NRL Round 22 Teams: Latest news on who’s in and who’s out, KFC SuperCoach NRL analysis

The Storm and Panthers have reshuffled their line-ups for their blockbuster clash. Find out who’s in and who’s out for your team in Round 22.

Both the Panthers and Storm are set to welcome back some big names in a blockbuster Thursday night clash to kick off Round 22.

The 2020 grand finalists both won with weakened squads last week, and while neither side is at full strength, it still shapes as a cracking contest to start the round.

Barnstorming back-rower Viliame Kikau is back for the premiers on an extended bench but is expected to start, while winger Taylan May has been named but is in some doubt after he rocked up to Panthers training on Tuesday with his arm in a sling.

Matt Eisenhuth will start in the front row while Kiwis prop James Fisher-Harris is suspended.

The Storm have resisted the temptation to keep Cameron Munster at fullback after his three try haul against the Titans last week.

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Viliame Kikau has been named among the reserves for the Panthers’ big clash with Storm. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The in-demand playmaker returns to the halves to partner Cooper Johns with Jahrome Hughes sidelined after he partially dislocated his shoulder last week.

Melbourne’s backline is starting to get some troops back with Nick Meaney and Justin Olam returning this week, although veteran Felise Kaufusi will miss the game after his father tragically passed away.

Kade Dykes has retained his place in Cronulla’s starting side with Lachie Miller named on the right wing in place of Connor Tracey, who was knocked out by Tariq Sims last week.

The good news keeps coming for the Sharks who welcome back Dale Finucane from suspension while Matt Moylan has recovered from the quad injury that kept him out of last week’s derby.

The Sea Eagles’ slim hopes of playing finals footy have received a massive shot in the arm with Kieran Foran named to take on his future teammates even though he left the field early last week with a hamstring injury.

Josh Aloiai also returns for the Sea Eagles for the first time since the Pride jersey fiasco.

St George Illawarra’s chances of making the top eight are hanging by a thread. They simply must beat a Raiders side missing coach Ricky Stuart, and they could get a boost with fullback Cody Ramsey named on an extended bench.

Cody Ramsey is a chance to return for the Dragons. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

There’s mixed news on the field for the Green Machine with Joseph Tapine ruled out with a rib injury while winger Nick Cotric is suspended, but they do get Xavier Savage back from an ankle injury in Sunday’s must-win game at home.

Livewire Reuben Cotter is back in the starting side for the Cowboys who have named Jordan McLean in the reserves for what would be his first game back since a hamstring injury at training robbed him of a State of Origin debut.

And the Knights welcome back David Klemmer after he was stood down for one game because of disciplinary reasons. He slots straight back into the starting side against the Broncos who have Te Maire Martin at fullback.

Titans halfback Toby Sexton has been left out of the Gold Coast’s 17 again — but he could be set for a late NRL recall.

After being dropped for last week’s loss to Melbourne, Sexton has been named in the No.19 jersey for Sunday’s clash against Manly at Cbus Super Stadium.

But the young playmaker is in the mix to return to first grade following hooker Aaron Booth’s season-ending knee injury. Sexton trained at halfback on Tuesday, with utility Tanah Boyd moving to dummy-half to replace Booth.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook is looking to protect Sexton following what’s been a turbulent season for the young halfback. But he may be forced to bring him back into the top grade as the Titans look to snap a 10-game losing streak.

ROUND 22 TEAMS

PANTHERS v STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Taylan May, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jaeman Salmon, 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Matthew Eisenhuth, 11. Chris Smith, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Sunia Turuva

Reserves: 18. Charlie Staines, 19. J’maine Hopgood, 20. Robert Jennings, 21. Kurt Falls, 22. Viliame Kikau

TEAM NEWS: Just the one change from the team that ran out last week with James Fisher-Harris (suspended) replaced in the starting lineup by Matt Eisenhuth. Dylan Edwards and Taylan May are both carrying knocks yet have been named to play. Viliame Kikau lurks in the reservesand if fit would come in for Chris Smith.

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Marion Seve, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Cooper Johns, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Tom Eisenhuth, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tui Kamikamica, 16. Chris Lewis, 17. Tyran Wishart Reserves: 18. Alex MacDonald, 19. Dean Ieremia, 20. Young Tonumaipea, 21. Jordan Grant, 22. Jack Howarth

TEAM NEWS: Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) is out though his loss is offset by the return of Nick Meaney, which allows Cameron Munster to move from fullback to his preferred five-eighth position. Hughes’ absence sees Cooper Johns get another run in first grade. Felise Kaufusi (personal) will not play so Tom Eisenhuth starts in the second-row. Justin Olam (Covid) returns at the expense of Young Tonumaipea.

WARRIORS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 6pm, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Viliame Vailea, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Edward Kosi, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tohu Harris, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Jack Murchie, 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Jackson Frei

Reserves: 18. Bayley Sironen, 20. Adam Pompey, 21. Taniela Otukolo, 22. Tom Ale, 23. Rocco Berry

TEAM NEWS: Young guns Daejarn Asi and Viliami Vailea have earned recalls. Asi comes in at five-eighth with Wayde Egan switching back to hooker and Freddy Lussick dropping to the bench. Vailea returns at centre after a broken jaw and replaces Euan Aitken, who moves to the back row. Aaron Pene (leg contusion) is injured with Josh Curran named in No. 13.

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Jackson Topine, 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Joe Stimson, 16. Harrison Edwards, 17. Chris Patolo

Reserves: 19. Declan Casey, 20. Kurtis Morrin, 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 22. Jeral Skelton, 23. Phillip Makatoa

TEAM NEWS: No Tevita Pangai Jr so the Bulldogs have named Raymond Faitala-Mariner at lock, though it would not surprise to see he and Josh Jackson swap roles come gameday.

Ryan Matterson has been named at lock for the Eels, despite going off for a HIA last weekend. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

EELS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 7.55pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Viliami Penisini, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Waqa Blake, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Jake Arthur, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. Ofahiki Ogden, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa, 19. Bailey Simonsson, 20. Ky Rodwell, 21. Sean Russell, 22. Elie El Zakhem

TEAM NEWS: Ofahiki Ogden and Makahesi Makatoa swap roles, Ryan Matterson named to play despite speculation that he would not be available after suffering a head knock late in the game last week.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Jaxson Paulo, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Izaac Thompson, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10.Hame Sele, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Siliva Havili, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Taane Milne, 19. Dean Hawkins, 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 21. Shaq Mitchell, 22. Josh Mansour

TEAM NEWS: Hame Sele (hamstring) returns which sees Daniel Suluka-Fifita pushed to the reserves.

ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 3pm, SCG, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Nat Butcher, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Egan Butcher, 16. Drew Hutchison, 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Adam Keighran, 19. Fletcher Baker, 20. Kevin Naiqama, 21. Ben Thomas, 22. Siua Wong

TEAM NEWS: Egan Butcher (suspension) returns at the expense of Ben Thomas. Sam Verrills is still working his way through concussion protocols but is expected to play. No sign of Siua Taukeiaho or Lindsay Collins as yet.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Reuben Cotter, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jordan McLean, 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 16. Luciano Leilua, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot, 19. Ben Hampton, 20. Jake Granville 21. Riley Price, 22. Connelly Lemuelu

TEAM NEWS: Reuben Cotter is named to start at the expense of Jamayne-Taunoa-Brown (interchange). Jordan McLean joins JTB on the bench after a layoff due to injury.

Jordan McLean is set to return from a hamstring injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

TIGERS v SHARKS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Scully Park, Tamworth

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. Brent Naden, 3. James Roberts, 4. Asu Kepaoa, 5. Starford To’a, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Jock Madden, 8. James Tamou, 9. Fa’amanu Brown, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Alex Seyfarth, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole, 15. Austin Dias, 16. Tom Freebairn, 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 18. Luke Garner, 19. Jake Simpkin, 20. Brandon Tumeth, 21. Junior Tupou, 22. Justin Matamua

TEAM NEWS: Ken Maumalo (knee) is out so Star To’a shifts to the wing and James Roberts comes in to the centres. Zane Musgrove starts at prop, Joe Ofahengaue moves to lock and Fonua Pole to the bench.

Sharks: 1. Kade Dykes, 2. Lachlan Miller, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Teig Wilton, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Luke Metcalf, 21. Jesse Colquhoun, 22. Matt Ikuvalu

TEAM NEWS: Connor Tracey (concussion) is out with Lachie Miller named to start on the wing in his place. Dale Finucane returns to the team and starts at lock pushing Cam McInnes to the bench. Royce Hunt lurks on the reserves.

BRONCOS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Brenko Lee, 5.Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Cory Paix, 19. Ryan James, 20. Jordan Pereira, 21. Delouise Hoeter, 22. Zac Hosking

TEAM NEWS: Te Maire Martin returns at fullback at the expense of Tesi Niu and Brenko Lee comes into the centres replacing youngster Deine Mariner. Billy Walters and Jake Turpin swap roles.

Knights: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Dom Young, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Mat Croker

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Simi Sasagi

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns, 19. Sauaso Sue, 20. Chris Randall, 21. Edrick Lee, 22. Hymel Hunt

TEAM NEWS: A few changes for the Knights. David Klemmer (club suspension) returns to the team and will start. Adam Clune replaced Jake Clifford in the halves. Mitch Barnett is nowhere to be seen with Mat Croker picking up the start at lock. Edrick Lee is among the reserves.

David Klemmer is back for the Knights. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

RAIDERS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Albert Hopoate, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. James Schiller, 19. Ata Mariota, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Peter Hola, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

TEAM NEWS: Joe Tapine (ribs) is out with Emre Guler named to start at prop and Corey Horsburgh joining the bench. Xavier Savage (ankle) returns which allows Albert Hopoate to slide to the wing in place of Nick Cotric (suspended).

Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Tautau Moga, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Jack De Belin, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Josh McGuire, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Michael Molo

Bench: 14. Tyrell Sloan, 15. Aaron Woods, 16. Tyrell Fuimaono, 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Jayden Sullivan, 19. Jackson Ford, 20. Jaiyden Hunt, 21. Cody Ramsey, 22. Jack Gosiewski

TEAM NEWS: Tariq Sims (suspended) is out so Josh McGuire starts on an edge for the Dragons. Michael Molo is named to start at lock. Tyrell Fuimaono joins the bench. Cody Ramsey is in the reserves giving him a chance to return.

TITANS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Jojo Fifita, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Patrick Herbert, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Greg Marzhew, 15. Herman Ese’ese, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Corey Thompson, 19. Toby Sexton, 20. Paul Turner, 21. Klese Haas, 22. Jarrod Wallace

TEAM NEWS: Toby Sexton has been left out of the Gold Coast’s 17 again — but he could be set for a late NRL recall. After being dropped for last week’s loss to Melbourne, Sexton has been named in the No.19 jersey for Sunday’s clash against Manly at Cbus Super Stadium.

Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Morgan Harper, 4. Tolutau Koula, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Toafofoa Sipley, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Ben Trbojevic, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster, 19. Kurt De Luis, 20. Brad Parker, 21. Kaeo Weekes, 22. Morgan Boyle

TEAM NEWS: Josh Aloiai returns via the bench. Toa Sipley is named to start in place of Taniela Paseka.