There will be no soft introduction for star Wests Tigers recruit Lote Tuqiri, with coach Tim Sheens rushing him straight onto the left wing for his return to the NRL against Manly on Monday night.
Despite seven years away from the game - and with just five days to prepare after flying back in from England - Tuqiri will hit the ground running against one of the NRL's most physically demanding teams.
There was speculation the dual international may be given until Round 2 to find his feet after seven years in the rugby union ranks, but Sheens is happy to risk him 'sight unseen' in the SFS encounter.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler has already indicated he will direct plenty of traffic at the dreadlocked winger, predicting Tuqiri will find the game 'foreign' after so long away.
Jason Cayless, Junior Moors and Mark Flanagan will make their first appearances in Wests Tigers colours, while 2005 premiership winners Liam Fulton and Daniel Fitzhenry are back in the squad after stints overseas.
Hasler has unveiled his new halves pairing, Kieran Foran to start at half-back alongside Jamie Lyon.
Giant Tony Williams will play centre, with Terrence Seu Seu to start his career in maroon and white off the bench.
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett is obviously expecting a physical encounter with the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night, choosing four front-rowers on his bench.
Interchange forwards Jon Green, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy and Trent Merrin are all capable of playing prop.
Hunt said: "We're not worried about how big they are, we've got our job to do. We're just going to get out there and meet fire with fire."
Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has chosen a host of fresh faces for his side's clash with North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Corey Norman gets first shot at inheriting Karmichael Hunt's No.1 jumper, while Gerard Beale will cover for the injured Justin Hodges in the centres.
Rookies Matt Gillett and Mitchell Dodds will receive their chance off the bench.
Controversial off-season buy Willie Mason will start his career as a Cowboy off the bench.
Steve Turner and Mickey Paea are the new faces in the Bulldogs team to tackle Newcastle at ANZ Stadium on Saturday evening.
New recruits Reece Robinson and Danny Galea will both debut for the Raiders in their clash with Penrith at CUA Stadium on Saturday night.
Robinson has been named on the wing while Galea will play second-row.
Marc Herbert has edged out Josh McCrone for the half-back spot.
Herbert's combination with five-eighth Terry Campese over the off-season impressed coach David Furner.
"We've looked at the two trial games and I'm confident in our halves combination. I thought Marc and Terry showed a little bit better combination, but Josh McCrone wasn't far off."
Unknown winger Isaac Gordon will start for Cronulla against premier Melbourne at Toyota Park on Saturday night, while John Morris has won the contentious hooking role.
Four new signings - Josh Cordoba, Albert Kelly, Adam Cuthbertson and Paul Aiton - will line the Sharks bench.
And the Roosters have included new boys Todd Carney, Phil Graham and Jason Ryles in their starting team to meet South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
Carney will play fullback with Anthony Minichiello named on the wing.
Big off-season purchases Sam Burgess and David Taylor will line-up for their first NRL match with the Rabbitohs.