NRL Round Seven teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat

It’s Team List Tuesday and there’s bombshell’s galore, but none bigger than the news that Knights star Bradman Best has been dropped for breaching biosecurity protocols.

Bradman Best had been forced to move out of the Central Coast home he shared with his parents.

So when the NRL’s protocols were loosened late on Saturday the teenage star rushed home to see them, having spent the past few months in the bubble.

He had been told to move out of the family home by the game’s biosecurity experts because of fears the house put him in a COVID-hot-spot. The media attention that the protocols had been changed only added to the confusion on Saturday.

Under the revamped conditions, players needed pre-approval to visit anyone which Best was unaware of on Sunday morning.

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Had Best had his parents Tobi and Roger around his house then there would have been no problem, as players are allowed a handful of guests. Such is the complexity of the NRL’s biosecurity protocols.

When Best felt he may have breached the rules he instantly reported the error to Knights officials on Monday. The result is Best was forced to stand-down from Newcastle’s match against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien said it was a simple error.

“He is a good young man who made an easy and honest mistake,” O’Brien said. “He thought it was a good opportunity to see his mum. He was completely upfront about it. He could’ve lied about it but when he thought he may have done something wrong he let us know straight away.

“That’s what I like about him.”

The 18-year-old has been revelation since making his return from injury in round two. Best, who played three games last year, scored two tries in each of his opening two matches this year.

As a precaution he will need to self-isolate for one week before rejoining the team in time to play Manly on July 5. The situation is vastly different to Canterbury’s Aiden Tolman, who has missed Canterbury’s past two games. Unlike Tolman, Best has not been exposed to the coronavirus so he does not need to spend two weeks away from the team.

Best has been replaced in the centres by Enari Tuala who gets to play his former club after being rested for Newcastle’s last-start win against Brisbane with Gehamat Shibasaki taking his spot. Best’s unavailability is the only coach to O’Brien’s team.

Elsewhere, Parramatta will be without star lock Nathan Brown after his trip to the judiciary to beat a high tackle charge was unsuccesful.

Brown will now sit out the next three weeks.

The Eels are yet to name a replacement but Marata Niukore is expected to start.

SEE EVERY TEAM FOR THIS ROUND BELOW

Panthers: : No changes for the Panthers with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary naming the same team that beat the Storm last weekend. Nathan Cleary stamped his claim as the best halfback in KFC SuperCoach NRL last week with a big score against the Melbourne Storm.

Rabbitohs : Just the one change for the Rabbitohs but it is a big one, James Roberts comes into the 17 for his first match since round two. Roberts will start from the bench in place of the injured Tom Amone, a selection which bodes well for KFC SuperCoach NRL cheapie Patrick Mago to see more minutes.

Storm : Flying winger Josh Addo-Carr returns after missing last week for the birth of his child. Addo-Carr comes in for Marion Seve. The Storm also welcome back halfback Jahrome Hughes, with Ryley Jacks moving to the reserves, while Brandon Smith drops to the interchange bench for Christian Welch.

Warriors: Plenty of movement for the Warriors under new interim coach Todd Payten Ken Maumalo is a welcome inclusion coming on to the wing in place of Gerard Beale. A change at hooker with Wayde Egan (suspended) out for Karl Lawton. Second row Eliesa Katoa (ankle) is replaced by Jack Murchie. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Isaiah Papali’i are the new faces on the interchange bench.

Roosters : Great news for SuperCoaches with James Tedesco named to start against the Dragons. Ryan Hall is in the reserves though, and should Tedesco be a late withdrawal he would come on to the wing allowing Brett Morris to move to fullback. Two changes with Lindsay Collins and Sam Verrills coming on to the interchange bench in place of Sitili Tupouniua and Mitch Aubusson.

Dragons : Changes for the Dragons with no James Graham (leaving club) or Jason Pereira (suspended). Graham is replaced at lock by Trent Merrin while Jason Saab will replace Pereira on the wing. Prop Josh Kerr has been relegated to the interchange bench and Blake Lawrie promoted to the starting side in his place.

Cowboys: One change for the Cowboys with Reben Cotter replacing Corey Jensen on the interchange bench. Jordan McLean (calf) has been named in the reserves and is a chance to be a late inclusion.

SuperCoach news: Just one change for the Knights, but it is a big one with boom youngster Bradman Best dropped for breaching COVID quarantine rules. Enari Tuala will come in at centre in place of Best.

Broncos: The Broncos have made some big changes after yet another loss, with Tesi Niu starting at fullback with Jamayne Isaako on the bench, while Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler are suspended. Joseph Ofahengaue will start at lock, Jamil Hopoate and Rhys Kennedy have been recalled onto the bench, while Cory Paix is out with a pec injury.

Titans: Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has again wielded the selection axe by dropping Bryce Cartwright and Erin Clark for Saturday’s derby against the Titans. Cartwright and Clark have been omitted following the Gold Coast’s disappointing loss to St George Illawarra last Saturday. The shake-up will see prop Jarrod Wallace - bad news for Mo Fotuaika owners/buyers - return to the side after missing the past two games while Mitch Rein returns at hooker and Dale Copley teturns from injury in place of Young Tonumaipea (knee)..

Eels: Just two changes for the Eels with Brad Takairangi replacing Peni Tereopo on the bench while Nathan Brown’s (suspension) replacement is yet to be named.

Raiders: Canberra have named an unchanged 17 despite going down to an understrength Manly side in Round 6.

Sea Eagles: Manly have been hit hard by injuries with Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker facing lengthy layoffs. Brendan Elliott will move from centre to fullback to cover for Trbojevic. Elliott’s move sees Tevita Funa shift from wing to centre and Funa’s absence is covered by the return of Jorge Taufua. Lachlan Croker starts at five-eighth and Marty Taupau replaces Sean Keppie in the front row. Codie Cust come on to the bench as a utility.

Sharks: The Sharks have made just one change with Andrew Fifita set to start in place of Braden Hamlin-Uele.

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs have made several changes with Kerrod Holland recalled to replace the suspended Christian Crichton, while Jack Cogger joins the bench and Nick Meaney and Aiden Tolman named in the reserves with both a chance to be late inclusions.

Tigers: The Tigers will give rookie Tommy Talau a starting wing spot with Robert Jennings injured, while Oliver Clark replaces Zane Musgrove at prop and Matt Eisenhuth replaces Alex Twal at lock.