A first half hat-trick might not get you sacked but it will get you demoted to the bench as Newcastle five-eighth Chris Bailey learnt on Tuesday.

Bailey has been dumped from the Knights starting side for Saturday's clash with the New Zealand Warriors after his starring three-try performance in Newcastle's 38-26 loss to Wests Tigers two weeks ago.

In the two weeks since Newcastle last played Bailey has signed a three-year deal to join Manly from 2009.

At the time of his hat-trick heroics Bailey's contractual situation was put to coach Brian Smith who insisted the 25-year-old's performance would not hurt his bartering power.

"I cannot remember the last bloke who scored three and someone wanted to sack him," said Smith following the Tigers clash.

"Not even me."

But Bailey has now been forced onto the bench, however his demotion is more likely due to the return of skipper and hooker Danny Buderus from Origin duty allowing Scott Dureau to shift back into the halves.

The Warriors have made their own scrum base changes this week with hooker Nathan Fien to partner halfback Grant Rovelli in the halves and Ian Henderson given a starting spot in the No.9 jersey.

Parramatta star Krisnan Inu will make his comeback from a severe ankle injury when the Eels travel to face frontrunners Brisbane on Friday night.

Inu injured his ankle early in the opening round win over the Bulldogs and has been named in the team after making a successful comeback from ankle surgery in the NSW Cup last weekend.

"I've been looking forward to this day for three months," Inu said.

"Recovery was long and hard so it's great to finally get to the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I'm just looking forward to putting the last 11 weeks behind me and getting on with the season."

Eels halfback Brett Finch will play his 200th NRL game on Friday.

"It's a massive honour for me to play 200 games," Finch said.

"But what would make it even sweeter is to get the win, that's the most important thing from my and from the teams perspective.

"I can think of no better way to mark the occasion than picking up two competition points in what's shaping to be a vital match in terms of our season."

North Queensland five-eighth Travis Burns (shoulder) returns for the Cowboys home clash with Penrith on Saturday, with flamboyant Panthers star Jarrod Sammut (illness) named on the wing after spending most of the year at halfback.

Melbourne's Test star Greg Inglis (knee) is back for the Storm's home clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday with new Dogs recruit Nick Youngquest thrown straight into fullback just days after joining from the Wests Tigers in a midseason swap.

Bronson Harrison (knee) is back for the Wests Tigers for what is shaping as a cracker Monday night clash with the in-form Sydney Roosters at Sydney Football Stadium.

Harrison replaces Liam Fulton (shoulder) who has been ruled out indefinitely.

South Sydney's George Ndaira will become the Rabbitohs sixth halfback of 2008 when he swaps with fellow hooker Issac Luke in Sunday's clash with St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.

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