Depleted Canberra have been forced to name veteran backrower Alan Tongue at halfback for Saturday's NRL match against North Queensland due to their mounting injury toll.

Raiders skipper Tongue will partner Terry Campese in the halves after halfback Marc Herbert suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's win over South Sydney.

The Raiders are battling a personnel crisis with a season-ending injury to prop Troy Thompson against the Rabbitohs also reducing their first-grade squad to just 17 available players.

Coach Neil Henry has drafted in several youngsters for the match at Dairy Farmers Stadium including Cy Lasscock and Ben Jones.

Tongue, who has had to play in the halves already this season, said he was unfazed at having the No.7 on his back against the Cowboys.

"It's just a number on the back really," Tongue said.

"I've played more of a ball-playing role this year anyway so it's just an extension of this.

Tongue said Campese would do most of the kicking, with the rest of the team to share the secondary kicking duties.

"Campo is definitely going to do the bulk of the kicking but we do have options," Tongue said.

"I can kick if we need something and Glen Buttriss has the ability out of dummy half as well."

Tongue's inclusion at half sees a reshuffle of the backrow with Nigel Plum moving to lock, while Thompson's position upfront has been filled by veteran prop Scott Logan.

Canberra will be guaranteed a finals spot with a win on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Penrith backrower Frank Pritchard has not been named for the Panthers' must win match against New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday.

Pritchard was accused of exaggerating a shoulder injury to stay off the field during the Panthers' 40-6 loss to Melbourne at CUA Stadium on Monday night.

Panthers coach Matthew Elliott staunchly defended the allegations and said the omission was injury-based with the problem potentially keeping Pritchard out for the season.

"He's had an MRI on it today, so they're just assessing if he'll need surgery immediately or if we can nurse it through another week or two," Elliott said.

"Just after the contact on the weekend we need to determine whether it needs surgery straight away."

Elliott also recalled utility Jarrod Sammut onto the bench and said he could start with centre Brad Tighe in doubt for the match.

The Warriors welcome back backrower Micheal Luck for the clash.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has made several changes to his side to face Cronulla on Friday after two heavy losses.

Robbie Farah has been switched from halfback to hooker with John Morris given another crack in the No.7.

Youngsters Tim Moltzen and Daine Laurie were promoted to the starting line-up.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart has moved Paul Gallen to lock in the absence of troubled star Greg Bird, with Adam Peek promoted into the starting line-up.

Matt Hilder will replace Danny Buderus at hooker in Saturday night's match against an unchanged Melbourne after the veteran No.9's NRL career came to a premature end due to a biceps injury.

Manly coach Des Hasler named Anthony Watmough at five-eighth for Monday night's clash with the Gold Coast, with veteran Steve Menzies shifted to the backrow.

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