R23 Teams

Again – from the folks at Sportsline!

 

The Wests Tigers are expected to line up 1 – 17 for tonight’s clash with Penrith while Penrith have the fullback spot vacant after Michael Jennings was dropped to NSW Cup (see previous blog post), David Simmons will shift to fullback with Shane Elford onto the wing while seems to be some school of thought that Luke Lewis could yet play tonight.

In tonight’s other game, North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston has been deemed a near certainty to take his pace in the Cowboys side to face Brisbane. Hooker Aaron Payne is out with a fractured eye socket with James Segeyaro to replace him and Cory Paterson onto the bench.

Turning to Saturday’s matches and the Warriors should run out as named while Newcastle have ruled out Matt Hilder because of a foot injury. Peter Mata’utia has been added to the bench and is more likely to play with Keith Lulia dropping off the bench.

A corked leg has Gold Coast Titans second rower Anthony Laffranchi in some doubt to face Melbourne. The Titans will finalise their side today. Greg Bird is the 18th man however he needs to pass a fitness test.

Melbourne say the only player from their side in doubt is Jesse Bromwich due to an elbow injury.

Both Parramatta and Manly are expected to be as named with Eels winger Jordan Atkins recovering from a neck injury. The only player in any real doubt is Manly’s Tony Williams who has a hamstring injury

Canberra’s Reece Robinson will undergo a fitness test on a knee injury but Raiders say he should be okay to play. Alan Tongue has a shoulder injury but should play.

South Sydney should be as named.

St George Illawarra have ruled Mark Gasnier out due to a hip flexor injury while Jamie Soward is in doubt with a back injury and is no certainty to play.

Meanwhile Sydney Roosters have stood down Todd Carney and Nate Myles for disciplinary reasons. Braith Anasta is tipped to go to five eighth. Quite likely that Tom Symonds could come into that Roosters side.

Paul Gallen is in slight doubt for Cronulla’s clash with Canterbury. Shane Flanagan will decide who to drop off his bench with Josh Cordoba likely to play, it will come down to Albert Kelly or Colin Best. Bulldogs to be as per program.

FRIDAY:

North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos

Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:35pm

North Queensland Cowboys: 

Both Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott have been named to return from injury along with Kalifa Fai Fai Loa meaning Matthew Bowen goes back to the fullback role

Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matthew Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Tariq Sims, Dallas Johnson. Interchange (from): James Segeyaro, Glenn Hall, Scott Bolton, Ashton Sims, Cory Paterson

Brisbane Broncos:

Ben Hannant is out with a rib injury meaning Josh McGuire comes into the starting side and David Hala comes onto the bench.

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

Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers

Centrebet Stadium, 7:35pm

Penrith Panthers: 

Steve Georgallis has moved Michael Jennings to fullback while Junior Vai Vai comes onto the wing for Ryan Walker. Harry Siejka replaces Luke Lewis (Lewis has a shoulder injury), Nafe Seluini will start at hooker with Kevin Kingston back to the bench. Masada Iosefa is out replaced by Dayne Weston

Michael Jennings, David Simmons, Brad Tighe, Junior Vai Vai, Adrian Purtell, Harry Seijka, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Nafe Seluini, Petero Civoniceva (c), Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Kevin Kingston, Dayne Weston, Sam McKendry, Matthew Bell

Wests Tigers

Only one change for the Wests Tigers with Mitch Brown replacing Chris Lawrence in the centres.

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

SATURDAY:

New Zealand Warriors v Newcastle Knights

Mt Smart Stadium, 5:30pm

New Zealand Warriors:

Warriors welcome Joel Moon back into the centres while Ukuma Ta’ai returns from injury on the bech. Elijah Taylor is out, he is being rested.

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, Ukuma Ta’Ai, Lewis Brown

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle name an unchanged side for clash with the Warriors

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: Matt Hilder, Richie Fa’aoso, Cameron Ciraldo, Zane Tetevano

Parramatta Eels v Manly Sea Eagles

Parramatta Stadium, 7:30pm

Parramatta Eels

After being ruled out through illness last night, Reni Maitua returns to the Eels line up with Rory Brien sent back to Toyota Cup. Carl Webb announced his immediate retirement from rugby league today

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, Justin Poore

Manly Sea Eagles

Michael Robertson returns from concussion on the wing while George Rose replaces Jason King in the starting side

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

Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm

Skilled Park, 7:30pm

Gold Coast Titans

Preston Campbell replaces the injured Scott Prince at halfback. Clinton Toopi comes onto the bench. Greg Bird has been named on an extended bench

Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, William Zillman, Dominique Peyroux, David Mead, Beau Henry, Preston Campbell, Luke Bailey (c), Matt Srama, Matt White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Luke O’Dwyer. Interchange (from): Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Clinton Toopi, Greg Bird

Melbourne Storm: 

The Melbourne Storm have lost Adam Woolnough for 3 weeks due to an achilles injury while Jesse Bromwich is named to return to the Storm side.

Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Maurice Blair, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Kevin Proctor. Interchange: Beau Champion, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Atelea Vea, Jaiman Lowe

Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs 

Canberra Stadium, 2:00pm

Canberra Raiders:

Reece Robinson replaces Daniel Vidot on the wing after the Raiders granted Vidot compassionate leave. Josh Miller comes onto the bench along with Sam Mataora.

Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Reece Robinson, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (c), David Shillington, Danny Galea, Bronson Harrison , Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Joe Picker, Josh Miller, Josh Papalii , Sam Mataora

South Sydney Rabbitohs:

Rabbitohs unchanged for clash with Canberra, Nathan Merritt remaining at fullback.

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

St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

WIN Stadium, 3:00pm

St George Illawarra Dragons: 

No changes for the Dragons who will be looking to get back on track against the Roosters.

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: Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Adam Cuthbertson, Dean Young

Sydney Roosters

Roosters side dependent on outcome of disciplinary meeting tomorrow morning after Todd Carney, Nate Myles and Frank Paul Nuuausala broke a team committment not to drink alcohol for two weeks. For now the Roosters are unchanged.

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:

Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Toyota Stadium, 7:00pm

Cronulla Sharks:

Nathan Gardner named at fullback for the Sharks with Isaac Gordon moving to wing. Paul Gallen named in side pending judiciary hearing. Albert Kelly and Colin Best named on an extended bench.

Nathan Gardner, Isaac  Gordon, Ben Pomeroy, Ricky Leutele, Nathan  Stapleton, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke  Douglas, Jeremy  Smith, Jayson  Bukuya, Paul Gallen. Interchange (from): Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagataese, Albert Kelly, Colin Best, Josh Cordoba

Canterbury Bulldogs:

With Joel Romelo forced to miss this match through suspension, Josh Reynolds comes into the starting side. Ben Roberts returns from injury

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

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