Country have been rocked by the withdrawal of Dragons stars Trent Merrin and Josh Dugan for Sunday’s showdown with City at Dubbo.
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Merrin withdrew with a hand problem, while Dugan will miss the game due to an ankle injury.
Country’s 18th man Tyson Frizell is unable to come into the squad after he was ruled out with an ankle complaint.
Shellharbour junior Merrin is replaced in the starting lineup by Gerringong’s Tariq Sims, with Newcastle forward Robbie Rochow coming on to the bench.
Gold Coast’s David Mead replaces Dugan at fullback, while a new 18th man is yet to be named.
Meanwhile, City announced Bulldogs-bound hooker Michael Lichaa, has been named City’s 18th man, despite being on the outer at Cronulla after signing with their NRL rivals.
In other rugby league news, Wests Tigers’ Tim Simona took the early guilty plea and will miss two weeks for a dangerous throw on Titans playmaker Aidan Sezer.
Gold Coast’s Paul Carter will contest a grade one high tackle charge on Tigers’ David Nofoaluma at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.
CITY v COUNTRY
Sunday at Dubbo (3pm)
1 David Mead, Gold Coast Titans (Marist Bros Lismore)
2 Kevin Gordon, Gold Coast Titans (Sawtell Panthers)
3 Jack Wighton, Canberra Raiders (Orange CYMS)
4 Jamal Idris, Penrith Panthers (Forster Hawks)
5 James McManus, Newcastle Knights (Newcastle JRL)
6 Jarrod Mullen, Newcastle Knights (Wests Newcastle)
7 Tyrone Roberts, Newcastle Knights (Ballina)
8 Tariq Sims, Nth Queensland Cowboys (Gerringong Lions)
9 Mitch Rein, St George Illawarra Dragons (Kiama Knights)
10 Aiden Tolman, Canterbury Bulldogs (Smithtown Tigers)
11 Beau Scott (c), Newcastle Knights (Picton Magpies)
12 Josh Jackson, Canterbury Bulldogs (Gulgong Terriers)
13 Adam Docker, Penrith Panthers (Shellharbour Sharks)
Interchange
14 Josh McCrone, Canberra Raiders (Temora Dragons)
15 Paul Vaughan, Canberra Raiders (Gungahlin Bulls)
16 Dale Finucane, Canterbury Bulldogs (Bega Roosters)
17 Robbie Rochow, Newcastle Knights (East Maitland Griffins)