NRL round 2 teams: Every team change, plus SuperCoach winners and losers

He’s currently in only 31 per cent of teams, but SuperCoaches should move heaven and earth to get this cheapie in, writes TOM SANGSTER.

Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland run their rule over the round two teams in a mammoth edition of winners and losers.

WINNERS

* Tallis Duncan 2RF $321,600 - Jai Arrow (shoulder) is out anywhere from four weeks to the season and young gun Duncan takes his spot on the edge for the Rabbitohs. We pumped Duncan up big-time in the pre-season before he was eventually named 18th man for round one. His PPM of 1.21 is elite and while much of that came as a middle, he’s a serious watch over the next two weeks. Looms as the most purchased player for round four.

* Tommy Talau CTW $287,600 - Scores the wing spot of Jason Saab (hamstring), who is set to miss another six weeks. This gives Talau more than enough time for serious price rises, especially if Tommy Turbo gets the Manly attack humming like he did in Vegas.

* Jacob Gagai CTW/FLB $204,300 – Popular cheapie retains a South Sydney wing spot despite Izaac Thompson now being available after being banned from going to Vegas. His next big test comes next week when Jack Wighton returns from suspension.

Tallis Duncan starts on the edge for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

* Brendan Piakura 2RF $426,800 - Named after a concussion in Vegas and the Broncos remain “hopeful” he will play. He’s the second-most sold player and it makes no sense. Piakura is still the mid-range buy you spent all summer hoping he could be. Give the guy a full game before trading.

* Ben Trbojevic CTW/2RF $277,400 - Burbo’s main competition for game time, Josh Schuster, returns this weekend after a horror pre-season but through reserves. Schuster will have a tough time getting back into the starting side following Burbo’s strong display in Vegas for 72 SuperCoach points. The younger Trbojevic is an absolute must for the 38 per cent who don’t yet own him.

* Xavier Savage CTW/FLB $350,200 - The risk with Savage was always job security. Would he drop out of the Canberra backline with Sebastian Kris back from suspension? Now we have our answer with Savage retaining his spot and Nick Cotric the man dropped. The 43 points (26 points without the try) in the opening week were handy enough for a player not noted for base stats.

* Danny Levi HOK $238,900 - Popular cheapie named for the Raiders despite a quad concern. He is expected to play but we’ll have our reporters chasing for Late Mail. Levi’s 45 points in round one included a try with linebreak so the prognosis isn’t good without attacking stats, but we’ll take 45 in a tough opening round.

* Liam Henry FRF $238,900 - The popular FRF cheapie has retained his bench spot at the Panthers even with Scott Sorensen returning from injury, with Matt Eisenhuth the player to drop out. Scored 36 points in 34 minutes in round one, which is solid enough in a position notorious for slow burning cash cows.

* Lachlan Galvin 5/8 $204,300 - Named to debut at five-eighth for the Tigers and arguably the best teenage playmaker in the game. Not going to lie, if the Tigers didn’t have the bye in round one I would have picked Galvin in front of Kyle Flanagan for my five-eighth spot. Another who could be very popular for a round four purchase, although the five-eighth-only positioning is not ideal.

* Joe Chan 2RF $238,900 - The popular forward cheapie has retained his back row spot at the Storm despite missing nine tackles. We know Craig Bellamy won’t take kindly to those defensive lapses so let’s hope Chan is still in the squad come game day. SuperCoaches can at least take comfort in the fact Nelson Asofa-Solomona, one of Chan’s main competitors for a spot, remains sidelined this week with a hamstring injury.

* Siua Wong 2RF $462,000 and Sitili Tupouniua 2RF $398,200 – Both popular mid-rangers suffered injuries in Vegas but have been named this week. It’s also important to note that Angus Crichton was ruled out of round one due to a groin injury that also keeps him out this week.

* Max Plath 5/8 $278,000 - Starts at lock in a new-look Dolphins’ side minus Connelly Lemuelu (knee, round six) and Ray Stone (concussion). Unfortunately Plath is only available at five-eighth for SuperCoach and Kyle Flanagan and Lachlan Galvin are already great cheapies in that position.

* Solomona Faataape CTW $204,300 - Somewhat of a shock selection at centre for the Tigers but deserves immediate SuperCoach attention given he starts at bottom dollar. He appears just a placeholder for Justin Olam (knee, round three) for now but keep a close watch.

LOSERS

* Spencer Leniu FRF $332,400 - Suspended for eight weeks for a racial slur and therefore the most sold player.

* Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2RF $363,200, Tom Eisenhuth CTW/2RF $356,000, Viliami Fifita 2RF/FRF $204,300 – RFM is currently the second most popular buy this week after 86 points against the Titans. But reverse that trade given the returns of Luciano Leilua and Blake Lawrie see the former Bulldog drop to the bench. Likewise, the returns of top guns see Eisenhuth drop to the bench despite 59 points in 60 minutes, while popular cheapie Fifita misses the squad altogether. Don’t touch any Dragons forwards until we see how game time pans out.

* Jai Arrow 2RF/FRF $466,000 - As mentioned above, Arrow (shoulder) is out anywhere from four weeks to the season and is a definite sell.

* Xavier Willison FRF $265,200 - The popular cheapie was a last-minute cut from Brisbane’s Vegas squad and again misses the 17. Cleary plenty of SuperCoaches missed the news with Willison still in 15 per cent of SuperCoach teams.

* Dylan Lucas 2RF/CTW $502,300 - Lucas was very, very good until forced to centre and then finally from field for HIA. He misses selection this week and Kai Pearce-Paul played very well in place of Lucas.

* Bronson Xerri CTW $345,100 – Despite speculation Xerri would make his comeback in place of the injured Josh Addo-Carr, Connor Tracey has won the role. We watch and wait for Xerri’s inevitable return.

BEWARE: TICK, TICK, TICK

When a player over, or under achieves it behooves a savvy SuperCoach to look a little deeper than the score. For example, Sam McIntyre at the Cowboys scored 46 points (49 in base then some subtractions) and he earned some gushing praise from coach Todd Payten. Priced at just $238,900 he looks like a seriously tempting buy. But you really should take one more week here. The Cowboys blew the Dolphins away early and had the game sewn up before the 30 minute mark.

Payten took the chance to rest his big men with starting props Jason Taumalolo (21 minutes) and Jordan McLean (33 minutes) playing significantly reduced minutes and Reuben Cotter (51 minutes) playing less than one might expect if the game was tight. This saw McIntyre (47 minutes) and Jake Granville (42 minutes) play bigger roles than most expected. Maybe the expectations were wrong, maybe McIntyre will be a great buy, but you should wait and see how the minutes are shared this week before reacting.

BUY

* Terrell May FRF $430,200 - The Roosters prop is the most popular purchase this week and I can get around that. I had avoided May in round one as I feared that the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension this week would impact his minutes. And then fellow Roosters prop Spencer Leniu went and got himself suspended for eight weeks. JWH’s return probably soaks up more minutes than Leniu leaves behind, but I still see May playing around 45 minutes. In Las Vegas he played 54 minutes scoring 50 points in base, throwing three effective offloads and nabbing one tackle bust. Those of us who are now dealing with the Jai Arrow injury news can make this trade with joy.

* Morgan Smithies 2RF $345,000 - Scored 58 in base despite missing 11 minutes due to an HIA. Currently in only 31 per cent of teams, Smithies should be up with Burbo and Ethan Strange as one of the most popular players in the game.

* Zac Laybutt CTW $465,600 - Starts at least $100,000 underpriced compared to his exploits last year (average 57 in four games) and came flying out of the blocks with a ton against the Dolphins. But the Dolphins were poor and is was a dry track in a day game, which may have skewed the stats. Wait a week.

Morgan Smithies is only in 31 per cent of teams but should be in 100 per cent.

HOLD

* Nicho Hynes, Nathan Cleary, Kalyn Ponga - Yes, you spent big money on these big guns and you are no doubt disappointed by their meagre returns. But they are expensive for a reason so give them at least another week. Hynes is probably the most worrying given the increased role of halves partner Braydon Trindall, which could take away from Hynes’ attacking dominance. But Hynes also has the Bulldogs and Tigers in the next two rounds so ...

* Beau Fermor 2RF $467,300 - We were expecting more than 34 points and he has the bye this week, but Fermor deserves another chance. There are reasons to hold - he played the full 80 minutes and stats were limited given the Titans were blown away by the Dragons. He’ll be better with Foran back after the bye.

* Jaeman Salmon CTW/2RF $317,100 - Salmon was going great guns in the middle for Dogs early with good workrate and then was forced to edge then centre due to injuries. It belies belief that he’s one of the most sold players.

SELL

* Keenan Palasia 2RF/FRF $365,200 - This is worrying. Palasia started at lock for the Titans and therefore attracted plenty of attention. But 22 points in 31 minutes, including five missed tackles, wasn’t what we hoped for. Has the bye this week and is therefore on the chopping block given the plethora of forward cheapies and mid-rangers.

Keenan Palasia is a popular sell. Picture NRL Photos

NRL TEAMS REVIEW BY MARTIN GABOR

The Benji Marshall era at the Wests Tigers has begun with a bombshell selection in the halves with teen sensation Lachlan Galvin set to start at five-eighth against Canberra, with experienced recruit Aidan Sezer named on the bench.

Galvin had a solid pre-season and was tipped to play some NRL later in the year, but Marshall clearly believes in him and has backed him in against the Raiders.

The lanky five-eighth will be joined by Queensland Cup star Solomona Faataape who will debut at left centre with Justin Olam (knee) out this week.

“They have put in the work in pre-season and have earned their chance in the top grade,” Marshall said

“It’s a special occasion for them, their families, and our team.”

While Galvin is starting his NRL career, one of the best five-eighths in the competition is out for another week with the Storm not even naming Cameron Munster in their reserves as he continues to battle a groin issue.

Jonah Pezet will again start in the halves alongside Jahrome Hughes against the Warriors who have received a huge boost with hooker Wayde Egan (elbow) cleared to play.

Lachlan Galvin will debut in the No.6 jersey. Picture: NRL Photos

The Rabbitohs have suffered a blow with Jai Arrow (shoulder) facing an extended period on the sidelines, with young gun Tallis Duncan named on the edge for the trip to Brisbane.

It’s smooth sailing at the Sharks for their game against a Canterbury side that has named Connor Tracey on the wing to make his club debut against his former side.

The defending premiers have received a double boost with Scott Sorensen and Mitch Kenny back on deck after missing Penrith’s loss in Melbourne.

They’ll face an Eels side that has cleared Mitch Moses of a groin strain, while Junior Paulo has been named to start but could come off the bench as he did last week.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has stayed loyal to his halves after a disappointing loss to Canberra, but he has been forced into some changes with Enari Tuala (quad) ruled out, which has opened the door for Tom Jenkins to make his club debut.

Dylan Lucas is also missing from the side, with giant Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul to make his first start against the Cowboy shaving come off the bench last week.

Try-scoring machine Dom Young will play his first game as a Rooster, while veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returns to take ON his former side with Spencer Leniu suspended for the next eight weeks.

The Sea Eagles have turned to Tommy Talau to replace speedster Jason Saab who will miss the next six games with a hamstring tear, while edge forward Josh Schuster will get some match fitness under his belt in the NSW Cup.

And Wayne Bennett has made mass changes following the Dolphins’ poor showing in round one, with the master coach dropping Sean O’Sullivan and promoting youngster Isaiya Katoa to start at halfback.

New recruit Jake Averillo also replaces Tesi Niu at centre, while Euan Aitken starts in the back row with Connelly Lemuelu (knee) expected to be out until round six.

At the Dragons, Luciano Leilua is set to start on the bench after returning to the club last month, while Blake Lawrie (ribs) is back after missing the round one win. - Martin Gabor

BRONCOS v RABBITOHS

Thursday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jesse Arthars, 3. Selwyn Cobbo, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Kobe Hetherington, 17. Marty Taupau

Reserves: 18. Corey Oates, 19. Xavier Willison, 20. Tristan Sailor, 21. Jock Madden, 22. Jaiyden Hunt

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Isaiah Tass, 4. Richard Kennar, 5. Jacob Gagai, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Sean Keppie, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Davvy Moale, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 19. Taane Milne, 20. Jye Gray, 21. Peter Mamouzelos 24. Dean Hawkins

SHARKS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 6pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

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. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Kitione Kautoga 21. Jake Turpin 22. Toby Sexton 23. Josh Addo-Carr

PANTHERS v EELS

Friday, 8pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

PANTHERS

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

Bench: 14. Soini Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Paul Alamoti 22. Brad Schneider

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi

RAIDERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 3pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

RAIDERS

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Stebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Trey Mooney

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Bateman 13. Alex Seyfarth

Bench: 14. Aidan Sezer 15. Fonua Pole 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Jake Simpkin

COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB 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. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

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

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Mat Croker 21. Fletcher Sharpe 22. Thomas Cant

STORM v WARRIORS

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

STORM

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

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Shawn Blore 19. Kane Bradley 20. Marion Seve 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Tepai Moeroa

WARRIORS

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Chanel Harris-Tevita

SEA EAGLES v ROOSTERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 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. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker 22. Jamie Humphreys

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. Siua Wong 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Connor Watson 19. Fetalaiga Pauga 20. Egan Butcher 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Angus Crichton

DOLPHINS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

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. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Jarrod Wallace

18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

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. Blake Lawrie 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Luciano Leilua

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

BYE: Titans

Originally published as NRL round 2 teams: Every team change, plus SuperCoach winners and losers