LIVE NRL: Star duo return as Dragons look to bounce back from Hook axing in Roosters clash

LIVE NRL: Star duo return as Dragons look to bounce back from Hook axing in Roosters clash

Both the Dragons and Roosters will be desperate for a win when they face each other on Friday night in one of the most intriguing clashes of Round 12.

It’s been a week from hell for the Dragons in which Anthony Griffin was sacked as head coach after months of speculation.

Interim coach Ryan Carr immediately recalled Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle — who were dropped by Griffin three weeks ago — into the side.

MATCH CENTRE: Dragons vs Roosters live score, stats, video

Round 12

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Lomax returns to the centres with Max Feagai dropping out, while Jacob Liddle has been named to start at hooker with Moses Mbye being dropped to the reserves.

Jayden Sullivan has been retained — but named on the bench — after he was left on the sideline for most of last week’s game in a bizarre move from Griffin.

And skipper Ben Hunt returns to halfback, where he will play the entire game, according to Carr.

It’s been a rough trot for the Roosters too, who are coming off back-to-back losses with their most recent being a 48-4 thrashing from the Panthers.

Coach Trent Robinson has been forced into making changes to his spine again after Joseph Manu was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Luke Keary shifts back to five-eighth with Mr. Fix It, Drew Hutchison named at halfback.

Meanwhile, star enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves won’t play due to a pectoral strain with Matt Lodge promoted to the starting side and Nathan Brown to make his club debut from the bench.

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