NRL teams lists Round 5: KFC SuperCoach live Q&A

It’s Team List Tuesday and once again KFC SuperCoaches have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions, but thankfully some big names are set to make their return!

Some of the NRL’s biggest names are set to return this weekend with Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant poised to make their first appearances of the 2021 season and Jason Taumalolo to complete his comeback from a broken hand.

With injury engulfing much of the NRL the trio’s return is a welcome salve, especially Ponga’s comeback for a heavily depleted Newcastle.

The Knights lost a host of stars in their defeat to St George Illawarra on Sunday, including halves Mitchell Pearce and Kurt Mann, and are still without Queensland Origin winger Edrick Lee and star centre Bradman Best.

But Ponga’s return at fullback for Saturday afternoon’s match against Gold Coast gives the Novocastrians every chance of snapping their two game losing streak.

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Kalyn Ponga will finally make his return from a shoulder injury. Getty Images.

Taumalolo’s return has also come at just right the time for the struggling Cowboys, who are yet to win a game under new coach Todd Payten.

The Tongan star will pack down at lock for North Queensland’s match against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt on Sunday.

Grant has been named on an extended bench for Melbourne’s clash with Canterbury but will push for inclusion after he suffered a knee injury in the pre-season.

The Bulldogs will welcome back suspended trio Josh Jackson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Luke Thompson as they attempt to end a scoreless streak that now runs longer than three matches.

Watene-Zelenziak has made a surprise switch to fullback to replace the injured Nick Meaney with marquee offseason recruits Corey Allan moving to centre and Nick Cotric to wing respectively.

The Cowboys are desperate for a win and the return of Jason Taumalolo could be just what they need. Picture: Getty Images.

Allan played on the wing in the 38-0 loss to South Sydney on Good Friday and has been encouraged by coach Trent Barrett to work on his energy and support play.

“A lot of it is effort areas. I’ll take a run but I need to keep pushing forward the next couple of plays,” Allan said.

“I’ve got to be always genuine at the back, because if we’re hitting short and something pops up I have to be there.

“A lot of it is just not missing the jump, it’s a big thing in a fullback’s game. Billy Slater used to have 30 supports a game, it’s something I really need to work on.”

Benji Marshall replaces the suspended Cody Walker for South Sydney’s showdown with Brisbane on Thursday while the Broncos will be without in-form centre Herbie Farnworth (shoulder) and have replaced suspended lock Patrick Carrigan with Tevita Pangai Junior.

Bryce Cartwright will make his Parramatta debut after the former Titans and Panthers backrower was named on the bench for Sunday’s match against the Dragons.

Cartwright joined the Eels over the offseason and impressed coach Brad Arthur with his attitude in pre-season - his skill and offloading ability could prove to be a weapon late in halves for the blue and golds.

RABBITOHS V BRONCOS

Thurs 8 Apr, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 7:50pm

RABBITOHS

1 Latrell Mitchell, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Josh Mansour, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Tevita Tatola, 11 Jacob Host, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Dean Hawkins 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven Marsters

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Without both Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi due to suspension. Benji Marshall replaces Walker in the halves. Jacob Host replaces Koloamatangi in the starting back row. Dean Hawkins will make his NRL debut from the bench. Liam Knight remains unavailable due to ongoing issues with concussion.

BRONCOS

1 Jamayne Isaako, 2 Xavier Coates 3 Richard Kennar, 4 Tesi Niu, 5 David Mead, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Tom Dearden, 8 Matt Lodge, 9 Jake Turpin 10 Payne Haas11 Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13 Tevita Pangai Jnr

Bench: 14. Brodie Croft 15. Thomas Flegler 16. John Asiata 17. Ben Te’o

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Cory Paix 21.

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Patrick Carrigan is out for a week due to a grade one crusher tackle with Tevita Pangai to start at lock and John Asiata coming onto the bench. Herbie Farnworth (shoulder) is out, replaced by Richard Kennar at centre. Tom Dearden retains the starting halfback role with Brodie Croft on the bench.

WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES

Fri 9 Apr, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 6pm

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Wade Egan, 10. Tohu Harris, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Jack Murchie, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 15. Tom Ale, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Rocco Berry 19. Paul Turner 20. Jackson Frei 21. Taniela Otukolo

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround. Props Addin Fonua-Blake (knee) and Bunty Afoa (suspension) are out. Lesson Ah Mau and Tohu Harris make a new-look front-row pairing. Jack Murchie starts in the back row for Harris. Tom Ale and Josh Curran join the bench.

SEA EAGLES

1 Dylan Walker, 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 Jack Gosiewski, 12 Josh Schuster, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Cade Cust, 15. Toafofoa Sipley, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Tevita Funa 19. Zac Saddler 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Trbojevic

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Coach Des Hasler has gone the conservative route with Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), who has not been named and will miss at least another week. Morgan Harper comes into the centres to replace the injured Moses Suli (hip/back). Morgan Boyle (shoulder) is replaced in the starting back row by Jack Gosiewski with Toafofoa Sipley joining the bench. Popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie/nuff Ben Trbojevic has been named in reserves.

PANTHERS V RAIDERS

Fri 9 Apr, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith, 7:55pm

PANTHERS

1 Stephen Crichton, 2 Charlie Staines, 3 Paul Momirovski, 4 Matt Burton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matt Eisenhuth, 17 Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Robert Jennings 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Jaeman Salmon

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: No changes after a strong win. Stephen Crichton will continue in the fullback role despite switching position with Charlie Staines late in the Sea Eagles game as Crichton struggled with cramp.

RAIDERS

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Bailey Simonsson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Sebastian Kris, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Jack Wighton, 7 George Williams, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Ryan Sutton, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Joseph Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Saliva Havili, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan James

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Semi Valemei 20. Dunamis Lui 21. Corey Harawira-Naera

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Joseph Tapine (ankle) is a significant inclusion, returning at starting lock. Ryan James returns to the interchange after starting against his former club last week. Dunamis Lui drops to the reserves.

TITANS V KNIGHTS

Sat 10 Apr, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 3pm

TITANS

1 AJ Brimson, 2 Phillip Sami, 3 Brian Kelly, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Tanah Boyd, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleui, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 David Fifita, 13 Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Erin Clark

Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor, 19. Herman Ese’ese, 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Ash Taylor

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Cult hero Anthony Don (hip) is out. Brian Kelly (hand) returns at centre which pushes Phillip Sami onto Don’s wing. Jamal Fogarty (calf) has been named at halfback despite a minor injury last week.

KNIGHTS

1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Starford To’a, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Hymel Hunt, 6 Connor Watson 7 Blake Green, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Sauaso Sue

Bench: 14. Chris Randall 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Brayden Musgrove 20. Simi Sasagi, 21. Garrett Smith

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) is a huge inclusion at fullback in a straight swap Tex Hoy (hamstring). Both starting halves from last week are out with Mitchell Pearce (pectoral, 10-12 weeks) replaced at halfback by Blake Green and Kurt Mann (concussion) replaced by Connor Watson. Prop David Klemmer (knee) has been named and is expected to play despite an injury last week. Chris Randall, Pasami Saulo and Brodie Jones join the interchange.

BULLDOGS V STORM

Sat 10 Apr, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 5:30pm

BULLDOGS

1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Nick Cotric 3 Will Hopoate, 4 Corey Allan, 5 Tuipulotu Katoa, 6 Jake Averillo 7 Kyle Flanagan, 8 Luke Thompson, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 Jack Hetherington, 11 Adam Elliott, 12 Corey Waddell, 13 Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Jackson Topine 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Dylan Napa 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Chris Smith 21. Dean Britt 22. Joe Stimson

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: DWZ replaces Nick Meaney (ribs) at fullback. Jackson (lock) and Thompson (prop) return straight to the starting side with Renouf Atoni and Jack Hetherington moving to the interchange, and Dean Britt and Joe Stimson moving to the extended bench. Jake Averillo (ankle) returns at five-eighth in place of Lachlan Lewis (concussion), who copped a heavy knock last week.

STORM

1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 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 Ken Bromwich, 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Bench: 14. Chris Lewis 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nicho Hynes

Reserves: 18 Aaron Pene 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Brenko Lee 21. Harry Grant

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Harry Grant (knee) has been named in jersey No. 21 but expect him to play after taking part in captain’s run before the Broncos game. Felise Kaufusi returns on the right edge after missing two games due to suspension, pushing Tom Eisenhuth back to the bench. Brenko Lee (hamstring) has been named on the reserves list and could challenge Reimis Smith or George Jennings for a spot in the outside backs.

ROOSTERS V SHARKS

Sat 10 Apr, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 7:35pm

ROOSTERS

1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Joey Manu, 5 Brett Morris, 6 Drew Hutchison, 7 Sam Walker, 8 Isaac Liu, 9 Freddy Lussick, 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Angus Crichton, 12 Sitili Tupouniua, 13 Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Benjamin Marschke, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 16. Nat Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 19. Egan Butcher 20. Joseph Suaalii 21. Matt Ikuvalu

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Unchanged 17. Sam Walker is by far the most popular KFC SuperCoach buy this week after scoring 81 on debut and generally looking very comfortable in the top grade. Sitili Tupouniua failed HIA on Sunday and with only a six-day turnaround will need to show no symptoms and pass required protocols to play. If ruled out Nat Butcher would start, which could see Nat’s brother Egan Butcher, an edge forward, come onto the bench.

SHARKS

1 Will Kennedy, 2 Mawene Hiroti, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Jesse Ramien, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Aaron Woods, 11 Teig Wilton, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Billy Magoulias

Reserves: 18. Brayden Trindall, 19. Nene Macdonald, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Franklin Pele

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Jesse Ramien (suspension) returns at centre, pushing Connor Tracey to the bench and Braydon Trindall out of the 17. Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) has been named and is a chance to play despite a rather dire initial diagnosis. Josh Dugan (concussion) needs to pass required protocols. Briton Nikora misses his second game due to suspension with KFC SuperCoach fancy Teig Wilton to continue on the right edge.

TIGERS V COWBOYS

Sun 11 Apr, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, 4:05pm

TIGERS

1 Daine Laurie, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 James Roberts, 4. Moses Mbye, 5 Tommy Talau, 6 Adam Doueihi, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Zane Musgrove, 9 Jacob Liddle, 10 James Tamou, 11 Luke Garner, 12 Luciano Leilua, 13 Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Joe Ofahengaue

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth, 19. Joseph Leilua, 20. Jake Simpkin, 21. Tukimihia Simpkins

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: Madge has once again swung the selection axe, with Moses Mbye promoted to the starting side, with Tommy Talau moving to the wing and Asu Kepaoa nowhere to be seen and Michael Chee-Kam joining the bench.

COWBOYS

1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 4 Connelly Lemuelu, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Scott Drinkwater, 7 Ben Hampton, 8 Francis Molo, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Shane Wright, 12 Ben Condon, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Josh Maguire 17. Lachlan Burr

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters, 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Corey Jensen, 21. Jake Clifford

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: A huge inclusion for the desperate Cowboys, with Jason Taumalolo named to make his return from a broken hand and start at lock, pushing Josh McGuire back to the bench. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moves to the wing with Justin O’Neill out after a head knock, and Kyle Feldt returns from suspension in place of Murray Taulagi.

EELS V DRAGONS

Sun 11 Apr, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 6:15pm

EELS

1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Marata Niukore, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Dylan Brown, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Shaun Lane, 12 Ryan Matterson, 13 Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Will Smith 17. Bryce Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Ray Stone, 19. Haze Dunster, 20. Keegan Hipgrave’, 21. Jordan Rankin

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: He was a very late withdrawal in Round 4, but Ryan Matterson has once again been named to make his return from concussion and should be good to go this week. His return pushes Eels enforcer Isaiah Papali’i back to the bench, while Bryce Cartwright is set to make his club debut, with Ray Stone and Keegan Hipgrave dropping back to the reserves.

DRAGONS

1 Matt Dufty, 2 Cody Ramsey, 3 Jack Bird, 4 Zac Lomax, 5 Mikaele Ravalawa, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Adam Clune, 8 Blake Lawrie, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Josh Kerr, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Tyrell Fuimaono

Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Trent Merrin 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Brayden Williame

Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford 19. Kade Ellis 20. Jordan Pereira. 21. Max Feagai

SUPERCOACH COMMENT: The Dragons have made just one big change as they look to continue their surprisingly good start to the season. Jack Bird returns to the starting side from suspension at centre, with Brayden Williame moving back to the bench and Jackson Ford back to the bench.

Originally published as NRL teams lists Round 5: KFC SuperCoach live Q&A