Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Alex Mitchell

Dragons name third different captain for Canberra clash

Prop Blake Lawrie (r) will lead the Dragons against Canberra, their third skipper so far in 2023. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

St George Illawarra's search for a winning formula has seen them name a third captain this season for Friday's NRL clash against Canberra.

As they look to snap out of a form slump that saw them bashed 52-16 by Cronulla last time out, Blake Lawrie will lead the Dragons instead of Jack de Belin with halfback and usual skipper Ben Hunt in Queensland State of Origin camp.

Controversial forward de Belin captained the side against the Dolphins in round 13 when they last played without Hunt, with the club facing backlash for giving him the role. Lawrie was not available due to a hand injury.

De Belin was stood down for more than two years on sexual assault charges from 2018, but returned to the Dragons after bring found not guilty on one charge and with a jury not reaching a verdict on another five.

A calf injury for young gun Tyrell Sloan has not made their form turnaround any easier, opting for club debutant and former Maori All Star Paul Turner at No.1.

Moses Suli is back in the centres in place of Tautau Moga, while young duo Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone will pair in the halves.

The Raiders have had to dig deep to replace Origin-bound lock Corey Horsburgh and injured prop Pasami Saulo (concussion), who join stalwart Josh Papali'i (hamstring) on the sidelines.

They've moved bench forward Ata Mariota to lock and added young duo Trey Mooney and Peter Hola to their interchange.

Canterbury have swung the axe after their disastrous 66-0 loss to Newcastle, with Hayze Perham, Paul Alamoti and Khaled Rajab all dumped for Saturday's game against South Sydney.

They've named newly-signed halfback Toby Sexton at No.7 the same day his move from Gold Coast was confirmed, with Jake Averillo shifting to fullback and Braidon Burns and Jackson Topine pairing in the centres.

The Rabbitohs have replaced a quartet of NSW Origin stars, with Dean Hawkins set to play five-eighth in Cody Walker's absence and Ben Lovett starting in the back row in place of Keaon Koloamatangi.

Shaquai Mitchell will play lock instead of Cam Murray.

Wests Tigers have dropped backline duo David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden after each missed a game-high seven tackles in their 74-0 pounding by North Queensland.

Asu Kepaoa and Tommy Talau take their spots, while their opponents Cronulla have added Jesse Colquhoun and Toby Rudolf in place of Braden Hamlin-Uele (injured) and Dale Finucane (suspended).

Parramatta have named Sean Russell at fullback with Clint Gutherson in NSW camp, while Ryan Matterson will return to the halves with Mitch Moses also with the Blues.

Isaac Lumelume takes Russell's wing for their clash with the Warriors, while lock J'maine Hopgood is named at No.13 despite being Queensland's 19th man.

And the Titans have covered their own four losses to Origin; Jayden Campbell taking AJ Brimson's role at No.1 with Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, Klese Haas and Jaimin Jolliffe earning starting jobs.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.