James Segeyaro called in amid Manly Sea Eagles player boycott crisis

James Segeyaro will play his first NRL game in over three years after Manly were forced to call up three debutants for Thursday’s game against the Sydney Roosters at Brookvale Oval.

The Sea Eagles have only been able to name a 20-man squad when NRL guidelines state they usually must name a 22-player list on Tuesday.

The match between the ninth-placed Sea Eagles and the eighth-placed Roosters was pitted as a battle for finals football.

But the game has been overshadowed by seven Manly players withdrawing because of their stance on the club’s rainbow-detailed jersey.

Papua New Guinea international Segeyaro, who was banned for two years for testing positive to a banned substance in 2019 while at Brisbane, is one of three beneficiaries.

Segeyaro will come off the bench, with Alfred Smalley and Fiji international Pio Seci also drafted up from feeder club Blacktown to play on the wing.

Journeyman James Segeyaro returns to the NRL with Manly. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Ex-Canterbury forward James Roumanos and Zac Fulton – the grandson of club patriarch Bob Fulton – are part of the extended squad.

Taniela Paseka and Kurt de Luis start at prop, while Jake Trbojevic, hooker Lachlan Croker and edge forward Andrew Davey all return to the starting pack after missing last week’s game with COVID-19.

The Roosters, meanwhile, welcome back Joey Manu (calf) at centre and prop Lindsay Collins.

In Friday’s games, the Warriors have recalled Reece Walsh to take on an unchanged Melbourne starting side with Chanel Harris-Tavita partnering Shaun Johnson in the halves in Auckland.

Penrith have named Sean O’Sullivan to replace Jarome Luai (knee) at five-eighth with Robert Jennings coming in for Stephen Crichton (ear) at centre as they take on Parramatta.

The Eels have made just one change with Jake Arthur, who was booed last week, replaced on the bench by Bryce Cartwright.

In Saturday’s first of three games, Canberra have named an unchanged side as they seek to beat a Gold Coast side which has shifted Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to prop with Erin Clark locking the scrum.

Cronulla expect Dale Finucane to be cleared at the judiciary on Tuesday night and have named the lock to start in their home game against South Sydney.

Brisbane will hand highly-rated centre Deine Mariner his NRL debut at home against Wests Tigers.

Winger Selwyn Cobbo (concussion) is still unavailable.

The Tigers have made just one change to the side which pushed North Queensland to the last minute with Luke Garner (shoulder) being replaced by Alex Seyfarth in the back row.

Newcastle will be without fullback Kalyn Ponga for Sunday’s game against Canterbury.

Tex Hoy starts in the No.1 jersey, with the Bulldogs welcoming back their own fullback Jake Averillo after he missed last week with COVID-19.

St George Illawarra have picked Moses Mbye at fullback with Cody Ramsey (knee) sidelined for the clash with the Cowboys.

Jack Bird moves to centre for the Dragons against an unchanged North Queensland 17. Lock Reuben Cotter is part of their extended squad.