Cronulla have dropped Andrew Fifita from their round-one NRL side with the former Kangaroos forward's omission one of several shocks around the league.
Fifita was on Tuesday named on an extended bench for the Sharks' clash with St George Illawarra, while recruit Aiden Tolman could also only claim a bench spot.
Fifita has battled injuries in recent years and had niggles over the summer, but had spoken about his efforts to drop 15 kilograms over the summer.
The Tongan powerhouse started just three games for the Sharks last year, but John Morris' decision to go with Tolman, Jack Williams and Billy Magoulias ahead of Fifita on the bench is still a surprise.
Fellow representative prop Dylan Napa has been left on the bench for Canterbury's season opener against Newcastle.
New Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has also been forced to apply for an exemption early, with school teacher Bradley Deitz in as the bench hooker.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is another big name back on the bench for the Sydney Roosters, with Saturday's clash with Manly to be the first time he's come off the bench since 2018.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler also sprung a shock with Dylan Walker named at fullback to fill in for Tom Trbojevic, while Kieran Foran has been confirmed as five-eighth ahead of Josh Schuster.
North Queensland marquee man Valentine Holmes has been relegated to a wing spot, with Scott Drinkwater moved out of the halves and into fullback against Penrith.
Holmes' fellow Queensland State of Origin winger Phil Sami has been dropped altogether at Gold Coast, with the Titans preferring Corey Thompson and Anthony Don to face the Warriors.
Meanwhile Daine Laurie's sublime trial form at fullback for Wests Tigers has cemented the No.1 jersey for him, leaving Moses Mbye to fill in at five-eighth this week.
It's expected Adam Doueihi will then wear the No.6 jersey in round two on return from suspension, with Michael Maguire opting against blooding rookie Jock Madden against Canberra.
Mbye is now on the look out for a full-time spot and at risk of going back to the bench, with Laurie's spark making him irresistible.
"He's just got that ability to score from anywhere," halfback Luke Brooks said.
"I think that's what we need. We've got some good strike players, he's looking so good.
"I could tell as soon as he came to training how good he was."
The Raiders will be without Jarrod Croker for the clash due to a shoulder injury, with Sebastian Kris the bolter to come into the centres.
Brisbane have handed Brodie Croft the No.7 spot to start the season against Parramatta ahead of Tom Dearden.
Meanwhile Tom Opacic has won the race for Michael Jennings' centre spot at the Eels.
And Benji Marshall has claimed the bench spot he had his eyes on at South Sydney, set to strike as a super sub in the No.14 jersey.
Australian Associated Press
