NRL teams for round 1 of the 2018 season

IT’S TEAM LIST BLOODY TUESDAY! Check out the full Round 1 NRL team lists plus expert SuperCoach analysis from Tom Sangster, David Campbell and Tim Williams.

IT’S TEAM LIST BLOODY TUESDAY!

The teams for Round 1 of the 2018 NRL season have been announced.

Re-live our SuperCoach blog below with resident experts Tom Sangster, Tim Williams and Dave Campbell.

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SUPERCOACH WINNERS

* Siliva Havili — Named at hooker for the Raiders and will therefore retain his spot as one of the most popular cheapies in SuperCoach.

* Damien Cook — Has won the hooker spot at the Rabbitohs over Robbie Farah, who has been named 18th man. This ensures huge game time for Cook, although maybe not 80 minutes as Cameron Murray is tipped to play hooker if Cook needs a rest.

* Viliame Kikau — A definite cheapie after being named to start on the left edge for the Panthers.

* Jamayne Isaako — Cheapie option named on right wing for the Broncos and will hold the spot at least until Jack Bird (shoulder) returns.

Damien Cook looms as a buy following the relegation of Robbie Farah to NSW Cup

* Sio Siua Taukeiaho — Named starting prop for the Roosters and will kick goals.

* Mark Nicholls — The former Melbourne prop and cheapie option has been named to start at prop for the Rabbitohs. Fellow cheapie Tevita Tatola also scores a spot in the 17.

* Slade Griffin — Cheapie option named as the only specialist hooker for the Knights, with Danny Levi dropped. This ensures big game time, but probably not 80 minutes given Connor Watson and Jamie Buhrer can fill in at hooker.

TEAMS PODCAST!!!! Tom Sangster and Tim Williams have the good oil on who to bring into your side.

* Kelepi Tanginoa — “The Block of Units” has played his way into a bench spot for the Sea Eagles following strong trial form.

* Ligi Sao — Won a starting lock spot at the Warriors following the injury to Simon Mannering (shoulder), who could miss a month. Fellow cheapie Isaiah Papali’i also scores a starting left edge role.

* Bryce Cartwright, Lachlan Croker, Matt Lodge, Sione Katoa, Connor Watson, Siliva Havili, Peta Hiku, Leilani Latu — Popular cheapies all score starting spots for round one.

Highly rated youngster Cameron Murray missed a starting spot at South Sydney

SUPERCOACH LOSERS

* Luciano Leilua — Cheapie option relegated to the Dragons’ bench following lacklustre performance in final trial.

* Cameron Murray — Popular mid-ranger misses out on the starting lock spot for the Rabbitohs, named on the bench after missing the trials due to a quad injury.

* Tevita Pangai Jr — The Early Mail indicated TPJ would score a starting prop spot, but he has been relegated to the bench and therefore bows out of SuperCoach contention.

* David Nofoaluma — Scored the 12th most points of any player last year but has been dropped by Tigers coach Ivan Cleary.

SuperCoach gun David Nofoaluma was the talking point of TLT after being dropped to reserve grade

* Taane Milne — Once the second most popular player in SuperCoach, Milne misses a spot in the Tigers’ 17.

* Zac Lomax — Named out of the 17 at the Dragons, but will feature as a cheapie at some stage in 2018.

* Adam Doueihi — The coach tipped him as a bench utility option in the pre-season, but has named the young gun out of the 17.

* Sam Kasiano — The Storm recruit sits in the top 50 most popular players but has missed the 17 and will be eased back from injury through reserves.

* Michael Lichaa — The brother of Benji Marshall, Jeremy Marshall-King, has been named to debut from the Canterbury bench and could deny Lichaa 80 minutes.

* Billy Slater — Ruled out of round one with a shoulder injury. Likely back for round two. Cameron Munster has been named at fullback in round one.

Luciano Leilua missed a starting role at the Dragons and will play off the bench

DRAGONS V BRONCOS

Thursday, March 8, at Jubilee Oval, 7:50pm (AEDT)

Dragons: 18 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin. Interchange: 14 Luciano Leilua, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele, 19 Jeremy Latimore, 20 Zachary Lomax, 21 Blake Lawrie, 22 Joshua Kerr

* Luciano Leilua misses out on a starting role and will come off the bench. Hame Sele confirmed at 17, cheapie prospect Zac Lomax is on an extended bench

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Samuel Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Jaydn Su’a, 18 Tom Opacic, 19 Sam Tagataese, 20 Jonus Pearson, 21 George Fai

* Andrew McCullough will start at hooker despite early news indicating he’d be eased off the bench on return from injury. Huge news with Tevita Pangai to come off the bench, with Sam Thaiday preferred in the run on side. Cheapie Jamayne Isaako confirmed on the wing.

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KNIGHTS V SEA EAGLES

Friday, March 9, at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm (AEDT)

Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Tautau Moga, 5 Nathan Ross, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Herman Ese’ese, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Jacob Lillyman, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Mitchell Barnett. Interchange: 14 Brock Lamb, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Daniel Saifiti, 18 Ken Sio, 19 Jacob Saifiti, 20 Daniel Levi, 21 Luke Yates

* Slade Griffin is the big winner out of the Knights, picking up the No.9 jersey as Kiwi international Danny Levi is left out. New faces Kalyn Ponga, Tautau Moga, Connor Watson, Mitchell Pearce, Herman Ese’ese, Griffin, Jacob Lillyman and Aidan Guerra all start for the Knights as expected.

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Matthew Wright, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Akuila Uate, 6 Lachlan Croker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Curtis Sironen, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown, 15 Shaun Lane, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Kelepi Tanginoa, 18 Bradley Parker, 19 Jackson Hastings, 20 Jack Gosiewski, 21 Lloyd Perrett

* Lachlan Croker scores the five-eighth spot of Blake Green, as expected. With Darcy Lussick out, Addin Fonua-Blake starts at prop, with cheapie option Kelepi Tanginoa scoring a bench spot. Recruit Joel Thompson starts in the back row.

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NRL Team Talk round one.

COWBOYS V SHARKS

Friday, March 9, at 1300SMILES Stadium, 7:50pm (AEDT)

Cowboys: 1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Ethan Lowe, 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Coen Hess, 16 Scott Bolton, 17 John Asiata, 18 Corey Jensen, 19 Kyle Laybutt, 20 Francis Molo, 21 Enari Tuala

* Minimal SuperCoach relevance with Ben Hampton to replace the injured Lachlan Coote as expected, while Javid Bowen slots in at centre for the injured Kane Linnett.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Sione Katoa, 6 Matthew Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matthew Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14 Jayson Bukuya, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 17 Joseph Paulo, 18 Kurt Capewell, 19 Kurt Dillon, 20 Aaron Gray, 21 Trent Hodkinson

* SuperCoach cheapie Sione Katoa earns a spot on the wing. Big-name recruits Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan start in the backline.

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TIGERS V ROOSTERS

Saturday, March 10, at ANZ Stadium, 4:30pm (AEDT)

Wests Tigers: 1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Josh Reynolds, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Christopher Lawrence, 12 Robert Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14 Benji Marshall, 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matthew Eisenhuth, 18 Matt McIlwrick, 19 David Nofoaluma, 20 Timothy Grant, 21 Taane Milne

* Plenty of shocks. David Nofoaluma has been dropped with Corey Thompson to play wing and Tuimoala Lolohea to play fullback despite being axed for the final trial. Pita Godinet scores the starting hooker spot with no recognised hooker on the bench. Robbie Rochow is a SuperCoach cheapie option after scoring a starting back row spot. Benji Marshall scores a bench spot. SuperCoach cheapie Taane Milne misses the 17. Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds form a new-look halves combo.

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson 6 Mitchell Cornish, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11 Boyd Cordner (c), 12 Mitchell Aubusson, 13 Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Ryan Matterson, 17 Victor Radley,

18 Reece Robinson, 19 Luke Keary, 20 Nat Butcher, 21 Lindsay Collins

* Sio Siua Taukeiaho will start at prop and likely kick goals, meaning SuperCoaches will have to seriously consider the $423,000 forward. Meanwhile, Joseph Manu has earned back his starting spot in the Roosters 17 after last year being dropped to play for Wyong. He joins exciting SuperCoach prospect Latrell Mitchell in the centres. James Tedesco is set to start against his old club and remains one of the most popular players in SuperCoach.

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RABBITOHS V WARRIORS

Saturday, March 10, at Perth Stadium, 7pm (AEDT)

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Richie Kennar, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Greg Inglis (c), 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Mark Nicholls, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Cameron Murray, 15 Tyrell Fuimaono, 16 George Burgess, 17 Tevita Tatola, 18 Robbie Farah, 19 Jason Clark, 20 Hymel Hunt, 21 Adam Doueihi

* As expected, Damien Cook has beaten Robbie Farah to the No.9 jumper and looms as an 80-minute hooker. Farah has been named on the extended bench, meaning SuperCoaches will now seriously consider running a Cam Smith-Cook combination. Borderline cheapie Richie Kennar wins a wing spot and two rookies make the cut on the forwards — Mark Nicholls as starting prop and Tevita Tatola as a bench forward. Greg Inglis and Alex Johnston have both been declared fit to start, meaning Cody Walker keeps his favoured spot in the halves where he scored much better for SuperCoaches. Popular pre-season cheapie Adam Doueihi misses out and is named on the extended bench.

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Adam Blair, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Ligi Sao. Interchange: 14 Sam Cook, 15 Leivaha Pulu, 16 Sam Lisone, 17 Bunty Afoa, 18 Jazz Tevaga, 20 Mason Lino, 21 Agnatius Paasi 22 Anthony Gelling

* Ligi Sao and Isaiah Papali’i have emerged as SuperCoach cheapie options after scoring starting roles in the pack, with Simon Mannering (shoulder) injured. Recruit Peta Hiku scores the prized right centre spot outside Shaun Johnson.

Michael Lichaa may be rested at some point by Jeremy Marshall-King

BULLDOGS V STORM

Saturday, March 10, at Perth Stadium, 9pm (AEDT)

Bulldogs: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Matthew Frawley, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13 Danny Fualalo. Interchange: 14 Adam Elliott, 15 Aiden Tolman, 16 Greg Eastwood, 17 Jeremy Marshall-King, 19 Asipeli Fine, 20 Kerrod Holland, 21 Francis Tualau, 23 John Olive

* Danny Fualalo is named at lock, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner to start in the back-row. Don’t be surprised to see Adam Elliott switch with Fualalo before kick-off on gameday. As per Early Mail Jeremy Marshall-King, brother to Benji, has been named on the bench and will likely deputise for Michael Lichaa at some point in the game

Storm: 1 Cameron Munster, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Ryley Jacks, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Tim Glasby, 15 Kenny Bromwich, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Joe Stimson, 18 Young Tonumaipea, 19 Tui Kamikamica, 20 Sam Kasiano, 21 Billy Walters

* Cameron Munster will play fullback in place of Billy Slater (shoulder), with Ryley Jacks moving to five-eighth. Nelson Asofa-Solomona starts in the front row. Joe Stimson scores the final bench spot. Sam Kasiano (ankle) misses out as he eases back from injury.

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PANTHERS V EELS

Sunday, March 11, at Panthers Stadium, 4:10pm (AEDT)

Panthers: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Tyrone Peachey, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 James Maloney, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 James Tamou, 9 Peter Wallace (c), 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Corey Harawira-Naera, 15 Sam McKendry, 16 Moses Leota, 17 James Fisher-Harris, 18 Sione Katoa, 19 Tim Browne, 20 Christian Crichton, 21 Jarome Luai

* Cheapie Viliame Kikau has won a starting spot, relegating James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera. Kikau is just $192,000 and has dual FRF-2RF status to offer SuperCoaches much-needed flexibility.

Eels: 1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 Kirisome Auva’a, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Manu Ma’u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14 Beau Scott (c), 15 Brad Takairangi, 16 Suaia Matagi, 17 Kane Evans, 18 Will Smith, 19 Kenny Edwards, 20 David Gower, 21 Kaysa Pritchard

* Kirisome Au’va scores the vacant wing spot. Potential mid-ranger Brad Takairangi misses out on a starting back-row berth, instead named to come off the bench.

TITANS V RAIDERS

Sunday, March 11, at Cbus Super Stadium, 6:30pm (AEDT)

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Kane Elgey, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jai Arrow, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Leilani Latu, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Ryan James (c), 13 Bryce Cartwright. Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Max King, 16 Will Matthews, 17 Morgan Boyle, 18 Joe Greenwood, 19 Jai Whitbread, 20 Tyronne Roberts Davis, 21 Aj Brimson

Recruits Jai Arrow, Leilani Latu and Bryce Cartwright all start in a new-look forward pack. Ryan James moves to an edge and will act as Kane Elgey’s “bodyguard”. Mitch Rein scores the bench hooker spot. SuperCoach cheapie Phillip Sami scores a wing spot. Kevin Proctor (throat) is right to go following a pre-season scare.

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Junior Paulo, 9 Siliva Havili, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Josh Papalii, 12 Joseph Tapine, 13 Elliott Whitehead. Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Dunamis Lui, 17 Iosia Soliola, 18 Charlie Gubb, 19 Brad Abbey, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Craig Garvey

* In a big shock Sam Williams has been named to start in the halves alongside Aidan Sezer while Blake Austin is named on the bench. It’s not great news for cheapie hooker Siliva Havili who could only see 40 minutes when Austin comes on and Sezer moves in as rake. Dual 2RF-FRF forward Joseph Tapine could be an interesting POD after he was named to start in the second row. He came off the bench last year for an average of 47.5 points at a rate of 0.9 PPM. Increased minutes could make Tapine a tantalising option.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach news section / Cheapie Bible 2018 / Tom Sangster’s team / Copes’ team/ Reigning champ’s team / Wilfred Zee’s team / Top 10 PODs / SuperCoach strategy 101 / Most popular SuperCoach players / Must-haves for 2018 / Pre-season casualty ward / Eels fans are biggest SuperCoach addicts / Former champ’s top 10 mid-rangers / Champion’s Choice: Alex Twal / CTW: Risk vs. reward / HOK: Smith or not? / Your club’s biggest selection issue / SuperCoach study guide: Broncos / Bulldogs / Cowboys / Eels / Knights / Panthers / Roosters / Rabbitohs / Raiders / Sharks / Sea Eagles / Storm / Tigers / Titans / Warriors