NRL Round 11 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat
NRL ‘Team List Tuesday’ saw changes galore expected for Round 11. We answer all your KFC SuperCoach selection questions with full team analysis, including the shock the debut of one of the game’s most famous names.
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An old head and a dry sense of humour.
They’re two things that Jack Johns and South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett have in common, according to Johns’ Rabbitohs teammates.
Jack, the son of former premiership winning playmaker Matthew Johns and nephew of Immortal Andrew Johns, has been named to make his NRL debut for the Redfern club against Canberra on Saturday night.
Rabbitohs forward Mark Nicholls said that while Johns could be a larrikin off the field, just like his father, the 22-year-old had earned his place in Bennett’s top 17.
“He’s a character. I haven’t had too many beers with him, but he makes the boys laugh and that’s what Matty and Andrew do week in and week out on TV,” Nicholls said.
“He has a bit of a dry sense of humour and a bit of an old head on him for a young fella. But he’s a great trainer, he rips in at training and he’s got a bit of skill about him as a back rower. He came through the juniors as a five-eighth. He’s got a bit of skill and he’s tough too. He won’t let anyone down this weekend.
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Forward Bailey Sironen revealed Johns’ sense of humour doesn’t always go down that well.
“He’s hit and miss. Sometimes he’s hilarious and sometimes not so much. He is always coming into training really positive. He’s always got a funny thing to say whether it’s to Wayne or one of us. He keeps the spirits really high at training,” he said.
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Johns, 22, the older brother of Melbourne Storm player Cooper, was named on the bench after forward Ethan Lowe was ruled out indefinitely with a neck injury. Centre James Roberts is also out long-term with a pec injury suffered last weekend against Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Canberra will name English star John Bateman on an extended bench for this weekend’s clash with South Sydney.
Bateman is yet to play this season after shoulder surgery in the pre-season but will be named in Ricky Stuart’s squad on Tuesday afternoon.
The 26-year old is in his final season with the Raiders after signing a rich deal to return to Wigan next year.
The Raiders will also name rookie Semi Valemei on the wing with Jordan Rapana at centre.
Eels Comment: Mitchell Moses (calf) is a huge inclusion replacing Jai Field at halfback. Ryan Matterson (thumb) and Blake Ferguson (knee) return after missing last week with minor injuries. Nathan Brown (hip) and Maiko Sivo (knee) failed to finish last week but have been named.
Wests Tigers Comment: Michael Chee Kam starts for Luke Garner in the back row in the only change. Thomas Mikaele (knock), Luciano Leilua (knee) and Matt Eisenhuth (head knock) should all be right to go. Luke Brooks remains on the bench after stunning performances from both starting halves last week.
Cowboys Comment: New coach but no new faces, with the Cowboys unchanged. KFC SuperCoach cheapie prospect Daejarn Asi retains the five-eighth. Spot. Jordan McLean (calf) has been included on an extended bench.
Sea Eagles Comment: Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension and has been cleared to travel to Queensland after receiving his flu jab. Taniela Paseka moves to the bench and Corey Waddell to the reserves.
Broncos Comment: Rookie Tesi Niu’s (wrist) season appears to be over which sees Anthony Milford move to fullback and Tom Dearden named to start at halfback. Kotoni Staggs (hamstring) and Herbie Farnworth (injury) return in the backline with Richie Kennar and Jamayne Isaako making way. Tevita Pangai Jnr moves to the edge with Corey Oates (leg) ruled out. Cory Paix starts at hooker for Issac Luke (suspension). Tom Flegler starts at prop with Ben Te’o dropping to the bench. Tyson Gamble and Rhys Kennedy earn bench spots.
Storm Comment: No changes after last week’s big win over the Titans, although star winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) has been named on an extended bench and is hoping to prove his fitness.
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Warriors comment: Patrick Herbert (concussion) is replaced at centre by Adam Pompey. Jazz Tevaga starts at lock with Jack Hetherington moving to prop and Adam Blair benched. Eliesa Katoa starts in the back row with Karl Lawton out of the side. Lachlan Burr returns after missing a series of games due to concussion issues. Agnatius Paasi, David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo will all play their last games before returning home for personal reasons.
Roosters comment: Angus Crichton (knee) is a key omission with Mitch Aubusson to start in the back row and Nat Butcher (ribs) returning on the bench. Brett Morris has been cleared of a jaw injury.
Sharks comment: Siosifa Talakai comes into the starting side to play second-row in place of Briton Nikora (suspended). Toby Rudolf is again named to start at lock, Rudolf was named to start their last Tuesday but Scott Sorenson started in his place. This week Sorenson (knee) is out and is replaced on the bench by Jack Williams. The Sharks are small on the bench again with Williams and Royce Hunt the only middles there along with backup hooker Connor Tracey and the slightly built debutant Teig Wilton named in the 16 jumper.
Dragons comment: Just two changes for the Dragons with Tariq Sims (suspended) replaced on an edge by Tyrell Fuimaono and Fuimaono’s spot on the interchange bench is filled by Jacob Host.
Raiders comment: John Bateman is back! Well almost, Ricky Stuart has named the Englishman on the extended bench for Saturday’s game against the Rabbitohs.
Michael Oldfield (shoulder) is out which sees Jordan Rapana slide in one spot from wing to centre and Semi Valemi move from bench to the starting side on the wing.
Valemi’s interchange slot is filled by Harley Smith-Shields.
Rabbitohs c omment: James Roberts (pec) is out for the remainder of the season and his absence will be somewhat offset by the return of Campbell Graham in the centres. Young wingers Corey Allan and Jaxson Paulo both earn another game. Ethan Lowe (neck) is out and this gives Bayley Sironen the chance to start a game on the edge. Jack Johns comes on to the interchange bench in place of Sironen.
Knights c omment: The Knights are a journalist’s dream - no changes from last week.
Bulldogs comment: SuperCoach cheapie prospect Jake Averillo (quarantine) returns which sees Christian Crichton dropped and Marcelo Montoya move to the wing. One change on the, rather undersized, bench with Brandon Wakeham replacing Sauaso Sue.
Titans c omment: Rookie Treymain Spry has been dropped with Daley Copley returning to the side at centre and Phillip Sami replacing Spry on the wing. Beau Fermor is OUT replaced by Kevin Proctor.
Panthers c omment: Huge news with Api Koroisau (elbow) out for the ladder leading Panthers. As expected Dylan Edwards (hamstring) has also been omitted replaced by Caleb Aekins. Dean Whare (abductor) is also out and the Panthers have shifted Brent Naden in from the wing to centre to replace Whare with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak coming on to the wing.