Origin players dropped as several coaches swing the axe early: NRL Teams Analysis

Analysis: Manly opened their season with a thumping win over the Cowboys and there’s just one forced change heading into Round 2. Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee) is out which brings Josh Aloiai into the starting side.

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, 8.05pm AEDT

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Liam Henry 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins

Analysis: Brian To’o (hamstring) returns which shifts Paul Alamoti to the centre and Luke Garner to the bench. That pushes Luron Patea to the extended bench where Liam Henry also sits as he eyes a return from injury, while Casey McLean has overcome a head knock in Round 1.

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Ethan King 21. Max McCathie 22. Billy Smith

Analysis: The Roosters were demolished by the Broncos in Round 1 and lost a key player when Victor Radley suffered an ugly head knock. Now Trent Robinson’s men will have to dig deep when they face the four-time reigning premiers on Friday. Radley (concussion) is out under the 11-day stand-down rule which sees Salesi Foketi promoted to the starting side at lock after impressing off the bench on debut last week, while Makahesi Makatoa joins the bench. Billy Smith (hip) could return after being named on the extended bench. Spencer Leniu will return from suspension next week.

SATURDAY MARCH 15

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium, 3.00pm AEDT

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Analysis: Blake Lawrie (hamstring) returns via the bench for Ryan Couchman (ACL) in the only change to Shane Flanagan’s side. Tyrell Sloan impressed in NSW Cup last weekend and has been named on the extended bench.

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani

Analysis: English recruit Lewis Dodd hasn’t cracked Wayne Bennett’s 17 after serving his suspension. “It’s been a bizarre decision (signing Dodd) from the start, it really has,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360. All the reports out of the Super League were – he’s a good player in the Super League – but a lot of people were shocked he signed to come over here and play in the top grade, the best league in the world.” Meanwhile, young gun Fletcher Myers replaced Jack Wighton (suspended) at centre and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape will make his NRL debut on the wing after Tyrone Munro (collarbone) went down.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo

Analysis: Todd Payten has swung the axe, dropping Origin back rower Jeremiah Nanai in a shock decision. Former Raiders forward Kai O’Donnell has been picked in his place, having return to the NRL after a 43-game stint in the Super League with the Leigh Leopards. O’Donnell plays his first NRL game since 2020, but for Nanai, Payten’s decision comes as a huge shock. The 22-year-old played in all three games in the 2024 Origin series for Queensland, scoring a try as the Maroons lost the series in a Suncorp Stadium decider. However, Nanai’s performance against the Sea Eagles left much to be desired, missing four tackles whilst only making three runs. He played 58 minutes in that clash, while his edge forwards partner John Bateman played all 80, showing Payten wasn’t pleased with the display. “Jeremiah is an elite attacking player but needs to improve some defensive parts of his game,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said on Tuesday. “He’s going to get some time in the Q Cup, which was not an easy decision. “But I felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.” What makes Payten’s decision even more staggering is North Queensland powerbrokers handed him a bumper contract at the start of the 2023 season worth a reported $900,000 per-season. O’Donnell, meanwhile, has shown the traits Payten has been looking for in pre-season. “He’s rock-hard fit and he will die competing for his teammates, played really good footy over in England, he’s grown up wanting to be a Cowboy all his life,” Payten said. It remains to be seen whether Nanai will be able to return to the first grade side in a singular reserve grade appearance, however he will likely light up the Queensland Cup competition being one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking weapons.

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 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

Analysis: Craig Fitzgibbon has named an unchanged 17 after his side enjoyed the week off following their trip to Las Vegas. Tuku Hau Tapahu is again the 18th man, while Daniel Atkinson once again slots in as the utility on the pine.

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matt Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Michael Asomua 22. Ethan Sanders

Analysis: The Raiders wingers will know they’re on notice this weekend with a selection headache looming. Xavier Savage was suspended following the season opener but he’ll be available in Round 3 and Ricky Stuart will have a tough decision to make. Albert Hopoate returns to replace Savage but Stuart will have to decide whether to keep them or stick with rising star Savelio Tamale next week. Tamale, 20, impressed on his club debut in the Las Vegas season opener in what marked just his second NRL game. The under-19 New South Wales representative is one of several rising stars Stuart has brought to the club on the promise of game time. Hopoate has played 36 games for the Raiders since his debut in 2022 but may have fallen behind Savage in the pecking order who is back in Stuart’s good books after falling out of favour in 2023. Meanwhile, skipper Joe Tapine (suspended) is out which sees Josh Papalii shift into the front row. Morgan Smithies returns to the lock spot he played in for the majority of the 2024 season. With Smithies shifting to lock, a spot opened up on the bench for Super League recruit Matty Nicholson to make his NRL debut. The 21-year-old made the switch from Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2025 season, playing 45 Super League games alongside a Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Nicholson is also an English international and comes with huge wraps from coach Sam Burgess, who described him as a “great athlete” and a “student of the game” when speaking on SEN with Joel and Fletch. “He’s got a bit to learn in his game but he’ll certainly do that in the NRL,” Burgess said. “I’d have loved to have kept him here (at Warrington) for one more year, send him over there with another 12 months of hard work (behind him) and try to fix up his physicality but he’ll do that there at Canberra and I’m sure we’ll see a lot of him play. He’s a good athlete.”

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 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 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden

Analysis: An unchanged 17 for Michael Maguire this week, which makes sense after the Broncos delivered a Round 1 masterclass to down the Roosters. Tyson Smoothy has once again been named 18th man.

SUNDAY MARCH 16

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium, 4.05pm AEDT

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Joey Lussick 22. Charlie Guymer

Analysis: It was an ugly induction to NRL head coaching for Jason Ryles in a thumping at the hand of the Storm and the rookie coach has already decided to swing the axe. Kelma Tuilagi drops out of the side completely, with Shaun Lane returning from a knee injury and being included in the starting side. Jake Tago has also been replaced by former Bulldog Jordan Samrani who is set to make his NRL debut. Kitione Kautoga has also displaced Charlie Guymer on the pine, who has been named in the extended reserves. Samrani was recruited by the Eels from the Bulldogs alongside Joash Papali’i, with both players stamping their marks on their new club in the pre-season challenge. Samrani has already played 19 NSW Cup games, with majority of those coming in the centres, while he has also featured on the wing and in the back row. “Jordan is a big man, predominantly an outside back who can also add versatility to our squad,” Eels manager of football Mark O’Neill said when Samrani’s signing was confirmed.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 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 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Charlie Staines 19. Latu Fainu 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape

Analysis: Three big ins for the Tigers. First, skipper Api Koroisau returns from a suspension which sees Tristan Hope drop to the extended bench. Next, fullback Jahream Bula has been after battling a shoulder complaint, while Starford To’a has also been included in this team. Solomona Faataape and Heath Mason make way.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Sports Ground, 6.15pm AEDT

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Harry Hayes 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Analysis: Josh Curran returns after serving a one-game ban he was handed in the pre-season challenge. He replaces Harry Hayes on the pine, while Kurt Mann has once again been named despite sporting a nasty knock to his face. Jaeman Salmon has once again been named on the bench but could be a late addition to the run on side.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 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. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis

Analysis: Coach Des Hasler has sprung a shock selection move, with superstar backrower David Fifita named on the pine with Klese Haas and Beau Fermor in the back row. Recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been named in the front row alongside Moe Fotuaika, overcoming a shoulder injury which threated his Round 1 appearance. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns for the first time since rupturing his ACL in Round 3 of the 2024 season, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell partner in the halves. Meanwhile former Rabbitohs forward Brock Gray makes his debut off the bench in what completes a lengthy apprenticeship in reserve grade. The 28-year-old took the leap and joined the Titans on a train-and-trial deal ahead of the 2025 season, clearly impressing enough to leapfrog a host of forwards for a spot on the pine. Gray already has 129 NSW Cup games under his belt, and was expecting to play for Tweed Heads to start his 2025 campaign. But instead, he will line-up alongside a host of big-name stars in what is an impressive forward pack. The forward is also the brother of former Rabbitohs gun Aaron Gray who played 42 games for the Rabbitohs and Sharks between 2015 and 2019. “It’s definitely the hottest pre-season I’ve endured so far but I’m slowly getting used to it,” Gray told titans.com.au in pre-season. “Training under Des (Hasler) has been such a tough but rewarding experience.. he’s a great coach and I’m learning so much from him and the senior boys in that forward pack. “It’s just been great getting to know all the boys and training alongside side such world-class players.”

Bye: Melbourne Storm