Penrith punish rusty Roosters
9 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Sam returns with his weekly ins & outs with analysis of each side and a forecast for all eight matches.
1. Brad Abbey 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Frawley 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Greg Eastwood 13. David Klemmer 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Adam Elliot 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
In - Matt Frawley
Out - Moses Mbye
Analysis - Canterbury has endured a hell of a week after the pressure builds on the side after a tragic performance against the Sea Eagles last start. The Bulldogs won't get any favours when they return to ANZ Stadium where they will host the Brisbane Broncos who certainly won't be taking it easy on them. The Dogs have lost halfback Moses Mbye to suspension and this sees former Raiders under 20's half Matt Frawley handed his NRL debut. The punters will give Des Hasler's men no chance after last week's debacle, however it is worth remembering that the Bulldogs belted Brisbane in this corresponding fixture in 2016.
1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Korbin Sims 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Sam Thaiday 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire 14. Alex Glenn 15. Tevita Pangai 16. Herman Essese 17. Jai Arrow
In - Nil
Out - Nil
Analysis - The Broncos have made no changes to the side that escaped with one point victory over Canberra last Friday night. Brisbane will have not forgotten the both times they faced the Dogs last season, which included a firey encounter at Suncorp Stadium which very nearly descended into chaos when then skipper Corey Parker copped the brunt of Sam Kasiano's size 16's in his chin. Expect the Broncos' pack not to forget that incident on Thursday night, which could light the fuse for a brutal opening amongst the forward packs.
Weather Watch - Heavy Rain
1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 20. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra 14. Isaac Liu 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Connor Watson
In - Jake Friend
Out - Paul Carter
Analysis - The undefeated Roosters return to Allianz Stadium where they face an in form Manly side who have given it to the Cowboys and Bulldogs in the past fortnight. Jake Friend returns to hooker in a big boost for the home side. Strike centre Blake Ferguson has again been named on the extended bench, along with Kane Evans and both loom as late inclusions for the Bondi boys.
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Jackson Hastings 16. Nate Myles 17. Addin Fonua-blake
In - Nil
Out - Nil
Analysis - The Sea Eagles have hit form and will be looking to continue on the giant killing spree as they look to inflict the first loss of the season on the high flying Roosters. Coach Trent Barrett has made no changes and why would he? Given the outstanding form of his superstars in Daly Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers, Manly will fancy their chances come Friday evening.
Weather Watch - Partly Cloudy, Windy.
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Gideon Gela-Mosby 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 16. Coen Hess 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 8. Patrick Kaufusi 14. Ben Hampton 15. John Asiata 17. Shaun Fensom
In - Lachlan Coote, Jason Taumalolo
Out - Kalyn Ponga, Sam Hoare
Analysis - The Cowboys managed to stay in front of a fast finishing Titans side on the Gold Coast last start and they now return home to host the Rabbitohs. If you thought Coen Hess was a one man wrecking ball last week, North Queensland now welcome back Jason Taumalolo, as well as fullback Lachlan Coote. Coote's return sees Kalyn Ponga miss out, having been named on the extended bench. Townsville has endured a tough week with Cyclone Debbie, so expect the home side to be keen for a big performance front of their passionate fans.
1. Alex Johnston 2. Braidon Burns 3. Robert Jennings 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 14. Damien Cook 13. Sam Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Kyle Turner 15. Angus Crichton 10. Jason Clark 9. Robbie Farah 16. Zane Musgrove 19. Anthony Cherrington
In - Braidon Burns
Out - Sitiveni Moceidreke
Analysis - South Sydney travel to Townsville, where they will be looking to bounce back after a poor performance against their bitter rivals the Roosters in Round 4. The Rabbitohs really struggled when their leader Sam Burgess left the field early with concussion. Rookie winger Braidon Burns returns from suspension and replaces last week's debutant Sitiveni Moceidreke in the Bunnies only change to last week's side.
Weather Watch - Fine
1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. James Segeyaro
In - Nil
Out - Nil
Analysis - The Sharks bounced back to form with a convincing 20-6 victory over the Eels at ANZ Stadium last Saturday. They now host the Knights at Shark Park, where they will be looking to make it back to back wins for the first time this season. Valentine Holmes has been named at fullback and rookie Jayden Brailey has held his starting spot, with new recruit James Segeyaro again named to start from the interchange bench.
1. Brendan Elliott 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata'utia 20. Jacob Gagan 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson 15. Jack Stockwell 12. Jamie Buhrer 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata'utia 19. Joe Wardle 13. Mitchell Barnett 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 16. Sam Stone 21. Anthony Tupou
In - Brendan Elliot
Out - Joe Wardle
Analysis - The Knight's promising start to the season came undone at Pepper Stadium against the Panthers, where they were thrashed 40-0. Fullback Brendan Elliot returns to the side, which sees Petter Mata'utia move back to centre and brother Sione returning to the backrow. This sees Luke Yates move back to the bench and new recruit Joe Wardle to the extended bench.
Weather Watch - Cloudy
1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Clay Priest 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Luke Bateman 16. Dave Taylor 17. Joseph Tapine
In - Dave Taylor
Out - Elliott Whitehead
Analysis - Canberra return to GIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon, where they host the Parramatta Eels in what promises to be a crunch game for the Raiders who have suffered a slow start to 2017, with only the one win. English backrower, Elliott Whitehead will miss the match through suspension for tripping. This sees Iosia Soliola start in the second row, with Dave Taylor looking to provide impact from the interchange bench. Hooker Josh Hodgson is in doubt with a sternum injury, but will be given until later in the week to prove his fitness.
1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Clint Gutherson 7. Corey Norman 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 16. Frank Pritchard 13. Beau Scott 14. Nathan Brown 15. Daniel Alvaro 17. Siosaia Vave 18. David Gower
In - Tepai Moeroa
Out - David Gower
Analysis - The Eels got off to a flyer in 2017, winning their first two matches and found themselves leading the competition. A fortnight later they have now suffered back to back losses and now find themselves heading down the Hume Highway to face a desperate Raiders outfit, who will be looking to turn around their slow start to the year. Backrower Tepai Meoroa returns from suspension, which sees Frank Pritchard move back to the bench and David Gower drop back to 18th
Weather Watch - Fine
1. Billy Slater 21. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 15. Tim Glasby 17. Joe Stimson 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Tui Kamikamica
In - Jordan McLean
Out - Vincent Leuluai
Analysis - Melbourne remain undefeated in 2017, surviving a first half scare from a resurgent Tigers outfit at Leichardt on Sunday afternoon. The Storm now return to AAMI Park where they face early season favourites, the Panthers in what will be one of the matches of the round. Jordan McLean returns to the front row for the home side, which sees Christian Welch move back to the bench and Vincent Leuluai drop back to the extended bench.
1. Matt Moylan 2. Dean Whare 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin 14. Peta Hiku 15. Leilani Latu 16. Viliame Kikau 18. Moses Leota
In - Nil
Out - Nil
Analysis - Penrith thrashed the Knights 40-0 last start in a sign that they are starting to find their feet, after having huge expectation placed on them early in the pre-season. Star backrower Bryce Cartwright will not return this week from a leg injury, which sees last week's debutant Corey Harawira-Naera retain his spot in the side. James Fisher-Harris who suffered a fractured eye socket two weeks ago has been named on the extended bench.
Weather Watch - Cloudy
1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. Blake Ayshford 3. David Fusitua 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 15. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering 8. Charlie Gubb 16. Sam Lisone 17. Ligi Sao 22. Ata Hingano
In - Kieran Foran, Nathaniel Roache
Out - Tuimoala Lolohea, Bunty Afoa
Analysis - The Warriors had no answers for the Dragons and coach Stephen Kearney and his troops are beginning to feel the pressure after a poor start to the season. The Warriors were disrupted by Kieran Foran's long awaited club debut being aborted at the very last minute, when he injured himself in the warm up. Foran has again been named in the #6 this week, which sees Tui Lolohea left out of the side, along with Bunty Afoa who has been replaced on the pine by Nathaniel Roache.
1. Tyrone Roberts 2. Tyrone Roberts-Davis 3. Dale Copley 12. Chris McQueen 5. Daniel Vidot 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Ryan Simpkins 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 17. Joe Greenwood 13. Leivaha Pulu 14. Karl Lawton 15. Nathaniel Peteru 16. Chris Grevsmuhl 18. Max King
In - Chris Grevsmuhl
Out - Agnatius Paasi
Analysis - The Titans were brave in defeat in their 32-26 loss to the Cowboys and they now face a tough trip across the Taman, where they face an unpredictable Warriors side. In some good news for the Titans, co-captain Ryan James has been found not guilty of a shoulder charge and will be free to play this week. Agnatius Paasi will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury, which sees Leivaha Pulu start at lock and new signing Chris Grevsmuhl comes onto the bench to make his club debut.
Weather Watch - Partly Cloudy
1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Jamal Idris 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Moses Suli 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Jack Littlejohn 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Josh Aloiai 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor 14. Tim Grant 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Matt Ballin
In - Jamal Idris, Jack Littlejohn, Matt Ballin
Out - Luke Brooks, Jacob Liddle, Joel Edwards
Analysis - The Tigers responded quite well on Sunday afternoon at Leichardt, flying out of the blocks, only to be run down by the Melbourne Storm. The Tigers now host the Dragons at ANZ Stadium in the last match of the round in what promises to be an intriguing match up. Big off-season signing, Jamal Idris starts in the centres for the first time for the Tigers, while Jack Littlejohn replaces the injured Luke Brooks at halfback and Elijah Taylor starts at lock. Michael Chee Kam and Sauaso Sue move back to the bench.
1. Josh Dugan 2. Nene Macdonald 17. Kurt Mann 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 19. Taane Milne
In - Nil
Out - Nil
Analysis - St George continue to surprise, sitting comfortably in third place on the NRL ladder. The Dragons forward pack has been the key to their resurgence, led by Jack De Belin, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizzel and Tariq Sims which has given the Red V some much needed mongrel and intimidation which has been lacking for the past few years. The Dragons remained unchanged from the side that defeated the Warriors.
Weather Watch - Rain