Round 4 has come and gone, with a host of upsets, injuries and suspensions throwing spanners in the works for a host of coaches.
The Panthers welcome back two big-name stars but Brian To’o has been sidelined, while the Sharks have lost a pair of key players and the Sea Eagles are set to be without their marquee fullback for an extended period.
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Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 5.
THURSDAY APRIL 3
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium, 8.00pm AEDT
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 16. Trey Mooney 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 17. Ata Mariota 19. Jed Stuart
Team Tips: Ricky Stuart was handed a big reprieve with three of his key forwards avoiding suspensions in their loss to the Cowboys. Morgan Smithies is also due to return from a head knock, likely shifting one of Simi Sasagi, Trey Mooney or Ata Mariota off the pine. In a mammoth blow, outside back Albert Hopoate has suffered a torn ACL and has been ruled out for the season. Hopoate had fallen down the backline pecking order due to emergence of young gun Savelio Tamale, however Stuart’s depth has now taken a hit. Should one of his wingers suffer an injury, his son Jed Stuart is the likely man to take their place after being named 18th man in Round 4.
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Toby Rudolf
Team Tips: Gun enforcer Tom Hazelton is battling an ongoing back injury and was a late scratching from his side’s loss to the Bulldogs. He is expected to return in Round 5, considering he was named to take the field a week earlier. Siosifa Talakai suffered a head knock and is set to sit out for a week, with Jesse Colquhoun and Hohepa Puru a chance of joining the bench. Kayal Iro was also ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen the severity of that injury. However, he’s unlikely to feature in Round 5 and could be replaced by Mawene Hiroti, who was cut from the squad an hour before kick-off. Meanwhile, young gun Michael Gabrael could also be an option after scoring a double for Newtown Jets.
FRIDAY APRIL 4
Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys at CommBank Stadium, 6.00pm AEDT
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Trent Toelau 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 15. Isaiah Papali’i 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 10. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 22. Brad Schneider
Team Tips: Nathan Cleary returns in a huge boost for the Panthers, with Trent Toelau the man to make way. Gun fullback Dylan Edwards could also return from a groin injury, which would likely see Daine Laurie drop to the bench as the utility, providing cover across the backline. But Brian To’o is out for up to a month after he aggravated a hamstring injury against the Rabbitohs, with young gun Casey McLean the obvious man to take his place on the wing after he was replaced in the backline by Tom Jenkins. In a further blow, Scott Sorensen is also sitting out for a week after a head knock, with Isaiah Papali’i the likely man to shift to the back row and Lindsay Smith taking his spot in the starting front row. Matt Eisenhuth or Luron Patea will join the bench.
“People wrote of us pretty quick” | 05:35
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 21. Karl Lawton
Team Tips: The Cowboys got through their clash with the Raiders unscathed, and it’s unlikely Todd Payten will make any changes to his side that broke their winning drought. Payten was asked post-match if Jeremiah Nanai would be returning to the starting side, to which the Cowboys coach explained Kai O’Donnell had been doing an impressive job and was unlikely to be unseated for the time being.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium, 8.00pm AEDT
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 17. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 10. Davvy Moale 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc
Team Tips: On return from an Achilles injury, Alex Johnston suffered a rib injury on Thursday night. “AJ is a week-to-week proposition,” the club said. With outside backs Tyrone Munro and Campbell Graham already sidelined, Wayne Bennett will have to dig into his reserve grade side for a replacement with Fletcher Myers the most likely man. In big news, Latrell Mitchell returns at fullback, with Jye Gray likely taking up a spot on the bench, despite leading the Dally M votes after four rounds. Lachlan Hubner also returns from a two-game suspension and could take back the starting lock role, with Tallis Duncan dropping to the pine and Liam Le Blanc slipping out of the 17.
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Hugo Savala 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins
Team Tips: The Roosters are set to once again be without key enforcer Victor Radley who suffered a cheekbone injury in his side’s loss to the Titans. The blow was described as “minor” by the club, and he’s not expected to spend an extended period sidelined. Nat Butcher or Naufahu Whyte could take his place at lock, with Lindsay Collins potentially returning to the starting side. Connor Watson also returns from a week sidelined due to head knock protocols, with Zach Dockar-Clay dropping to the pine and giving up his No.9 jersey. Meanwhile, Trent Robinson could be set to pull a big halves switch, with young gun Hugo Savala rushed into the Roosters’ NSW Cup side on Saturday, a day after playing a handful of minutes in first grade. Savala replaced five-eighth Jake Elliott, who switched to hooker, before delivering a mammoth performance, assisting two tries, making 24 tackles and also kicking for 479 metres. Following their loss to the Titans, Robinson could be hoping to shift his spine, with Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend potentially on the chopping block, and Savala seen as an option to replace him.
DCE accuses Manly of smear campaign | 02:42
SATURDAY APRIL 5
Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, 3.00pm AEDT
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 10. Junior Paulo 9. Joey Lussick 16. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 17. Dan Keir 18. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Charlie Guymer
Team Tips: Warriors recruit Dylan Walker is set to make his club debut in Round 5, with Jason Ryles stating “we didn’t buy him to play Cup” after their loss to the Sea Eagles. He’s a chance of playing off the bench as an impact forward, however he could also start at hooker, with Joey Lussick dropping out of the team and Ryley Smith remaining on the pine. Bailey Simonsson has also played two games in NSW Cup, returning from an ACL injury. He could be promoted to the NRL side, replacing Sean Russell after an indifferent performance on the wing.
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 10. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 15. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 8. Toby Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan 18. Mathew Feagai
Team Tips: In a brutal blow, Emre Guler has been handed a three-game ban for a crusher tackle on Storm forward Shawn Blore. Toby Couchman will likely return to the starting side in his place, with Blake Lawrie a chance of earning a recall to the NRL outfit on the pine after making 39 tackles in reserve grade.
Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Brock Gray
Team Tips: Jaylan De Groot was impressive at fullback, replacing the injured Keano Kini and he looks likely to remain in that spot for the time being. Jaimin Jolliffe is set to return from a calf injury and he will likely replace Brock Gray on the pine. David Fifita has also featured three times on the bench to start the season, however his impact has been limited alongside his minutes. Des Hasler will likely be looking to name him in the run-on side in the coming weeks, with Klese Haas the man to make way.
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Kenny Bromwich
Team Tips: Kristian Woolf maintained he was happy with his side after they suffered their fourth-straight loss of the 2025 season. It’s been a turbulent campaign so far for the NRL newcomers, and Connelly Lemuelu is still a week away from bolstering their pack after his facial injury. Oryn Keeley could be an inclusion on the bench, however it’s unlikely Woolf makes any major changes to his side.
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Team Tips: The Broncos secured yet another victory, beating the Dolphins in the battle of Brisbane and it’s unlikely Michael Maguire will make any unforced changes. Gehamat Shibasaki ended up winning the vacant centre spot over Deine Mariner, and he delivered a stellar performance in Round 4, scoring a double which means he’s unlikely to vacate that spot anytime soon. Jordan Riki has been handed a two-game ban with an early guilty plea, with Brendan Piakura an obvious replacement for him in the back row. Ben Te Kura could join the bench, having started alongside Martin Taupau for Souths Logan Magpies.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 16. Jack Bird 4. Starford To’a 22. Solomona Faataape 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu 21. Tony Sukkar
Team Tips: Samuela Fainu suffered a leg injury on Sunday and he’s set to go for scans to determine the severity of the injury blow. His replacement will likely depend on the fitness of centre Adam Doueihi who pulled out after suffering a groin injury in warm-up, with Jack Bird slotting into the centres. If Doueihi is fit, Bird will slot into the back row, and in a huge boost the gun centre is angling for a return. “It’s nothing bad, I just sort of tweaked it in the warm up and it didn’t feel 100 per cent, so we just made a call to sit me out and fingers crossed I’ll be good to go this week,” he said to Code Sports. In a major blow, Jarome Luai has also been handed a one-game ban for a high shot on Edward Kosi, with Latu Fainu the likely man to slot into the halves in his absence after being included on the pine in Round 4. The gun halfback was also sent for scans on a shoulder injury. It was the same shoulder he has surgery on following his 2023 premiership victory with the Panthers.
Wahs tame Tigers to win 3-straight | 02:14
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SUNDAY APRIL 6
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park, 4.05pm AEDT
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown
Team Tips: In a huge blow for the Sea Eagles, Tom Trbojevic has suffered a suspected MCL injury and is set to miss four weeks according to Code Sports. The latest Trbojevic update is a piece of good news given it was reported the star fullback would miss up to six weeks with the injury. Lehi Hopoate will shift to the back, with Clayton Faulalo the likely man to take up a spot on the wing. Josh Aloiai also left the field with an AC joint issue but returned later and looked to get through the remainder of the clash without any lingering issues. Lachlan Croker is also due to return from a knee injury, but it remains to be seen if he will be rushed back into the starting spot with Jazz Tevaga doing a solid job in the No.9 jersey for the time being.
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 19. Marion Seve 18. Kane Bradley
Team Tips: Harry Grant suffered a leg injury, with a player landing on him awkwardly. He got through the game and he’s almost certain to take the field. Elsewhere, Nelson Asofa-Solomona is due to return from a head knock, with Marion Seve likely to drop off the pine in his place.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium, 6.15pm AEDT
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Jack Todd
Team Tips: The Bulldogs are the only team undefeated so far in 2025, and their five-eighth Bailey Hayward was once again impressive slotting in for the injured Matt Burton. Burton is due to return in Round 7, meaning Hayward has two more games to impress in the halves. Elsewhere, Sitili Tupouniua was handed a one-game ban for his late shot on Braydon Trindall, with Kurtis Morrin the likely man to take up his spot on the pine after he was a late exclusion with Jack Todd making his NRL debut.
Round 3 Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 12. Tyson Frizell 16. Thomas Cant 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 19. Jermaine McEwen
Team Tips: No good news for the Knights, with Kai Pearce-Paul (suspended) and Dylan Lucas (hamstring) still sidelined for the time being. Thomas Cant and Tyson Frizell look set to remain in the back row, while the remainder of the side is expected to look the same.
Bye: New Zealand Warriors
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