NRL Round 12 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat
The Eels’ backrow stocks boosted, desperate Broncos seek to turn back the clock and the Raiders and Rabbitohs welcome back stars – it’s safe to say there’s plenty of teams news for round 12!
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Broncos powerhouse David Fifita will join halfback Brodie Croft on the sidelines for another week after being ruled out of the Brisbane team to tackle the Sharks on Friday night.
The team lists are in for round 12 of the NRL and there are a string of big-name inclusions and a few surprise choices to replace injured stars.
TEAM NEWS
Early Mail: Predicted changes for round 12
Casualty ward: NRL Physio’s full analysis
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
DRAGONS COMMENT: Tariq Sims returns from suspension and regains his starting role on an edge pushing Tyrell Fuimaono to the interchange bench. Jason Saab is out replaced on the wing by Jordan Pereira. Adam Clune (concussion) is out which sees Ben Hunt revert to halfback, Cameron McInnes to hooker and Jackson Ford come into the starting team at lock. Trent Merrin (concussion) is out with Tristan Sailor coming on to the bench as a utility back.
RABBITOHS COMMENT: Latrell Mitchell’s two week suspension has concluded and he resumes his role at fullback. Alex Johnston makes way for Mitchell moving to the wing and Corey Allan is the player to be dropped. Liam Knight is back, returning on the bench in place of Hame Sele (shoulder) while Patrick Mago comes on to the interchange bench in place of last week’s debutant Jack Johns.
WESTS TIGERS COMMENT: Russell Packer (suspended) is out once again with his starting prop role filled by Oliver Clark. Luke Garner returns from his one-week HIA related absence and this sees Sam McIntyre revert to the interchange. Alex Twal is back and starts at lock in place of Matt Eisenhuth. Last week’s late withdrawal Thomas Mikaele is named on the bench where Shawn Blore has held his spot. Michael Chee Kam (concussion) gets a week off, Josh Reynolds returns but only to the reserves at this stage.
WARRIORS COMMENT: Changes galore here. Both wingers David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo have returned to NZ and this sees Patrick Herbert start on one edge and new loanee George Jennings the other. Karl Lawton has been named to start at hooker with Wayde Egan relegated to the bench. The other loanee Daniel Alvaro joins Egan on the bench in place of Isaiah Papali’i. Chanel Harris-Tavita misses out on selection this week.
FULL TEAMS: Matterson named, Broncos shock
WEEKEND REVIEW: 10 things we learned
COLONEL’S COMP: Flex your footy banter
CASUALTY WARD: Truth behind huge injury toll
BRONCOS COMMENT: Darius Boyd takes over at fullback with Anthony Milford moving to five-eighth in place of an injured Brodie Croft, Herbie Farnworth shifts in to centre to cover for Boyd and Richie Kennar comes on to the wing. Jack Turpin returns to the squad with last week’s number nine Cory Paix left out of the 17. Issac Luke comes on to the bench having served his suspension where he will be joined by Ethan Bullemor. Brisbane fans will have to wait at least another week for David Fifita’s return.
SHARKS COMMENT: Connor Tracey comes into the starting team in place of Chad Townsend (calf). Josh Dugan returns after being a late out last week and he resumes his role at centre in place of Bryson Goodwin. Briton Nikora has served his suspension and resumes his edge second-row role so Siosifa Talakai heads to the interchange. Toby Rudolf named to start at lock but don’t be surprised if he and Jack Williams swap roles as per last week.
Matt Dufty pulls off a vintage Benji for our KFC Play of the Week ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/qw0iHswpF5
— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) July 28, 2020
ROOSTERS COMMENT: The Roosters will be without Boyd Cordner once again with the premiers opting to rest their skipper and give him a chance to recover from lingering concussion symptoms. Sitili Tupouniua wins another start in Cordner’ place. Brett Morris (back) is out, replaced on the wing by Ryan Hall.
TITANS COMMENT: Keegan Hipgrave returns from injury replacing Sam Stone on an edge. With the only other change being Sam Lisone coming on to the bench in place of Jai Whitbread.
COWBOYS COMMENT: Jordan McLean (calf) makes a welcome return in the front row, pushing Francis Molo to the bench. Connelly Lemuelu (cork) returns at centre with Mitch Dunn benched. Reuben Cotter and Ben Hampton drop out. Josh McGuire was found guilty of a dangerous contact charge by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night and will miss the match.
RAIDERS COMMENT: John Bateman (shoulder) makes a long-awaited return after a series of false starts. He comes straight into the starting back row with Hudson Young moving to lock and Kai O’Donnell to the reserves. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (finger) is replaced at fullback by Jordan Rapana, with Curtis Scott (infection) returning in Rapana’s centre spot. Mid-season recruit Corey Harawira-Naera comes straight into the 17 in place of Harley Smith-Shields on the bench.
SEA EAGLES COMMENT:
Dylan Walker has been named in reserves as he aims to overcome an ankle injury. Sean Keppie replaces Jack Gosiewski on the bench.
PANTHERS COMMENT:
Viliame Kikau (calf) returns in the back row after a late withdrawal last week, with Tyrone May dropping back to the interchange and Matt Burton out. Api Koroisau (elbow) is included in reserves despite the club saying he would be given “a few more weeks”. Boom debutant Charlie Staines is named in the reserves after serving his ban for a COVID-quarantine breach.
BULLDOGS COMMENT: Mid-season recruit Tim Lafai has been parachuted straight into the starting centre role of Kerrod Holland, who drops to reserves. Brandon Wakeham and Renouf To’omaga drop off the bench, replaced by Jack Cogger and Sauaso Sue.
EELS COMMENT: Ryan Matterson (concussion) has been named despite a heavy head knock last week. Kane Evans (calf) and Oregon Kaufusi (broken hand) return on the bench in place of Brad Takairangi and Stefano Utoikamanu. Popular cheapie Andrew Davey has retained a bench spot after two impressive games.
Just when we thought David Fifita was coming back...Team List Tuesday throws a curveball 😅 Here are this week's winners and losers!@TomSangsterSC pic.twitter.com/5d2EmcJ0Z3
— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) July 28, 2020
STORM COMMENT:
Brenko Lee (hand) is replaced in the centres by Marion Seve. Paul Momirovski (finger) is out for 12 weeks, replaced by Tom Eisenhuth on the bench. Jesse Bromwich (knee) has been included on the extended bench and could return.
KNIGHTS COMMENT:
Season-ending injuries to hookers Andrew McCullough (knee) and Connor Watson (Achilles) see Chris Randall score the No. 9 jersey for what will be his second NRL game. Sione Mata’utia (knee) is replaced in the starting back row by Aidan Guerra. Phoenix Crossland and Josh King are the new faces on the bench.
Originally published as NRL Round 12 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat