Who's Playing Who?

Another multi-bye round is on the cards this week, with the Origin sides selected also. Believe it or not, there are still some teams playing, albeit with some clubs fielding depleted outfits… Good news for Dream Team fans though, as there are plenty of rookies to look out for!

FRIDAY:  

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Canberra Stadium, 7:45pm
Raiders: Nathan Massey, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Reece Robinson, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Dane Tilse, Alan Tongue (c), Brett White, Danny Galea, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom.  Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Josh Papalii, Sam Mataora.
Ins: Nathan Massey
Outs: Josh Dugan (NSW)

Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Josh Reynolds, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan (c), David Stagg.  Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Jake Foster, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau.
Ins: Bryson Goodwin, Josh Reynolds, Sam Kasiano
Outs: Michael Lett (hamstring, indefinite), Michael Ennis (NSW), Mickey Paea (knee, round 12)

Matt Considers: Friday Night Football returns to Canberra for the first time in the regular season for years, with both sides impacted a bit by Origin. For the Raiders, they’ve lost Josh Dugan to NSW, whilst the Bulldogs lose hooker Michael Ennis. For the Raiders, Toyota Cup fullback Nathan Massey comes in for Dugan for just his second NRL game, the only change to the side which beat the Storm in Melbourne last week. The Bulldogs welcome back kicker Bryson Goodwin, and prop Sam Kasiano, whilst young half/hooker Josh Reynolds makes his debut for Ennis, after earning his spot over the past few seasons in their successful NSW Cup side.

SATURDAY: 

Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 7:30pm
Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Mitch Brown, Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Andrew Fifita, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Liam Fulton, Chris Heighington.  Interchange (from): Beau Ryan, Alan Schirnack, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Aaron Woods, Bryce Gibbs.

Ins: Bryce Gibbs
Outs: None

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Sandor Earl, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Sam McKendry, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis (c). Interchange (from): Masada Iosefa, Yileen Gordon, Dayne Weston, Nathan Smith, Matthew Bell.
Ins: Lachlan Coote, Sandor Earl, Tim Grant, Masada Iosefa, Matthew Bell
Outs: Michael Gordon (knee, season), Timana Tahu (pectoral, season), Petero Civoniceva (Queensland), Nafe Seluini (injury, indefinite)

Matt Considers: An interesting game we have here, with the Tigers unaffected by Origin, whilst the Panthers have plenty out, both with Origin and injury. For the Tigers, Gibbs returns on the bench, although he will still have to undergo a fitness test before the game to be cleared. For the Panthers, they lose Civoniceva to the QLD side, and Jennings to the NSW side (although he wasn’t there last week either). They have also lost Tahu for the season with a pectoral injury, and their best player in 2011 Michael Gordon for the season with an ACL injury. They do welcome back Lachlan Coote finally after he made his return last week for Windsor in the NSW Cup, as well as Sandor Earl, Matt Bell and Masada Iosefa, whilst Tim Grant should play after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up last week.

SUNDAY: 

Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights at Sydney Football Stadium, 3:00pm
Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Steve Naughton, Justin Carney, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’Leilua, Braith Anasta (c), Todd Carney, Jason Ryles, Jake Friend, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aidan Guerra, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Tinirau Arona.  Interchange (from): Lama Tasi, Mose Masoe, Mark Riddell, Willie Mataka, Mark Khierallah.
Ins: Justin Carney, Jason Ryles, Aidan Guerra, Willie Mataka, Mark Khierallah
Outs: Mitchell Pearce (NSW), Tom Symonds (finger, round 12), Nate Myles (Queensland), Kane Linnett (shoulder, round 16)

Knights: Shannon McDonnell, James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Wes Naiqama, Keith Lulia, Beau Henry, Jarrod Mullen (c), Richie Fa’aoso, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Joel Edwards. Interchange (from): Isaac De Gois, Mark Taufua, Marvin Filipo, Dan Tolar, Antonio Kaufusi.
Ins: Keith Lulia, Beau Henry, Isaac De Gois, Dan Tolar
Outs: Akuila Uate (NSW), Marvin Karawana (NSW Cup), Tyrone Roberts (Toyota Cup)

Matt Considers: Another game with both sides impacted by Origin, particularly the Roosters. For the home side, Braith Anasta returns to the halves in place of NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce, whilst injuries to Tom Symonds and Kane Linnett create opportunities for Justin Carney and former representative prop Jason Ryles to come into the side.  Aidan Guerra also comes in for Myles in the back-row, whilst Willie Mataka looks set to make his Roosters debut off the bench, along with half Mark Khierallah, who is looking to make his debut. For the Knights, they lose Akuila Uate to the NSW side, whilst Marvin Karawana, and young half Tyrone Roberts return to the NSW Cup. Beau Henry returns to the side after injuring his ankle in the early rounds, whilst Isaac De Gois and Keith Lulia also return, with Dan Tolar on an extended bench.

New Zealand Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Mt. Smart Stadium, 4:00pm
Warriors: Kevin Locke, Krisnan Inu, Lewis Brown, Simon Mannering (c), Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Russell Packer, Aaron Heremaia, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Elijah Taylor, Micheal Luck. Interchange (from): Shaun Berrigan, Lance Hohaia, Jeremy Latimore, Sione Lousi, Alehana Mara, Joel Moon, Ukuma Ta’ai.
Ins: Aaron Heremaia, Sione Lousi, Joel Moon, Ukuma Ta’ai
Outs: Jacob Lillyman (Queensland)

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Shaune Corrigan, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Dave Tyrrell, David Taylor, Michael Crocker (c).  Interchange: Eddy Pettybourne, Jason Clark, Chris McQueen, Nathan Peats.
Ins: None
Outs: None

Adrian Considers: Jacob Lillyman is off on Origin duty, meaning Ben Matulino moves into the front row as cover. The MEGABENCH makes an appearance, with 7 mean named for the home side. Lewis Brown is in some doubt to play, despite being named. Expect plenty of changes come game day. For Souths, the same 17 that beat the Tigers will be running out in Auckland. David Taylor is Queensland’s 18th Man, but will play in this game unless there is an injury to one of the forwards between now and then. Greg Inglis is still out with that troublesome hip. Note that Jason Clark will be playing his third game for the season, and can expect a modest price rise after this round.

MONDAY: 
Parramatta Eels v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Parramatta Stadium, 7:00pm

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Shane Shackleton, Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh (c), Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith. Interchange: Billy Rogers, Carl Webb, Mitchell Allgood, Justin Horo.
Ins: Ryan Morgan, Carl Webb
Outs: Joel Reddy (pectoral, season), Tim Mannah (NSW)

Sharks: Isaac Gordon, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best (c), Stewart Mills, Wade Graham, Scott Porter, Josh Cordoba, John Morris (c), Luke Douglas, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Taulima Tautai.  Interchange (from): Siosaia Vave, Johnny Mannah, Stuart Flanagan, Broderick Wright, Tyson Frizell.
Ins: John Morris, Johnny Mannah, Broderick Wright, Tyson Frizell
Outs: Kade Snowden (NSW), Paul Gallen (NSW), Paul Aiton (ankle, round 15)

Adrian Considers: A shame to see Joel Reddy gone for the season, as he has been a great for the Eels over a number of years. Mannah is in camp with the Blues, meaning Shackleton moves into the starting 13, and Carl Webb grabs himself a spot on the bench. Big outs for the Sharks, with Snowden and Gallen off on Origin duty, and Paul Aiton out through injury. John Morris returns, taking over as captain (along with Colin Best), while Taulima Tautai will lock the scrum.

BYE: