The Bulldogs have been given a huge boost with Stephen Crichton a chance to return from a shoulder injury after being named in the reserves.
The Broncos have been forced into a major shake-up given their injury crisis, but Adam Reynolds returns in a timely boost.
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Read on for the NRL Team Lists Round 7.
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL
North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles @ QLD Country Bank Stadium, 7:50pm
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Mason Barber 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby
Analysis: The Cowboys are riding high on the back of a four game win streak as Todd Payten looks to push his side into the top four against the in form Manly team. Braidon Burns returns from an ankle injury on the wing in a timely boost for Murray Taulagi who is sidelined with concussion. Reed Mahoney is also out with concussion, with Soni Luke named to start at hooker. Luke was a revelation in the upset win over the Broncos and could be one of the buys of the season given his small asking price. Sam McIntyre returns from a torn plantar fascia on the bench. Viliami Vailea joins the bench along with young gun Mason Barber.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Nathan Brown 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jackson Shereb 21. Joey Walsh 22. Simione Laiafi
Analysis: Kieran Foran’s reborn Sea Eagles are looking to make it three straight wins, but come up against their toughest challenge since he took over in the Cowboys in North Queensland. Siosiua Taukeiaho makes his return from a calf injury on the bench for his first game since Round 1 which will bolster Manly’s pack depth. Nathan Brown joins the six-man bench after returning from illness in NSW Cup last week. Manly will need their forward pack to step up again against the Cowboys and the extra cavalry will help no end on the tough away trip. Joey Walsh has again been named in the reserves, but is yet to get a run this season with Jamal Fogarty and Luke Brooks improving their combination in recent weeks. Brandon Wakeham has impressed since taking over the starting hooker duties with Jake Simpkin again named on the bench.
Broncos young guns ready to fire | 01:45
FRIDAY 17TH APRIL
Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm @ GIO Stadium, 6pm
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Joseph Roddy 20. Owen Pattie 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Chevy Stewart
Analysis: Matt Timoko comes in at centre for his first NRL appearance since Round 2, with Seb Kris shifting to the wing and Savelio Tamale dropping to the reserves. Tamale was spoken to by his coach last week after scoring a casual try that was nearly thwarted by Cody Walker in a lazy and confounding play. Timoko has been out of favour this season under Ricky Stuart and has been shopped around to rival clubs amid the emergence of Simi Sasagi as a genuine centre option. Daine Laurie is part of the six-man bench after scoring a hat-trick in NSW Cup last weekend. The 26-year-old was considered a curious signing by the Raiders given they are well stocked at fullback and in the halves and he is still yet to play a game for his new club this season. Jayden Brailey holds his place on the bench ahead of Owen Pattie and it remains to be seen if Laurie and Pattie will become frustrated with their lack of game time over the course of the season.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Davvy Moale 18. Shawn Blore 19. Hugo Peel 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Moses Leo 22. Trent Toelau
Analysis: Craig Bellamy has resisted the urge to make mass changes despite threatening to do so for the second week in a row after four straight defeats. However edge defence has been an issue all season, which has seen Manaia Waitere promoted from the bench to start in place of Mose Leo, who drops to the reserves. Leo has struggled defensively given his background is in Sevens rugby and he still needs to learn some of the nuances of the game in defence. Interestingly, Bellamy has kept faith in JoeChan, who copped an almight spray from his coach at half-time of the loss to the Warriors and was hooked for the second half. Bellamy has shown he is a coach who demands certain standards, but his lack of options in the back row at the moment may leave him little choice but to keep the faith in some of his underperforming players. Shawn Blore joins bench for his first game of the season in a timely boost and he will no doubt get some minutes to help shore up the edge defence. Chan is an excellent player at his best, but with rookie Cooper Clarke also in the back row, the Storm are struggling for experience.
Dolphins v Penrith Panthers @ TIO Stadium (Darwin), 8pm
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ray Stone 17. Francis Molo 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Trai Fuller 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Lewis Symonds
Analysis: The Dolphins are coming off the bye and are desperate to get their season back on track, but come up against a beaten Panthers outfit that will be smarting. Brad Schneider comes in at No.14 with Kurt Donoghoe out due to injury. Oryn Keeley joins the bench. The Dolphins desperately need to improve their defence, but their attack has also struggled to fire consistently this season. The side has clearly missed Jeremy Marshall-King’s punch out of dummyhalf, which has affected the form of halves Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also been down on his own high standards and will need a big game up against Dylan Edwards in a mouth-watering battle.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Kalani Going 17. Billy Phillips 18. Sione Fonua 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Luron Patea 21. Jack Cole 22. Jesse McLean
Analysis: The Panthers were being talked about as having the potential to go through the season undefeated, but the Bulldogs provided the blueprint to beating them. Izack Tago will play his first NRL game of the season after being brought in for the suspended Casey McLean. Liam Martin is out with a knee injury with Luke Garner starting in the back row and Kalani Going joining the bench.
Manly stars flying high under Foran | 01:39
SATURDAY 18TH APRIL
NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans @ Go Media Stadium, 3pm
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Luke Hanson 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 23. Mitchell Barnett
Analysis: The Warriors bounced back from two straight losses to put in one of their best performances under Andrew Webster to beat the Storm and it wasn’t even their best side with a raft of changes due to injuries. Against the Titans, Kurt Capewell returns from a calf injury with Marata Niukore shifting back to the bench. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) and Mitch Barnett (thumb) will bid to return to the side via the reserves. If Nicoll-Klokstad is fit, he will likely come into the centres with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting to the wing and Alofiana Khan-Pereira the unlucky man out. If Barnett plays, it will likely be off the bench with Demitric Vaimauga and Jacob Laban likely to make way. Tanner Stowers-Smith has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Kurtis Morrin 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Oliver Pascoe 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Adam Christensen 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Zane Harrison 20. Klese Haas 21. Josh Patston 22. Jenson Taumoepeau
Analysis: Josh Hannay has kept faith in the side that destroyed the Eels. Jayden Campbell and Lachlan Ilias are developing a nice combination in the halves, with Keano Kini starring st fullback and AJ Brimson improving since his shift to the centres. Moeaki Fotuaika has been excellent off the bench and gives the Titans some much needed power at the back end of each half. Klese Haas has been named in the reserves as he bids to return from a leg injury that saw him miss last week’s game. Josh Patston joins the reserves after a suspension incurred in Queensland Cup.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v St. George Illawarra Dragons @ Accor Stadium, 5:30pm
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Lachlan Hubner 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Edward Kosi 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Moala Graham-Taufa 22. Liam Le Blanc
Analysis: Welcome back Matt Dufty. After 1,420 days, the speedster is back in the NRL after the Rabbitohs were successful in getting an exemption following the shoulder injury to Jye Gray. It sets up an intriguing clash against the Dragons, who Dufty fell out of favour at before departing for the Super League, but coach Wayne Bennett warned against him treating the game as another more than 80 minutes of football. “I don’t think he’s trying to be motivated by that – I don’t want him to be motivated by that,” Bennett said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. “That’s all over and long gone. That won’t help him if he thinks he’s going to play well getting [motivated] by that.” Gray will be sidelined for around four weeks, giving Dufty a solid amount of time to find his feet again in the NRL. In a further blow, however, new recruit David Fifita is out with a hamstring tear that will see him miss up to six weeks. Lachlan Hubner has been named in the second row to replace him.
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Hame Sele 19. Kade Reed 20. David Fale 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Lyhkan King-Togia
Analysis: It may be frustrating for Dragons fans given they are 0-6, but it is hardly surprising that coach Shane Flanagan has not made any unforced changes given what he said last week. “The issue with most NRL clubs is what are we going to replace them with? We’ve got some injuries, Dylan Egan is coming back in a couple of weeks. It’s not like someone is sitting there… it’s a tricky one… if I had someone who was better I’d put them in. Trust me,” he told reporters after last week’s loss to Manly. Jacob Halangahu joins the bench with Mat Feagai into the starting side in place of Moses Suli (eye socket). Christian Tuipulotu picked up a knee injury last week but seems to be in a position to play after being named, with David Fale in the reserves as cover.
Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 7:35pm
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Heamasi Makasini 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Latu Fainu 19. Luke Laulilii 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Tristan Hope
Analysis: He’s back. Captain Jarome Luai returns from a knee injury, which sees the impressive Jock Madden revert to the bench while Taylan May is named to return from a shoulder injury. In a tough call for coach Benji Marshall, it is Jeral Skelton who misses out with Sunia Turuva moving to the wing. The suspended Luke Laulilii has been named on the six-man bench, which is a huge vote of confidence for Patrick Herbert after he made a statement in his place last week with Marshall rewarding the journeyman for his performance against the Knights.
Broncos team: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Josh Rogers 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Xavier Willison 14. Thomas Duffy 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Va’a Semu 19. Hayze Perham 20. Cameron Bukowski 21. Cory Paix 22. Antonio Verhoeven
Analysis: Adam Reynolds makes a welcome return for the Broncos but it comes at the cost of the impressive Tom Duffy, who will have to settle for a bench spot for the time being. Duffy told reporters he didn’t have too much experience player hooker but at this stage he may be leaned on to do just that, having been named on the extended bench with potential debutant Cameron Bukowski expected to take that role. Instead, Bukowski is part of the reserves, although he could still be a late addition. Elsewhere, Cory Paix has also been named on the reserves with his availability to be decided based on further medical assessment from an independent specialist. Paix suffered a head knock in the loss to the Cowboys and it was deemed a Category 1, which subsequently ruled him out. But coach Michael Maguire was adamant post-game that Paix was fine to play this week and that the club would contest that ruling. For now, Josh Rogers is slated to start at hooker but he may drop back to the bench if Paix is cleared, which could see Duffy be the unlucky man to miss out. However, given Reynolds is only just returning from his groin injury he may hold his bench spot as insurance. With no Patrick Carrigan it is Xavier Willison who has been named at lock. Willison told reporters he had done plenty of work on his ball-playing in the summer that should bode well for his potential in the new role. Jordan Riki has been named and is being given every chance to prove his fitness after picking up a foot injury at training. Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt are the new faces on the interchange bench, with Gosiewski likely to replace Riki if he is ruled out.
Drinkwater to leave + Foran to stay on? | 26:02
SUNDAY 19TH APRIL
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights @ Allianz Stadium, 2pm
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Billy Smith
Analysis: No changes for the Roosters after last week’s win over the Sharks, but Billy Smith is looming large after being named in the reserves as he targets a return from a knee injury. Smith’s impending return could leave coach Trent Robinson with a tough decision given Hugo Savala filled in exceptionally in the centres against the Sharks and seems too talented to leave out of the run-on side. “He’s a football player. He plays halves but he showed his speed down the sideline. We trust him and that’s a big part of a teammate,” Robinson said of Savala after last week’s win. Staying healthy has been the biggest problem for Smith throughout his career and while Savala is new to the position, he trained a bunch at both centre and lock in the off-season which should help him defensively with the transition along with the fact he is a bigger body. Savala’s additional ball-playing could also add another dimension to the Roosters attack.
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Thomas Cant 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Francis Manuleleua 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Peter Hola 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. James Schiller
Analysis: Good news Knights fans. You get to watch excitement machine Fletcher Sharpe back in his natural position at fullback without losing Fletcher Hunt. Instead, Hunt replaces Wilson De Courcey who was hooked in last week’s loss to the Tigers. For Sharpe, it may be a short-lived stint at fullback given Kalyn Ponga is expected back in the coming weeks but it is the best-possible line-up in the short-term for Newcastle with Sandon Smith retaining his spot at five-eighth alongside the returning Dylan Brown. Of course, there are plenty of other injuries elsewhere at the Knights with Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell both out. Thomas Cant gets the start in the back row while Cody Hopwood joins the bench.
Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs @ CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Jack de Belin 17. Toni Mataele 18. Teancum Brown 19. Araz Nanva 20. Lorenzo Talataina 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Mohamed Alameddine
Analysis: You have to feel for Jason Ryles. Even if he wanted to shake things up after a bitterly disappointing start to the season, it is not as if he has many options. Thankfully for him, Sean Russell is back from a concussion this week so Brian Kelly shifts to the wing which sees debutant Araz Nanva move back to the bench. But the good news finishes there for the Eels, with Kelma Tuilagi and Kitione Kautoga unavailable as Ryles turns to Charlie Guymer and Jack Williams to fill in at second row while Sam Tuivaiti (head knock) is also sidelined which sees Saxon Pryke make his NRL debut from the interchange. Toni Mataele is the other fresh name on the bench, with Parramatta’s bench well and truly being tested despite it only being Round 7.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Samuel Hughes 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jake Turpin 19. Jonathan Sua 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Josh Curran 22. Alekolasimi Jones 23. Stephen Crichton
Analysis: A few big inclusions for the Bulldogs and none bigger, potentially, than skipper Stephen Crichton who is a chance of returning from a shoulder injury earlier than expected. If Crichton is able to prove his fitness it would force a tough call from coach Cameron Ciraldo, who lauded Bronson Xerri’s communication in his return to first grade last week. Marcelo Montoya’s spot could be vulnerable if Ciraldo wanted to shift Tuala to the wing but otherwise it would be Xerri making way despite his strong return against the Panthers. Elsewhere, Leo Thompson is set to make his Bulldogs debut after a calf injury sidelined him to start the season. It is a welcome return with Max King unavailable. Josh Curran is also listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a rib injury with Jake Turpin likely to miss out if Curran does play.
Bye: Cronulla Sharks
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