Knights welcome back stars as Tigers ring changes

Kalyn Ponga is back to help Newcastle try to end a three-game losing streak against Souths. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Kalyn Ponga heads the list of key men who will return at home for Newcastle as they aim to get their season rolling again.

Days after extending his contract until 2030, the Knights fullback is back from a hamstring injury to take on South Sydney on Sunday.

Greg Marzhew (concussion), Bradman Best (groin) and Tyson Frizell (rib) also return to strengthen the Knights as they aim to arrest a three-match losing streak.

Wests Tigers have given Tristan Hope the starting No.9 jersey in place of the suspended Api Koroisau against Cronulla away on Sunday. The loss of fullback Jahream Bula to a shoulder complaint means accomplished winger Sunia Turuva shifts back to the custodian role.

Tyran Wishart returns at halfback as the Storm try to end their losing streak against the Dolphins. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has resisted mass changes to the side that lost a sixth straight match last week. Tyran Wishart replaces Jahrome Hughes (concussion) at halfback for the clash with the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Dolphins have elevated Brad Schneider to five-eighth with the news that versatile back Jake Averillo will miss up to six weeks of action after hand surgery.

Brisbane expect star fullback Reece Walsh to return from a facial fracture against the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday night, pending clearance from a specialist on Wednesday.

Viliame Kikau (pectoral) will be replaced at second-row by Sitili Tupouniua, with Josh Curran added to the bench, for the home clash with North Queensland on Friday night.

Simi Sasagi is back for the Raiders' match against Gold Coast. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Canberra received good news with Simi Sasagi, their best player in 2026, back from a hamstring injury to line up in the back row, with Zac Hosking (concussion) sidelined against Gold Coast in Robina on Saturday.

The strong start to the year by the Warriors has received a further boost with star playmaker Luke Metcalf listed on the extended interchange as he looks to return from a hamstring injury sustained in round five.

Andrew Webster's men are away to an unchanged Parramatta on Saturday.

The final game of the round also has an unchanged Penrith up against a Manly side aiming to win five games in a row under new interim coach Kieran Foran.

Manly have made one change for the clash at CommBank Stadium, with enforcer Nathan Brown earning a recall due to Corey Waddell's pectoral injury.