Monday, December 30, 2024

Panthers’ huge boost as superstar half returns; Titans’ fullback chaos: Round 20 Team Lists

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The Panthers have named their superstar halfback while key Origin stars are set to get a well-deserved rest in Round 20.

The Raiders also welcome back a key playmakers in the No.7 jersey, while all of the Knights’ Origin trio have been named.

Meanwhile, a Titans superstar has been listed on the extended bench as the club continue to manage his injury.

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Read below for the Round 20 Team Lists!

FRIDAY

Canberra Raiders v Warriors, 8pm AEST at GIO Stadium

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking 18. Adam Cook 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler

Analysis: A huge boost for the Raiders with Jamal Fogarty named to play his first game since Round 7 after suffering a biceps injury. Hudson Young returns in the backrow from a groin issue while Zac Hosking also will return from a shoulder injury via the bench. Seb Kris has also earned a recall in the centres, with Albert Hopoate the man to make way.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Tom Ale 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Edward Kosi 22. Moala Graham-Taufa 23. Jacob Laban

Analysis: Both Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett has been named to back up from Origin. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Marcelo Montoya have been sidelined due to respective calf and groin injuries. Taine Tuaupiki will start at fullback with Ali Leiataua earning a spot in the centres. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also shifts one position out to the wing. Tohu Harris has also been sidelined for the season with a wrist issue and has been replaced by Dylan Walker.

SATURDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, 3pm AEST at Industree Group Stadium

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host

Analysis:Cameron Murray has been named to back up from Origin and is a straight swap for Jai Arrow who has finally succumb to injury. Liam Le Blanc also shifts to the extended reserves with Siliva Havili making a return from a calf injury.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. David Klemmer 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Fonua Pole 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Sione Fainu 17. Jordan Miller 18. Justin Matamua 19. Heath Mason 20. Reuben Porter 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Apisai Koroisau

Analysis:Api Koroisau (calf) has been named on the extended bench but is unlikely to play with Tallyn Da Silva named at hooker. Luke Laulilii has been recalled on the wing at the expense of Alex Lobb while Alex Twal and Latu Fainu return on the bench in place of Heath Mason and Reuben Porter.

Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos, 5:30pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Krystian Mapapalangi 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Mathew Croker 20. Thomas Cant 21. Fletcher Sharpe 22. Thomas Jenkins

Analysis: Newcastle’s Origin trio of Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best have all been named to back up after the series decider. Fletcher Sharpe and Tom Cant drop out of the 17, while Dylan Lucas shifts back to the bench. Brodie Jones has been sidelined due to a head knock, with Jack Hetherington takes his place. Tyson Gamble, interestingly, has been named as 18th man on return from a fractured foot suffered in Round 10.

Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Joshua Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Blake Mozer 15. Tyson Smoothy 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Vaa Semu 19. Cory Paix 20. Reece Walsh 21. Selwyn Cobbo 22. Patrick Carrigan 23. Payne Haas 24. Adam Reynolds

Analysis: Kevin Walters has named the same 17 that lost to the Dragons last week. However, his four Origin stars, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo have all been named on the extended bench. Adam Reynolds has also been listed on the reserves as he eyes a return from a biceps injury.

Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters, 7:35pm AEST at AAMI Park

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Reimis Smith 19. Joe Chan 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Analysis: Storm centre Nick Meaney returns from a calf injury prompting Grant Anderson’s shift to the wing, while Kane Bradley has been left out completely. Maroons hooker Harry Grant has been named at dummy half but he’s got a lingering sternum issue so a call will be made whether he will take the field in Round 20.

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Terrell May 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Sandon Smith 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte 18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong 20. Blake Steep 21. Jake Elliott 22. Salesi Foketi 23. Michael Jennings 24. Zach Dockar-Clay

Analysis: NSW Blues Game I centre Joseph Sua’ali’i returns from a four-game suspension after his ugly hit on Reece Walsh. Victor Radley (concussion protocols) is also back with Terrell May named to take the place of the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at prop. Meanwhile Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson are all named to back up after Origin III, with Sandon Smith and Naufahu Whyte added to the bench.

‘I’m always pretty nervous’ | 01:46

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SUNDAY

Penrith Panthers v Dolphins, 2pm AEST at Bluebet Stadium

Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Brad Schneider 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luron Patea 18. Isaiah Iongi 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Soni Luke 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Jarome Luai 23. Brian To’o 24. Liam Martin

Analysis: Three-time premiership-winning halfback Nathan Cleary makes his long awaited return from a hamstring injury in what will be his first game since Round 10. Origin players Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Liam Martin have been named among the reserves and could be late inclusions. Meanwhile co-captain Isaah Yeo and fullback Dylan Edwards are set to be rested for Round 20.

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. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Trai Fuller 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Oryn Keeley

Analysis: Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi have been included in the starting side and will almost certainly take the field. Trai Fuller keeps a spot in the 17 and will come off the bench after a scintillating match last week while filling in at fullback. Sean O’Sullivan has been named 18th man while Euan Aitken is facing an extended period on the sideline after suffering a pectoral injury last round.

Manly Sea Eagles v Gold Coast Titans 4:05pm AEST at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jamie Humphreys 21. Corey Waddell 22. Taniela Paseka

Analysis: Origin captains Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic have been named to back up. Jamie Humphreys, who just signed with the Rabbitohs, drops to the reserves, while cult hero Nathan Brown moves from lock to prop. Tof Sipley has been named on the bench alongside Ben Trbojevic who makes his return from concussion. Taniela Paseka could also be a late inclusion as he eyes a return from a thumb injury.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. AJ Brimson 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Jaylan De Groot

Analysis: The dynamic Keano Kini has been named at fullback with AJ Brimson named as 18th man. But don’t discount a late change before kick-off a possibility with Brimson coming into the side as the Gold Coast manage his return from a groin injury. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been named to back up from Game III.

North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs, 6:15pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Tom Dearden 22. Jeremiah Nanai 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter

Analysis: Coach Todd Payten has named all five of his Origin representatives in the reserves. Winger Semi Valemei is also eyeing a return from an ankle injury and has been named in the extended reserves. A host of players could find themselves out of the 17 depending on Payten’s call regarding his Origin players.

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Harry Hayes 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Chris Patolo 25. Kitione Kautoga

Analysis: Stephen Crichton has been named to back up from Origin Game III, while Jacob Preston has been named in the back row as he returns from a foot injury. To offset the loss of Max King, who has been sidelined with a wrist injury, Josh Curran slots in at prop and Poasa Faamausili has been named on the pine.

BYE: Dragons, Eels, Sharks

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