NRL teams lists Round 10: Michael Maguire’s selection shock, KFC SuperCoach news
Michael Maguire has wielded the axe at Wests Tigers, including a shock positional switch, while the son of Eels coach Brad Arthur will make his NRL debut. Check all the team news for Magic Round.
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Right-side defensive lapses which cost Wests Tigers four tries has prompted coach Michael Maguire to make his club’s biggest selection shock of the season.
Maguire was being scrutinised and questioned by Wests Tigers fans on social media on Tuesday night after shifting in-form Adam Doueihi from five-eighth to centre.
Struggling centre Moses Mbye has been moved into No.6 for Wests Tigers’ Magic Round game against Newcastle in Brisbane on Friday night.
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Maguire and The Daily Telegraph exchanged text messages on Tuesday afternoon but the coach did not wish to be quoted for this story.
Insiders, though, claim Maguire may have reacted after Mbye, who started at right centre last weekend against Gold Coast, had a forgettable night defensively in his club’s 36-28 loss.
The Titans scored four of their six tries down Moses’ right side – the centre missing five tackles, the most of any game he has played this year.
Mbye was directly responsible for his side conceding two Gold Coast tries. Defensively, Doueihi is sound, missing just four tackles in his past two games.
Rival coaches claim Mbye is stronger defensively at six rather than at centre while current NRL players claim Mbye has more organising capabilities compared to Doueihi.
It was also suggested Moses at five-eighth could give Doueihi, a strong finisher, early ball.
With the club’s defensive structures under pressure this year, Maguire may have swapped the two players around so they can now defend next to different teammates.
There was a mixed reaction on Wests Tigers forums about the selection surprise.
While some were critical, others claimed Maguire had to make changes after last weekend’s loss at Campbelltown which Maguire described as “embarrassing”.
Mbye, who started the season playing five-eighth with Doueihi suspended, has played five-eighth, fullback, centre and a utility role this season.
Maguire’s decision means halfback Luke Brooks has another scrumbase partner.
In other selection news, winger Tommy Talau returns from suspension to replace young Zac Cini, who drops out of the 21-man squad, while Jacob Liddle has returned at hooker.
ROUND 10 TEAMS
TEAMS COMMENT
WESTS TIGERS
Arguably the Wests Tigers best player this year Adam Doueihi has been shunted to centre in a Michael Maguire reshuffle. Moses Mbye will move into Doueihi’s five-eighth hot seat, with the pair essentially swapping positions. Jacob Liddle retakes the starting hooker role from Jake Simpkin, who moves to reserves. KFC SuperCoach prospect Zac Cini drops out altogether, replaced by the returning Tommy Talau (suspension).
KNIGHTS
Brayden Musgrove (ribs) has been named but is in doubt. Hymel Hunt (hamstring) is lurking on the extended bench and could come in for either Musgrove or Starford To’a. Edrick Lee (foot) remains sidelined.
TEAMS COMMENT
SEA EAGLES
Welcome the return of Martin Taupau (concussion. Sean Keppie moves back to the bench, Zac Saddler to the extended bench and Jorge Taufua out of the squad. Jason Saab was placed on report but escaped charge and is free to play. Taniela Paseka (concussion) has been named but must pass protocol.
BRONCOS
Tom Flegler has been promoted to Brisbane’s starting team at lock for Friday night’s clash against Manly at Suncorp Stadium. Pat Carrigan’s season-ending knee injury in last week’s 19-18 loss to the Cowboys has opened the door for Flegler to get his golden chance to impress in the Magic Round clash against the Sea Eagles. Flegler trained strongly at Red Hill on Tuesday and will be part of Brisbane’s starting middle with Matt Lodge and Payne Haas after impressing coach Kevin Walters with his effort and energy in the Cowboys defeat. John Asiata replaces Flegler on the interchange. — Peter Badel.
TEAMS COMMENT
BULLDOGS
Halves overhaul. Kyle Flanagan has been dumped to the extended bench and Lachlan Lewis (ribs) is out, with Brandon Wakeham coming in at five-eighth to partner Jake Averillo. Corey Allan (AC joint) is out for 1-3 weeks with Nick Meaney moving to centre and Tui Katoa coming onto the wing. Dylan Napa (shoulder) returns at starting prop.
RAIDERS
Josh Hodgson returns for the Raiders with the club rocked by a mounting injury toll that has rubbed out Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine and Ryan Sutton for extended periods. Hodgson has been named to return from a calf injury on the bench while Semi Valemi has been named to play his first game of the season on the wing. Rapana (hamstring) is facing 1-2 weeks out, Tapine is out for up to three weeks with a knee issue and Sutton is also out for up to three weeks with an elbow injury. Ryan James returns from a NSW Cup stint on the bench. Captain Jarrod Croker (shoulder) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) remain sidelined. — David Riccio.
TEAMS COMMENT
SHARKS
Without Jesse Ramien for 4-6 weeks after he suffered a fractured eye socket on the weekend. Josh Dugan returns at centre which sees Andrew Fifita come into the 17 on the bench to play his first NRL game of the season after missing the last few weeks due to suspension from an incident in NSW Cup. Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Sione Katoa (knee) are at least another week away.
RABBITOHS
Adam Reynolds (thumb) is a key inclusion in the halves. He pushes Benji Marshall to five-eighth with rookie Dean Hawkins dropping to reserves. Veteran winger Josh Mansour (hamstring) and fullback Latrell Mitchell (suspension) are due back next week.
TEAMS COMMENT
ROOSTERS
Sam Walker (ankle/shoulder) and Victor Radley (concussion) have both been named. Drew Hutchison (punctured lung) is replaced at five-eighth by Lachlan Lam. Joseph Suaalii appears to have been denied a debut yet again, named in reserves. Sitili Tupouniua (suspension) returns in the second row with Nat Butcher moving to the bench and Tuku Hau Tapuha to the extended bench.
COWBOYS
Same 17 although Kyle Feldt (hand) and Connelly Lemuelu (head knock) are both in some doubt.
TEAMS COMMENT
WARRIORS
Ben Murdoch-Masila (concussion) returns in the back row. Bayley Sironen drops to reserves. Recruit Euan Aitken (ankle) is hoping to return after being named on the extended bench.
EELS
Coach Brad Arthur has named his son Jakob to debut in the halves to replace Dylan Brown, who is out for three weeks due to suspension. Marata Niukore is out for two weeks for a grade two careless high tackle on James Tedesco with Waqa Blake (calf) returning in his place at centre. Reed Mahoney failed game day HIA on the weekend and will need to pass required protocols to play but is helped by a nine-day turnaround. Joey Lussick has been named as cover in reserves. Nathan Brown, who missed the Roosters game due to a hip pointer injury, is hopeful of returning.
TEAMS COMMENT
STORM
Melbourne have suffered a triple blow, losing Harry Grant and Cameron Munster for at least two weeks while Brandon Smith (suspension) will miss one week. Grant suffered a hamstring injury at training on Monday while Munster picked up a foot sprain in Melbourne’s 50-0 win over South Sydney last week. Melbourne’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi said the pair would miss Sunday’s Magic Round clash with St George Illawarra and Canberra the week after but is hopeful of having them back for the round 12 match against Brisbane. Ryan Papenhuyzen (shoulder) has been named in reserves and is hoping to make a comeback after three weeks out. Ryley Jacks replaces Munster at five-eighth. Kenny Bromwich replaces Grant at hooker. Tyson Smoothy and Tom Eisenhuth join the bench.
DRAGONS
Mikaele Ravalawa (suspension) returns on the wing in place of Mat Feagai (ankle), who will miss up to six weeks with a syndesmosis injury. Blake Lawrie suffered a groin injury on the weekend and could be in some doubt. Matt Dufty will be fit to play despite suffering nasty cramps to the calf. Josh McGuire was placed on report but copped a fine and is free to play. Poasa Faamausili is the new face on the interchange with Junior Amone named in the reserves despite a strong debut.
TEAMS COMMENT
TITANS
David Fifita was named but will need to be replaced having failed to beat a high tackle charge at the judiciary. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (illness) missed training on Tuesday but is expected to play.
PANTHERS
Kurt Capewell (concussion) will sit the week out. Liam Martin takes his place in the back row with J’maine Hopgood joining the bench and Spencer Leniu missing the 17 once again. Matt Eisenhuth passed game day HIA but will be monitored. Paul Momirovski is available after suspension but hasn’t forced his way back into 17 due to the form of the team and Matt Burton.
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