Canterbury excitement machine Ben Barba will finally get his starting chance when he replaces NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley for the Bulldogs' NRL clash with Penrith on Monday night.

Barba has scored nine tries already this year as an impact player off the Bulldogs' bench, but will wear the No.7 jersey at CUA Stadium.

The elusive utility recently re-signed with the club until the end of 2012 but not before reports had emerged he was keen for a starting berth.

He will get that opportunity with Kimmorley in camp with the Blues, while newcomer Shane Neumann replaces Jamal Idris at centre and Dene Halatau will play hooker in place of Michael Ennis.

"We're in a great position to cover the gaps left by our Origin players," Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore told the club's website.

"All of the players coming into the team are in top form and are slotting in well amongst our regular first-graders."

Penrith will be without skipper Petero Civoniceva (Queensland) and back-rowers Trent Waterhouse and Luke Lewis (both NSW), with Matthew Bell, Gavin Cooper and Nathan Smith their replacements.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has stuck thick with the players humiliated 50-10 by South Sydney on Sunday, although a long injury list has left him with few options for Friday's clash with Newcastle.

Geoff Daniela replaces the injured Blake Ayshford (groin) at centre, while forwards Josh Davis and Simon Dwyer have been named on a five-man bench.

Knights and NSW skipper Kurt Gidley will be replaced by Wes Naiqama, while hooker Isaac De Gois (ribs) has not been named and his place will be taken by Matt Hilder.

St George Illawarra have named an almost unrecognisable side for Sunday's WIN Stadium clash with Canberra with six of their players on Origin duty.

Among the changes, Kyle Stanley will make his debut at fullback, centre Beau Scott returns early from a knee injury and Ricky Thorby and Nick Emmett form a new-look back row.

Canberra have named Scott Logan and Joe Picker as the replacements for their Origin reps, David Shillington and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

Parramatta welcome winger Eric Grothe back from a knee injury for Saturday's home game against Cronulla.

Kris Keating (knee, ankle) has been named at five-eighth and youngster Tom Humble is Blues star Jarryd Hayne's replacement at fullback.

Scott Geddes replaces South Sydney captain Roy Asotasi (shoulder) for Sunday's trip across the Tasman to face the Warriors, while Luke Stuart will skipper the side.

Eddy Pettybourne replaces Maroons rep Dave Taylor, while former Queensland Origin star Michael Crocker, still yet to play a game this year, has again been named on the bench.

Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei (leg) has been replaced by Bill Tupou, while skipper Simon Mannering is set to make just his third appearance of the season after finally overcoming a hamstring injury.

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