NRL Round 15 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL latest news
The Roosters have received a big boost with a string of big ins, Anthony Milford is back for the battling Broncos and a SuperCoach cult hero returns. Check out all the ins and outs for round 15.
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Sydney Roosters whiz kid Sam Walker is edging closer his highly anticipated NRL debut after coach Trent Robinson named the playmaker in his squad to take on the Wests Tigers on Saturday.
Halfback Kyle Flanagan has also been recalled into an injury-ravaged Roosters outfit, which will also welcome back enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and veteran winger Brett Morris.
With both five-eighth Luke Keary (rib) and Lachlan Lam (knee) going down injured against Melbourne last week, Flanagan will start at halfback against Wests Tigers after he was dropped back in round 13. Drew Hutchinson will partner Flanagan in the halves.
Walker, the son of former Brisbane halfback Ben Walker, was named on the extended bench. The club’s Jersey Flegg player of the year, rising rake Freddy Lussick, will make his debut from the bench.
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Elsewhere, Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named Jahrome Hughes (groin) but he is in some doubt for Thursday’s clash against Parramatta. Cooper Johns, the son of Matthew and nephew of Andrew Johns, will replace Hughes if he is omitted from the side.
Broncos halfback Brodie Croft has been dropped in favour of Anthony Milford and Tom Dearden in the halves. Payne Haas (suspension) and Tom Flegler (shoulder) are out with Joe Ofahengaue and Rhys Kennedy forming a new front row for the Broncos.
At Belmore, Will Hopoate has been named at fullback with coach Steve Georgallis shifting Nick Meaney to the wing. Matt Doorey, who made his NRL debut off the bench last weekend, has been named to start in the backrow against the Warriors. Marquee recruit Luke Thompson has been relegated to the bench after six straight games at lock.
EELS comment: No changes from last week for the Eels other than Stefano Utoikamanu making way for Will Smith in the reserves.
STORM comment: Sandor Earl comes in for Suliasi Vunivalu (jaw). Tino Faasuamaleaui gets a start at lock in place of Dale Finucane (calf). Jahrome Hughes is named to play despite injuring his groin against the Roosters last week. Skipper Jesse Bromwich will miss the clash after being found guilty at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
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PANTHERS comment: No changes for the Panthers 1-17 last week. Brian To’o named in the reserves as he works his way back from injury.
SHARKS comment: KFC SuperCoach NRL cult hero Siosifa Talakai rides again with the wrecking ball set to start in the second-row once again. Josh Dugan named to start despite carrying a niggle. Toby Rudolf named to start – as he has been for weeks. Expect him to start off the bench – has he has for weeks.
BRONCOS comment: Anthony Milford is back, named to start at five-eighth in place of Brodie Croft. Joining Croft in the reserves is Jesse Arthars, with Jordan Kahu coming into the squad for his first game of 2020. Last week’s starting props Payne Haas (suspended) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) are out which sees starts for Joe Ofahengaue and Rhys Kennedy. Ethan Bullemor and Jamil Hopoate are fresh faces on the interchange. Issac Luke starts at hooker in place of the injured Jake Turpin.
DRAGONS comment: Just the one change for the Dragons and it comes on the interchange bench with Tristan Sailor out replaced by Paul Vaughan who comes back into the team having served a suspension for breaching COVID-19 biosecurity rules. The Dragons will have to make at least one more change with Tyrell Fuimaono suspended at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
TITANS comment: Despite a superb game last week Corey Thompson has been dropped to the reserves replaced by Anthony Don on the wing. Dale Copley (pec) is out which sees Young Tonumaipea slide in from wing to centre and Phillip Sami return on the wing. Jai Arrow (shoulder) is out so Mo Fotuaika shifts to lock and Jarrod Wallace starts at prop. Kevin Proctor was named to start but will have to be replaced after copping a four week ban for biting Shaun Johnson. Sam Stone is the fresh face on the interchange bench.
RAIDERS comment: No changes to the 17 who thrashed the Broncos last week for Ricky’s Raiders.
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No Haas, Smith, Munster. @TomSangsterSC gives his lowdown on the Round 15 teams. pic.twitter.com/jxN8q97HQ8
WESTS TIGERS comment: No changes, but Alex Twal (sternum) and Thomas Mikaele (knee) are eyeing returns from the reserves list.
ROOSTERS comment: Brett Morris (back) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (calf) are key inclusions. Morris replaces last week’s debutant Christian Tuipulotu on the wing. Waerea-Hargreaves starts at prop with Nat Butcher switching to an edge in place of Mitch Aubusson (wrist). Starting halves from last week Lachlan Lam (ankle) and Luke Keary (ribs) are out, replaced by Drew Hutchison and Kyle Flanagan. Hooker Freddy Lussick has been named to debut from the bench.
RABBITOHS comment: Liam Knight (suspension, round 16) is replaced in the starting back row by Bayley Sironen, with Jack Johns coming on to the bench.
SEA EAGLES comment: Brendan Elliot (ACL) is out for the season. Reuben Garrick shifts to fullback with Jorge Taufua recalled on the wing. Marty Taupau (concussion) returns at prop, pushing Jake Trbojevic to lock, Corey Waddell to the bench and Jack Gosiewski out. Cade Cust (ankle) must prove his fitness, while Joel Thompson is set to play despite a sickening tongue injury.
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How do we replace Payne Haas, if at all? @TomSangsterSC's analysis. pic.twitter.com/ndpveMpngU
BULLDOGS comment: Will Hopoate (ankle) returns for his first game since Round 7. He’ll play fullback with Nick Meaney shifting to the wing and Marcelo Montoya out. Aiden Tolman returns to the starting line-up in place of Dylan Napa (suspension, round 16). Jeremy Marshall-King starts at hooker in place of Sione Katoa, who goes back to the bench. Matt Doorey earns a starting back row spot after scoring a try on debut with Luke Thompson to play from the bench. Jake Averillo (hip) returns from injury via the interchange.
WARRIORS comment: Patrick Herbert tore his hamstring at training on Tuesday and has been ruled out. Hayze Perham joins the side at centre with Adam Pompey pushing to the wing. Eliesa Katoa (suspension) is replaced in the back row by Isaiah Papali’i with Jack Murchie recalled on the bench. Fresh recruit Albert Hopoate has missed the 21.
KNIGHTS comment: Origin prop Daniel Saifiti (PCL) is out after re-injuring the same knee that kept him out for five weeks. Brother Jacob Saifiti replaces him at prop with Pasami Saulo returning from suspension to take up a bench role.
COWBOYS comment: Jake Granville is replaced on the bench by Reuben Cotter in the only change. Despite a mooted return, Valentine Holmes (ankle) has been given another week to recover.
Originally published as NRL Round 15 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL latest news