Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has resisted the urge for mass sackings and kept faith in the players who have guided the 2005 premiers to an 0-4 start to the NRL season.

Sheens made only minor adjustments to his run-on side for Sunday's clash against Cronulla at Campbelltown Stadium with Chris Heighington and Taniela Tuiaki coming into the starting line-up for Bryce Gibbs and Jason Moodie respectively.

"We led the game (against North Queensland) until the last minute, what should I do, wholesale sackings?" Sheens said.

"I know that within that squad results will be there.

"We've had really a good strong season, as silly as that sounds."

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart has stuck with the side which thumped St George Illawarra on Monday night, State of Origin forwards Ben Ross and Paul Gallen to again start from the bench.

As expected Jarrod Mullen was named to replace the retired Andrew Johns in the Newcastle No.7 jumper for Sunday's game against South Sydney, the Knights coach sticking with his gameplan of playing Kurt Gidley at fullback and Daniel Abraham at five-eighth.

Rabbitohs co-captain David Kidwell, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury following a freak accident at home, has been replaced by another New Zealander in Joe Galuvao.

Dean Widders comes into the starting line-up with Galuvao onto the bench.

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown has dropped halfback Mathew Head to Premier League, the diminutive playmaker struggling to find his best form following a long layoff with a knee injury.

Rookie Richie Williams will again partner Ben Hornby in the halves while Jason Ryles has also been cleared of a shoulder injury and been named to take on premiership favourites Melbourne on Saturday.

Elsewhere, winger Todd Byrne will make his first appearance of the NRL season in place of the injured Michael Crockett when the New Zealand Warriors' host unbeaten North Queensland in Auckland on Sunday.

Premiers Brisbane have regained the services of Tonie Carroll following a two game suspension for a dangerous throw, the former Test lock named in the centres with Brent Tate moving onto the wing.

Bulldogs prop Mark O'Meley has also been rushed straight back into the starting line-up, with Chris Armit put back to the bench for their Telstra Stadium tussle with unbeaten Manly.

Parramatta have lost hooker Mark Riddell (thumb) and backrower Chad Robinson (hand) for the local derby against Penrith at CUA Stadium on Friday night, PJ Marsh and Ian Hindmarsh coming into the starting side.

Canberra winger Brett Kelly will make his debut for the club against the Sydney Roosters on Monday night at Canberra Stadium.

The 23-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in the pre-season after moving to the nation's capital from the Sharks.

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