NRL stars rested in major final round shake-up
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The Broncos and Storm have led a chorus of players being rested in Round 27 with the finals on the horizon and the potential for both clubs to meet again in Week 1 of the play-offs.
Despite chasing their first minor premiership in 23 years on Thursday night the Broncos will be without more than 10 NRL regulars including stars Reece Walsh and Payne Haas when they meet the Storm at Suncorp Stadium.
The pair will join Herbie Farnworth, Billy Walters and Ezra Mam on the sidelines while Adam Reynolds (calf) and Patrick Carrigan (foot) will be given another week. Kotoni Staggs is out suspended for one match.
Kurt Capewell and Selwyn Cobbo are included in the reserves but Kevin Walters is unlikely to turn to either with a potential to come up against Brisbane in September a huge possibility.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is also not mucking around with a top four spot guaranteed, resting a similiar 10 players including Jahrome Hughes (knee) and Harry Grant (shoulder), who are carrying injuries.
Cameron Munster, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Christian Welch and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are among the names set for a week off while Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named to start at fullback and Justin Olam gets a recall.
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NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the club's resting policies were not a concern for the overall standard of the game in Round 27.
"With 27 rounds and 24 matches it's a very compelling season that has twists and turns," Abdo said on Tuesday.
"Each coach, team and club will set their strategies for who they are playing and the combinations.
"That's a call they have to live and die by, and that's a call that is theirs to make.
"I'm yet to witness an NRL game that isn't exciting and compelling. You'll have players making their NRL debuts this weekend. I'm not concerned at all that we won't have eight exciting games."
The Warriors, having locked in either third or fourth on the ladder, will be without Shaun Johnson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for their final round clash with the Dolphins.
Warriors captain Tohu Harris (back) joins hooker Wayde Egan and Addin Fonua-Blake to also be rested by coach Andrew Webster ahead of a top four showdown with either the Panthers or Broncos next week.
Newcastle have opted to rest several of their stars for their clash against the Dragons in Kogarah after wrapping up a home semi-final last week.
Veterans Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell will have a breather while Lachlan Miller returns to fullback for his first NRL game since Round 12.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien has included Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) in the reserves but the likes of Kalyn Ponga (shoulder), Phoenix Crossland and Kurt Mann won't be risked.
The Panthers have opted to name their best team possible for Saturday night's clash with the Cowboys in news that will be music to the ears of Roosters fans, who need to beat the Rabbitohs and then hope the premiers defeat the Cowboys.
