South Sydney have dumped Rhys Wesser and Fetuli Talanoa from their side to face Canterbury on Saturday night, after the pair turned in sub-par performances in Monday's NRL loss to St George Illawarra.

Wesser, 32, came up with a crucial error against the Dragons, when he squandered an attacking chance by kicking over the dead-ball line on the first tackle, with Souths deep on the attack.

One of the game's most anticipated young talents will debut at fullback in place of Wesser, in James Roberts.

The 18-year-old speedster has been an attacking sensation for the Rabbitohs' Toyota Cup side, with former great Andrew Johns already identifying him as a star of the future.

Talanoa meanwhile, paid the price for five errors against the Dragons, and bench player Chris McQueen will start in his place on the wing.

Suspended backrower Eddy Pettybourne returns to the Souths side, as the Rabbitohs prepare for a rematch against the Bulldogs, who they lost to in round two.

Josh Morris is set to make his return to the NRL against the Bunnies, after missing the past five weeks with a knee injury.

He has been named in his usual centre spot, with Tim Lafai making way.

Manly have again named Brett Stewart to start at fullback, but Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler said he won't play unless he's fully recovered from his hamstring problem.

Stewart has missed the past three weeks, and Michael Oldfield is again on standby to come into the backline if the former NSW No.1 is ruled out.

"We're working on getting him back this week but we're in a position where we can be cautious with him," said Hasler on Tuesday.

"We don't have to rush it. A hamstring is an injury where if it's not handled right it can end up setting you back six to eight weeks.

"We don't need to do that."

Young gun Will Hopoate has been doing an excellent job switching from the wing to fullback in Stewart's absence and Hasler said the 18-year-old is in the frame for City Origin representative selection.

Hasler is confident the Sea Eagles can hold onto the off-contract Hopoate.

"Yes, I've got to be confident. I am confident he will stay," he said.

Across the Tasman, prop Jacob Lillyman and second rower Ukuma Ta'ai return from injury while halfback Brett Seymour earns a recall at halfback for the Warriors against Melbourne next Monday.

Canberra named an unchanged line-up for their clash with Newcastle, however Alan Tongue, Josh Dugan and Matt Orford are all chances to return from injury.

Wests Tigers injury crisis has eased with fullback Wade McKinnon, winger Beau Ryan, prop Keith Galloway and back-rower Liam Fulton all named for Friday's meeting with Brisbane.

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