Who's Playing Who?

Round 1 is this weekend, and all the team’s lists for all the games are right here. Make sure to check the end of each game for our thoughts on the squads.

 

FRIDAY,  March 11

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm

Sydney Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kane Linnett ,Bj Leilua, Braith Anasta, Mitchell  Pearce, Jason Ryles, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Frank Nu-Uasala, Mitchell Aubusson, Nate Myles. Interchange (From): Jared Waerea-Hargeaves, Mose Masoe, Mark Riddell, Tom Symonds, Tinarau Arona.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (C), Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Ben Lowe. Interchange (From): Scott Geddes, Ben Ross, Eddy Pettybourne, Shannan Mcpherson, Dave Tyrrell

 

Adrian Considers: Good to see Inglis making his debut for Souths. Pretty much a full-strength side, minus Crocker and Clark. Roosters side has a lot of Grand Finalists. Quite noticeably missing is Carney, with Anasta moving back to partner Pearce in the halves.

Matt Considers: A big clash made even bigger by the debut of Inglis and the Roosters missing Carney. There could be some instability due to Carney not being there, and Anasta being moved to fill the gap, after spending the whole pre-season in the back-row.

 

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 7.30pm (8.30pm AEST)

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

North Queensland Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson, Interchange (from): Ben Jones, Leeson Ah Mau, Gavin Cooper, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims.

 

Adrian Considers: Some fantastic potential in this match, with a few rookies getting their debut. No Hannant or Hodges for the Broncos, meaning that there’s a lot of experience ready to re-join the side when they’re fit.

Matt Considers: The outside backs of the Broncos are a look into the future, and it will be interesting to see how ‘veterans’ Josh Hoffman and Jharal Yow Yeh step up against the Cowboys. The Sims brothers also debut for the Cowboys (possibly) which could be an interesting clash against their old club.

New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels at Eden Park, 7.30pm (5.30pm AEST)

New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Glen Fisiiahi, Joel Moon, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Simon Mannering (c), Feleti Mateo, Micheal Luck.
Interchange (from): Shaun Berrigan, Jacob Lillyman, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown, Steve Rapira

Parramatta Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Chris Walker, Ryan Morgan, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh (C), Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo.  Interchange (from): Matt Keating, Shane Shackleton, Ben Smith, Carl Webb, Billy Rogers.

 

Adrian Considers: Fisiiahi beat out Inu, Locke and Bill Tupou for a spot on the wing. What a huge wrap! Plenty of rookies starting for the Eels, with some serious experience on the bench.

Matt Considers: Steve Kearney’s ‘Dad’s Army’ looks remarkably young with the inclusion of rookie Ryan Morgan and Mitchell Allgood, and it’s even more interesting to see Inu missing out against his old side to young gun Fisiiahi.

 

Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons at Skilled Park, 6.30pm (7.30pm AEST)

Gold Coast Titans: William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, Luke Capewell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Riley Brown, Matthew White, Greg Bird, Bodene Thompson, Ashley Harrison. Interchange (from):  Michael Henderson, Sam Tagataese, Ryan James, Preston Campbell, Mark Minichiello.

St George Illawarra Dragons: 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: Michael Greenfield, Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Kyle Stanley.

 

Adrian Considers: A few surprises in the Titans’ side- Campbell on the bench, Capewell to start at 5/8, and where’s Laffranchi? Pretty much business as usual for the Dragons, minus Dean Young.

Matt Considers: I’m confused about Capewell starting at 5/8, mainly because I don’t think he is up to it, and they have various options available. Young missing for the Dragons, but they still have the best starting 13 in the competition on paper.

 

Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles at AAMI Park, 7.30pm

Melbourne Storm: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielson, Chase Stanley, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Bryan Norrie, Cameron Smith (c), Jaiman Lowe, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Ryan Hinchcliffe.  Interchange (from): Todd Lowrie , Kevin Proctor, Troy Thomson. Jesse Bromwich, Beau Champion.

Manly Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon (c), Tony Williams, Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (c), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: (from): Terence Seuseu, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Tim Robinson

 

Adrian Considers: Widdop to start at 5/8, Jaiman Lowe gets a start in the front row, while for Manly, Stewart returns but there’s no sign of The Wolfman.

Matt Considers: The Stewart brothers are back for the Eagles, finally, and the rookie halves start as expected. Interesting to see the Storm’s major off-season recruit, Beau Champion, shafted to the bench with youngsters Dane Nielsen and Chase Stanley.

 

SUNDAY, March 13

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 2.00pm

Canberra Raiders: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Alan Tongue, Dave Shillington, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom.  Interchange (from): Glen Buttriss, Trevor Thurling, Dane Tilse, Brett White, Danny Galea, Josh Miller.

Cronulla Sharks: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Dean Collis, Colin Best, John Williams, Albert Kelly, Wade Graham, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (c).  Interchange (from): Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Paul Aiton, Jayson Bukuya, Johnny Mannah, Ben Pomeroy.

 

Adrian Considers: The biggest forward pack you’ve ever seen are here for Canberra, while for the Sharks, Albert Kelly gets a start ahead of Tim Smith and Scott Porter.

Matt Considers: Canberra look mighty impressive, the Sharks not so much. The Raiders have a massive pack and bench, whilst I can’t see the new halves pairing at the Sharks solving their issues.

 

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights at Centerbet Stadium, 3.00pm

Penrith Panthers: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon,Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Sandor Earl, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Sam McKendry, Matthew Bell, Adrian Purtell, Masada Iosefa.

Newcastle Knights: Kurt Gidley (C), James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Wes Naiqama, Akuila Uate, Beau Henry, Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Isaac De Gois, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan, Chris Houston. Interchange (from): Matt Hilder, Cory Paterson, Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar, Joel Edwards.

 

Adrian Considers: Nathan Smith and Jennings are no where to be seen, while Houston makes his comeback at Lock for the Knights.

Matt Considers: Houston finds his way back to the starting side, whilst Beau Henry gets a surprise start in the halves. No Jennings for the Panthers, which could stunt their attack a little.

 

MONDAY, March 14

Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 7.00pm

Canterbury Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Sam Kasiano, Jake Foster, Andrew Ryan, David Stagg.  Interchange: Mickey Paea, Frank Pritchard, Corey Payne, Ben Roberts.

Wests Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Tim Moltzen, Simon Dwyer, Andrew Fifita, Todd Payten.

 

Adrian Considers: As expected, Barba gets the nod at Fullback, while Keating is selected over Roberts at 5/8 for the Dogs. Utai makes his Tigers debut on the wing.

Matt Considers: Utai is another surprise getting a start ahead of Brown and Latu on the wing, whilst Marshall and Lui take their places in the halves despite some distractions this week. Barba fills The General’s hole at the back, whilst Keating gets the nod ahead of Ben Roberts to partner childhood mate Trent Hodkinson in the halves.

 

Source: NRL.com [http://www.nrl.com/round-1-team-lists/tabid/10874/newsid/61604/default.aspx]

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Those are the Round 1 teams- what do you think of your side?