Rabbitohs superstar is no certainty to return this week which could put his Blues jersey in doubt for Game 2.
An axed Bulldogs halfback is set for an NRL recall, but will fill the void left after their skipper’s ugly head knock.
Raiders veteran Jarrod Croker will return for his 300th first grade appearance, taking on the Warriors at GIO Stadium.
The Rabbitohs will be without several key players, while the Eels have two options should Dylan Brown be stood down after he was arrested over the weekend.
Read on for the Team Tips for Round 15.
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THURSDAY JUNE 8
Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Phillip Sami 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Klese Haas 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark
Team Tips: The Origin duo of David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will return to the run-on team, with Iszac Fa’asumaleaui and Klese Haas reverting to the bench. Kieran Foran will also remain sidelined until Round 17, which will likely see Jayden Campbell retain his spot in the halves. Sam Verrills also made a successful return from the bench, playing 34 minutes and is a strong chance of taking over the dummy-half duties with Chris Randall sidelined with suspension.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 14. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 9. Apisai Koroisau 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa
Team Tips: Apisai Koroisau was brave after playing 80 minutes for NSW, coming off the bench for the Tigers. He will take his No.9 jersey again, with Jake Simpkin dropping back to the bench. Elsewhere, Brent Naden, who was named as 18th man, could return to first grade after a solid outing for the Magpies in NSW Cup. He ran for 124 metres, with 57 post-contact metres.
FRIDAY JUNE 9
Canberra Raiders vs Warriors at GIO Stadium, 6.00pm AEST
Last week’s Raiders: 20. Harley Smith-Shields 2. Nick Cotric 3. Albert Hopoate 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Pasami Saulo 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Horsburgh 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Matt Frawley 17. Ata Mariota
Team Tips: Jarrod Croker will return to the starting side for his 300th game, which could see Nick Cotric move back to the bench and Albert Hopoate to the wing. Sebastian Kris is also due to return after he was a late withdrawal due to a knee injury, with Harley Smith-Shields dropping out of the 17. Skipper Elliott Whitehead will also return from suspension, shifting Corey Horsburgh to either prop or lock, with Joseph Tapine also in the frame to remain in the No.13. Pasami Saulo will be the man to drop back to the pine, with Matt Frawley out of the team.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 15. Josh Curran 16. Mitchell Barnett 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Tom Ale
Team Tips: Centre Rocco Berry failed his HIA and will be sidelined for 11 days under the NRL’s concussion policy. Viliami Vailea is due to return from a shoulder injury and will likely slot into the backline. Elsewhere, Andrew Webster has a big selection decision to make with both Freddy Lussick and Dylan Walker due to return from a head knock and toe injury respectively. Both players could slot on to the bench, while Walker could also find himself in the centres or in the halves such is his utility value. Bayley Sironen and Tom Ale are the likely players to make way following Mitchell Barnett’s successful return.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Dolphins at 4 Pines Park, 8.00pm AEST
Round 13 Sea Eagles team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Sean Keppie 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon 19. Jakob Arthur 18. Morgan Boyle
Team Tips: Seibold’s side enjoyed the bye in Round 14 and are set to welcome back Josh Aloiai into the starting side, likely shifting Sean Keppie back to the bench and Jakob Arthur out of the team. Tom Trbojevic remains another week away after a head knock in the Origin series opener.
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare 19. Max Plath
Team Tips: Bennett will be without both Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace for three weeks after the pair were suspended during Round 14. However, in a timely return, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will take up his place at fullback with Kodi Nikorima shifting to five-eighth. Bennett will also be sweating on the fitness of hooker Jeremy Marshall-King after he was a late withdrawal with a shoulder injury. If fit, he will shift Ray Stone back to the No.13 role.
Cleary ruled out for remainder of Origin | 00:44
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SATURDAY JUNE 10
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 3.00pm AEST
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 14. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr 18. Moses Mbye
Team Tips: The Dragons will welcome both Jack Bird and Blake Lawrie back into the team in Round 15, with Bird likely a straight swap for Jack de Belin who suffered an ugly head knock against the Panthers. Lawrie will also likely shift Michael Molo to the bench in place of Jaiyden Hunt.
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 14. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Shaq Mitchell 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Team Tips: The Rabbitohs could be without two key players for their Round 15 clash after both Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray copped injuries. Arrow (ankle) and Murray (groin) are both now in doubt for Origin and won’t take the field in Round 15. Michael Chee Kam will likely move in to the backrow, with Jacob Host taking over the No.13 jersey. Liam Knight is a strong chance of returning to first grade on the bench. Blake Taafe could keep his spot in the No.1 jersey with Latrell Mitchell no certainty to return from a calf injury. “I’ve heard he might not pay this weekend which means the Blues will have to pick him for Game 2 without playing in a month,” Brent Read said on NRL 360 on Monday night.
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 22. Corey Oates 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 19. Brendan Piakura
Team Tips: The Broncos have only one potential change on the cards, with Selwyn Cobbo potentially returning from a hip injury in place of Jesse Arthars on the wing.
Round 13 Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jack Johns 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Lachlan Miller 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 22. Kurt Mann
Team Tips: Newcastle enjoyed a week off in Round 14 which could see Lachlan Fitzgibbon deemed fit after he suffered a calf injury. Adam O’Brien will be hoping his in-form backrower takes the field. Elsewhere, no changes are expected.
Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Junior Pauga 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Nathan Brown 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matthew Lodge 19. Sandon Smith
Team Tips: Young gun Joseph Suaalii was hit with a hefty three game suspension for a raised knee in Round 14, which could see Drew Hutchison return to the starting team in the centres after he was replaced on the bench by Sandon Smith. Daniel Tupou is also a chance of returning from a hamstring injury, leaving Trent Robinson with a big decision regarding his backline. Corey Allan has been solid, however on debut Junior Pauga was excellent and is a strong chance of retaining his spot after running for 174 metres, with five tackle breaks and a try.
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 23. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Martin 18. Jack Cogger 24. Spencer Leniu
Team Tips: Following an injury to Nathan Cleary, a vacant spot in the halves has emerged for the Panthers. Jack Cogger filled the role impressively against the Dragons and is the leading candidate to take over in the No.7 over Kurt Falls. Soni Luke will likely return to the bench to play the utility role after he was left out of the team in Round 14.
Should Suaalii be sidelined for this? | 00:44
MORE NRL NEWS
‘ONE OF A FEW’: Dragons boss confirms Shane Flanagan talks after Ryles rejection
‘THAT’S THE MEDIA’: Tedesco hits back at critics as Rooster admits to ‘tough’ time
PUB INCIDENT: Eels star could be stood down after sexual touching charges
MAYBE A HANGOVER’: Bennett praises Johnson after Warriors dominate Dolphins
SUNDAY JUNE 11
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park, 2.00pm AEST
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 16. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 17. Grant Anderson
Team Tips:George Jennings is due to return from a hamstring injury but is unlikely to displace William Warbrick after the Storm handed him a contract extension last week. Alec McDonald has also overcome an elbow injury and will likely slot on to the bench. Meanwhile, Justin Olam was ruled out due to a Category 1 head knock with Grant Anderson the likely replacement in the centres.
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Team Tips: The Sharks got through their clash with the Broncos unscathed and will likely name an unchanged side.
MONDAY JUNE 12
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 5. Blake Wilson 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 21. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 23. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Corey Waddell 15. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harrison Edwards 19. Khaled Rajab
Team Tips: Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said Kyle Flanagan is “more than likely” to earn a recall for the King’s Birthday clash after Reed Mahoney failed to finish Sunday’s loss to the Roosters. Mahoney failed a HIA in the first half and will sit out for 11 days, which will see Flanagan slot in to the No.9 jersey after some strong displays in reserve grade, making 38 tackles in Round 14. Elsewhere, Raymond Faitala-Mariner is due to return from illness and could shift Jayden Okunbor to the bench. Sam Hughes is also a chance of returning from a pectoral injury but his return will hinge on Harrison Edwards who suffered a head knock and was sent from the field in the final 10 minutes. Jacob Kiraz is unlikely to play after he was a late scratching against the Roosters.
Round 13 Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Brendan Hands 16. Luca Moretti 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Daejarn Asi
Team Tips: Five-eighth Dylan Brown’s immediate playing future is up in the air after he was charged with five counts of sexual touching without consent. Brown’s charges don’t reach the no-fault policy stand down limit, however he could still be stood down under the NRL’s “discretionary” policy according to The Daily Telegraph. As it stands, Brown will be named by the Eels but will need a replacement plan in place. Clint Gutherson is one option to shift into the No.6 jersey, with Bailey Simonsson or Sean Russell playing at fullback. Meanwhile, Daejarn Asi, who was named as 18th man in Round 14, could also slot in to the halves in Brown’s absence.
Bye: Cowboys
With NCA Newswire.