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The Bulldogs are in a crisis of their own, while a Broncos injury will open the door for the NRL debut of an exciting teenager.
Here’s the Team Tips for Round 10.
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FRIDAY
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium, 6pm
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Zac Cini 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Thomas Mikaele
Team Tips: Tommy Taulau returns from suspension and will slot into the backline. David Nofoaluma is about the only player in the centres and wings guaranteed his spot in the team this week, and any of the other three could be moved or punted. They aren’t the only players in the firing line after another dismal performance last week which was labelled “embarrassing” and “soft” by Paul Kent. Michael Chee-Kam, Zane Musgrove, Shawn Blore, and Tom Amone were all in the extended squad last week, while Russell Packer is nearing return from a knee injury.
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Brayden Musgrove 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 19. Starford To’a 6. Kurt Mann 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 18. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones
Team Tips: Hymel Hunt (hamstring) and Edrick Lee (foot) are expected to be named this week in what could be a huge backline boost. Young winger Brayden Musgrove, though, injured his ribs in the win over Canberra and is unlikely to be fit. The Knights also lost forward Pasami Saulo from the forward options after a gruesome leg injury in reserve grade. The Knights are otherwise not expected to make any changes.
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Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, 8.05pm
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Cade Cust 15. Moses Suli 16. Zac Saddler 17. Toafofoa Sipley
Team Tips: Moses Suli (back), Marty Taupau (concussion), and Curtis Sironen (knee) are due back this week, while Dylan Walker is nearing a return from a hamstring injury. Karl Lawton (Achilles) is also firming to play his first game for the club after joining from the Warriors, although still looks at least a week away. Manly is unlikely to change much after beating the Warriors on Sunday.
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jesse Arthars 5. Corey Oates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Danny Levi 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Rhys Kennedy
Team Tips: The Broncos have lost inspirational lock-forward Pat Carrigan to a season-ending knee injury. It could, though, open the door for the debut of exciting teenage backrower Brendan Piakura. He was 18th man last week but hasn’t yet run out for the Broncos. He turns 19 this month and has high expectations on him already, having recently re-signed with Brisbane despite being chased by a number of rival clubs. Kotoni Staggs is nearing a return from his knee injury and may be named in the extended squad this week. Coach Kevin Walters will stick with the halves combination of Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble.
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SATURDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, 3pm
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Corey Allan 5. Nick Meaney 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 10. Luke Thompson 9. Sione Katoa 16. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Adam Elliott 12. Chris Smith 13. Corey Waddell 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Renouf Atoni 19. Lachlan Lewis 23. Ofahiki Ogden
Team Tips: Canterbury is the latest NRL club facing an injury crisis as coach Trent Barrett revealed he may struggle to name a 21-man squad this week. Lachlan Lewis (ribs), Corey Allan (shoulder), and Ava Seumanufagai (concussion) were all innjured in Sunday’s loss to the Dragons. “We’re running out of players so we can’t afford any more (injuries) really. We’re in a bit of a hole, it’s 50 per cent of your starting side really, that we’re missing,” Barrett said. Dylan Napa (shoulder) is the only player in with a chance of returning from the injured list this week. After halfback Kyle Flanagan had a stinker on Sunday, Brandon Wakeham can be called in to the halves alongside Jake Averillo.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Curtis Scott 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hudson Young 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Joseph Tapine
Team Tips: The Raiders have lost five on the trot but options look thin if coach Ricky Stuart plans on revamping his line-up. Joe Tapine and Ryan Sutton were both injured in the loss to Newcastle on Saturday which is two more middle forwards out of the rotation. Dunamis Lui and Ryan James are in line for a call-up to the forward pack. Jordan Rapana sustained a possible hamstring injury, too, and Matthew Timoko will be the replacement winger if the former fails to be fit. Jarrod Croker (shoulder) and Josh Hodgson (calf) are expected to play this week after injury lay-offs.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Connor Tracey 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf 15. Teig Wilton 16. Jack Williams 17. Billy Magoulias 18. Matt Moylan
Team Tips: Interim Cronulla coach Josh Hannay last week named the only 21 fit players he could find in his squad. The club is sweating on the fitness of centre Jesse Ramien, who suffered a head knock on Friday. Josh Dugan will replace him in the backline if he fails to be fit in time. Andrew Fifita is ready to return but Hannay basically put a line through a prop, given he hasn’t played first grade in some time.
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 6. Cody Walker 1. Alex Johnston 2. Steven Marsters 4. Braidon Burns 3. Dane Gagai 21. Dean Hawkins 7. Benji Marshall 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jai Arrow 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 17. Patrick Mago 18. Jed Cartwright
Team Tips: Adam Reynolds is an outside chance of returning from a thumb injury but coach Wayne Bennett didn’t sound too confident. The Rabbitohs have a lengthy injury list and Bennett doesn’t expect any of them to return for Magic Round.
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Isaac Liu 9. Ben Marschke 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 15. Adam Keighran 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 24. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Team Tips: Drew Hutchison will be out after suffering a nasty lung injury last week, while Sam Walker looked to injure his ankle late in the game but coach Trent Robinson was confident it was only minor. Lachie Lam will come into the starting halves to replace Hutchison, while Sitili Tupouniua returns from suspension to shore up the backrow. Victor Radley was concussed but is expected to be named, while teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii was 18th man last week and continues to wait for an NRL debut. His only chance this week will be off the bench, given the backline is set.
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 19. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Francis Molo
Team Tips: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is due to return to the backline, which will most likely push Javid Bowen out of the side.
SUNDAY
Warriors vs Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, 1.50pm
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Ken Maumalo 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Kane Evans 11. Josh Curran 17. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris 6. Reece Walsh 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Bunty Afoa
Team Tips: It will be intriguing to see what coach Nathan Brown does with teen sensation Reece Walsh this week after he admitted he’s still learning how best to use the utility playmaker. Walsh was benched on Sunday but then struggled to get into the game against Manly. The two weeks prior to that he was impressive when starting at fullback and five-eighth. One option is to put Kodi Nikorima at hooker and Walsh in the halves alongside Chanel Harris-Tavita. Euan Aitken (ankle) and Ben Murdoch-Masila (concussion) are due back this week, while Marcelo Montoya (knee) is nearing return, although would struggle to crack this team.
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Marata Niukore 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Ryan Matterson 15. Shaun Lane 14. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Haze Dunster 17. Bryce Cartwright 19. Keegan Hipgrave
Team Tips: The Eels are in an awkward position where the club might not have enough players inside the COVID bubble to name a squad. Dylan Brown and Marata Niukore have been suspended, while Reed Mahoney was concussed and will need to pass protocols in order to play. The club allowed a number of top-squad players to play lower grades at the weekend despite the NRL advising them to keep players in the bubble. The Eels are currently in a holding pattern and awaiting direction on how they can fill a squad on Tuesday before flying to Brisbane.
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 13. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 14. Dale Finucane 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 19. Chris Lewis
Team Tips: Brandon Smith has accepted a one-game ban for a shoulder charge and will miss Magic Round. It means Harry Grant will start at hooker, while Ryan Papenhuyzen’s return to fullback will push Nicho Hynes back to the bench.
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Matthew Dufty 5. Max Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 20. Mat Feagai 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh Mcguire 15. Billy Burns 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Kaide Ellis 18. Junior Amone
Team Tips: Mat Feagai injured his ankle in his debut game, but Mikaele Ravalawa comes back from suspension to replace him on the wing. Cody Ramsey (ribs) and Brayden Wiliame (calf) will come into backline contention if they are fit enough to return.
Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, 6.25pm
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor 5. Phillip Sami 19. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tyrone Peachey 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 21. Esan Marsters
Team Tips: David Fifita will miss one game to suspension. Ash Taylor (hip) was withdrawn last week and he will race the clock to be fit for Magic Round. Sam Stone (ankle) is also a chance of returning to the side. Brian Kelly was struggling with an ankle and knee problem on Saturday but is likely to be named.
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Liam Martin 18. Scott Sorensen
Team Tips: Paul Momirovski returns from suspension this week but will struggle to break into the backline. Matt Burton is the obvious casualty if Momirovski is brought back into the side, although Tyrone May’s bench spot could also be in jeopardy.