Mam, Cobbo join casualty ward as Reynolds, Haas, Cleary, Arrow return

The return of Broncos stars Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas has been offset by the loss of Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo, while the Panthers welcome back Nathan Cleary and Maika Sivo and Damien Cook have been recalled.

Mam, who starred in the absence of Reynolds (hamstring), will miss Brisbane’s trip to Campbelltown to play Wests Tigers after injuring his finger in last weekend’s win against Canberra, while Cobbo has been ruled out with a hip problem.

The pair trained in red bibs, signifying they were injured, along with centre Kotoni Staggs, who has been named to play, at Broncos training on Tuesday and Mam later told reporters his finger had been caught up in a tackle last week.

Cook Islands forward Brendan Piakura (ankle) also returns for the Broncos, along with Deine Mariner (back), who fills the void in the backline, with Jesse Arthars switching from wing to centre.

Mam and Cobbo join Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga (foot), Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty (biceps), Warriors forward Kurt Capewell (throat) and Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall (not selected) as the most notable absentees from teams named for the ANZAC Round.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has recalled Fijian wing star Maika Sivo and called up boom rookie Ethan Sanders, who is considered one of the brightest halfback prospects in the game, for Friday night's match against Manly.

Fellow rookie David Armstrong will also make his NRL debut at fullback for the Knights after being named to replace Ponga in Sunday's match against the Dolphins.

Veteran centre Dane Gagai returns from a week out with a calf injury and is the new Knights captain. Jed Cartwright takes the bench spot made vacant by Jack Hetherington’s suspension.

In other significant selection news:

• Halfback Sam Walker (head knock) and England winger Dom Young (suspension) return for the Roosters;
• The Rabbitohs welcome back Queensland Origin forward Jai Arrow (shoulder) for the ANZAC Day clash with Melbourne, while Cook will start at hooker after being dropped for the Round 6 win against the Bulldogs;
• Cleary returns for the Panthers in North Queensland after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury;
• Warriors utility Dylan Walker returns from an ankle injury for the ANZAC Day clash with the Titans on the bench alongside Zyon Maiu'u, who makes his NRL debut. 
• Italy's 2022 World Cup playmaker Daniel Atkinson replaces Trindall at five-eighth for the Sharks against the Raiders, who have called up Kaeo Weekes for Fogarty.

After enjoying a bye in Round 7, the Rabbitohs have made a number of changes with Cook recalled from NSW to start at hooker and Peter Mamouzelos moving to the bench.

Arrow is named to return from a shoulder injury in a massive boost for the Rabbitohs, while skipper Cameron Murray has completed the concussion protocols and takes his place at lock.

The loss of Tevita Tatola to a foot injury brings Shaquai Mitchell into the starting side while Jacob Gagai comes in on the wing for Tyrone Munro (collarbone).

Rugby union convert Solomon Alaimolo will make his NRL debut as an injury replacement for Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou.