Teams have been named for Round 8 of the NRL season and for several clubs, their hopes of figuring in the finals are already starting to look dim.
No side is even close to being out of the running for the playoffs as the eighth-placed Rabbitohs are only on six competition points with a 3-4 record but for teams like Gold Coast, Newcastle and Canberra, who were all given a strong chance of being finals teams in the pre-season predictions, their 2-5 records indicate they have been well below expectations.
The Knights have suffered more bad news on the back of their 39-2 loss to Parramatta with centre Dane Gagai ruled out for a month with a fractured cheekbone.
Four players – Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, Warriors forward Aaron Pene, Souths centre Taane Milne and Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu – have been banned this week after careless high tackle charges last weekend.
Injuries are also causing coaches plenty of headaches.
The Warriors have signed Cowboys playmaker Daejarn Asi for the rest of the season and rushed him straight into their squad to play Canberra with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (concussion), Kodi Nikorima (COVID) and Josh Curran (knee) joining Pene on the list of unavailable players.
Round 8 teams
Thursday
Broncos v Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm
Broncos: Kevin Walters has kept the faith with the same side which beat the Bulldogs last Friday. Te Maire Martin has retained the No.1 jersey after his impressive return to the NRL after three years out.
1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Brenko Lee 19. Jordan Pereira 20. TC Robati 21. Ezra Mam 22. Ethan Quai-Ward 23. Logan Bayliss-Brow 24. Ryan James
Sharks: Wade Graham has been named on the extended bench after missing the first seven rounds with an ankle injury. Dale Finucane has overcome his head knock and returns at lock with Cameron McInnes reverting to the bench and Braydon Trindall relegated to the reserves.
1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aiden Tolman 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Jack Williams 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Royce Hunt 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Wade Graham 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Lachlan Miller 23. Luke Metcalf 24. Franklin Pele
Friday
Titans v Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm
Titans: Jayden Campbell is a chance of returning from a rib injury after being named in the reserves although AJ Brimson has been switched to fullback with Will Smith at five-eighth.
David Fifita is back in the forwards after a centre experiment which means Kevin Proctor goes back to the bench. Prop Jaimin Jolliffe is out with a calf injury.
1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Smith 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Jamayne Isaako 19. Jarrod Wallace 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Esan Marsters 22. Paul Turner 23. Corey Thompson 24. Jayden Campbell
Panthers: After an eye-catching debut, hooker Soni Luke has kept his place on the interchange while winger Brian To’o is still another week away from an injury return.
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Mitch Kenny 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan
Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles at Central Coast Stadium, 7.55pm
Rabbitohs: Taane Milne’s high tackle suspension means Isaiah Tass gets a call-up at centre. Siliva Havili replaces Jacob Host (shoulder) on the bench.
1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Trent Peoples 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Richard Kennar 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Peter Mamouzelos 23. Josiah Karapani 24. Shaq Mitchell
Sea Eagles: Morgan Harper has been dropped after he was hooked during last week’s loss to Cronulla. Martin Taupau (COVID) and Sean Keppie (concussion) have returned to fill the gaps left in the pack by Andrew Davey (shoulder), Taniela Paseka (knee) and Haumole Olakau’atu (suspended). Ben Trbojevic also joins the game-day 17 on the bench.
1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Karl Lawton 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Kurt De Luis 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Morgan Harper 19. Jorge Taufua 20. James Roumanos 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Josh Schuster 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. Jacob Sykes
Saturday
Warriors v Raiders at Moreton Daily Stadium, 3pm
Warriors: The Warriors have signed Cowboys playmaker Daejarn Asi for the rest of the season and rushed him straight into their squad to play Canberra with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (concussion), Kodi Nikorima (COVID) and Josh Curran (knee) joining forward Aaron Pene on the list of unavailable players after he was suspended for a high tackle on Reimis Smith.
Winger Edward Kosi has been dropped after his horror night in Melbourne during the 70-10 thrashing with Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea replacing him and DWZ on the flanks.
1. Reece Walsh 2. Rocco Berry 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Viliami Vailea 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake (c) 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Jazz Tevaga.
Interchange: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Jack Murchie 18. Edward Kosi 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Junior Ratuva 24. Valingi Kepu 25. Jackson Frei
Raiders: Canberra captain Elliott Whitehead has been named to return from a nasty head gash.
1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Xavier Savage 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Harry Rushton 19. Matt Frawley 20. Jarrod Croker 21. Emre Guler 22. Trey Mooney 23. James Schiller 24. Peter Hola
Bulldogs v Roosters at Accor Stadium, 5.30pm
Bulldogs: After COVID ripped through their squad last week, Canterbury welcome back winger Brent Naden, centre Jake Averillo and bench forward Ava Seumanufagai.
1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Joe Stimson 16. Max King 17. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Josh Cook 20. Jackson Topine 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Reece Hoffman 23. Billy Tsikrikas 24. Paul Alamoti 25. Tui Katoa
Roosters: Kevin Naiqama will play on the left wing after Daniel Tupou was suspended for a high tackle.
1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Marschke 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Tom Carr
Eels v Cowboys at TIO Stadium, 7.05pm
Eels: Dylan Brown remains in the centres after the five-eighth excelled there during the big win over Newcastle.
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Wiremu Greig 19. Mitch Rein 20. Tom Opacic 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Solomone Naiduki 23. Elie El Zakhem 24. Luca Moretti
Cowboys: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named on the extended reserves and could be a late inclusion.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Ben Condon 22. Emry Pere 23. Brendan Elliot 24. Ben Hampton
Sunday
Knights v Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm
Knights: Dane Gagai’s fractured cheekbone means Simi Sasagi gets a run at centre. Brodie Jones is under a cloud with an elbow problem.
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Tex Hoy 19. Jack Johns 20. Brayden Musgrove 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Dylan Lucas 23. Jaron Purcell 24. Krystian Mapapalangi
Storm: Back-up hooker Tyran Wishart has been recalled to the interchange with Chris Lewis reverting to the reserves in an otherwise unchanged squad frm Monday night’s 70-10 shellacking of the Warriors.
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Marion Seve 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jack Howarth 23. Bronson Garlick 24. Cooper Johns
Dragons v Tigers at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm
Dragons: Jack Bird was thought to be out with a potentially broken arm but has been named in the No.6 jersey. Jaydn Su’A (ankle) is out. Tariq Sims has been named to start in the back row. Tyrell Fuimaono is the only new face in the 17 following the Dragons’ 14-12 Anzac Cup win over the Sydney Roosters on Monday.
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. George Burgess 11. Tariq Sims 12. Josh Mcguire 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jackson Ford 20. Josh Kerr 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Cody Ramsey 23. Jack Gosiewski 24. Jayden Sullivan
Tigers: With Daine Laurie sidelined with a knee injury, Starford To’a comes in at fullback. Kelma Tuilagi is back in the back row after missing the win over Souths due to an illness.
1. Starford To’a 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Luke Garner 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jock Madden 15. Alex Twal 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Tyrone Peachey 20. Junior Tupou 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Austin Dias 23. Fonua Pole 24. Junior Pauga