NRL Round 17 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat
Sonny Bill Williams is poised to inflict 20 minutes of mayhem in his NRL return for the Roosters against the Raiders. The premiers also welcome back another big gun for the clash. Check out all the ins and outs for round 17.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
He’s back! After 2167 days since his last NRL match, Sonny Bill Williams will return for the Roosters in their clash against the Raiders on Saturday night.
SBW is poised to inflict 20 minutes of mayhem against Canberra – his seek-and-destroy mission as a middle forward unfolding 10 minutes either side of halftime.
The Daily Telegraph canvassed the opinions of several leading representative coaches to gauge how and when Williams will be used by Roosters coach Trent Robinson on Saturday night.
Williams’ exact role — and who he will replace — remains a mystery given his six-year absence from the NRL and the Roosters’ silence when quizzed about their superstar. It was generally agreed among the coaches that Williams would play 20 minutes – maybe more if his fitness holds up – and be used as a middle forward rather than playing on the edge.
TEAM NEWS
Early Mail: Predicted changes for round 17
Casualty ward: NRL Physio’s full analysis
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Williams, 35, hasn’t played since February. Every coach believed Williams would be sent into battle around the 30-minute mark. They were uncertain though who he will replace. He was formally named in jumper No. 17 when the Roosters released their team on Tuesday.
“I think he will play around 20 minutes. It will depend on his fitness and how the game is going. There are a lot of variables,” said former NSW coach, Laurie Daley.
“If he’s fit, 20 to 25 minutes, his fitness is down, it might be 15 to 20. The circumstances of the game will dictate how much time he gets. They might look to play him on an edge or they might look to play him in a similar role to Victor Radley, who is a middle-forward with a link to their halves – that nice, little passing game.
“Sonny Bill has been out for so long and has had a knee operation – I don’t think we should expect him to set the world on fire. It’s more about being cautious and anything he does will be a bonus.”
Current Blues coach Brad Fittler added: “I think they’ll use him for 20 minutes in and around halftime. It will be interesting to see how Sonny feels given it will be a different NRL to when he last played here.”
Former Queensland, Parramatta and Newcastle coach Michael Hagan thinks Williams could play up to 30 minutes.
“I think he would be used just before halftime – that would give him a nice, little intro into the speed of the game,” Hagan said. “He might knock out 30 minutes, something like.
“I’d think he’ll be used in the middle rather than an edge role to ease him back in. I think he’ll be a middle third player for half an hour. He has such good footwork and ability with the footy. He will add a bit to them, I think, to be honest.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast radio program that Williams will be ready to play.
“I don’t think he would put himself into a position where he was going to be underdone,” Stuart said. “I don’t think he would have said yes to the opportunity to come across if he wasn’t going to perform.
“I’m expecting him to perform at the highest level otherwise you wouldn’t have bought him. If Sonny Bill Williams gets onto the field, I’m expecting him to be influential towards their performance.”
ROUND 17 TEAMS
BRONCOS comment: Corey Oates is back coming in at the expense of Jordan Kahu with Herbie Farnworth slotting in to Kahu’s centre role and Oates on the wing. Payne Haas returns from suspension, conveniently filling in for Joe Ofahengau e (suspended). Issac Luke returns at hooker pushing Cory Paix to the bench and Brodie Croft to the reserves.
PANTHERS comment: As expected Isaiah Yeo (concussion) has been rested by the panthers. Yeo’s absence is offset by the return of Viliame Kikau (suspension). Kurt Capewell is the fresh face on the interchange bench after he was given last week in the reserves to build fitness as he returns from a long injury lay-off. Api Koroisau has been named in the reserves and has to be considered a chance to return.
KNIGHTS comment: Two changes to the 17 last week with Pasami Saulo (suspended) replaced on the interchange bench by Brodie Jones. Phoenix Crossland has been named on the interchange bench, though the Knights could pull the same late swap they did last week which saw Crossland dropped for Randall as cover at hooker for Mann. Mitch Barnett named at lock despite failing to finish last week with a sternum injury.
SHARKS comment: Chad Townsend returns and will play halfback which pushes Connor Tracey to the interchange bench and Andrew Fifita dropped to the reserves. Jesse Ramien named despite lasting less than 30 minutes last week. Toby Rudolf named to start. Again. Expect a late switch. Again.
RABBITOHS comment: Latrell Mitchell’s season is over so the Rabbitohs have turned to Alex Johnston at fullback. Dane Gagai is named to start despite being a late withdrawal for two weeks now. Gagai’s return, should it eventuate, means Steven Marsters gets pushed to the reserves.
STORM comment: Marion Seve (ACL) is out and replaced by Brenko Lee who returns at centre so pushing Isaac Lumelume to the wing. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf) is out replaced by Tino Faasuamaleaui at lock and Chris Lewis is promoted to the starting team at second row. Ryley Jacks comes on to the bench in place of Lewis however, Kenny Bromwich is named in the reserves as he returns from injury and he will likely be promoted to the starting side if he proves his fitness with Lewis going to the bench and Jacks to reserves.
BULLDOGS comment: Just two changes for the Dogs, both on the interchange bench. Jake Averillo comes in as a utility in place of Sione Katoa and Luke Thompson replaces Dean Britt.
TITANS comment: Mo Fotuaika returns after suspension and is named on the interchange bench in place of Jai Whitbread. Jai Arrow is a chance to return having been named in the reserves. Arrow may be needed to replace Sam Lisone who has been named but has a date with the NRL judiciary.
SEA EAGLES comment: Reuben Garrick (shoulder) and Joel Thompson (ankle – season) are both out. Abbas Miski comes onto the wing for Garrick. Jack Gosiewski starts in the back row for Thompson, with Corey Waddell joining the interchange.
WESTS TIGERS comment: Tigers Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi switch positions with Mbye to play fullback and Doueihi centre. Josh Aloiai (birth of child) returns at prop, Matt Eisenhuth goes to the bench and Shawn Blore drops out. Tommy Talau has been dropped for AJ Kepaoa on the wing.
RAIDERS comment: Corey Harawira-Naera returns on the bench after missing the weekend game, with Matt Timoko the player to make way. Josh Papalii and Siliva Havili return to the run-on side with Dunamis Lui and Tom Starling back to the bench after late switcheroos against the Bulldogs.
ROOSTERS comment: Two huge inclusions. Sonny Bill Williams will play his first NRL game in 2167 days, while star playmaker Luke Keary returns. Williams replaces Poasa Faamausili on the bench. Keary replaces Drew Hutchison in the halves. Boyd Cordner starts after getting through his injury comeback last week with Nat Butcher dropping to the interchange. Angus Crichton (knee) and Mitch Aubusson (wrist) could be (unlikely) late inclusions after being named on the extended bench.
The colossal David Fifita does it again for the Broncos 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/2Fd03BXMm6
— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) August 31, 2020
WARRIORS comment: Without both George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro as part of a loan agreement with the Eels, which stipulates they can’t play against their parent club, while Eliesa Katoa (hand)is injured. Gerard Beale comes onto the wing for Jennings, Jack Murchie starts in the back row for Katoa, and Josh Curran and Isaiah Papali’i join the bench.
EELS: comment: Dylan Brown (ankle) is out indefinitely, replaced by Jai Field at five-eighth. Marata Niukore (suspension) returns on the bench in place of Andrew Davey.
COWBOYS comment: Dominoes in the backline with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) returning on the wing, pushing Valentine Holmes to fullback, Scott Drinkwater to five-eighth, Daejarn Asi to the interchange and Jake Granville out. Michael Morgan (calf) is replaced in the halves by Jake Clifford. Coen Hess (suspension) is replaced in the back row by Gavin Cooper. Esan Marsters is recalled at centre in place of Connelly Lemuelu.
DRAGONS comment: Tyrell Fuimaono (suspension) returns on the bench with Trent Merrin dropping out in the only change. Tyson Frizell will continue to play despite managing an ongoing rib injury. Billy Brittain failed game day HIA on the weekend and will need to pass required concussion protocols.