Canberra playmaker Sam Williams is a late scratching from Friday night's trial against the Sydney Roosters after returning a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test.
Matt Frawley, Williams's roommate, has also been ruled out as a close contact.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who was named on the bench, will replace Williams as Brad Schneider's halves partner while Adrian Trevilyan will start at hooker.
The NRL has prepared for COVID-19 sidelining players throughout the season by allowing clubs to select development and feeder club players as replacements.
"We have communicated to the clubs that there is an opportunity for them to access players outside the top 30 before round 11, on the basis of the impact of a COVID positive case," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said on Thursday.
"Provided that the salary cap auditor has been provided evidence that there has been a positive COVID case for a player, then clubs are able to access players from outside their top 30 list in a controlled manner."
