NRL teams Round 18 2021: Mass Wests Tigers changes, Origin stars named

A horde of Origin stars will back up for Round 18 in Queensland, while a SuperCoach favourite misses another week. Check out all the team news and KFC SuperCoach analysis.

The Round 18 NRL teams are in with coaches to fast-track their State of Origin stars.

Read all the KFC SuperCoach analysis and re-live Rob Sutherland’s teams talk in the interactive below.

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TITANS V EELS

Friday 16 July, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 6pm

Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16.Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Beau Fermor

Reserves: 18.Sam McIntyre, 19.Sam Stone, 20. Herman Ese’ese, 21. Jayden Campbell 22. Mitch Rein

TEAM NEWS: Same 17 from before the bye. Origin trio AJ Brimson, Tino Fa’asuemaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika have been named to back up. David Fifita will be fresh after serving his one-game ban over Origin.

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Haze Dunster, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Marata Niukore, 15. Shaun Lane, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Bryce Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Will Penisini, 19. Will Smith, 20. Joey Lussick 21. Jake Arthur 22. Keegan Hipgrave

TEAM NEWS: Reed Mahoney (shoulder) is a key inclusion at hooker. Mitch Moses and Junior Paulo have been named to back up from Origin but have a tight turnaround. Isaiah Papali’I is fit to play after leaving the field late in the Panthers game due to HIA. He trained with the squad during the bye week. Dylan Brown had a light week on the training paddock during the bye after suffering a knee injury in the Panthers game but will be fit to play.

NRL teams Round 16.

SEA EAGLES V DRAGONS

Friday 16 July, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 7.55pm

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Josh Schuster, 13. Sean Keppie

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Kurt De Luis, 17. Toaofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli , 19. Tevita Funa, 20. Jack Gosiewski , 21. Cade Cust

TEAM NEWS: Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have been named to back up from Origin, but remain in doubt due to the tight turnaround. Reuben Garrick will play fullback if Turbo is out while Dylan Walker would fill in for DCE in the halves. Jake Trbojevic (hip) remains sidelined but Josh Schuster (calf) has been named to return.

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan, 2. Cody Ramsey, 3. Brayden Williame, 4. Jack Bird, 5. Gerard Beale, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jack de Belin, 11. Josh Kerr, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jackson Ford

Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili, 15.Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Adam Clune, 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Talatau Amone, 21. Jayden Sullivan

TEAM NEWS: Seven of the St George Illawarra players who breached the NRL’s biosecruity protocols will play in Friday’s clash with Manly as the Dragons begin to grapple with the suspensions that could derail their season. Jack Bird, Corey Norman, Gerard Beale, Blake Lawrie, Jack de Belin, Josh Kerr and Josh McGuire will all be named in the side to take on the Sea Eagles. Fullback Matt Dufty, Tyrell Fuimaono and Kaide Ellis will be the first players to serve their one-match bans while Daniel Alvaro and Zac Lomax, the two holdouts who have refused to sign an NRL statement declaring nobody from outside the bubble was at Paul Vaughan’s infamous barbecue, have also been excluded. Full story here.

RAIDERS V SHARKS

Saturday 17 July, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 3pm

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Ryan James

Reserves: 18. Matthew Timoko, 19. Trey Mooney, 20. Matt Frawley 21. Harley Smith-Shields

TEAM NEWS: Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton have been named to back up. Dunamis Lui (calf) is out for a fortnight with Ryan James holding his position in the 17. Elliott Whitehead (shoulder/gash) remains sidelined.

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Connor Tracey, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Luke Metcalf

TEAM NEWS: Matt Moylan (calf) and Will Chambers (isolation) remain sidelined. Aaron Woods is in doubt due to the impending birth of his baby with Royce Hunt on the extended bench as cover.

COWBOYS V ROOSTERS

Saturday 17 July, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 5.30pm

Cowboys: 1. Val Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 4. Connelly Lemuelu, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Shane Wright, 12. Mitchell Dunn, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Tom Gilbert, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Peter Hola

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Burr, 19. Javid Bowen, 20. Ben Condon, 21. Kane Bradley

TEAM NEWS: Origin representatives Valentine Holmes, Francis Molo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have been named to back up and take their usual spots at fullback, prop and centre respectively. Heilum Luki (suspension) is replaced on the bench by Peter Hola.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Drew Hutchison, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreave, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Ben Thomas, 19. Billy Smith 20. Adam Keighran, 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha

TEAM NEWS: Origin pair James Tedesco and Angus Crichton have been named but could both be rested given the three-day turnaround. Siosiua Taukeiaho is a shock omission.

STORM V KNIGHTS

Saturday 17 July, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.35pm

Storm: 1. Nicho Hynes, 2. George Jennings, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Aaron Booth, 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis, 17. Aaron Pene

Reserves: 18. Isaac Lumelume, 19. Dean Ieremia, 20. Cooper Johns, 21. Trent Loiero, 22. Jordan Grant, 23. Tepai Moeroa

TEAM NEWS: Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) and Harry Grant (hamstring) have been held back for another week, with Nicho Hynes to continue at fullback and Brandon Smith at hooker. Origin stars Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch have been named to back up.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Connor Watson, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns, 19. Simi Sasagi, 20. Tex Hoy 21. Jirah Momoisea

TEAM NEWS: The big guns are in for the Knights with Tyson Frizell (ankle) and Daniel Saifiti (ribs) returning from injury and Kalyn Ponga named to back up from Origin.

WARRIORS V PANTHERS

Sunday 18 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 2pm

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Josh Curran 15. Leeson Ah Mau, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Kane Evans

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey, Pompey 19. Euan Aitken 20. Chad Townsend 21. Tohu Harris

TEAM NEWS: KFC SuperCoaches have a ray of hope with Tohu Harris (shoulder) named on the extended bench. Euan Aitken (isolation) and Chad Townsend (shoulder) are also included in the reserves. Coach Nathan Brown has named the same starting 13 as last week. The only changes are on the bench with Josh Curran (isolation) and prop Kane Evans replacing Ben Murdoch-Masila and Jack Murchie.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Tyrone May, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Izack Tago, 19. Matthew Eisenhuth, 20. Paul Momirovski, 21. Robert Jennings, 22. Jaeman Salmon, 23. J’maine Hopgood

TEAM NEWS: Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Kurt Capewell and Liam Martin have all been named to back up from Origin. NSW halves Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Jarome Luai (knee) remain sidelined. Dylan Edwards (foot) returns at fullback, pushing Charlie Staines to the wing and Brent Naden to the centres.

BRONCOS V TIGERS

Sunday 18 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 4.05pm

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Rhys Kennedy, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. TC Robati, 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Cory Paix, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Keenan Palasia, 17. Jordan Riki

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor, 19. Jesse Arthars, 20. Xavier Willison, 21. Jamayne Isaako

TEAM NEWS: Payne Haas, Xavier Coates and Thomas Flegler have been named to back up. Coates is managing hamstring issues and could be rested like he was after Origin 2 if he pulls up sore. Kotoni Staggs was on light duties at training early in the weekend after returning from an ACL injury but should be right to play after training last week.

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Junior Pauga, 4. James Roberts, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. James Tamou, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Tukimihia Simpkins, 17. Moses Mbye

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 19. Tommy Talau, 20. Alex Seyfarth, 21. Shawn Blore

TEAM NEWS: Michael Maguire has made a significant change with Adam Doueihi moving into the halves, Moses Mbye dropped to the bench and Junior Pauga named to debut at centre. The under-fire coach has also reshuffled his pack with notable selections including Stefano Utoikamanu promoted to start at prop, Thomas Mikaele at lock and Tukimihia Simpkins named for his NRL debut on the bench.

RABBITOHS V BULLDOGS

Sunday 18 July, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 6.15pm

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Mark Nicholls, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Liam Knight, 16. Patrick Mago, 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns, 19. Jed Cartwright, 20. Blake Taaffe, 21. Peter Mamouzelos, 22. Jaxson Paulo, 23. Josh Mansour

TEAM NEWS: Back to status quo at the Rabbitohs with Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai and Cameron Murray named to back up from Origin. Jai Arrow is unavailable as he serves the second game of his suspension after breaching Covid protocols in Origin camp which sees Jaydn Su’A retain the right edge position and Keaon Koloamatangi on the left edge.

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Aaron Schoupp, 5. Falakiko Manu, 6. Lachlan Lewis, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Jack Hetherington, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Renouf Atoni

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Oro, 15. Dylan Napa, 16. Ava Seumanufagai, 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan, 20. Ofahiki Ogden, 21. Matt Doorey, 23. Jayden Okunbor

TEAM NEWS: Ava Seumanufagai (suspension) returns on the bench in place of Ofahiki Ogden in the only change. Matt Doorey (head knock) and Jayden Okunbor (knee) have been named on the extended bench and are hopeful of returning soon.