The omission of Friend (facial injury) and Ferguson (ribs) somewhat evens up the ledger with South Sydney missing Braidon Burns, George Burgess, Hymel Hunt.

Conor Watson is set to deputise for hooker Friend with a backline reshuffle to cover for the injured centre in Ferguson.

“There is always an intensity that goes into these games whether we try and admit it or not. There always is and it always ends up that way," Robinson said on Wednesday.

"I've said it before, we live next door to each other so it's always an important game.

"It's always one we look at at the start of the year - when we're playing each other.

"We look forward to a big battle again."