Who's Playing Who?

Round 2 teams are here, and there’s plenty of changes being made already… We’ve got all the Ins and Outs, as well as our thoughts on each side named, which you of course will not find anywhere else!

 

FRIDAY

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Paul Whatuira, Ryan Morgan, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh (c), Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo.  Interchange: Matt Keating, Shane Shackleton, Ben Smith, Fuifui Moimoi.

Ins: Paul Whatuira
Outs: Chris Walker (toe, indefinite)

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva (c), Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis.  Interchange: Matthew Bell, Sam McKendry, Adrian Purtell, Sarafu Fatiaki.

Ins: David Simmons, Sarafu Fatiaki
Outs: Sandor Earl (dropped), Masada Iosefa (dropped)

 

Adrian Considers: Essentially a like-for-like swap for the Eels, with Whatuira coming in for Walker. Rookies from last week keep their spots after an impressive showing in Auckland. Two players dropped for Penrith, which really shouldn’t come as a surprise. If a deal is done with Tahu he may find himself somewhere in this side, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing him this week. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Matt Considers: Whatuira returns to the NRL after an extended break, and he will need all of his experience to cover for Walker. Other than that, the impressive Eels youngsters remain, whilst out at the foot of the mountains there is plenty to talk about. Simmons and Fatiaki come in, although the former will make way for Tahu should he sign and play as is the strong mail.

 

Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 8.30pm

Raiders: David Milne, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Glen Buttriss, Dave Shillington, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom, Interchange: Travis Waddell, Josh Miller, Dane Tilse, Trevor Thurling, Danny Galea.

Ins: Danny Galea, Josh Miller, Matt Orford, Travis Waddell
Outs: Brett White (suspension, round 3), Alan Tongue (shoulder, round 9), Sam Williams (Toyota Cup)

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

Ins: None
Outs: None

 

Adrian Considers: Orford looks set to make his Raiders debut, while Waddell comes in to cover the injured Alan Tongue. No changes for Brisbane, who are showing faith in the side that suffered a narrow loss at the hands of the Cowboys.

Matt Considers: Tongue is a massive loss for the Raiders, and the rest of their pack will need to step up to cover for him. If Orford comes in this could take the weight off the younger halves, although their impressive display last week puts heat on the experienced players to deliver. Still no Dugan, but Milne ably fills that gap. No changes for the Broncos, who’s youngsters will have learnt plenty from last week, and will be eager for some retribution.

 

SATURDAY

Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park, 5.30pm

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

Ins: Beau Champion, Anthony Quinn
Outs: Chase Stanley (knee, season), Justin O’Neill (dropped)

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.

Ins: Mark Minichiello
Outs: None

 

Adrian Considers: Chase Stanley sadly will be taking no further part in this season, with former Rabbitoh Beau Champion securing a starting spot. Joining him on that side of the field will be Anthony Quinn, who has had a rough time with injury as of late. For the Titans, Minichiello has been named on an extended bench.

Matt Considers: Finally Beau Champion gets into the side, although unfortunately it is at the expense of Chase Stanley who’s season is now over. Minichiello looks set to get his first game of the season after failing a late fitness test last weekend.

 

Wests Tigers v Warriors at Leichhardt Oval, 7.30pm

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

Ins: Bryce Gibbs
Outs: Liam Fulton (shoulder, indefinite)

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Glen Fishiiahi, Joel Moon, Jerome Ropati, Krisnan Inu, Isaac John, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Simon Mannering (c), Feleti Mateo, Michael Luck. Interchange (from): Shaun Berrigan, Jacob Lillyman, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown, Jeremy Latimore.

Ins: Krisnan Inu, Isaac John, Jeremy Latimore
Outs: Manu Vatuvei (knee, round 10), James Maloney (suspension, round 3)

 

Adrian Considers: Fulton is out for the Tigers, and a few more could be joining him on the sideline. Woods keeps his spot on the bench after a very solid debut against the Dogs. The Beast is gone for the Warriors, allowing Inu to get a crack on the wing. Isaac John will fill in at 5/8 for James Maloney, while the extended bench gives the coaching side plenty of options.

Matt Considers: Fulton’s bung shoulder sees him drop out, although the short turnaround and tough first-up clash will most likely see further casualties. Young gun Aaron Woods remains on the bench, and will push for more game time at the ground just two minutes from where he grew up! For the Warriors, Vatuvei is out with a knee injury, and the perculiar Inu saga continues with him now in first grade despite missing the flight to Sydney for their NSW Cup clash last week. Maloney is also suspended, which could be a problem for the Warriors.

 

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 8.30pm (9.30pm AEDT)

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

Ins: Tariq Sims, Ricky Thorby
Outs: Scott Bolton (calf, round 5)

Knights: Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior  Sa’u, Wes Naiqama, Akuila Uate, Beau Henry, Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Cameron Ciraldo, Chris Houston. Interchange (from): Ben Rogers, Cory Paterson, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar, Joel Edwards.

Ins: Cameron Ciraldo, Ben Rogers
Outs: Isaac De Gois (thumb, round 6), Neville Costigan (broken arm, round 14)

 

Adrian Considers: Bolton’s injury causes a big reshuffle in the Cowboys’ pack, with the extended bench being named. Highly rated youngster Tariq Sims could be making his 1^st Grade debut alongside brother Ashton. De Gois and Costigan are big outs for Newcastle who were mighty impressive against Penrith.

Matt Considers: Bolton out for the Cowboys, with Glenn Hall coming into the line-up, and young Tariq Sims likely to get a debut. De Gois and Costigan are keys for Newcastle, and with skipper Kurt Gidley also in doubt, there could be some big changes to the side which runs out on Saturday night.

 

SUNDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, 2.00pm

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Eddy Pettybourne, Dave Taylor, Dave Tyrrell.  Interchange: Ben Ross, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Chris McQueen.

Ins: Michael Crocker, Dave Tyrell, Chris McQueen
Outs: Sam Burgess (shoulder, round 5), Scott Geddes (Achilles, season), Ben Lowe (foot, round 10)

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.

Ins: None
Outs: None

 

Adrian Considers: Crocker, Tyrell and Chris McQueen come into the Rabbitohs’ side, and while the first two are quite logical, McQueen’s inclusion is interesting. Known as a winger, he might be in for a positional change, or the coaching staff could be looking to carry an extra outside back on the bench. No changes for the Dogs currently, but expect Morris to be replaced within the next few days.

Matt Considers: Big changes for the already injury ravaged Rabbitohs, with Burgess, Geddes and Lowe all missing. Crocker comes in with Tyrell and McQueen, but the damage has definitely been done. The Bulldogs have named an unchanged side, but Josh Morris has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks, so expect to see Michael Lett or Johnathon Wright to come into the side.

 

Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles at Sydney Football Stadium, 3.00pm

Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Kane Linnett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Jason Ryles, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Mitchell Aubusson, Nate Myles. Interchange: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mose Masoe, Mark Riddell, Tom Symonds, Todd Carney.

Ins: Todd Carney
Outs: None

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, William Hopoate, Tony Williams, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, George Rose, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Terence Seu Seu, Jamie Buhrer, Tim Robinson, Vic Mauro.

Ins: Tim Robinson, David Williams
Outs: Jamie Lyon (hamstring, round 6), Jason King (suspension, round 3)

 

Adrian Considers: Carney finds himself on an extended Roosters bench, meaning the side named here could look far different when the sides run out on Sunday afternoon. The Wolfman makes his long awaited return to 1^st Grade, with Will Hopoate pushing into the centres to cover the loss of Jamie Lyon.

Matt Considers: Carney gets his first footy of 2011, currently at the expense of no-one, but if he does play, it will probably see a reshuffle with Anasta into the back row, Nuuausala to the front row and Kennedy to the bench, with Symonds or Masoe dropping out. The Wolfman is back for the Eagles, but co-captains Jamie Lyon and Jason King are gone, with Hopoate moving into the centres to cover.

 

MONDAY

Cronulla Sharks v St George-Illawarra Dragons at Toyota Stadium, 7.00pm

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.  Interchange (from): Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Stuart Flanagan, Ben Pomeroy, Johnny Mannah, Taulima Tautai.

Ins: Stuart Flanagan, Ben Pomeroy, Taulima Tautai
Outs: Paul Aiton (suspension, round 3)

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, Mitch Rein, Trent Merrin, Jon Green.

Ins: None
Outs: None

 

Adrian Considers: Plenty of Ins for the Sharks, with a huge bench named. Not sure whether it will help. For the Dragons, no changes to the side which snuck in an away win against the Titans.

Matt Considers: The Sharks have made a fair few changes to the side who were beaten by the Raiders, one forced with Aiton suspended, and others unforced. Unfortunately none are really significant enough to change the result of this one. The Dragons go in unchanged as per usual, with no real problems coming out of last week.

 

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Round 2 teams done and dusted. Who’s the big inclusion for your side? Who will they be missing? Comment away!