Who's Playing Who?

We have a full round of 8 games back again this week, and with the NSW Origin team for Game Two to be named on Sunday afternoon again, there will be plenty of people trying to impress and force their way into the side. Adrian is hard at work on some new content and big name writers, so Matt has taken full reign this week. Some big names return this week as a result, so how will this affect each game? Read on to find out…..

FRIDAY: 

Parramatta Eels v St. George Illawarra Dragons at Parramatta Stadium, 7:35pm

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Casey McGuire, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith.  Interchange: Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb, Justin Horo.

Ins: Jacob Loko, Carl Webb

Outs: Chris Walker (NSW Cup), Anthony Mitchell (NSW Cup)

Dragons: Darius Boyd, Peni Tagive, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior.  Interchange (from): Jon Green, Nathan Fien, Adam Cuthbertson, Trent Merrin, Jack Bosden, Mitch Rein.

Ins: Peni Tagive, Dean Young, Jack Bosden

Outs: Brett Morris (hamstring – Round 14)

Matt Considers: Probably one of the games of the round, with two traditional rivals facing up at Parra Stadium. No major changes for the Eels, with Jacob Loko coming back in, and Carl Webb also returning. For the Dragons, big news with Dean Young returning after Origin and Brett Morris out with a hamstring injury. Peni Tagive plays his second game for the Dragons, while Jack Bosden joins an extended bench.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Brisbane Broncos at Toyota Stadium, 7:35pm

Sharks: Isaac Gordon, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, Stewart Mills, Wade Graham, Scott Porter, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Taulima Tautai, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (c).  Interchange (from): Siosaia Vave, Johnny Mannah (Injury), Stuart Flanagan, Broderick Wright, Tyson Frizell.

Ins: John Mannah, Broderick Wright, Tyson Frizell

Outs: Josh Cordoba (hamstring – Round 15), Luke Douglas (medial ligament strain – Round 19)

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Gerard Beale, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Kurt Baptiste, Dane Carlaw, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.

Ins: Josh Hoffman, Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Dane Carlaw

Outs: David Gagai (Toyota Cup), Corey Norman (Toyota Cup), Ben Te’o (fractured arm – Round 18), Nick Kenny (shoulder – indefinite)

Matt Considers: It was being billed as possibly Darren Lockyer’s final game in Sydney, and will be if the Broncos don’t play and finals in Sydney. He returns with Sam Thaiday after being rested post-Origin last week. Josh Hoffman comes back in after a fractured leg, and Dance Carlaw put back in. A couple of young boys drop back the NYC, while Ben Te’o re-fractured his arm, and Nick Kenny out with a shoulder injury. For the Sharks, Luke Douglas’ run of 133 games straight since his debut is now over, with a medial ligament strain ruling him out, while Josh Cordoba succumbs to a hamstring injury. The Sharks welcome back a couple, and have named Tyson Frizell to make his debut.  Amazingly, winger-come-centre-come-second rower Taulima Tautai adds another string to his bow, this week playing in the front row. A definite DT star in the outside backs.

SATURDAY: 

Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers at Skilled Park, 5:30pm

Titans: Preston Campbell, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, William Zillman, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Michael Henderson, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison.  Interchange (from): Matt White, Ryan James, Sam Tagataese, Luke O’Dwyer, Ben Ridge, Clinton Toopi.

Ins: Ashley Harrison, Clinton Toopi

Outs: None

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith, Luke Lewis.  Interchange (from):  Tim Grant, Matthew Bell, Sarafu Fatiaki, Dayne Weston, Masada Iosefa.

Ins: Dayne Weston

Outs: None

Matt Considers: No major outs for either side, but a big in for the Titans in Origin lock Ashley Harrison. This is a big match for both sides, who will need to win to keep up any finals hopes they have. Expect Clinton Toopi and Masada Iosefa to drop off the respective benches when the teams are finalised on Saturday.