Gold Coast wrecking-ball David Fifita is back from an injury just in time to push his case for a State of Origin recall.
Fifita hasn’t played since round 12 when he injured his knee, but is named to line up against the Knights this week.
If he puts in a starring performance, it could be enough to convince Queensland coach Billy Slater to pick him for the series decider on July 13.
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Melbourne has been dealt a blow for its round 16 clash with arch enemy Manly.
The Storm have named superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster, who injured his shoulder during Sunday’s second State of Origin game in Perth. He may yet be ruled out of the game.
But Melbourne will miss Origin backrower Felise Kaufusi.
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Kaufusi is set to fly to Los Angeles, where his father has fallen ill. It is unclear whether he will return in time to play the third Origin game in Brisbane.
The Knights have also been hit hard by a brutal Origin II contest with captain and fullback Kalyn Ponga ruled out of round 16 with concussion.
The Tigers are poised to name embattled halfback Luke Brooks in the team, contrary to reports last week claiming the $950,000 playmaker would be dropped.
FULL ROUND 16 NRL TEAM LISTS
THURSDAY
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park, 7.50pm
Referee: Grant Atkins
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Schuster 16. Martin Taupau 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Kurt De Luis 20. Ethan Bullemor 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Kaeo Weekes
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Chris Lewis 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Brandon Smith 14. Jayden Nikorima 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen 20. Tyran Wishart 21. Jordan Grant 22. Bronson Garlick
Analysis: Cameron Munster is named in the halves for Melbourne but may yet be withdrawn as he races to overcome a shoulder injury. Felise Kaufusi is out, after flying to the US to be with his ill father. Ryan Papenhuyzen is named in the reserves and is gunning to return to his fullback spot from injury. Manly lose Josh Aloiai to concussion protocols after his bad head knock while playing for Samoa.
FRIDAY
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Leo Thompson 16. Mathew Croker 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Jake Clifford 19. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 20. Bradman Best 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Daniel Saifiti
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Paul Turner 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. David Fifita 18. Corey Thompson 19. Herman Ese’ese 20. Aaron Booth 21. Kevin Proctor 22. Sosefo Fifita
Analysis: The Knights lose captain and fullback Kalyn Ponga due to concussion protocols, with Tex Hoy his replacement. Daniel Saifiti and Bradman Best are named in the reserves but not expected to return from injury. The Titans have wrecking ball backrower David Fifita back, as he pushes a claim for an Origin recall.
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium, 7.55pm
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Nat Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Adam Keighran 21. Terrell May 22. Lachlan Lam
Analysis: Penrith’s huge cohort of Origin stars are all named to back up, but it remains to be seen whether they will take the field or not. In a massive blow for the Roosters, Luke Keary remains sidelined after his latest head knock, with Sam Walker at halfback and Drew Hutchison in the No.6. Victor Radley returns from injury to play at lock.
SATURDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks at CommBank Stadium, 3pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Corey Allan 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tevita Pangai Junior 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Corey Waddell 16. Joe Stimson 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Declan Casey 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo 21. Jayden Tanner 22. Harrison Edwards 24. Jackson Topine
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Dale Finucane 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Connor Tracey 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Kade Dykes 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Lachlan Miller
Analysis: No changes to either side from round 15. Matt Burton is named to back up for the Bulldogs after his starring State of Origin debut.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm
Referee: Adam Gee
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame 18. Ben Condon 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Kane Bradley 21. Iosefo Baleiwairiki 22. Kyle Feldt
Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Jake Turpin 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Jordan Pereira 19. TC Robati 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Rhys Kennedy
Analysis: Adam Reynolds is named to return from injury, although may yet be withdrawn if he’s struggling through the week. Payne Haas is touch-and-go after suffering a high ankle injury in Origin. Luciano Leilua makes his Cowboys debut off the bench, having joined them just last week from the Tigers.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm
Referee: Ben Cummins
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Siliva Havili 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Isaiah Tass 20. Liam Knight 21. Ben Lovett 22. Davvy Moale
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ky Rodwell 18. Tom Opacic 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Nathan Brown 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Hayze Perham
Analysis: Young halfback Lachlan Ilias retains his spot in the halves after being benched mid-game against the Dragons. Latrell Mitchell returns to the team after two months out with a hamstring injury, and takes his spot at fullback. The Eels have named no changes from their last outing.
SUNDAY
Warriors vs Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm
Referee: Chris Sutton
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Euan Aitken 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Josh Curran 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Adam Pompey 20. Aaron Pene 21. Rocco Berry 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Daejarn Asi
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. James Roberts 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Stefano Utoikamanu 15. Adam Doueihi 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Junior Tupou 20. Austin Dias 21. Jacob Liddle 22. Justin Matamua
Analysis: Euan Aitken moves to centre and pushes Adam Pompey out of the team. The Tigers have retained Luke Brooks in the halves despite reports last week he would be dropped. They’ve named Fonua Pole to make his NRL debut on the bench.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tariq Sims 14. Moses Mbye 15. Francis Molo 16. Aaron Woods 17. Michael Molo 18. Josh Kerr 19. Tautau Moga 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Billy Burns
Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Matt Frawley 19. Corey Harawira-Naera 20. Trey Mooney 21. Semi Valemei 22. Adrian Trevilyan
Analysis: Jack Wighton returns for Canberra after contracting COVID-19 a fortnight ago. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also back from injury and is named on the bench, with young speedster Xavier Savage retaining the fullback spot. The Dragons are named as they lined up in round 15.
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