Hayne named at five-eighth for Eels
Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney has finally bitten the bullet and named Jarryd Hayne in the No.6 jumper as the Eels try to mount one last run at the NRL top eight.
Having named Hayne at fullback before switching him to five-eighth over the past fortnight, Kearney opted to leave the NSW State of Origin star at second receiver for Friday night's clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.
Five points out of the top eight with seven games remaining, the Eels desperately need to find a combination that can string some wins together, though backrower Reni Maitua said he wasn't sure if Hayne at five-eighth was a long-term proposition.
"That's two weeks now where he's slotted into the position quite well," Maitua said.
"I don't know if it's his future position. He's a brilliant fullback as well.
"In the meantime, while things seem to be working for us, there's no point in changing him from five-eighth."
Bulldogs' caretaker coach Jim Dymock stayed true to his word as he swung the axe, former Test centre Josh Morris dumped to the NSW Cup along with Michael Hodgson and Gary Warburton.
"I don't think it's desperation. We're just looking for wins so, if I have to make a change, I'll make it - hopefully, that will bring a first win for me," Dymock said.
Elsewhere, Wests Tigers welcome back Lote Tuqiri for just his fifth game of 2011 for Saturday night's clash with Sydney Roosters.
After missing a large chunk of the season with a broken arm, Tuqiri suffered an ankle injury in his comeback game against Newcastle six weeks ago, his return along with that of fellow winger Matt Utai forcing Beau Ryan and Mitch Brown out of the starting side.
Gold Coast's mid-season recruit Beau Henry will finally make his Titans' debut at five-eighth against North Queensland, with Ashley Harrison out for at least two weeks with an elbow injury.
Cowboys' coach Neil Henry has dropped Johnathan Thurston's fill-in Michael Morgan, with former Roosters' utility Ben Jones handed the No.7 jumper.
Cronulla winger Matthew Wright has been cleared of serious injury after being taken to hospital in a neck brace on Monday night following an awkward tackle involving St George Illawarra prop Michel Weyman.
While he won't play against Newcastle on Saturday night, Wright did not suffer any soft tissue damage, although his movement remains restricted after only being released at 3am (AEST) on Tuesday from St George Hospital.
Sharks' skipper Paul Gallen remains a 50-50 proposition after straining a calf muscle against the Dragons, while Jayson Bukuya is out for a month with an ankle ligament injury.
Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley has been named to return from a hamstring injury at fullback, Knights' coach Rick Stone sticking with impressive rookie Ryan Stig at five-eighth.
Fresh from their return to form against Cronulla on Monday night, St George Illawarra have been boosted by the return of NSW backrower Beau Scott and utility Kyle Stanley from injury.
Stanley will start at hooker for the first time in his career, with Mitch Rein going back to the bench.
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