The Bulldogs are set to welcome back an exiled star, after being forced into an interesting dilemma following a host of injury blows.
Meanwhile, a new-look Broncos side is set to be unveiled after their own key trio went down… however, there is a glimmer of hope for one star.
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Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 6.
THURSDAY APRIL 9
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Logan Spinks
Team Tips: Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has been forced into an interesting dilemma for this week after skipper Stephen Crichton (shoulder) has been ruled out for several weeks. Ciraldo has two options – welcome back Bronson Xerri into the side or push Matt Burton into the centres with Sean O’Sullivan starting in the halves. According to Code Sports, Xerri will earn a recall and will return to the centres. Kade Dykes (knee) made his return to the field last week via NSW Cup but rookie Mitchell Woods (hamstring) remains on the injury list. Harry Hayes (concussion) was meant to return last week, so one can expect him to join the reserves.
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 21. Billy Scott
Team Tips: The Panthers will receive a massive boost with Mitch Kenny returning from a one-game suspension. He will take his spot in the starting side, which will push Freddy Lussick back to the reserves and Billy Scott out of the side. Other than that, don’t expect any changes from Ivan Cleary after the side became the first team since 2003 to put 50 points on the Melbourne Storm last week.
Knights stun Raiders in Newcastle | 02:45
FRIDAY APRIL 10
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium, 6.00pm AEST
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. David Fale 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 15. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 10. Toby Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Hame Sele 18. Josh Kerr 19. Tyrell Sloan
Team Tips: Clint Gutherson limped from the field following the side’s match against the Cowboys, but he told AAP that he hopes it is only hamstring tightness. Meanwhile, Shane Flanagan is set to make several changes to his side after they remain winless after the opening five rounds of the season and another loss could potentially see the end of his tenure as head coach. One change will be David Fale, who has been hit with a suspension. Setu Tu and Tyrell Sloan are two options to replace him.
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Paul Bryan 19. Josh Feledy
Team Tips: The Sea Eagles may have won their first match under Kieran Foran last week but the interim coach has the option of making at least two changes this week with Jason Saab (suspension) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) both available for selection. Both are expected to play and are set to come in for young winger Clayton Faulalo and Paul Bryan.
Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 8.00pm AEST
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Antonio Verhoeven
Team Tips: The Broncos have been dealt a massive triple blow with Adam Reynolds (groin), Ben Hunt (knee) and Reece Walsh (cheekbone) all picking up injuries against the Titans. Hunt and Walsh are out for at least a month but Reynolds is stil hoping to play even though the Broncos initially expected the halfback to miss 1-2 weeks. “We are still waiting on Reyno – he is a fifty-fifty (chance of playing),” Maguire told Code Sports. “The injury is not as bad as they first thought so we’ll wait on him. It could settle and he might be okay. Until he starts to run again (on Tuesday), it’s still up in the air.” If Reynolds can’t play, foxsports.com.au understands that Thomas Duffy is the leading candidate to take Reynolds’ spot in the halves, which would see him make his club debut against his former team. Young gun Blake Mozer will come in for Hunt. Hayze Perham could potentially take the vacant fullback spot, while Maguire could also switch someone like Deine Mariner to the No.1 jumper. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Hunt played over a half of footy with a serious knee injury. “I saw him limp a little bit as he went back out in the second half and I kept an eye on him, but the information I got was he was okay,” Maguire said. “Little did we know how inspirational the effort he pulled out for his teammates was. It’s a pretty significant injury to play through.”
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Kai O’Donnell
Team Tips: Originally slated to return this week, Jake Duke said on Fox League that Origin back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) isn’t expected to return for another month. This would be a big blow for the Cowboys who will be without Braidon Burns (ankle) and Sam McIntyre (ankle) for this week after they picked up injuries against the Dragons on Saturday afternoon.
Ricky’s blunt reaction to Raiders defeat | 04:25
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SATURDAY APRIL 11
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canberra Raiders at Optus Stadium, 3.00pm AEST
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa
Team Tips: Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed that Brandon Smith (calf) will “definitely” go to Perth as he prepares for his first match of the season, but the club could be without a key piece of their forward pack. Code Sports reports that the club are sweating on the fitness of Keaon Koloamatangi (knee) after aggravating a pre-existing injury last week. Jai Arrow and Euan Aitken remain sidelined indefinitely, while Jonah Glover (jaw) and Ashton Ward (ankle) are set to be available over the next couple of weeks.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Matthew Timoko
Team Tips: Xavier Savage suffered an ankle injury in his side’s loss to the Knights, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit to take the field in Round 6. If he is omitted from the side, Matt Timoko could return to the run-on team with Seb Kris shifting to the wing. Other options include Jed Stuart and Sione Finau. Speaking post-match, Ricky Stuart simply said Savage had “hurt his leg”.
Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters at Optus Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Hohepa Puru 22. Briton Nikora
Team Tips: The Cronulla Sharks will be awaiting scans on centre Jesse Ramien (knee) and front-rower Thomas Hazelton (ankle) in the coming days, but it looks like both will be unavailable. Meanwhile, rookie centre Michael Gabrael (knee) and Braden Uele (nose) both suffered injuries in NSW Cup. Liam Ison is nearing a return from an ACL rupture, but Mawene Hiroti is the likely replacement for Ramien, with Chris Vea’ila joining the reserves. Briton Nikora was taken from the field last week to undergo an HIA, but he passed with flying colours.
Last week’s Roosters team (Round 4): 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Egan Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Hugo Savala
Team Tips: A triple boost could be on the cards for the Sydney Roosters, who are coming off a bye. Egan Butcher (concussion), Spencer Leniu (hamstring) and Victor Radley (suspension) are all set to play this round and will improve their forward pack massively. Meanwhile, Billy Smith (knee) is unlikely to feature, with coach Trent Robinson able to choose the likes of Junior Pauga, Tommy Talau or the versatile Hugo Savala as his replacement.
‘Simplified our game plan’ Holbrook | 05:05
Melbourne Storm vs. New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park, 7:35pm AEST
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 19. Manaia Waitere 4. Nick Meaney 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 17. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 12. Alec MacDonald 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Davvy Moale 16. Jack Hetherington 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 22. Preston Conn
Team Tips: After conceding 50 points last week against the Panthers, it’s hard to see coach Craig Bellamy not making any changes. Bellamy will be sweating on the availability of Ativalu Lisati (calf), Jack Howarth (hip) and Moses Leo (concussion), but none of the trio remains certain to return. He could also look to reserve-grade but he did name a strong line-up for last week’s match, they were just outclassed in all areas of the game.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 23. Ali Leiataua
Team Tips: The Warriors will be forced to reshuffle their halves yet again after Luke Metcalf (hamstring) sustained a hamstring injury in the dying minutes of their clash against the Sharks last round. Chanel Harris-Tavita will accompany Tanah Boyd in the halves, while recent debutant Luke Hanson is likely to join the reserves. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) was also injured against the Sharks, but all indications point to him playing in Round 6 – if unavailable, he will be replaced by Ali Leiataua. Kurt Capewell (calf) is projected to return to the field this week.
SUNDAY APRIL 12
Parramatta Eels vs. Gold Coast Titans at CommBank Stadium, 2:00pm AEST
Last week’s Eels team: TBC.
Team Tips: To come.
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Klese Haas 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Oliver Pascoe 18. Max Feagai 19. Jett Liu
Team Tips: The Titans got through their loss to the Broncos unscathed, showing positive signs in that performance. Jojo Fifita, in particular has been on fire and Josh Hannay looks unlikely to make any changes.
Wests Tigers vs. Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm AEST
Last week’s Tigers team: TBC.
Team Tips: To come.
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Wilson De Courcey
Team Tips: A groin injury suffered by Bradman Best is as a hammer blow for the Knights after their win over the Raiders. The Origin star will miss a month of football as confirmed by the club on Monday morning. Having come on to replace Best against the Raiders for his NRL debut, Wilson De Courcey will likely get the nod to slot into the vacant centre role. Dylan Brown is a chance of returning from a knee injury but he’s probably another week away. If Brown is back on deck, Fletcher Sharpe could make a move into the outside backs, but that looms unlikely given he has only featured in the halves this season.
Bye: Dolphins