NRL Round 18 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat

Playing the all-conquering Roosters is one of the toughest tasks in the NRL and the Knights have decided to do it this week without star fullback Kalyn Ponga. Check out all the ins and outs for round 18.

Kalyn Ponga has officially been ruled out of the Newcastle clash with the Roosters this week.

The decision comes after Newcastle medical officer Ameer Ibrahim revealed his increasing concerns over Ponga being “bashed”, “attacked” and “hit high regularly” by opposition players.

Ibrahim’s comments have led ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and new NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to declare war on players illegally targeting Ponga.

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Kalyn Ponga has been forced to sit out the Knights clash with the Roosters. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Daily Telegraph also revealed Ibrahim was forced to urgently mend Ponga’s badly broken nose to avoid surgery in the Knights dressing room immediately after Friday night’s win over Cronulla.

“I do not like when a player is singled out because he is a star player,” V’landys said.

Check out all the teams below for Round 18.

TEAM NEWS

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WESTS TIGERS comment: It’s a settled Wests Tigers side with no changes to the 17 that played last week.

RABBITOHS comment: Dane Gagai is named to return - again. Gagai has been a late withdrawal for two weeks running but this should be the game he makes his return to the field. Jaxson Paulo is the player to make way with Gagai named on the wing and young centre Steven Marsters retained. Tevita Tatola is out replaced at prop by Liam Knight with Jed Cartwright coming on to the bench. Keaon Koloamatangi is named to play but will need to pass HIA protocols after being concussed against the Storm.

BULLDOGS comment: It’s a very different backline for the Dogs with winger Jayden Okunbor to make his NRL return after being embroiled in the schoolgirl sex scandal in the pre-season. Kieran Foran (pec) is out which sees Jake Averillo slot in at five-eighth. Marcelo Montoya is out with Reimis Smith named to start at centre. While the other centre slot is filled by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak at the expense of Kerrod Holland. Dylan Napa (knee) is a big loss and his absence shifts Aiden Tolman to prop with a promotion for Luke Thompson from bench to lock. Brandon Wakeham and Sauaso Sue come on to the interchange bench.

SEA EAGLES comment: Backline dramas continue for the Sea Eagles with Josh Schuster (ankle) and Jorge Taufua (Achilles) out of the team. Albert Hopoate shifts from centre to wing with Abbas Miski to start at wing and Cade Cust comes in at five-eighth for Schuster.

PANTHERS comment: Isaah Yeo is back after missing last week due to concussion. Yeo returns to lock, pushing James Fisher-Harris to prop, Moses Leota to the bench and Kurt Capewell to the reserves.

EELS comment: Reed Mahoney has been named to start despite injuring his shoulder last week so just one change with Andrew Davey coming in for Marata Niukore (sternum).

DRAGONS comment: Dean Young will hand exciting rookie speedster Cody Ramsey his NRL debut in St George Illawarra’s match against Canberra on Saturday. With the Red V’s finals hopes all but gone, Young will blood Ramsey on the wing in place of Mikaele Ravalawa. Paul Vaughan (suspension) is a big inclusion and he will partner Kaide Ellis up front with last week’s starting props Blake Lawrie and Josh Kerr on the interchange bench. Tyrell Fuimaono is out.

RAIDERS comment: No change from the 17 that lost to the Roosters last week with Tom Starling to start at hooker and Josh Papalii named to start despite injuring his shoulder.

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TITANS comment: Brian Kelly (ankle) is out with Beau Fermor moving to centre and Keegan Hipgrave coming into the starting pack. Jaimin Jolliffe (ankle) is replaced in the starting side by Moeaki Fotuaika. Jai Whitbread is promoted from the reserves to the interchange.

BRONCOS comment: Captain Alex Glenn (knee) returns and will start in the back row, with Ben Te’o dropping to the bench. Jordan Riki and Jamil Hopoate (both suspension) drop off the bench, with Joe Ofahengaue (suspension) and Xavier Coates (foot) returning.

ROOSTERS comment: Jake Friend (concussion) returns at hooker with Freddy Lussick dropping to reserves. Mitchell Aubusson (wrist) has been included on an extended bench.

KNIGHTS comment: Kalyn Ponga (rested) is a massive out, with Tex Hoy to start at fullback. Mitch Barnett (rested) and Hymel Hunt have also both been rested, which sees Herman Ese’ese start at lock and Edrick Lee (broken wrist) return on the wing. Daniel Saifiti (knee) returns from the bench while Sione Mata’utia (ankle) has been included in reserves.

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STORM comment: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Achilles) is a huge out, replaced by Nicho Hynes at fullback. Suliasi Vunivalu (broken jaw) returns on the wing in place of Isaac Lumelume, who goes to the bench. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf) returns at prop, replacing Christian Welch (suspension).

COWBOYS comment: Same 17 as last week. Coen Hess misses out despite being eligible to return from suspension. Daejarn Asi retains a bench spot despite seeing no time last week.

SHARKS comment: Shaun Johnson (groin/hamstring) is a huge inclusion. He replaces Chad Townsend (suspension) in the halves. Wade Graham (suspension) is replaced in the back row by Siosifa Talakai. Sione Katoa (sternum) returns on the wing pushing Bryson Goodwin to the reserves and Andrew Fifita comes on to the interchange bench.

WARRIORS comment: The Warriors have secured a deal with the Eels meaning loan pair George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro return. Jennings replaces Gerard Beale on the wing, Alvaro replaces Josh Curran on the bench. Isaiah Papali’i starts at prop with Lachlan Burr dropping to the interchange.

Originally published as NRL Round 18 teams and KFC SuperCoach NRL chat