The Bulldogs will field their strongest team since their 2004 grand final victory following the return of Kiwi winger Matt Utai for their NRL opener against Penrith on Saturday.

The return of Utai is a timely boost for the Bulldogs, who also welcome back fullback Luke Patten (ankle, round 18), winger Hazem El Masri (knee, rd 20), centre Willie Tonga (knee, rd 9) and halfback Brent Sherwin (hand, rd 22) from season-ending injuries last year.

Only gun backrower Sonny Bill Williams and centre Cameron Phelps are unavailable through injury.

Utai has not played in any of the trial matches, but will take his place on the wing after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

"It's been a long time but I'm 100 per cent now," said Utai, who has also been battling an ankle problem.

"I've had some problems with injury but now I'm back to business.

"I've been on restricted training for the past six months, I'm keen for a run.

"We're glad all the other boys are back again.

"We're looking pretty good, we just have to get back to basics, playing basic footy.

"We have to gel as a team, mould together again as a team like we did in 2004."

Utai was hoping for a recall to the New Zealand side for the Anzac Test against Australia but said his main focus was a strong return for the Bulldogs, who take on a Panthers team missing Brett Howland, Luke Rooney, Trent Waterhouse and Frank Pritchard through injury.

"I've just got to concentrate on playing first grade at the moment," he said.

"If I did get picked for the New Zealand squad it would be a bonus."

In a surprise selection by coach Steve Folkes, Utai's high school buddy Andrew Emilio will make his first grade debut off the bench. The Bulldogs junior returned home after two seasons with the Sharks and a stint in the UK last year with the Widnes Vikings.

"He's got plenty of confidence and hopefully he'll go good for us," Utai said.

In other selection news, Nowra junior Michael Crockett will make his debut for the Wests Tigers from the interchange bench against St George Illawarra at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.

Dene Halatau (shoulder), Shane Elford (knee) and Chris Heighington (fractured eye) are unavailable for the defending premier due to injury.

Knee injuries have forced Dragons pair Ben Creagh and Shaun Timmins out of the match, with new recruits Andrew Price and Matt Bickerstaff to make their debut for the joint venture.

North Queensland enforcer Carl Webb will join fellow Maroons Brad Thorn, Corey Parker and Josh Hannay in the Queensland league.

Webb and Hannay have been left out of North Queensland's NRL squad for its clash against Brisbane on Sunday, while Thorn and Parker were dropped by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

Coach Ricky Stuart has made a selection shock by naming Jamie Soward at halfback, shifting Brett Finch to hooker and Craig Wing to the bench.

They'll take on a South Sydney team containing new recruits Stuart Webb, Jaiman Lowe and Joe Galuvao, while promising youngster Yileen Gordon has been named on a five-man bench.

The New Zealand Warriors have axed former Kangaroo prop Richard Villasanti for their match against Melbourne at Ericsson on Saturday. Former Sydney Rooster Grant Rovelli will make his first grade debut after being named on the Warriors bench, while Tony Martin returns on the wing after recovering from neck surgery.

Newcastle and Parramatta will field strong sides for the clash on Saturday, with only prop Luke Davico and lock forward Daniel Abraham unavailable for the Knights due to injury.

Michael Crocker and Garrett Crossman will make the debut for the Storm, who are bolstered by the return of frontrow Brett White from a hamstring strain. Winger Steve Turner makes his return after missing all of 2005 with an ankle injury.

Rookies Adrian Purtell, Willie Raston, and Ben Jones will make their debut for Canberra against Manly at Brookvale Oval on Saturday. Props Michael Weyman (ankle) and Dane Tilse (chest) and backrowers Alan Rothery (shoulder) and Kris Kahler (shoulder) are unavailable.

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