NRL 2024 round five teams changes, full squads, SuperCoach analysis

The Storm welcome back stars, the Broncos hand debut to a ‘towering inferno’ and changes galore at the Bulldogs. We run through all the winners and losers from Team List Tuesday.

Brisbane will unleash the tallest player in NRL history with man mountain Ben Te Kura to make his Broncos debut in Thursday night’s clash against the Storm.

Standing at a gargantuan 205cm, Te Kura will be officially blooded in the big league after the scratching of Xavier Willison opened the door for ‘Big Ben’s’ daunting baptism at AAMI Park.

Willison suffered a head knock at Broncos training on Monday, clearing the path for the towering teenager to be pitchforked into Brisbane’s round 5 blockbuster against bogey team the Storm.

The NRL has witnessed a slew of big boppers, including two-metre quartet Nelson Asofa-Solomona, David Klemmer, Dominic Young and Kane Evans, Jason Saab (199cm), Shaun Lane (198cm) and Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (197cm).

NRL ROUND 5 TEAMS: SCROLL FOR EVERY SQUAD CHANGE AND SUPERCOACH NRL WINNERS AND LOSERS

Ben Te Kura at Broncos training. Picture: Adam Head

Former Wallabies forward Garrick Morgan, who played two games for the South Queensland Crushers in 1995, ex-Parramatta fullback Phil Mann, who ran around for the Eels between 1974-81 and prop Matt Parsons, who retired from the Knights in 2004, are believed to be rugby league’s tallest first graders at 201cm.

The Broncos have otherwise named an unchanged team to the side which destroyed the Cowboys 38-12 in last week’s Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium.

It shapes as a hostile occasion for Te Kura, who will come off the bench for a Brisbane team that has failed to win in Melbourne for the past 2778 days dating back eight years to 2016.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM TEAMS

WINNERS

Blaize Talagi CTW ($204,300): The Eels may have lost the game but they found a star in Talagi. The youngster looked solid playing CTW on debut two weeks ago then when asked to move into the halves to cover for Mitch Moses he looked even better. Named to start in the halves again, this kid is a weapon.

Cameron Munster 5/8 ($728,100): Named to play his first game of the season, Munster ran strongly at training on Monday and will get the green light for the Broncos clash if he passes a fitness test at Melbourne’s captain’s run on Wednesday.

Josh Curran 2RF ($507,500): Starting on an edge in place of Jacob Preston (facial fracture 4-6 weeks) which might be a blessing or a curse. On the plus side, Curran should play close to 80 minutes there. On the negative, he’ll get through less work on an edge compared to when he was in the middle. Curran is a good worker though and I have no doubt he’ll crab in to make plenty of tackles.

Sam Hughes FRF ($243,000): The Bulldogs have promoted the young prop into their starting side at the expense of Liam Knight. After playing limited minutes off the bench so far to start the season his legion of owners will be hoping this signals an increased role for Hughes.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad FLB ($682,500): Back from injury and named to start at fullback this is a big win for the Warriors and CNK himself. For SuperCoach though it sees Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shunted back to the centres and makes it almost impossible for Taine Tuaupiki to find a way back into the side.

LOSERS

Xavier Willison FRF ($265,200): Was set to make some good cash for owners thanks to a negative BE, but will miss the game after suffering a head knock at training.

Liam Henry FRF ($334,300): James Fisher-Harris is back for the Panthers and this sees Henry relegated to the bench. Henry averaged 40 minutes and better than 50PPG in JFH’s absence and the change likely costs him 10 minutes and 15 points per game.

Taine Tuaupiki FLB/CTW ($324,400): Always tough to sell a guy with a BE of just 10, but the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was always the death knell for Tuaupiki.

Alex Johnston CTW ($529,100): Out with a hamstring injury AJ is a must sell. It hurts as he’s lost money from his starting price, but you can’t leave that much cash on the pine.

ROUND 5 TEAM LISTS

STORM v BRONCOS

Thursday, 8:00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Chris Lewis 19. Jack Howarth 20. Marion Seve 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Aaron Pene

Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

Reserves: 18. Martin Taupau 19. Jock Madden 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Blake Mozer

BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 6:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Liam Knight 17. Kitione Kautoga

Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Bailey Howard 22. Chris Patolo 23. Poasa Faamausili

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong

KNIGHTS v DRAGONS

Friday, 8:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Brodie Jones 21. Tyson Gamble 22. Thomas Cant

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Toby Couchman 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila

RABBITOHS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson, 3. Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Tallis Duncan, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Peter Mamouzelos, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Richard Kennar, 21. Jye Gray 22. Jacob Gagai

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klkstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Jazz Tevaga

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 19. Jacob Laban 21. Chanel Harris-Tevita 22. Edward Kosi 23. Ali Leiataua

SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jake Arthur 20. Aaron Woods 21. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Soni Luke 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Maverick Geyer 21. Jack Cole 22. Tyrone Peachey

DOLPHINS v WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kenneath Bromwich

Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Justin Matamua 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Jake Simpkin

COWBOYS v TITANS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. David Fifita 16. Joe Stimson 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 19. Tony Francis 20. Thomas Weaver 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Jacob Alick

RAIDERS v EELS

Sunday 6:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Simi Sasagi 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Nick Cotric 20. Trey Mooney 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Wiremu Greig 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Morgan Harper

BYE: Sharks