NRL teams lists Round 8: KFC SuperCoach live Q&A

Injuries and suspensions have created a host of changes for Round 8, while some big names are set to make their return.

A desperate Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has dropped a selection bombshell with star front-rower Josh Papalii “rested” for Thursday’s clash with South Sydney.

With the Raiders season in a tailspin after three straight losses, including last week’s loss to North Queensland, Stuart opted to leave Papalii out of the crucial encounter with the Test and Origin prop absent from his 21-man squad.

The man rated by Stuart as the best player in the NRL in 2019, Papalii was relegated to the bench for the match against the Cowboys and played just 41-minutes of the 26-24 loss.

Fellow big name forward Joseph Tapine will return after he was dropped last week but Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker will miss the match due to a shoulder injury.

It’s better news for North Queensland, who will welcome back lock forward Jason Taumalolo as they chase their fourth-straight victory.

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Ricky Stuart has sensationally ‘rested’ Josh Papalii from the Raiders must-win clash against South Sydney: Picture: Getty Images.

With hand injuries keeping Taumalolo sidelined since the season opener against the Panthers he’ll have a point to prove against the Warriors who have their own star lock, Tohu Harris, named to return in Sunday’s encounter

Backrower Ryan Matterson will play his first NRL match in six weeks after he was named on the bench for Parramatta’s showdown with old rivals Canterbury.

Matterson suffered a concussion in the round two win over Melbourne and only returned last week in NSW Cup.

But after getting through 80 minutes of reserve grade, Eels coach Brad Arthur believes the time is right for Matterson to return. Impressive recruit Isaiah Papali’i will retain his starting spot on the left edge.

The Sydney Roosters have named James Tedesco at fullback for the clash against Newcastle despite suffering a concussion last week against the Dragons with Matt Ikuvalu and 17-year-old sensation Joseph Suaalii among the reserves should he be ruled out.

St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt will make his return from a broken leg against Wests Tigers in Wollongong with wildcard centre Joey Leilua earning a recall for Michael Maguire’s men.

—Nick Campton

ROUND 8 TEAMS

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

RAIDERS: Big guns Jarrod Croker (shoulder, 1-2 weeks) and Josh Papalii (rested) are out. Sebastian Kris shifts to the centres for Croker with Bailey Simonsson (concussion) returning on the wing. Joseph Tapine replaces Papalii in the 17.

RABBITOHS: Same 17 that accounted for the Titans, with Benji Marshall remaining at five-eighth and Cody Walker at fullback following Benji’s heroics. Tevita Tatola (concussion) must pass protocol. Braidon Burns (patella tendon) returns through NSW Cup.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

STORM: George Jennings (concussion) has been ruled out given the tight five-day turnaround with Tom Eisenhuth coming into the side at centre and Reimis Smith switching to the wing. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion) also misses the squad. Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (shoulder) is again out and could miss next week too. Ryley Jacks and Chris Lewis join the bench.

SHARKS: Big changes. Former Origin and Test star Will Chambers will make his club debut at centre with Josh Dugan dropped. Wade Graham (head knock) and Aiden Tolman (suspension) are also big inclusions. Graham’s return in the back row pushes Teig Wilton to the bench and Billy Magoulias to reserves. Tolman’s return at prop pushes Braden Hamlin-Uele to the bench. Matt Moylan (quad) has been named on the extended bench after a late withdrawal last week.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

BRONCOS: Anthony Milford has been given one final chance to save his Broncos career as coach Kevin Walters rolls out Brisbane’s 17th scrumbase pairing in four years in Friday night’s derby against the Titans. The confusing game of halfback musical chairs at the Broncos has hit overdrive with Walters axing Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft following their insipid scrumbase display in last week’s 46-6 loss to the Eels in Darwin. That has opened the door for Milford to partner Tyson Gamble for the Titans clash at Suncorp Stadium in the latest scrumbase experiment for the Broncos, who have road-tested 16 other combinations since 2017. Just 24 hours after his decision to defect to the Cowboys next season, Dearden will make way in the No. 7 jumper for Gamble, whose fourth NRL game is sweet reward for his slick form at feeder-club Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup. Jesse Arthars returns from illness and comes into the centres for David Mead. Alex Glenn (calf) is out for up to a month.

Full story by Peter Badel

TITANS: Patrick Herbert (calf) is out. He is replaced at centre by Phillip Sami who moves in from the wing, with Anthony Don (hip) returning on the flank. Sam Lisone (pectoral) is expected to miss six weeks with Herman Ese’ese coming onto the bench.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

PANTHERS: Apisai Koroisau (thumb/illness) returns after a false start last week with Mitch Kenny dropping out of the 17.

SEA EAGLES: Two wins in a row equals no changes for Des Hasler’s side. Curtis Sironen (knee) and Moses Suli (back) remain sidelined despite mooted returns.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

BULLDOGS: Unchanged. Chris Smith, Matt Doorey and Brad Deitz have all been named despite being forced from the field last week. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (leg infection) is considered “touch and go” and has been named on the extended bench.

EELS: Ryan Matterson (concussion) is a big inclusion, although he’s been named on the bench after failing to oust in-form Isaiah Papali’i from the starting side. Haze Dunster is the new bench utility in place of Will Smith (broken thumb).

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

KNIGHTS: Unchanged 17, although Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) and Tex Hoy (hamstring) are lurking in reserves and could return. Wingers Hymel Hunt (hamstring) and Edrick Lee (foot) will both miss at least another week.

ROOSTERS: Huge inclusion with James Tedesco (concussion) named despite a KO last week. Siosiua Taukeiaho (ribs) returns on the bench after missing last week with Fletcher Baker dropping back to reserves. Teen sensation Joseph Suaalii has been named on the extended bench and is closing in on a debut, potentially as a replacement for Tedesco, while Matt Ikuvalu also provides backline cover from the bench.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

WARRIORS: Tohu Harris (concussion), Adam Pompey (ankle) and David Fusitu’a (hamstring) return. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named at fullback with rookie Reece Walsh in the halves, although they switched positions regularly during the game on the weekend. Josh Curran has been named ahead of a judiciary hearing. If successful, Curran is free to play, if guilty he will miss two matches.

COWBOYS: Jason Taumalolo (broken hand) finally returns at lock after successive fractures. Taumalolo will still need to complete the week of training before being cleared to play. Lachlan Burr moves to the bench with Mitchell Dunn (suspension) out of the 17. Jordan McLean has been named despite battling an ongoing hamstring issue.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT

DRAGONS: Skipper Ben Hunt makes his long awaited return from a broken leg, with Jack Bird moving back to centre and Cody Ramsey on the wing. Max Feagai will make his NRL debut with Jordan Pereira and Mikaele Ravalawa suspended, while Josh Kerr returns to backrow after a late switch with Billy Burns in Round 7.

TIGERS: The Tigers have made mass changes after their embarrassing showing on Anzac Day. Despite breaking his thumb in NSW Cup, Joseph Leilua will replace Michael Chee-Kam in the centres, while Stefano Utoikamanu moves to the bench, Alex Twal moves to prop and Joe Ofahengaue to lock and Luke Garner on the second row. Thomas Mikaele also starts over Zane Musgrove, who has been relegated to the reserves

Originally published as NRL teams lists Round 8: KFC SuperCoach live Q&A