The Bulldogs are set for wholesale changes after a host of injuries and suspensions left Cameron Ciraldo without five key players.
The Warriors will also be without two key forwards after they were included in Queensland NSW’s Origin squads for Game II while Manly are facing a forwards availabiliy crisis.
Elsewhere, the Storm could receive a huge boost while a Dolphins sensation will once again be unleashed.
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Read on for all the Round 16 team tips!
FRIDAY
Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm, 8pm @ Suncorp Stadium
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Kenny Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe
Team Tips: The Dolphins are set to receive a boost with veteran enforcer Jesse Bromwich returning from a rib injury. Initial fears were his season could be over, but he’s set to take the field and will be a straight swap for Felise Kaufusi who has been named on the bench for Billy Slater’s side. Meanwhile, sensation Trai Fuller will once again take over at fullback for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who will also play Origin.
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Grant Anderson 3. Dean Ieremia 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 18. Bronson Garlick
Team Tips: Reimis Smith will return in the centres, with Dean Ieremia dropping out after the regular starter was sidelined due to a concussion. Ryan Papenhuyzen is also a strong chance of returning from an ankle injury, and it could be a timely one with Xavier Coates once again representing the Maroons. If he comes back, Sua Faalogo will shift to the wing, while Trent Loiero will also be free to play after being included in Queensland’s extended squad.
SATURDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors 3pm @ Cbus Super Stadium
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Josiah Pahulu 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 17. Erin Clark 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Keenan Palasia 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Team Tips: In a huge boost, David Fifita is due to return in the backrow after sitting out due to a minor ankle injury and could push Klese Haas to the bench with Erin Clark performing well at lock.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 15. Dylan Walker 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell 20. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Team Tips: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been handed a suspension for a high tackle on Grant Anderson in Round 15, and will sit out for one game if he takes the early guilty plea. Both Rocco Berry (shoulder) and Adam Pompey (leg) are in doubt after suffering injury knocks. Meanwhile, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will return in the centres, meaning if either sit out their exclusion will be offset by the former Rooster. Should both be fit, Pompey will shift to the wing, but otherwise Edward Kosi will fill in that role. Mitch Barnett has also been named 18th man for NSW and Kurt Capewell has been included on Queensland’s bench. Jackson Ford will likely shift into the backrow in Barnett’s absence, meaning Jazz Tevaga could move to prop and Tom Ale or Bunty Afoa starting at prop. Either of those men could also slot in on the bench, while Jacob is also a chance of being included.
Slater’s squad announcement full presser | 12:49
Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs 5:30pm @ Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 18. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 15. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 14. Sandon Smith 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May 19. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Ethan King
Team Tips: Dom Young will return to the backline after he sat out due to a hamstring niggle, pushing Junior Pauga to centre after Michael Jennings suffered a hamstring injury of his own in Round 15. Brandon Smith will likely be recalled after he was left out of the team last round, with Connor Watson being called in to make his Origin debut for NSW off the bench. Meanwhile, Terrell May and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will start at prop, with one-gamer Blake Steep also unavailable to join the bench due to NSW Under 19s duties. Zach Dockar-Clay and Siua Wong are strong chances of being named on the bench.
Round 14 Bulldogs team: 1. Conor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 13. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Jake Turpin
Team Tips: Some big changes expected for the Bulldogs this week with Stephen Crichton (Origin), Jacob Preston (foot), Viliame Kikau (finger), Josh Addo-Carr (hamstring) and Kurt Mann (suspension) unavailable for Round 16. Kikau could be an outside chance of returning given his initial period sidelined was four to six weeks. Bailey Hayward and Josh Curran should be good to go after being ruled out of their King’s Birthday win over the Eels with head injuries. Expect Hayward to retain his starting berth at lock, with Curran a chance to start in the back row in Preston’s place. If Curran does not move to the starting side, one of Kitione Kautoga or Harry Hayes could take Preston’s place in the back row. As for Mann’s replacement on the bench, the Bulldogs are blessed with options but will likely call upon Jake Turpin to do a job at lock. With Addo-Carr and Crichton out, Jacob Kiraz will likely shift to the centres, opening the door for exciting union convert Jeral Skelton to return to the NRL side. Alternatively, Connor Tracey could shift into the outside backs with Blake Taaffe joining the side at fullback.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles 7:35pm @ Accor Stadium
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Cameron Murray 17. Thomas Burgess
Team Tips: Jai Arrow suffered a rib injury in Round 15 late in his side’s contest with the Broncos, meaning he’s in doubt to take the field. In a timely boost, Jye Gray could return to the side and offset Latrell Mitchell’s selection for the Blues.
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 20. Jake Simpkin 17. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 9. Karl Lawton 10. Nathan Brown 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 22. Aaron Schoupp
Team Tips: Reuben Garrick suffered a head knock in Round 15 and will now sit out due to the 11-day concussion stand down. Tommy Talau will likely shift to the centres, with either Jaxson Paulo or Ray Vaega joining the side on the wing. Replacement halfback Jake Arthur is also nursing a foot injury, and if he’s not fit Jamie Humphreys is a chance of playing in the halves with Daly Cherry-Evans playing Origin. Meanwhile, Corey Waddell will likely slot into Haumole Olakau’atu’s bench spot despite leaving the field injured against the Dragons. Elsewhere, both Tof Sipley (knee) and Taniela Paseka (finger) are in doubt, meaning Manly will have to look deep into their middle forward stocks with Josh Aloiai, Dean Matterson, Aaron Woods and Matt Lodge also sidelined alongside Lachlan Croker who has been battling a neck injury. The Daily Telegraph reported the Sea Eagles could turn to the likes of Asitasi James, Brad Parker and Ben Condon with an estimated $6 million of talent set to be unavailable.
Madge on Moses, Mitchell & Hynes | 13:11
MORE ORIGIN NEWS
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SUNDAY
Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders 4:05pm @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Last week’s Tigers team: 21. Jahream Bula 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 17. Solomona Faataape 5. Charlie Staines 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Apisai Koroisau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Tallyn Da Silva 16. Reuben Porter 11. Fonua Pole 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Alex Seyfarth 15. Sione Fainu 20. Heath Mason 22. Jordan Miller
Team Tips: Lachlan Galvin is due to return and will slot back into the halves, which will see Api Koroisau shift back to hooker and Tallyn Da Silva potentially to the bench or out of the team altogether. Alex Lobb is also due to return from a concussion but may find it hard to force his way into the team. Elsewhere, Alex Twal will likely return to the side, and could shift Reuben Porter to the bench and either Heath Mason and Jordan Miller. In a huge boost, Adam Doueihi got through his NSW Cup return unscathed and is a chance of fitting into this side. It remains to be seen where he could play, but the centres could be his spot for the remainder of the season.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 17. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney
Team Tips: Tom Starling will be sidelined due to a head knock, meaning Zac Woolford will likely come onto the bench. Meanwhile, Corey Horsburgh made a successful reserve grade return and will likely come onto the bench for Trey Mooney.
Bye: Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Sharks
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