NRL Round 16 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat
Sharks coach John Morris has produced one of the biggest calls of his coaching career by dropping a star playmaker, while a host of big names return. Check out the ins and outs for Round 16.
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Melbourne Storm has reassembled its depleted spine for Sunday’s blockbuster against Manly Sea Eagles.
With Cameron Smith and Jahrome Hughes already floated as certain starters, Storm on Tuesday added wildcard Cameron Munster to the mix.
The premiership playmaker has been bouncing out of his skin to get back, running amok in recent Sunshine Coast field sessions.
The Queensland Origin star was expected to miss up to four weeks after the reocurrence of a medial ligament strain in Round 13 but Storm on Tuesday named him to start at five-eighth.
The 10-day break and Sunday fixture has worked in both Storm and Munster’s favour.
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Meantime, Sharks star Matt Moylan will be relegated to an extended bench this weekend with Cronulla coach John Morris opting to name Connor Tracey at five-eighth.
Moylan had an unhappy outing against his former club Penrith last week as the Sharks slumped to their second heavy loss of the season to the ladder leaders.
Morris had the option to start Moylan at fullback, but given the amount of running required from the back, would be apprehensive to put him under pressure and at risk of breaking down physically.
The 29-year-old was named on an extended bench alongside veteran prop Andrew Fifita.
Moylan has only managed 19 games in the last two seasons with the Sharks with a variety of injuries limiting his time on the field.
Star halfback Shaun Johnson will be named to return in the halves after he missed the loss to the Panthers due to a groin injury and the birth of his daughter Millah.
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Eels comment: Just the one change with Andrew Davey coming in for Marata Niukore (suspended).
Rabbitohs comment: Alex Johnston (HIA) is out replaced on the wing by Corey Allan. Dane Gagai was a late withdrawal last week and comes in for Steven Marsters. Liam Knight returns from suspension at the expense of Kurt Dillon.
Dragons comment: No change to the starting 13. Korbin Sims (knock) is out which sees Jackson Ford come on to the interchange bench and Paul Vaughan (suspended) is out replaced on the bench by Billy Brittain.
Titans comment: Ash Taylor returns at halfback after being a late out last week, Tanah Boyd goes to the reserves. Keegan Hipgrave benched in favour of Beau Fermor. Mo Fotuaika (suspended) is replaced at lock by Tyrone Peachey and Peachey’s place on the bench is taken by Erin Clark. Mitch Rein replaces Nathan Peats at hooker. Anthony Don is named in the reserves.
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No Taumalolo, Koroisau or Kikau.@TomSangsterSC gives his lowdown on the Round 16 teams. pic.twitter.com/aI5IQKFsl2
Roosters comment: Boyd Cordner (concussion) and Daniel Tupou (leg) return for the Roosters. Cordner’s return pushes Nat Butcher to the interchange and Tupou covers the loss of Matt Ikuvalu (ankle). Daniel Fifita has dropped from the interchange to reserves.
Broncos comment: Anthony Milford (hamstring) is out, replaced by Sean O’Sullivan at five-eighth. Cory Paix starts at hooker for Issac Luke with Brodie Croft coming on to the interchange. Corey Oates is on the extended bench.
Warriors comment: Paul Turner had a great debut but has been dropped with Chanel Harris-Tavita returning at halfback. Eliesa Katoa returns from suspension which sees Isaiah
Knights comment: As forecast, Mason Lino is the man to come in and replace Blake Green (knee) which could see Kalyn Ponga surrender goalkicking duties. No other changes.
Sharks comment: Matt Moylan has been dumped after a horror defensive display, replaced by Connor Tracey at five-eighth. Shaun Johnson (groin/baby) returns at halfback in place of Braydon Trindall. Briton Nikora returns in the back row pushing Siosifa Talakai to the interchange.
Cowboys comment: Jason Taumalolo (calf) is a huge out. He is replaced at lock by Josh McGuire with Francis Molo promoted to start at prop. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Opacic both drop out with Valentine Holmes returning from an ankle injury on the wing and Murray Tualagi in at centre. Daejarn Asi returns at five-eighth in place of Ben Hampton.
Panthers comment: Two huge losses with Apisai Koroisau (calf) and Viliame Kikau (suspension) out, with both expected to miss just the one week. Mitch Kenny will play hooker in place of Koroisau. Isaah Yeo moves to an edge for Kikau. Brian To’o makes his comeback from an ankle injury on the wing with Brent Naden shifting to centre, Tyrone May to the bench and Daine Laurie dropping to 18th man.
Wests Tigers comment: Harry Grant (knee) returns ahead of schedule with Jacob Liddle relegated to the bench and Josh Reynolds dropped. Thomas Mikaele and Alex Twal are both promoted to the run-on side after successful comebacks from injury last weekend. Russell Packer is dropped and impressive youngster Shawn Blore called up to the interchange bench.
Storm comment: Three huge inclusions with Cameron Smith (shoulder), Cameron Munster (knee) and Jahrome Hughes (groin) all back. The returns of Smith and Hughes were expected, but Munster is ahead of schedule. Jesse Bromwich is also back after a one-game suspension, pushing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to the bench with Nelson Asofa-Solomona to play lock. Kenny Bromwich (calf) is replaced at second row by Tom Eisenhuth while Brandon Smith (jaw) is out for 3-4 weeks. Marion Seve comes on to the wing, Sandor Earl goes to the bench and Albert Vete to the reserves.
Sea Eagles comment: Moses Suli (foot) is out for the season, replaced by Jack Gosiewski at centre. Joel Thompson (tongue) returns in the back row, pushing Corey Waddell to the pine. Martin Taupau returns to the starting side with Taniela Paseka switching to the bench.
Raiders comment: Corey Harawira-Naera is out of the side (contract requirement) with Matthew Timoko to debut from the bench. Otherwise, it’s the same 17, but Josh Papalii, Dunamis Lui and Hudson Young return to the starting side after coming off the bench last week.
Bulldogs comment: Mass overhaul. Luke Thompson, Jack Cogger, Reimis Smith, Tim Lafai, Jake Averillo and Sauaso Sue are all out. Lachlan Lewis comes in at halfback, Marcelo Montoya at centre, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing, Dylan Napa is back from suspension at prop, Aiden Tolman at lock, Josh Jackson returns to an edge, Matt Doorey reverts to the bench and Renouf To’omaga and Dean Britt join the interchange.