The Canberra Raiders have named Xavier Savage to make his legitimate NRL debut against the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday night.
Ricky Stuart said he wanted to “find energy” after his side’s humiliating 44-6 loss to the Titans last week but has made just four forced changes to his 17.
Savage made an illegitimate debut against the Dragons two rounds ago but will officially become Raider #377 on Thursday when he lines up at fullback. He replaces Bailey Simonsson who is out for 4-6 weeks with a toe injury.
The Raiders will also be without Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton due to State of Origin selection, while co-captain Elliott Whitehead is out with a shoulder injury.
Matt Frawley will play his first NRL match this season at five-eighth alongside Sam Williams in the halves.
Hudson Young returns to the side for the first time in round 11 and replaces Whitehead in the back row.
Emre Guler will start in the front row in place of Papalii with Ryan James coming onto the bench.
Their opponents, Manly, will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic and captain Daly Cherry-Evans for the clash.
The match will be played behind closed doors due to the current Greater Sydney lockdown measures.
Raiders and Sea Eagles team lists
| Raiders | Manly | |
| Xavier Savage | 1 | Reuben Garrick |
| Semi Valemei | 2 | Jason Saab |
| Jarrod Croker | 3 | Brad Parker |
| Seb Kris | 4 | Morgan Harper |
| Jordan Rapana | 5 | Moses Suli |
| Matt Frawley | 6 | Kieran Foran |
| Sam Williams | 7 | Dylan Walker |
| Emre Guler | 8 | Taniela Paseka |
| Josh Hodgson | 9 | Lachlan Croker |
| Dunamis Lui | 10 | Martin Taupau |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 11 | Haumole Olakau’atu |
| Hudson Young | 12 | Karl Lawton |
| Ryan Sutton | 13 | Sean Keppie |
| Bench | Bench | |
| Tom Starling | 14 | Cade Cust |
| Ryan James | 15 | Ben Trbojevic |
| Sia Soliola | 16 | Kurt De Luis |
| Joe Tapine | 17 | Toafofoa Sipley |
| Reserves | Reserves | |
| Matthew Timoko | 18 | Jack Gosiewski |
| Hudson Young | 19 | Tevita Funa |
| Matt Frawley | 20 | Jorge Taufua |
| Ryan James | 21 | Tolutau Koula |
| Coach | Coach | |
| Ricky Stuart | Des Hasler |
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