Round 21: NRL team lists announced

WELCOME to our updated coverage of the Round 21 NRL team announcements, in a week featuring a huge Friday night clash and some finals deciding match-ups.

WELCOME to our coverage of the Round 21 NRL team announcements.

Scroll down to re-live our blog with Tim Williams and Rob Sutherland.

BULLDOGS vs BRONCOS

Thursday, 7:50pm, ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 Danny Fualalo, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Greg Eastwood, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Chris Smith

Reserves: 18 John Olive, 19 Francis Tuala, 20. Renouf To’omaga, 21 Matt Frawley

SuperCoach analysis: Danny Fualalo starts for David Klemmer, Chris Smith comes onto the bench for his Bulldogs debut.

Broncos: 1 Jamayne Isaako, 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Darius Boyd (c), 5 Jordan Kahu, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Tevita Pangai jnr, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Kotoni Stags, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 David Fifita

Reserves: 18 Gehamat Shibasaki, 19 Patrick Mago, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Troy Dargan

SuperCoach analysis: No changes from the team named last week. Alex Glenn will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday after injuring his wrist against Cronulla.

KNIGHTS vs TIGERS

Friday, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Herman Ese’ese, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra

Interchange: 14 Jamie Buhrer (c), 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Josh King, 17 JJ Felise

Reserves: 18 Nick Meaney, 19 Sam Stone, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 Luke Yates

SuperCoach analysis: Connor Watson returns at five-eighth and JJ Felise has been named on the bench for his club debut.

Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Michael Chee Kam, 12 Luke Garner, 13 Elijah Taylor (c)

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Robbie Rochow, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Chris McQueen, 20 Pita Godinet, 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

SuperCoach analysis: Robbie Rochow replaces Chris McQueen on the bench.

RABBITOHS vs STORM

Friday, 8:00pm, ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess (c)

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18 Billy Brittain, 19 Kyle Turner, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Braidon Burns

SuperCoach analysis: No changes to the team that beat Parramatta.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14 Joe Stimson, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Kenny Bromwich

Reserves: 18 Justin Olam, 19 Tui Kamikamica, 20 Albert Vete, 21 Cheyse Blair

SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Hoffman returns at second row with Joe Stimson benched and Cheyse Blair dropping out of the side. Dale Finucane swaps places with Kenny Bromwich.

DRAGONS vs WARRIORS

Saturday, 3:00pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Jordan Pereira, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Patrick Herbert, 19 Blake Lawrie, 20 Zachary Lomax, 21 Mitchell Allgood

SuperCoach analysis: The Dragons are unchanged from last week’s loss to the Roosters.

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Gerard Beale, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Simon Mannering, 16 Leivaha Pulu, 17 Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18 Peta Hiku, 20 Mason Lino, 21 Sam Lisone, 22 Joseph Vuna

SuperCoach analysis: The Warriors are boosted by the return of trio Tohu Harris, Issac Luke and Adam Blair.

Jazz Tevaga and Simon Mannering drop to the bench, Sam Lisone and Joseph Vuna to the reserves and Karl Lawton out of the squad.

EELS vs TITANS

Saturday, 5:30pm, ANZ Stadium

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Siosaia Vave, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Jaeman Salmon, 15 Kane Evans, 16 Peni Terepo, 17 Brad Takairangi

Reserves: 18 Will Smith, 19 David Gower, 20 Greg Leleisiuao, 21 Raymond Stone

SuperCoach analysis: The return of George Jennings sees Jarryd Hayne shift to his favoured position in the centres and Brad Takairangi to the bench.

Reed Mahoney starts at hooker for Kaysa Pritchard (shoulder) with Jaeman Salmon to make his debut as the bench utility.

Tim Mannah starts at prop with Daniel Alvaro (knee/concussion) out.

Kane Evans has been recalled on the bench with David Gower dropping to the reserves..

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika,16 Jack Stockwell, 17 Will Matthews

Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Brendan Elliot, 20 Jai Whitbread, 21 Kane Elgey

SuperCoach analysis: The Gold Coast are unchanged.

ROOSTERS vs COWBOYS

Saturday, 7:30pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Ryan Matterson, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Boyd Cordner, 12 Isaac Liu, 13 Victor Radley

Interchange: 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Kurt Baptiste

Reserves: 18 Nat Butcher, 19 Mitchell Cornish, 20 Sean O’Sullivan, 21 Lindsay Collins

SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Matterson moves to five-eighth for Luke Keary (knee) with Kurt Baptiste recalled on the bench, although halves Mitch Cornish and Sean O’Sullivan are also in the reserves.

Dylan Napa (knee) returns on the bench in place of Lindsay Collins.

Cowboys: 1 Te Maire Martin, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Justin O’Neill, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matt Scott, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 John Asiata, 17 Scott Bolton

Reserves: 18 Corey Jensen, 19 Lachlan Coote, 20 Javid Bowen, 21 Francis Molo

SuperCoach analysis: Matt Scott replaces John Asiata in the starting side after Asiata’s poor performance in round 20.

SHARKS vs SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2:00pm, Southern Cross Stadium

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Sione Katoa, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham (c), 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14 Scott Sorensen, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Josh Dugan, 19 Ava Seumanufagai , 20 Joseph Paulo, 21 Kyle Flanagan

SuperCoach analysis: Wade Graham (groin) returns in the back row, Scott Sorensen drops to the bench and Joseph Paulo to the reserves. Josh Dugan has been named in the reserves but our mail is he will play likely replacing Ricky Leutele.

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Shaun Lane, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Kelepi Tanginoa, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Matthew Wright, 20 Jack Gosiewski, 21 Toafofoa Sipley, 22 Lloyd Perrett

SuperCoach analysis: The ‘Starting Martin Taupau off the bench’ experiment lasted just one week and the big man regains his starting role with Taniela Paseka returning to the interchange.

PANTHERS vs RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:00pm, Pepper Stadium

Panthers: 1 Tyrone Peachey, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Trent Merrin, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 19 Kaide Ellis, 20 Christian Crichton, 21 Wayde Egan

SuperCoach analysis: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (jaw) has been named on the reserves, if the big man gets through further contact training this week expect him to play.

Raiders: 1. Nick Cotric 2. Brad Abbey 3. Blake Austin 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Sam Williams 8. Sia Soliola 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Junior Paulo 11. Joe Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14. Dunamis Lui 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Siliva Havili 17. Luke Bateman

Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Jack Murchie 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Emre Guler

SuperCoach analysis: Aidan Sezer (leg) returns from injury, Blake Austin to replace Elliott Whitehead in the centres.

Whitehead returns to the second row, bumping Sia Soliola to prop and Luke Bateman to the bench.

Brad Abbey has been shifted from fullback to wing with Nick Cotric getting a run at the back.

Shannon Boyd (calf) also returns on the bench with Jack Murchie and Liam Knight dropping to the reserves.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

WINNERS:

— Josh Dugan has been named in the reserves for Cronulla but is expected to play against the Sea Eagles on Sunday. Valentine Holmes will retain the fullback role despite Dugan’s return.

— Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard (jaw) has been named in the reserves but it is expected to move into the starting 17 should he successfully complete a full contact training session later in the week

— The Raiders welcome back Aidan Sezer (hamstring) and Shannon Boyd (calf)

— Warriors Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. While a game against the Dragons, away, may look bad on paper, the Dragons have been leaking points to halfbacks and fullbacks like no other team of late. Early season gun Tohu Harris (knee) makes his long-awaited return from injury for the Warriors

— St George five-eigth Gareth Widdop. The Warriors are as generous to five-eigthss as the Dragons are to halves and fullbacks. Widdop was safely held last week by the Roosters but I’d expect him to go large against the Warriors at WIN.

— The return of George Jennings (groin) sees Jarryd Hayne shift to his preferred position in the centres

— Lachlan Fitzgibbon crossed for a try in round 19 and two in round 20. There’s every chance ‘Fitzy’ breaks the line again as while the Wests Tigers are the fifth most miserly defence in the game in 2018 they have been generous to second-rowers all season.

— North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston* boasts a career average of 84.8 against the Roosters, is in fine form with a 99 point game last week and for all their defensive prowess the Chooks have been awfully generous to opposition halves of late conceding 122 to Ben Hunt last week and a try and try assist to Daly-Cherry Evans from Manly in round 19. * This ‘winner’ is considered a ‘loser’ by Tim Williams but he is wrong.

— Wade Graham (groin) returns in the back row greatly boosting the Sharks’ left edge attack

— Tevita Pangai Jnr. Matt Gillett was ruled out for the remainder of the season on Wednesday, ensuring TPJ should continue with strong minutes pending his personal fitness concerns.

LOSERS:

— The entire South Sydney squad. The Rabbitohs are the most SuperCoach friendly squad in the game but the match-up against the Storm does not bode well. The Storm are the most miserly team in the comp and their ability to slow down the play the ball will dent even captaincy ‘lock’ Damien Cook by curtailing his ability to run after quick pay the balls.

— The Bulldogs will have to face the Broncos without their best forward in David Klemmer (suspension)

— On paper the matchup is a ‘minus’ for Manly’s Tom Trbojevic as the Sharks have been defending fullbacks better than any other team this year. However, the Roosters are second best to position and Tommy Turbo carved them up for 115 points two weeks ago so maybe the young gun is matchup proof

— Ryan Matterson moves to five-eighth for the Roosters to cover for the injured Luke Keary (knee). Matterson will get through less defensive work than he would have as compared to playing 80 minutes in the second row earlier in the year.

—At the Eels, Reed Mahoney starts at hooker for Kaysa Pritchard (shoulder) in just his fifth ever NRL game, Mahoney’s backup Jaeman Salmon is to make his debut.

Originally published as Round 21: NRL team lists announced