All the team news ahead of each match in round two of the 2018 Telstra Premiership.
Sydney Roosters v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Friday, March 16, 6pm AEDT, Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Ryan Matterson (No.16) will start the match, with Mitchell Aubusson moving back to the bench. Reece Robinson and Nat Butcher were the last two players to be dropped from the squad. Mitchell Cornish and Lindsay Collins were omitted 24 hours earlier. Luke Keary is a confirmed starter at five-eighth, returning from a broken jaw after Mitch Cornish filled in in the halves last week. Dylan Napa has been named on the bench this week after starting there last week while skipper Boyd Cordner will start after easing in off the bench last week.
1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11 Boyd Cordner (c), 16 Ryan Matterson, 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange: 12 Mitchell Aubusson, 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 17 Victor Radley
Bulldogs: Adam Elliott has been brought into the starting side, with Danny Fualalo moving to the bench. Kerrod Holland and Renouf Toomaga have been dropped from the squad. Were impressive despite the final score last week and will go into round two largely unchanged. Bench forward Greg Eastwood was named at lock in the reserve grade team earlier in the week.
1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Matthew Frawley, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Joshua Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 14 Adam Elliott
Interchange: 13 Danny Fualalo, 15 Aiden Tolman, 17 Jeremy Marshall-King, 19 Asipeli Fine
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
7th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Friday, March 16, 7.05pm AEST (8.05pm AEDT), Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Todd Murphy and George Fai were the last two men dropped from the Broncos bench, meaning they will go into the match 1-17. Sam Tagataese and Jonus Pearson were the two players dropped off the bench 24 hours before kick-off. Tom Opacic has been included on the bench for the suspended Jayden Su'a, while skipper Darius Boyd (groin) is a confirmed starter at fullback. Matt Gillett got through his fitness test at training today to declare himself a certain starter. The hard-running forward suffered a neck injury in the Broncos' 34-12 loss to St George Illawarra last Thursday at Kogarah.
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14 Sam Thaiday, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Tom Opacic
Cowboys: The Cowboys will start the match 1-17, with Kyle Laybutt and Enari Tuala the final two men omitted from the squad. Michael Morgan was named in the reserves but was ruled out on Thursday. Cowboys coach Paul Green said he was "fairly confident" Morgan would be fit to play next week but it wasn't worth the risk of trotting him out against the Broncos as he's not fully recovered from his stomach injury." Francis Molo was the other player to be dropped as the squad was reduced from 21 to 19 on Thursday.
1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O'Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Ethan Lowe, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14 John Asiata, 15 Coen Hess, 16 Scott Bolton, 17 Corey Jensen
Match: Broncos v Cowboys
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
11th Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Warriors v Gold Coast Titans
Saturday, March 17, 5.05pm NZ (3.05pm AEDT), Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: No changes are expected from the victorious round one 17. Jazz Tevaga and Anthony Gelling were omitted from the bench on Friday afternoon.
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitua, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Adam Blair, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Ligi Sao
Interchange: 14 Sam Cook, 15 Leivaha Pulu, 16 Sam Lisone, 17 Bunty Afoa
Reserves: 20 Anthony Gelling, 21 Agnatius Paasi
Titans: Ash Taylor has been ruled out of the side after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. Bryce Cartwright has been switched to the halves alongside Kane Elgey with Morgan Boyle elevated to the starting lock's position. Keegan Hipgrave has moved from the reserves to the interchange bench. Jai Whitbread was also omitted from the 19-man squad announced on Friday. The Titans are confident Taylor will be back on deck next week.
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 13 Bryce Cartwright, 6 Kane Elgey, 8 Jai Arrow, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Leilani Latu, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Ryan James (c), 17 Morgan Boyle.
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Max King, 16 Will Matthews, 18 Keegan Hipgrave
Reserves: 19 Joe Greenwood, 21 AJ Brimson
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
10th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Saturday, March 17, 5.30pm AEDT, Panthers Stadium
Panthers: Tim Browne and Christian Crichton have been dropped from the Panthers bench 24 hours out from kick-off. Penrith have named both Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Viliame Kikau in their starting side, as they did last Tuesday, but both could again revert to the pine after their round one success.
1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Tyrone Peachey, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 James Maloney, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 James Tamou, 9 Peter Wallace (c), 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14 Corey Harawira-Naera, 15 Sam McKendry, 16 Moses Leota, 17 James Fisher-Harris
Reserves: 18 Sione Katoa, 20 Dean Whare
Rabbitohs: Robbie Farah and Vincent Leuluai have been dropped from the reserves bench 24 hours out from kick-off. Rookie Adam Doueihi replaces halfback Adam Reynolds (knee) with a forward pack reshuffle including Sam Burgess at prop, Cameron Murray starts at lock, Mark Nicholls on the bench and Tyrell Fuimaono replacing Hymel Hunt in the 17.
1 Alex Johnston, 2 Richie Kennar, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Greg Inglis (c), 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Doueihi, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Sam Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14 Tyrell Fuimaono, 15 Mark Nicholls, 16 George Burgess, 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 19 Jason Clark, 20 Hymel Hunt
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
14th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Saturday, March 17, 7.35pm AEDT, AAMI Park
Storm: Felise Kaufusi is out of the Storm side, with Kenny Bromwich into the starting side. Billy Walters is the other player to drop out of the initial 21-man squad. Billy Slater returns at fullback, with Cameron Munster moving to five-eighth and Ryley Jacks dropping out of the side.
1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15 Kenny Bromwich, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano
Reserves: 18 Young Tonumaipea, 19 Joe Stimson, 21 Brandon Smith
Wests Tigers: Tuimoala Lolohea won't play after failing a fitness test. David Nofoaluma has bee brought into the starting side and named at fullback. Corey Thompson remains on the wing. Ben Matulino has been named to start with Matt Eisenhuth on the bench.
19 David Nofoaluma, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14 Matt McIlwrick 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
Reserves: 18 Josh Aloiai, 20 Tim Grant
Match: Storm v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Storm
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
4th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels
Sunday, March 18, 4.10pm AEDT, Lottoland
Sea Eagles: Brad Parker replaces Matthew Wright at centre while Jackson Hastings and Lloyd Perrett replaces Lewis Brown and Frank Winterstein on the interchange.
1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Brad Parker, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Akuila Uate, 6 Lachlan Croker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Curtis Sironen, 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14 Jackson Hastings, 15 Shaun Lane, 16 Lloyd Perrett, 17 Kelepi Tanginoa
Reserves: 18 Matthew Wright, 19 Lewis Brown, 20 Jack Gosiewski, 21 Frank Winterstein
Eels: The Eels have named an unchanged 17 but both Will Smith and Kenny Edwards await a chance after the team's lack of spark off the bench against Penrith.
1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 Kirisome Auva'a, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown.
Interchange: 14 Beau Scott (c), 15 Brad Takairangi, 16 Suaia Matagi, 17 Kane Evans
Reserves: 18 Will Smith, 19 Kenny Edwards, 20 David Gower, 21 Kaysa Pritchard
Match: Sea Eagles v Eels
Round 2 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights
Sunday, March 18, 6.30pm AEDT, GIO Stadium
Raiders: Joseph Tapine is out with a broken finger, with coach Ricky Stuart confirming on Friday the Kiwi international will be sidelined for at least three weeks. Elliott Whitehead moves to the second row and Luke Bateman starts at lock. Aidan Sezer has been named on the bench after being a late swap back to the bench last week. Jarrod Croker has passed his HIA assessment this week and is right to play.
1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Siliva Havili, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Josh Papalii, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Luke Bateman
Interchange: 14 Aiden Sezer, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Dunamis Lui, 17 Charlie Gubb
Reserves: 18 Craig Garvey, 19 Michael Oldfield, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Jack Murchie
Knights: No list changes from last week but co-captain Jamie Buhrer is in some doubt.
1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Tautau Moga, 5 Nathan Ross, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Herman Ese'ese, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Jacob Lillyman, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14 Brock Lamb, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Daniel Saifiti
Reserves: 18 Ken Sio, 19 Jacob Saifiti, 20 Daniel Levi, 21 Luke Yates
Match: Raiders v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Raiders
12th Position
away Team
Knights
5th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra