Who's Playing Who?

This week brings us an Origin shortened round, with only 5 games and many changes. Once again the Dragons and Broncos get a chance to display their young guns and fringe players, both playing in the week leading into Origin. Be sure to check out the teams before putting in your tips and changing Dream Team this week.

FRIDAY, July 1

Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos at Parramatta Stadium, 7:45pm

Eels: Luke Burt, Etu Uaisele, Chris Walker, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Casey McGuire, Jeff Robson, Mitchell Allgood, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith.  Interchange (from): Shane Shackleton, Manase Manuokafoa , Carl Webb, Justin Horo, Reni Maitua.

Ins: Etu Uaisele, Chris Walker, Manaese Manuokafoa, Reni Maitua

Outs: Jarryd Hayne (NSW), Ryan Morgan (hamstring), Tim Mannah (NSW)

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Gerard Beale, Dane Gagai, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Kurt Baptiste, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn (c), Dunamis Lui, Matt Gillett. Interchange: Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.

Ins: Dave Gagai, Nick Kenny, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds

Outs: Justin Hodges (Queensland), Darren Lockyer (Queensland), Ben Hannant (Queensland), Sam Thaiday (Queensland), Corey Parker (Queensland)

Adrian Considers: Only one Friday night game in this multi-bye round, meaning this one will probably start closer to 8pm. Quite a bit of fire power out for the Eels, with Mannah and Hayne on Origin duty, while Ryan Morgan has picked up a hamstring injury. Luke Burt moves back to custodian, Uaisele comes in on the wing, and Manase Manuokafoa gets a spot on the bench. Probably the biggest inclusion here is the controversial Reni Maitua, who is part of an extended bench. The Eels have been competitive the last few rounds, but don’t have much to show for it. Perhaps the Bra Boy is just the X-Factor they need? He’s had a big lay off, but who knows… The Broncos meanwhile welcome back a few of their own ‘bad boys’, with Andrew McCullough and Ben Hunt both named on the bench. Interesting, as you would think McCullough at least would start at 9. Nonetheless, Baptiste is starting at hooker, with Corey Norman at 5/8. The usual Queensland brigade are off to try and win the series, so there’s no Lockyer, Thaiday, Parker, Hannant, Hodges or Yow Yeh. Gagai, Kenny and Dodds all come in to fill the rest of those gaps. Also to note, Gillett starts at lock, and Glenn takes over the captaincy again.

SATURDAY, July 2

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Centrebet Stadium, 7:30pm

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Junior Vai Vai, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Tim Grant, Trent Waterhouse (c), Nigel Plum, Nathan Smith.  Interchange (from): Nafe Seluini, Dayne Weston, Matthew Bell, Sarafu Fatiaki, Ryan Walker, Harry Seijka.

Ins: Nigel Plum, Sarafu Fatiaki, Ryan Walker, Harry Seijka

Outs: Petero Civoniceva (Queensland), Luke Lewis (NSW)

Bulldogs:  Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Jonathan Wright, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Dene Halatau, Michael Hodgson, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan (C), David Stagg.  Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Greg Eastwood, Corey Payne, Ben Roberts.

Ins: Ben Roberts

Outs: Michael Ennis (NSW)

Matt Considers: A big clash for both sides top eight chances, with the Bulldogs out to gain momentum off last week’s hard fought win over the Tigers, and the Panthers trying to sneak into the eight after a home win over the Cowboys on Sunday. Both sides are also without Origin stars, the Panthers missing Civoniceva and Lewis (as well as a returning Jennings), and the Dogs without hooker Michael Ennis. The last time this happened, the Bulldogs looked flashy with Reynolds at hooker, but were outplayed by the Raiders in Canberra, while they were smashed without him against the Sharks. The Panthers up and down season continues, and interim coach Steve Georgallis will be out for his second win in as many games in the top grade. With Halatau at hooker, the Bulldogs will play more direct, and less flashy football, but there will be a big danger from dummy half if he can discover his 2005 finals form. The Panthers have named an extended bench, with speedy backs Harry Seijka and Ryan Walker covering for injuries in the starting side.

SUNDAY, July 3

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Toyota Stadium, 2pm

Sharks: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, Nathan Stapleton, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Jeremy Smith.  Interchange:  Johnny Mannah, Sam Tagataese, Stuart Flanagan, Taulima Tautai.

Ins: Kade Snowden

Outs: Paul Gallen (NSW)

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Shaune Corrigan, James Roberts, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Chris McQueen, Eddy Pettybourne,Michael Crocker (c). Interchange: Luke Burgess, Dave Tyrrell, Jason Clark, Nathan Peats.

Ins: Shaune Corrigan, Luke Burgess

Outs: Greg Inglis (Queensland), Dave Taylor (suspended)

Adrian Considers: No longer an easy two points, the Sharks are on a bit of a roll, and are still in with a shot at the finals. If only we’d put some cash on a Cowboys/Sharks Grand Final at 10000000000:1… At any rate, they’re coming up against a South Sydney side who themselves are experiencing that winning feeling, knocking off the Titans and, more importantly (sorry Titans fans but you’d have to agree, your side is not travelling well this season) the Broncos. The Sharks lose a lot in Gallen, but welcome back Snowden, which should soften the blow slightly. Two changes for the Rabbitohs with the left edge significantly depleted- GI is off to play for Queensland, while Dave Taylor has been suspended. I’d be worried for his opponents when he returns. He may try to kill them. Pettybourne moves from the bench as part of the front-row rotation, and is back in the 2nd Row. Luke Burgess has been named to make his South Sydney debut off the bench. Much like last year, the club has needed to sign props mid-season… I’m just glad they’re not retired this time! Corrigan takes Inglis’ spot in the centres.

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights at WIN Stadium, 3pm

Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Peni Tagive, Alex McKinnon, Kyle Stanley, Reece Simmonds, Nathan Fien, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Adam Cuthbertson, Michael Greenfield, Matt Prior.  Interchange (from):  Jon Green, Mitch Rein, Jack De Belin, David Gower, Jack Bosden, Jake Marketo.

Ins: Peni Tagive, Alex McKinnon, Reece Simmonds, Ben Hornby, Michael Greenfield, David Gower, Jack Bosden, Jake Marketo

Outs: Darius Boyd (Queensland), Brett Morris (NSW), Mark Gasnier (NSW), Jamie Soward (NSW), Trent Merrin (NSW), Ben Creagh (NSW)

Knights: Wes Naiqama (c), James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Keith Lulia, Peter Mata’utia, Tyrone Roberts, Ryan Stig, Richie Fa’aoso, Isaac De Gois, Evarn Tuimavave, Chris Houston, Joel Edwards, Steve Southern.  Interchange (from): Matt Hilder, Antonio Kaufusi, Cameron Ciraldo, Dan Tolar, Marvin Karawana.

Ins: James McManus, Cameron Ciraldo, Marvin Karawana

Outs: Akuila Uate (NSW), Neville Costigan (knee)

Matt Considers: The baby Dragons return again, and if their last effort at home is anything to go by, they may struggle again against coach Wayne Bennett’s future side. They have massive changes, with 6 stars out for Origin duty. Halfback and captain Ben Hornby returns after missing last week with an ankle injury, although it is expected to hamper him again this week, and he may be another late exclusion. They’ve also named a young extended bench, with fringe players fighting it out for a start to impress next year’s coach, and one of the team’s runners, Steve Price. The Knights are coming off a morale boosting win over the Roosters, done without skipper and attacking lynch-pin Kurt Gidley. Young halves Ryan Stig and Tyrone Roberts partner each other again, although they have lost powerful winger Akuila Uate and barnstorming second-rower, and one of their form forwards, Neville Costigan. The Dragons may be boosted by the return of winger Brett Morris if he is culled from the 20 man NSW squad, as coach Ricky Stuart is expected to do, early in the weekend.

MONDAY, July 4

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders at Sydney Football Stadium, 7pm

Roosters: Mark Khierallah, Sam Perrett, Justin Carney, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Braith Anasta (c), Todd Carney, Jason Ryles, Jake Friend, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Tom Symonds, Brad Takairangi, Aidan Guerra. Interchange:  Anthony Mitchell, Mose Masoe, Tinirau Arona, Kane Linnett.

Ins: Mark Khierallah, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Brad Takairangi, Tinirau Arona

Outs: Anthony Minichiello (NSW), Mitchell Pearce (NSW), Nate Myles (Queensland), Boyd Cordner (ankle)

Raiders: Nathan Massey, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Reece Robinson, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (c), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joe Picker, Josh Papalii, Shaun Fensom.  Interchange (from): Glen Buttriss, Bronson Harrison, Dane Tilse, Trevor Thurling, Josh Miller.

Ins: Trevor Thurling, Josh Miller

Outs: David Shillington (pectoral)

Adrian Considers: Plenty of outs for the Roosters. Minichiello, Pearce, Myles are on Origin duty, and Cordner is out with an ankle injury. The most notable inclusion is SKD, who should play this weekend after being a late withdrawal last round. Mark Khierallah, Brad Takairangi and Tinirau Arona all come in. The Raiders welcome back Thurling and crowd favourite Josh Miller, with Shillington missing out again with that pec injury. Rookie Josh Papalii has been getting some serious game time, which has meant Bronson Harrison’s minutes have been severely limited.

 

BYE: 

Melbourne Storm

Gold Coast Titans

N.Z. Warriors

North QLD Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Manly Sea Eagles