NRL: Stewart fit to face Rabbitohs

Kiwis prop Sam Rapira desperately hangs onto the jersey of Kangaroos fullback Brett Stewart. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Manly star Brett Stewart is to play in tomorrow night's qualifying final against South Sydney after training strongly at the club's Narrabeen base yesterday.

Stewart was a late withdrawal from Manly's final round loss to North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday because of an ankle injury, but was showing no ill effects as he trained alongside teammates ahead of the finals opener at Allianz Stadium.

The fullback was put through several drills that tested his ankle.

Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufua said he was looking forward to reuniting with Stewart against Souths.

"He is extremely important for us, he is the polish on all our backline moves," Taufua said. "It is great to have him back, he is a crucial part of what we do and I know he is really keen to get out there on Friday night."

In a further boost to the Sea Eagles' chances, prop Brenton Lawrence declared himself ready to take on the Rabbitohs after overcoming a knee complaint that has ruled him out of the last two games.

"The knee is fine, it is not going to hold me back at all," Lawrence said.

Manly's player of the year Kieran Foran said Lawrence's return was vital against the big Souths pack, with forwards Glenn Stewart (ankle), Jamie Buhrer (knee) and Matt Ballin (leg) all sidelined with injury.

"He is a huge part of the side, he has been a really valuable member of our forward pack," Foran said.

"He adds experience there and good go-forward, he has a really good work ethic."

The Bunnies' forwards rolled over the top of their Manly counterparts in their 23-4 win at the SCG in round 22.

But Manly got the better of Souths in round two at Gosford 14-12, when Jason King got under the skin of Sam Burgess.

"It was one game in a pretty good season for our team and after 26 rounds I think we are sitting in a good spot. We are excited, I'm certainly looking forward to this game," Lawrence said.