Updated round one NRL team predictions from Tom Sangster

WITH the NRL round one team announcements looming, we deliver our latest predictions on each side’s line-up.

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WITH the round one team announcements looming, we deliver our latest predictions on each side’s line-up.

BRONCOS

Predicted team: Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Jordan Kahu, James Roberts, Greg Eden, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Adam Blair, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matthew Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Josh McGuire, Jarrod Wallace, Joe Ofahengaue, Kodi Nikorima.

Englishman Greg Eden has won the vacant wing spot following a strong showing in the World Club Series. The position was open following injuries to Lachlan Maranta (wrist, round seven) and Jack Reed (shoulder, round five). Ben Hunt missed the match against Wigan due to suspension, but is available for round one. James Roberts slots into the right centre spot of Justin Hodges (retired).

Casualty ward: Lachlan Maranta (fractured wrist, round seven), Jack Reed (shoulder, round five), Carlin Anderson (stomach, indefinite), Ben Hunt (suspension, round one).

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BULLDOGS

Predicted team: Will Hopoate, Curtis Rona, Josh Morris, Chase Stanley, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye, James Graham, Michael Lichaa, Aiden Tolman, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Tim Browne, Shaun Lane, Pat O’Hanlon.

Brett Morris (knee, round five) is out for the first month, with Will Hopoate to play fullback and Chase Stanley to come in at centre. Hopoate (knee) didn’t play the final trial, but will be right for round one. James Graham (concussion/ribs) will play round one despite being forced from the field in the final trial. However, David Klemmer (suspension, round two) will miss the opening week, with Pat O’Hanlon set to replace him on the bench.

Casualty ward: Brett Morris (knee, round five), Will Hopoate (knee, round one), James Graham (concussion/ribs, round one), Lloyd Perrett (ankle, indefinite), David Klemmer (suspension, round two), Adam Keighran (shoulder, indefinite).

COWBOYS

Predicted team: Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Jake Granville, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Ben Hannant, Rory Kostjasyn, Scott Bolton, John Asiata.

All is rosy at North Queensland. Paul Green is set to field the same side that won the World Club Challenge, which is the same side that won the 2015 grand final.

Casualty ward: Ray Thompson (broken ankle, round 10), Tautau Moga (ACL, indefinite), Javid Bowen (shoulder/groin, round one).

DRAGONS

Predicted team: Kurt Mann, Euan Aitken, Tim Lafai, Josh Dugan, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Lesson Ah Mau, Mitch Rein, Russell Packer, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson, Jack De Belin. Interchange: Ben Creagh, Mike Cooper, Will Matthews, Siliva Havili.

Tyson Frizell (back) was a late withdrawal from the final trial and is touch and go for round one. Josh Dugan will make the switch to right centre in 2016, with former Melbourne Storm player Kurt Mann to play fullback. Recruit Tim Lafai (Bulldogs) slots in at left centre. Controversial forward Russell Packer will return to the NRL as a starting prop. Jack De Belin is the favourite ahead of Mike Cooper for the back row spot vacated by Trent Merrin (Panthers). A bench utility spot is up for grabs following the exit of Heath L’Estrange (retired). Siliva Havili has the edge over Josh McCrone.

Casualty ward: Tyson Frizell (back, round one), Dylan Farrell (back, indefinite), Mose Masoe (ACL, season), Yaw Kiti Glymin (hamstring, indefinite).

EELS

Predicted team: Michael Gordon, Semi Radradra, Michael Jennings, Brad Takairangi, Clinton Gutherson, Corey Norman, Kieran Foran, Tim Mannah, Nathan Peats, Junior Paulo, Beau Scott, Manu Ma’u, Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: Danny Wicks, David Gower, Isaac De Gois, Daniel Alvaro

Anthony Watmough (knee) could be forced into retirement due to a chronic injury, although the club’s official line is that he will return in either round two or three. Tepai Moeroa will take his place at lock in round one. Danny Wicks (shoulder) missed out on the final trial following off-season surgery, but is aiming for round one. The Eels will trot out a barely-recognisable backline. Star recruit Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles) will play halfback, while Michael Jennings (Roosters) will slot in at centre. Former Cronulla veteran Michael Gordon will play fullback. Recruit Clinton Gutherson (Sea Eagles) scores a wing spot. Test forward Beau Scott (Knights) is a key addition to the pack.

Casualty ward: Nathan Peats (wrist/knee, round one), Anthony Watmough (knee/shoulder, round two or three), John Folau (hamstring, indefinite).

KNIGHTS

Predicted team: Jaelene Feeney, Chanel Mata’utia, Pat Mata’utia, Dane Gagai, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Trent Hodkinson, Kade Snowden, Tyler Randall, Sam Mataora, Robbie Rochow, Jacob Saifiti, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Pauli Pauli, Daniel Saifiti, Korbin Sims, David Bhana.

Coach Nathan Brown will blood five debutants in round one - Jaelen Feeney (fullback), Pat Mata’utia (centre), Jacob Saifiti (back row), Daniel Saifiti (bench) and David Bhana (bench hooker). Brown has therefore left out NRL players Jack Stockwell, Jake Mamo, Mickey Paea and Danny Levi. In other developments of SuperCoach interest, Pauli Pauli earns a bench spot and will play in the middle, Sam Mataora will start at prop, Chanel Mata’utia scores a wing spot and Robbie Rochow will start in the back row.

Casualty ward: Sione Mata’utia (suspension, round two), Tariq Sims (suspension, round six), James McManus (concussion, season), Jarrod Mullen (disciplinary, round one).

PANTHERS

Predicted team: Will Smith, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare/Waqa Blake, Peta Hiku, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, James Segeyaro, Suaia Matagi, Bryce Cartwright, Elijah Taylor, Trent Merrin. Interchange: Tyrone Peachey, Jeremy Latimore, Isaah Yeo, Leilani Latu.

Matt Moylan (back, round three) is out of the opening rounds, with Will Smith or Peta Hiku set to score the No. 1 jersey. Dean Whare (calf) is racing the clock for round one, with Waqa Blake the potential replacement. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (shoulder) missed the trials, but is set to play round one. New coach Anthony Griffin has wielded the axe on Sam McKendry, with the New Zealand international to play NSW Cup. He is set to be replaced at prop by either Suaia Matagi or Trent Merrin, as per last weekend’s trial team.

Casualty ward: Matt Moylan (back, round three), Dean Whare (calf, round one),George Jennings (shoulder, round two), Viliame Kikau (ankle, indefinite), Sione Katoa (knee, round three), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (shoulder, round one), Brendan Atwood (arm, indefinite).

RABBITOHS

Predicted team: Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Bryson Goodwin, Kirisome Auva’a, Aaron Gray, Cody Walker, Adam Reynolds, Jason Clark, Cameron McInnes, Dave Tyrrell, Kyle Turner, John Sutton, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Damien Cook, Chris Grevsmuhl, Paul Carter, Nathan Brown.

Tom Burgess (ankle, round five) and George Burgess (suspension/hip, round two) will miss the opening round. Chris Grevsmuhl (knee) missed the final trial due to an injury sustained at the Nines, but he is set for round one. Likewise, Adam Reynolds (foot) sat out last week’s game, but has been cleared of a broken foot and will start the season alongside Cody Walker in the halves, with Luke Keary (suspension, round two) out. Marquee signing Sam Burgess (English rugby) is a huge inclusion at lock, although he may be forced into the front row following the injuries to his brothers.

Casualty ward: Adam Reynolds (foot, round one), Luke Keary (suspension, round two), Tom Burgess (ankle, round five), George Burgess (suspension/hip, round two), Chris Grevsmuhl (knee, round one).

RAIDERS

Predicted team: Jack Wighton, Edrick Lee, Jarrod Croker, Joseph Leilua, Sisa Waqa, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Shannon Boyd, Josh Hodgson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Josh Papalii, Elliot Whitehead, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Kurt Baptiste, Sia Soliola, Paul Vaughan, Jeff Lima.

Blake Austin (shoulder), Jack Wighton (concussion) and Shaun Fensom (broken arm) missed the final trial, but will be right for round one. Austin will form a new-look halves pairing with recruit Aidan Sezer (shoulder), who made his first appearance for the club last weekend following off-season surgery. England sensation Elliot Whitehead (Catalan Dragons) will grab a wide back row spot, with Sia Soliola to play from the bench in the middle. The exits of David Shillington (Titans) and Dane Tilse (Hull KR) leave a gap at prop. Shannon Boyd is expected to score a starting role up front, while recruit Jeff Lima (Catalans Dragons) gains a bench spot. Kurt Baptiste wins the bench hooker role, with recruit Adam Clydsdale (shoulder, round three) injured.

Casualty ward: Adam Clydesdale (shoulder, round three), Blake Austin (shoulder, round one), Shaun Fensom (broken arm, round one), Jack Wighton (concussion, this weekend).

ROOSTERS

Predicted team: Blake Ferguson, Daniel Tupou, Dale Copley, Latrell Mitchell, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jayden Nikorima, Jackson Hastings, Kane Evans, Jake Friend (c), Dylan Napa, Mitchell Aubusson, Aidan Guerra, Isaac Liu. Interchange: Ian Henderson, Sam Moa, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Vincent Leuluai.

The Roosters will start the year without their best six players from last year — Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), James Maloney (Sharks), Michael Jennings (Eels), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ACL, indefinite), Mitchell Pearce (disciplinary, indefinite) and Boyd Cordner (pectoral, round eight). Blake Ferguson replaces Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback, with young gun Latrell Mitchell to come into the backline. A decision is expected on Monday in the court case of Shaun Kenny-Dowall, which could open a spot for Joe Burgess. Dale Copley has been recruited from the Broncos to replace Jennings at centre. Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima are set to form an all-rookie partnership in the halves in place of Pearce and Maloney. Waerea-Hargreaves is replaced in the starting side by Kane Evans, with Vincent Leuluai set to score the final bench spot. Mitchell Aubusson is set for the edge back row spot of Cordner, while Ian Henderson is the back-up hooker following Nikorima’s promotion to the halves.

Casualty ward: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ACL, indefinite), Mitchell Pearce (disciplinary, indefinite), Boyd Cordner (pectoral, round eight).

SEA EAGLES

Predicted team: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nate Myles, Matt Parcell, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Symonds, Lewis Brown, Martin Taupau. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Brenton Lawrence, Darcy Lussick, Apisai Koroisau.

Matt Parcell (hamstring), Apisai Koroisau (shoulder), Lewis Brown (knee), Tom Trbojevic (ankle), Brett Stewart (hamstring) and Feleti Mateo (ankle) are all set to be fit for the season opener. Dylan Walker (Rabbitohs) has been recruited to play five-eighth alongside Daly Cherry-Evans. Recruits Nate Myles, Martin Taupau and Darcy Lussick all earn spots in a new-look pack.

Casualty ward: Matt Parcell (hamstring, round one), Apisai Koroisau (shoulder, round one), Jayden Hodges (ACL, season), Jamie Buhrer (broken jaw, round four), Lewis Brown (knee, round one), Tom Trbojevic (ankle, round one), Brett Stewart (hamstring, round one), Isaac John (virus, indefinite), Feleti Mateo (ankle, round one).

SHARKS

Predicted team: Jack Bird, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, James Maloney, Chad Townsend, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Ben Barba, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Joseph Paulo/David Fifita/Matt Prior.

Jack Bird has scored the fullback spot ahead of Ben Barba. High-profile recruit James Maloney (Roosters) and local junior Chad Townsend (Warriors) form a fresh halves combination. Joseph Paulo, David Fifita and Matt Prior face off for the last bench spot.

Casualty ward: Mitch Brown (broken ribs, indefinite), Tracey Connor (ACL, season).

STORM

Predicted team: Billy Slater, Marika Koroibete, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster/Richie Kennar, Curtis Scott/Young Tonumaipea, Blake Green, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Jordan McLean, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Dale Finucane. Interchange: Tim Glasby, Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Felise Kaufusi.

The Storm have as many as three backline spots open for round one. The first could be created by fullback Billy Slater (shoulder), although he is set to be fit. A second backline spot could be created by left centre Cameron Munster (medial ligament), who is down to return in either round one or two. Richie Kennar would be his replacement. Finally, a third backline spot was already available following the exits of Matt Duffie (rugby union), Mahe Fonua (Hull FC) and Hymel Hunt (Rabbitohs). Young Tonumaipea and Curtis Scott are the frontrunners, with Cheyse Blair (foot) injured. Dale Finucane will take the lock spot full time following the exit of club stalwart Ryan Hinchcliffe (Huddersfield).

Casualty ward: Billy Slater (shoulder, round one), Cameron Munster (medial ligament, round one or two), Cheyse Blair (foot, indefinite), Matt White (calf, indefinite).

TIGERS

Predicted team: James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Kevin Naiqama, Tim Simona, Jordan Rankin, Mitch Moses, Jack Littlejohn/Josh Drinkwater, Aaron Woods, Manaia Cherrington, Tim Grant, Curtis Sironen, Chris Lawrence, Sauaso Sue. Interchange: Ava Seumanufagai, Kyle Lovett, Josh Aloiai, Joel Edwards.

Robbie Farah (knee, round five) will be replaced at hooker by Manaia Cherrington. Either Josh Drinkwater or Jack Littlejohn will play halfback, with Luke Brooks (suspended, round two) out. Jordan Rankin is set to score a wing spot in the absence of Justin Hunt (back). Recruit Tim Grant (Rabbitohs) scores a starting prop spot in the absence of Keith Galloway (Leeds Rhinos). Young forward Josh Aloiai is set to score a bench spot. Along with Brooks, Dene Halatau (suspension, round two) and Matt Ballin (ACL, round six) will all miss the start of the year.

Casualty ward: Luke Brooks (suspension, round two), Dene Halatau (suspension, round two), Joel Edwards (hamstring, round one), Matt Ballin (ACL, round six), Justin Hunt (back, indefinite), Bailey Sironen (ankle, round one), Robbie Farah (knee, round five)

TITANS

Predicted team: Will Zillman, Anthony Don, Josh Hoffman, Nathan Davis, David Mead, Tyrone Roberts, Ashley Taylor, Ryan James, Nathan Friend, David Shillington, Chris McQueen, Zeb Taia, Greg Bird. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Agnatius Paasi, Eddy Pettybourne, Lachlan Burr.

Nathan Davis is set to debut at centre in round one, with Nene Macdonald (knee) racing the clock and fellow young gun Brian Kelly (knee) injured. Will Zillman (calf) is confirmed to play fullback this year ahead of Josh Hoffman (knee), who missed the trials but is not in doubt for round one. Ashley Taylor (shoulder) and Greg Bird (cheek) will also be right for round one. Ryan James is set to start at prop in place of Luke Douglas (suspension, round two). Recruits Taylor and Tyrone Roberts form a new-look halves pairing following the injury to Kane Elgey (ACL, season) and exit of Aidan Sezer (Raiders). Recruits David Shillington (Raiders), Nathan Friend (Warriors), Chris McQueen (Titans) and Zeb Taia (Catalan Dragons) score spots in the pack following the exits of Nate Myles (Sea Eagles), Beau Falloon (Leeds), Dave Taylor (Catalan Dragons), Matt White (Storm) and Ben Ridge (retired).

Casualty ward: Kane Elgey (ACL, season), Karl Lawton (adductor, round one), Oshae Tuiasau (MCL, round one), Ashley Taylor (shoulder, round one), Greg Bird (cheek, round one), Nene Macdonald (knee, round two), Josh Hoffman (knee, round one), Luke Douglas (suspension, round two), Brian Kelly (knee, indefinite), Nathaniel Peteru (knee, round five), Kierran Moseley (knee, round one).

WARRIORS

Predicted team: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Solomone Kata, Blake Ayshford, Tuimoala Lolohea, Manu Vatuvei, Jeff Robson, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Ryan Hoffman, Bodene Thompson, Simon Mannering. Interchange: Charlie Gubb, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone, Ben Henry

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ribs), Jacob Lillyman and Bodene Thompson are all set to be fit for round one. Solomone Kata is likely to be shunted to a wing to accommodate Blake Ayshford and Tuimoala Lolohea in the centres, with Konrad Hurrell to miss out. Recruit Jeff Robson (Sharks) will partner Johnson in the halves following the exit of Chad Townsend (Sharks).

Casualty ward: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ribs, round one), Thomas Leuluai (ACL, round five), Henare Wells (hamstring, indefinite), Ligi Sao (dislocated shoulder, indefinite), Sione Lousi (round four), Sipley Toafofoa (round four), Mason Lino (round four), Bodene Thompson (round one), Jacob Lillyman (round one), David Fusitu’a (round one), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (round one), John Palavii (round one)

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