NRL teams Round 22: How your side will line up

The Bulldogs have pulled off a selection surprise, the Sharks have axed a former Origin star, while the Eels have picked a late-bloomer to make his NRL debut. Check out all the team news for Round 22.

A 28-year-old who worked as a steel fixer in New Zealand has been called on to prop up the Eels faltering finals push, while the Bulldogs have loaned two Raiders forwards for the next fortnight.

Not for the first time, Parramatta have turned to one of the oldest debutants in NRL history for Saturday night’s clash with Manly, with coach Brad Arthur selecting NSW Cup power-forward Makahesi Makatoa.

At 28 years and 192 days, Makatoa will fall eight months short of becoming the oldest debutant in the NRL era.

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Makatoa ranks just behind fellow late-bloomer and Eels teammate Andrew Davey, who made his NRL debut at the age of 28 and 232-days, last season.

The oldest debutant in NRL history is Darren Nicholls, who made his debut in the halves for St George Illawarra at 29 years and 80 days old in 2018.

Makahesi Makatoa will make his NRL for the Eels against Manly on Saturday night.

Makatoa’s story of patience and persistence will transform into the achievement of a lifelong dream against the Sea Eagles.

After seven seasons and 119 appearances in the NSW Cup, Makatoa will launch into staunch rivals Manly from the interchange bench this weekend.

Equal on 20 competition points and separated only by differentials, the fourth-placed Eels are attempting to halt a two-game losing run and 68-points leaked in defence against the sixth-placed Sea Eagles.

Makatoa has earned his NRL debut following the decision to rest Oregon Kaufusi, who suffered his second concussion this year last weekend.

A former New Zealand under-18’s representative, who played alongside established NRL players, Sam Lisone, Siliva Havilii and David Fusitua in 2011, Makatoa was signed by the Bulldogs out of New Plymouth in New Zealand five years ago.

In an interview with the Dogs, Makatoa spoke of his days spent working with steel, wanting to emulate his hero Sonny Bill Williams and a love for “contact and collisions”.

After two seasons with the Dogs, Makatoa was then recruited by the Raiders for $15,000.

Hugely valued by the Canberra coaching staff, Makatoa couldn’t break into the NRL due to a plethora of quality forwards in front of him, so he took a deal to play with Featherstone in England’s second-tier competition.

Makatoa played two matches in 2019 for Featherstone before returning to play with the Eels in the NSW Cup competition, where he has developed into one of the leading forwards.

Debut SZN 💨#PARRAdisepic.twitter.com/yHiNnbeZ1n

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) August 10, 2021

Prior to the suspension of the NSW Cup in July due to the Covid-19 pandemic — and ultimate cancellation of the NSW Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield on Tuesday — Makatoa was in devastating form. He was ranked No.1 in the competition for; hit-ups, running-metres and post-contact metres.

“He absolutely deserves his chance,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said. “We’re happy that he’ll get his opportunity and that he’ll be able to show us what he’s got in the NRL.’’

In another surprise selection, Arthur has selected veteran winger Michael Oldfield, 30, on the wing to face Manly, one of six clubs he has previously spent time with.

The former Sea Eagles, Roosters, Catalans Dragons, Rabbitohs, Panthers and Raiders winger has been selected to make his club debut for the Eels after also biding his time in the NSW Cup.

Meantime, the depleted Bulldogs have scored a loan deal with the Raiders that includes the immediate inclusion of Raiders duo Ryan James and Corey Horsburgh, for the side’s clash with the Warriors on Sunday.

Both players have been loaned to the Bulldogs for two weeks. Their loans were secured based on the fact that the Dogs will be missing both Dylan Napa (three matches) and Jack Hetherington (two matches), due to suspension, Luke Thompson is still out with suspension and Renouf Atoni has returned to Sydney to attend the birth of his child.

Corey Horsburgh will play for the Bulldogs this weekend on loan from the Raiders. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

“The Bulldogs would like to thank Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and the entire Raiders organisation for this kind gesture in loaning our club two players for the next fortnight to cover our extraordinary circumstances,” Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould said.

“It’s been a tough year for the club, but the coach and players want to continue being competitive right until the very last siren rings out.”

“In our hour of need, to have another NRL club show us such support, typifies the unity amongst all NRL clubs in these difficult times. Hopefully it’s never needed, but if the opportunity ever arises one day, we will be certain to return the favour.’’

ROUND 22 TEAMS

STORM V RAIDERS

Thursday 12 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7:50pm

STORM: 1. Nicho Hynes, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Chris Lewis, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Tepai Moeroa, 20. Jordan Grant, 21. Isaac Lumelume

RAIDERS: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Harley Smith-Shields, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. Iosia Soliola

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Dunamis Lui, 21. Siliva Havilii

Nelson Asofa-Solomona returns on the bench for the Storm. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

DRAGONS V PANTHERS

Friday 13 August, Suncorp Stadium, 6:00pm

DRAGONS: 1. Jack Bird, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Gerard Beale, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Josh McGuire, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Tyrell Fuimaono, 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Talatau Amone, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Kaine Ellis

Reserves: 18. Matthew Dufty, 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Jayden Sullivan, 21. Jaiyden Hunt

PANTHERS: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Brent Naden, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jarome Luai, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. Matthew Eisenhuth, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. J’maine Hopgood, 17. Izack Tago

Reserves: 18. Tevita Pangai Jnr, 19. Jaeman Salmon, 20. Taylan May, 21. Nathan Cleary

BRONCOS V ROOSTERS

Friday 13 August, Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm

BRONCOS: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Selwyn Cobbo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Albert Kelly, 8. To Flegler, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Xavier Willison, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. TC Robatii

Reserves: 18. Cory Paix, 19. Anthony Milford, 20. Brendan Piakura 21. David Mead

ROOSTERS: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Dale Copley, 6. Drew Hutchison, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Isaac Liu, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11.Nat Butcher, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam, 15. Egan Butcher, 16. Fletcher Baker Egan Butcher, 17. Naufahu Whyte

Reserves: 18. Ben Marschke, 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20. Brad Abbey, 21. Ben Thomas

Xavier Coates has been recalled to the Broncos’ line-up for their clash against the Roosters. Picture: Liam Kidston

RABBITOHS V TITANS

Saturday 14 August, Cbus Super Stadium, 3:00pm

RABBITOHS: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Taane Milne, 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Mark Nicholls, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Jacob Host , 16. Tevita Tatola, 17. Jaydn Su’A

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns, 19. Patrick Mago, 20. Hame Sele, 21. Blake Taaffe

TITANS: 1. Alexander Brimson, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Joliffe, 17. Beau Fermor

Reserves: 18. Erin Clark, 19. Sam McIntyre, 20. Esan Marsters, 21. Jamal Fogarty

COWBOYS V TIGERS

Saturday 14 August, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm

COWBOYS: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Daejarn Asi, 4. Jake Granville, 5. Ben Hampton, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Ben Condon, 12. Heilum Luki, 13. Coen Hess

Bench: 14. Tom Gilbert, 15. Jeremiah Nanai, 16. Mitchell Dunn, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Peter Hola, 19. Connelly Lemuelu, 20. Shane Wright, 21. Laitia Moceidreke

TIGERS: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tommy Talau, 4. Michael Chee Kam, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. James Tamou, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue, 15. Kelma Tuilagii, 16. Alex Twal, 17. Zac Cini

Reserves: 18. Jake Simpkin, 19. Tukimihia Simpkins, 20. Jock Madden, 21. James Roberts

Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo has been sidelined with injury. Picture: NRL Images

SEA EAGLES V EELS

Saturday 14 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7:35pm

SEA EAGLES: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Josh Schuster, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Kurt De Luis

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli, 19. Cade Cust, 20. Jack Gosiewski, 21. Ben Trbojevic

EELS: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Michael Oldfield, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Isaiah Papali’i, 9. Joey Lussick, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Will Smith, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Marata Niukore, 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Ray Stone, 19. Will Penisini, 20. Haze Dunster, 21. Jake Arthur

WARRIORS V BULLDOGS

Sunday 15 August, Moreton Daily Stadium, 2:00pm

WARRIORS: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tevita, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Jackson Frei, 11. Josh Curran, 12. Euan Aitken, 13. Bayley Sironen

Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 17. Eliesa Katoa

Reserves: 18. Edward Kosi, 20. Jack Murchie, 21. Chad Townsend, 22. Wayde Egan

BULLDOGS: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Aaron Schoupp, 5. Falakiko Manu, 6. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Ryan James, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Matt Doorey, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Chris Patolo, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan, 20. Jayden Okunbor, 21. Jackson Topine, 22. Lachlan Lewis

Raiders prop Ryan James has been loaned to the Bulldogs for the next two weeks. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

SHARKS V KNIGHTS

Sunday 15 August, Moreton Daily Stadium, 4:05pm

SHARKS: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Connor Tracey, 7. Braydon Trindall, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele Toby Rudolph, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Jack Williams, 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Luke Metcalf, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Billy Magoulias

Reserves: 18. Jonaiah Lualua, 19. Will Chambers, 20. Kai O’Donnell, 21. Mawene Hiroti

KNIGHTS: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Simi Sasagi, 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Josh King, 19. Jirah Momoisea, 20. Phoenix Crossland, 21. Starford Toa