working away at what he has to do. It's pretty well documented what he has to do and we'll leave it to the professionals," Hasler said.
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Hasler bristled when asked if his absence had affected his side's preparations for their season opener against North Queensland on Saturday in Gosford.
"How's it affected our preparations?" he said.
"We have plenty of experience at the back. We have (Sam) Perrett, (Steve) Turner, (Krisnan) Inu can play there.
"Experience is the appropriate thing right now."
Finally Penrith have extended the contract of exciting youngster Josh Mansour for a further 12 months.
The Panthers 2012 Rookie of the Year will remain with the club until at least the end of 2014.
South Sydney v Sydney Roosters, Thursday, March 7, 8:05pm (EDT), Allianz Stadium
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Beau Champion, Andrew Everingham, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Chris McQueen, Ben Te'o, Ben Lowe. Interchange: Nathan Peats, Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima, George Burgess, David Tyrrell, Jason Clark, Bryson Goodwin.
Sydney Roosters - Anthony Minichiello, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Aidan Guerra, Mitch Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Martin Kennedy, Sonny Bill Williams, Luke O'Donnell, Boyd Cordner, Michael Oldfield, Tinirau Arona.
Brisbane Broncos v Manly - Friday, March 8, 8:05pm (EDT), Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Broncos - Corey Norman, Josh Hoffman, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Mitchell Dodds, David Stagg, Scott Anderson.
Manly - Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Jamie Buhrer. Interchange: Richie Fa'aoso, Joe Galuvao, David Gower, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Peta Hiku, George Rose
Parramatta v Warriors - Saturday, March 9, 5:30pm (EDT), Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta: Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Cheyse Blair, Luke Kelly, Chris Sandow, Darcy Lussick, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Reni Maitua, Ben Smith, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Ben Roberts, Fuifui Moimoi, Mitchell Allgood, Matt Ryan.
Warriors - Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (C), Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Henry, Jacob Lillyman, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Pita Godinet, Steve Rapira, Charlie Gubb
Canterbury-Bankstown v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday, March 9, 7:30pm (EDT), Bluetongue Stadium
Canterbury-Bankstown: Steve Turner, Drury Low, Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Martin Taupau, Tony Williams, Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Dale Finucane, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Mitch Brown.
Cowboys - Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Thompson, Matt Scott, Scott Moore, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, Jason Taumalolo, Scott Bolton, Robert Lui.
Penrith v Canberra, Sunday, March 10, 2pm (EDT), Centrebet Stadium
Penrith - Dean Whare, Josh Mansour, Wes Naiqama, Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Lachlan Coote, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Tim Grant, Sika Manu, Lewis Brown, Nathan Smith. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Nigel Plum, Clint Newton, Jeremy Latimore, Adam Docker.
Canberra - Reece Robinson, Sandor Earl, Jack Wighton, Blake Ferguson, Edrick Lee, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, David Shillington, Shaun Berrigan, Dane Tilse, Josh Papalii, Joel Thompson, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Matt McIlwrick, Joel Edwards, Mark Nicholls, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Brett White.
Melbourne v St George Illawarra, Sunday, March 10, 3pm (EDT), AAMI Park
Melbourne: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Will Chambers, Justin O'Neill, Mahe Fonua, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Tohu Harris, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Lagi Setu, Siosaia Vave, Junior Moors, Brett Finch
St George Illawarra - Gerard Beale, Brett Morris, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Nathan Fien, Dan Hunt, Mitch Rein, Michael Weyman, Tyson Frizell, Ben Creagh (c), Trent Merrin. Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Leeson Ah Mau, Matt Prior, Cameron King, Jack Stockwell
Cronulla v Gold Coast - Sunday, March 10, 6:30pm (EDT), Sharks Stadium
Cronulla: Michael Gordon, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Matthew Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Isaac De Gois, Ben Ross, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Chris Heighington, Jon Green, John Morris, Anthony Tupou, Jayson Bukuya, Mark Taufua, Chad Townsend.
Gold Coast - William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamal Idris, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Matt Srama, Nate Myles, Greg Bird, Ben Ridge, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Dave Taylor, Luke Bailey, Ryan James, Beau Falloon, Luke O'Dwyer
Newcastle v Wests Tigers. Monday, March 11, 7pm (EDT), Hunter Stadium
Newcastle Knights - Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Anthony Quinn, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, Kade Snowden, Travis Waddell, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Chris Houston, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Neville Costigan, Robbie Rochow, Alex McKinnon, David Fa'alogo.
Tigers: Tim Moltzen, Matt Utai, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Marika Koroibete, Benji Marshall, Jacob Miller, Jack Buchanan, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Braith Anasta, Liam Fulton, Adam Blair. Interchange: Matt Bell, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Bodene Thompson, Eddy Pettybourne, Joel Reddy, Aaron Woods.