Who's Playing Who?

Origin Two will be done and dusted as Round 15 of the NRL kicks off this Friday evening. The Roosters and Raiders have the bye, which means just seven games, but there are some blockbuster clashes this week. The teams have all been named with some big names returning and missing this week, but with Origin tomorrow night, expect changes to the named sides.

FRIDAY

Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons, 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Justin Hodges, Gerard Beale, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Corey Parker Interchange: Jack Reed, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman, Kurt Baptiste.

Ins: Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker

Outs: David Gagai (Toyota Cup), Shea Moylan (QLD Cup), Dane Carlaw (QLD Cup)

Dragons: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Kyle Stanley, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange: Jon Green, Nathan Fien, Adam Cuthbertson, Trent Merrin.

Ins: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Kyle Stanley, Jamie Soward, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin

Outs: Ratu Peni Tagive (Illawarra A-Grade), Alex McKinnon (Toyota Cup), Reece Simmonds (Illawarra A-Grade), Jack Bosden (Illawarra A-Grade), Michael Greenfield (Illawarra A-Grade), David Gower (Illawarra A-Grade), Jake Marketo (Illawarra A-Grade), Mitch Rein (Illawarra A-Grade)

Matt Considers: A massively anticipated clash, and another return to Suncorp Stadium for Broncos legend Wayne Bennett. This probably won’t weigh on his mind as much as the six Origin stars he wants to back up, but it is still a significant talking point. All Origin players from both sides have been named, although we can almost be guaranteed a couple won’t play (and another mind-numbing drone from Phil Rothfield about how Origin should be stand alone!). For the Broncos, they welcome back Justin Hodges in addition to their Origin stars, although Anthony Griffin has previously not allowed his Origin players to back up. Maybe a clash with the competition front runners will change his mind! The Dragons have also named all their players, and welcome back Brett Morris and Kyle Stanley to spark their left side attack. Although most will back up, Beau Scott (who is in doubt for Origin with a calf injury) is unlikely to back up unless he comes through Origin completely unscathed.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Gold Coast Titans, 7.35pm at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, James Roberts, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Chris McQueen, David Taylor ,Michael Crocker (c). Interchange (from): Eddy Pettybourne, Dave Tyrrell, Jason Clark, Nathan Peats, Shaune Corrigan, Alex Ranieri, Deon Apps.

Ins: Dylan Farrell, Jason Clark, Alex Ranieri

Outs: None

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

Ins: Ashley Harrison, Greg Bird

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: For Souths, Farrell returns in the centres, meaning that the backline has essentially returned to full strength (it’s up for debate as to who out of Talanoa and Roberts is the better player). Jason Clark has been named again, but may miss due to the ongoing injury that he hasn’t been able to shake. Joining him on the eight-man MEGABENCH is Alex Ranieri, who will be making his Rabbitohs debut if picked. He’s had some bad luck with injury through his career, so let’s hope he gets through this season alright. Don’t expect the last three picked to play unless there’s a late withdrawl- and one would hope that Dave Taylor and Greg Inglis get through Origin unscathed (hopefully on the losing side!) The Titans have named both their Origin players, and I’d say Greg Bird would play if he backs up alright. This is a must win for both sides, so they’re going to want to field the best teams possible.

SATURDAY

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers, 5.30pm at Ausgrid Stadium

Knights: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Keith Lulia, Akuila Uate, Tyrone Roberts, Kurt Gidley (c), Richie Fa’aoso, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Joel Edwards. Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Antonio Kaufusi, Cameron Ciraldo, Dan Tolar.

Ins: Tyrone Roberts

Outs: Beau Henry (released)

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

Ins: Joseph Paulo, Nafe Seluini

Outs: Michael Jennings (ankle)

Matt Considers: Another very interesting clash with two ‘there or abouts’ sides in 2011. Both had last week off, and a win for either could see them scrape into the eight depending on results, making it a vital match in both teams’ seasons. For the Knights, only the one change, with young whiz Tyrone Roberts coming in for Beau Henry, who got a release to join the Titans for the remainder of this year, and another two seasons. The Panthers lost Michael Jennings to an ankle injury two weeks back, with Joseph Paulo replacing him in the centres, and Nafe Seluini joining an extended bench, which includes captain Petero Civoniceva as 18th man, although he will play if he gets through Origin in one piece.

North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors. 7.30pm at Dairy Farmers Stadium

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Dallas Johnson. Interchange (from): Michael Morgan, Joel Riethmuller, Ashton Sims, Leeson Ah Mau, Will Tupou.

Ins: Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Will Tupou

Outs: Antonio Winterstein (pectoral), Glenn Hall (suspended)

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu, Simon Mannering (C), Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Steve Rapira, Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Jeremy Latimore, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown.

Ins: Glen Fisiiahi, Aaron Heremaia,

Outs: Shaun Berrigan (dropped), Michael Luck (knee)

Adrian Considers: Some big outs for North Queensland, losing Winterstein through injury and Hall through suspension. Some handy inclusions however, with JT and Matt Scott named, and they’ll back up if fit. A few changes for the Warriors- promising young player Glen Fisiiahi returns from injury on the wing, pushing Inu to the centres. Lewis Brown drops to the bench, and it looks like he’ll be part of their forward rotation again (perfect for Dream Team… he’s lost a heap of value playing in the centres). Michael Luck is gone for a while, meaning that Elijah Taylor gets his spot at the back of the scrum (another perfect move for DT!) Heremaia also returns, meaning that Hohia grabs the utility spot on the bench… which means there’s no room for Shaun Berrigan in the side. I’m sure a few other clubs would be happy to pick him up to bolster their squads heading into the 2nd half of the season…

SUNDAY

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks, 2.00pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Michael Lett, Ben Roberts, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Greg Eastwood, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan [C], David Stagg. Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Grant Millington, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau, Michael Hodgson.

Ins: Tim Lafai, Michael Lett, Ben Roberts, Aiden Tolman, Greg Eastwood

Outs: Jamal Idris (disciplinary), Bryson Goodwin (toe), Josh Reynolds (dropped), Jake Foster (dropped)

Sharks: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, Isaac Gordon, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Jayson Bukuya, (c) Paul Gallen. Interchange (from): Anthony Tupou, Taulima Tautai, Stuart Flanagan, Josh Cordoba, Sam Tagataese.

Ins: Isaac Gordon, Jeremy Smith, Josh Cordoba, Sam Tagataese

Outs: Nathan Stapleton (NSW Cup), Johnny Mannah (NSW Cup), Dean Collis (NSW Cup)

Adrian Considers: Woah, plenty of changes here. Jamal Idris has been dropped as a disciplinary measure. Goodwin is out through injury, and Reynolds and Foster have been dropped… But, there’s some decent inclusions. Tim Lafai takes the vacant centre spot, much like he did earlier in the year- he’s just over the other side of the field now. Ben Roberts comes in at 5/8, pushing Keating to halfback. Tolman and Eastwood return in the front row (pretty handy inclusions), meaning Ryan returns to his usual spot in the 2nd Row. For the Sharks, Gordon, Smith and Cordoba have been included, while Sam Tagataese is named on an extended bench after making the mid-season switch from the Titans (they love a good mid-season switch, don’t they?)

Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm, 3.00pm at Leichhardt Oval

Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen, Mitch Brown, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Tim Simona, Liam Fulton, Aaron Woods, Andrew Fifita.

Ins: None

Outs: None

Storm: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Maurice Blair, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, (c) Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Todd Lowrie. Interchange (from): Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sika Manu, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe, Justin O’Neill, Rory Kostjasyn, Beau Champion, Sisa Waqa.

Ins: Billy Slater, Dane Neilsen, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith

Outs: None

Matt Considers: No changes for the Tigers, who have grabbed two late wins in the last two weeks. Changes may come though, as the side is only just returning to Australia due to volcanic ash delayed their return flight from Auckland. The Storm have named all their Origin stars, as well as players who played last week as cover for them, but with a longer turn around, all should back-up barring injury. The match returns the Tigers to Sunday afternoons at Leichhardt Oval, and with a close to sell-out crowd anticipated, it will no doubt prove to all and sundry why Leichhardt is the best ground in Australia!

MONDAY

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels, 7.00pm at Brookvale Oval

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King, Matt Ballin, George Rose, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer, Tim Robinson, Tony Williams, Daniel Harrison.

Ins: Will Hopoate, Anthony Watmough, Daniel Harrison

Outs: Michael Oldfield (NSW Cup), Darcy Lussick (NSW Cup)

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: None

Outs: None

Matt Considers: Stephen Kearney has stayed true to the side which managed a draw against the Dragons last week, assuming stars Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah get through Origin fine. Manly’s only changes are also based on Origin, with Hopoate and Watmough both named to return. Daniel Harrison has also been named on an extended bench, although he has also been named in their NSW Cup team which is playing on Saturday afternoon. This will be a major test for the Eels, who will need to win, and keep winning to be any hope of making the finals this year.

Byes:

Canberra Raiders

Sydney Roosters