Teams

Hey team,  again bought to you by those folk over at Sportsline, here’s your late news and teams.

No changes are expected for the clash between St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers with at least a 30,000 strong crowd expected at the Sydney Football Stadium however there could still be some positional changes before kick off.

The North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury play in tonight’s other game with the Cowboys holding fitness concerns over Kalifa Fai Fai Loa who injured his hamstring in the win over Penrith last week, Will Tupou is on standby for him while Scott Bolton will travel to Sydney as cover for Matt Scott who has a back injury.

Penrith say Luke Lewis is likely to play despite suffering concussion in the loss to North Queensland, the Panthers should be as per program with either Masada Iosefa or Nafe Seluini dropping off the bench. Melbourne could welcome back four players who were forced to withdraw from the game against Parramatta due to injury, Gareth Widdop, Sika Manu, Rory Kostjasyn and Matt Duffie all rated some chance of playing.

Brisbane should be as named while Warriors 18th man Lewis Brown is still a chance of playing.

Cronulla have place Tyson Frizell on standby for Paul Gallen should he fail to come through training due to a calf injury although there is some talk according to Peter Sterling on the NRL website that Gallen may play even if he isn’t 100% fit. Gold Coast should be unchanged.

Newcastle have cleared Evarn Tuimavave to take his spot in the Knights side to face Canberra while Knights coach Rick Stone admitted this morning that Richie Fa’aoso was still in doubt. Off the field, Hunter Sports Group is expected to make an announcement at 4pm this afternoon, speculation is mounting that they will announce the take over of the Newcastle Knights has been completed.

Canberra say both Josh Dugan and Jarrod Croker are likely to play despite not training this week, the Raiders say they are close to re signing Blake Ferguson to a new 3 year deal.

Manly have injury concerns over Tony Williams, if he does play expect Vic Mauro and Darcy Lussick to drop off the bench. Sydney Roosters should as per the program.

As should South Sydney when they take on the unlucky Parramatta in Monday night footy. Parramatta are keeping an eye on Jordan Atkins but he is expected to play.

 

FRIDAY

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys

ANZ Stadium, 7:35pm

Canterbury Bulldogs

After two weeks in NSW Cup Josh Morris returns to the NRL in the centres replacing Tim Lafai

Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Jonathan Wright, Ben Roberts, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Joel Romelo, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan (c), Dene Halatau. Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Chris Armit, Corey Payne, Josh Reynolds

North Queensland Cowboys:

No changes for North Queensland however Kalifa Fai Fai Loa faces a fitness test on a hamstring injury

Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Ben Jones, Matthew Scott (c), Aaron Payne, Ashton Sims, Gavin Cooper, Tariq Sims, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Glenn Hall, Cory Paterson, James Tamou
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons 

Sydney Football Stadium, 7:35pm

Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers have named a near full strength side with Wade McKinnon named on a five man bench.

Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange (from): Wade McKinnon, Todd Payten, Mitch Brown, Aaron Woods, Matt Groat

St George Illawarra Dragons:

Only change for the Dragons is Dean Young returns from a knee injury on the bench

Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark  Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior, Interchange (from): Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Adam Cuthbertson, Dean Young, Kyle Stanley, Mitch Rein

SATURDAY

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers

AAMI Park, 5:30pm

Melbourne Storm:

Craig Bellamy names an unchanged side with Matt Duffie, Rory Kostjasyn, Sika Manu and Gareth Widdop ruled out until round 23

Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Sisa Waqa, Maurice Blair, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Robbie Rochow, Atelea Vea, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe

Penrith Panthers:

Penrith have named Luke Lewis in the side to face the Storm, they’ve added Nafe Seluini and Masada Iosefa to their bench.

David Simmons, Ryan Walker, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Harry Seijka, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva (c), Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis. Interchange (from): Nafe Seluini, Nathan Smith, Matthew Bell, Sam McKendry, Masada Iosefa
Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans 

Toyota Stadium, 7:30pm

Cronulla Sharks:

Big news in the Cronulla camp with Paul Gallen set to return from injury but the rest of the side cops an overhaul with Isaac Gordon replacing Nathan Gardner at fullback, Gardner goes back to an extended bench, Ricky Leutele goes to centre. Kade Snowden and Paul Aiton also named on the bench.

Isaac  Gordon, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Ricky Leutele, Nathan  Stapleton, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Josh Cordoba, John Morris, Luke  Douglas, Jeremy  Smith, Taulima Tautai, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange (from): Kade Snowden, Sam Tagataese, Paul Aiton, Anthony Tupou, Johnny Mannah, Nathan Gardner, Tyson Frizell

Gold Coast Titans:

The Titans have been forced to rule out Greg Bird through injury, his place in the side has been taken by Luke O’Dwyer who will play lock. Dom Peyroux moves to the centres with Steve Michaels returning on the wing. Bodene Thompson and Dragons bound Will Matthews join Brenton Lawrence and Preston Campbell on the bench

Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, William Zillman, Dominique Peyroux, David Mead, Beau Henry, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Matt White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Luke O’Dwyer, Interchange: Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Preston Campbell
Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors

Suncorp Stadium, 7:30pm

Brisbane Broncos:

Brisbane have been strengthened by Ben Te’o’s return from an arm injury on the bench, he replaces David Hala.

Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Ben Te’o, Josh McGuire

New Zealand Warriors:

Ivan Cleary has added Lewis Brown to bench of  the side that beat Canberra on Sunday in the only change to the side. Centre Joel Moon is expected to sign at least a two year deal with ESL side Salford soon

Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Joel Moon, Shaun Berrigan, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (C), Micheal Luck. Interchange (from): Pita Godinet, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Lewis Brown

SUNDAY

Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders

Ausgrid Stadium, 2:00pm

Newcastle Knights:

Riche Fa’aoso returns from a hamstring injury on the bench. Adam MacDougall remains the Knights starting side while Zane Tetevano, who has been named on the bench, has re signed for another two years.

Kurt Gidley (c), James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Ryan Stig, Jarrod Mullen, Evarn Tuimavave, Isaac De Gois, Antonio Kaufusi, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Joel Edwards. Interchange (from): Matt Hilder, Richie Fa’aoso, Cameron Ciraldo, Zane Tetevano, Keith Lulia

Canberra Raiders:

One change for Canberra with David Shillington named to start and Dane Tilse back to the bench. The Raiders today announced the re signing of hooker Glenn Buttriss

Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (c), David Shillington, Josh Papalii , Bronson Harrison , Shaun Fensom. Interchange (from): Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Danny Galea, Dane Tilse, Joe Picker, Sam Mataora
Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters

Brookvale Oval, 3:00pm

Manly Sea Eagles:

Michael Oldfield replaces Michael Robertson who is out due to concussion. Tony Williams comes back from injury on the bench. Sports News First are reporting today that the Sea Eagles have begun negotiations to keep George Rose beyond this year.

Brett Stewart, Michael Oldfield, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (c), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Tony Williams, Jamie Buhrer, Shane Rodney, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Darcy Lussick

Sydney Roosters:

Roosters name an unchanged side.

Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Phil Graham, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jason  Ryles, Jake Friend, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Braith  Anasta (c), Aidan Guerra, Nate Myles. Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Mose Masoe, Brad Takairangi, Lama Tasi

MONDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Parramatta Eels

ANZ Stadium, 7:00pm

South Sydney Rabbitohs:

Dave Taylor returns from suspension for the Rabbitohs

Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Eddy Pettybourne, David Taylor, Michael Crocker (c). Interchange (from): Luke Burgess, Dave Tyrrell, Jason Clark, Nathan Peats, Shaune Corrigan

Parramatta Eels:

Casey McGuire moves to half back with Manase Manukafoa named on an extended bench. Jeff Robson’s season is over after he suffered a depressed fracture to his cheekbone after a collision with Sisa Waqa in loss to Melbourne last night.

Luke Burt, Etu Uaisele, Justin Horo, Ben Smith, Jordan Atkins, Jarryd Hayne, Casey McGuire, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh (C), Taniela Lasalo, Reni Maitua. Interchange: Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Pat O’Hanlon, Manase Manuokafoa

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