Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has doubled down on his new-look spine with Kaeo Weekes selected at fullback and Adam Cook retaining his spot at halfback for Sunday's home game against the Knights.
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In an attempt to get the Raiders back into form Stuart reshuffled the backline in last weekend's defeat in Melbourne. The coach seems to have liked what he saw from Weekes and Cook as the pair will reprise their roles.
The Raiders will need any edge they can get too, with Knights star Kalyn Ponga returning from a foot injury to captain the visitors at fullback.
With Weekes to wear the No.1 jersey, veteran Jordan Rapana shifts to the wing, and centre Sebastian Kris was dropped to 18th man for round 18 with Albert Hopoate replacing him.
There were fears that Matt Timoko would miss game-time after injuring his shoulder in back-to-back rounds, but after getting scans he was cleared to train on Tuesday and has been named in the centres. He is expected to play.
Young forward Jordan Martin's NRL debut last weekend was soured by a head knock in an awkward tackle which means he is now in concussion protocols and won't play. That injury has elevated versatile back-rower Simi Sasagi into the 17 on the bench.
Meanwhile, after a monster match against the Storm where he had a game-high 52 tackles, hooker Tom Starling has been greenlit to start ahead of Danny Levi.
Starling will face his hometown team sporting some new stitches after suffering an ugly head gash last weekend.
A return home to Canberra Stadium couldn't come at a better time as the Raiders try to snap a three-game losing streak.
It'll be one of five remaining home games for the Green Machine in the regular season, and securing a win in as many of those as possible will go a long way to helping them get back into finals contention as they sit in 12th position.
Canberra will be without forward Corey Horsburgh for at least the next month after 'Big Red' copped a three-game ban from a NSW Cup melee, while outside-back Nick Cotric (ankle), second-rower Zac Hosking (shoulder) and experienced halfback Jamal Fogarty (biceps) all remain sidelined with injuries.
SPEEDY RAIDER GAINING HYPE
Is Kaeo Weekes the new "fastest man on the planet"?
Renowned sprint coach to NRL stars Roger Fabri suggested the Canberra Raiders halfback just may be, as his incredible speed continues to impress league pundits.
Weekes burned young Storm winger Sualauvi Faalogo with ease on his way to scoring the Raiders' only try in a 16-6 round 17 loss.
It wasn't the first time this season Weekes has been able to turn on the jets at his new club, and it's not gone unnoticed, with former lightning-quick back Billy Slater giving him plenty of praise.
"That was a nice moment for Kaeo Weekes. He left him [Faalogo] standing still. He's got some genuine pace," Slater said on Nine. "He's quick!"
Fabri trains regularly with NRL stars working on their running technique, including speed king Josh Addo-Carr, who was famously dubbed by commentator Phil Gould as "the fastest man on the planet".
Fabri said Weekes has long been on his radar, comparing him to the likes of the Bulldogs winger, Manly's Jason Saab and Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
"This is a guy I identified when he was at Manly with some raw speed," Fabri said in an Instagram video.
"He doesn't really get brought up a lot when we're talking about the fastest players in the game. He's definitely quick, but I think he can hold high speed for a lot longer than [other] halfbacks could.
"I reckon Canberra have got a great player there. Damn, I've got a big rap on this guy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 10 [fastest]."
NRL ROUND 18
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Jordan Rapana, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Albert Hopoate, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Adam Cook, 8. Josh Papali'i, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (C), 13. Morgan Smithies. Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi. Reserves: 18. Seb Kris, 19. Zac Woolford, 20. Emre Guler, 21. James Schiller, 22. Hohepa Puru.
Knights squad: 1. Kalyn Ponga (C), 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Will Pryce, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14. Fletcher Sharpe, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Brodie Jones, 17. Dylan Lucas. Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker, 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Jack Cogger, 21. Krystian Mapapalangi, 22. Thomas Cant.