The desperate Wests Tigers have made a move on halfback Luke Brooks, shifting him from the No.7 jumper as they strive to break a five-loss slump.
The Tigers are yet to win a game this season and now coach Michael Maguire has made a major call on his spine.
Brooks has been shifted to five-eighth for their Easter Monday clash with Parramatta. Off-season recruit Jackson Hastings will start at halfback and effectively run the team.
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It’s a switch that Maguire will hope alleviates pressure on Brooks, but the public spotlight will no doubt remain heavily on the $950,000 playmaker.
Hastings played the first two games of the season at No.6 after joining Concord over the off-season from England. He has been suspended the past three weeks.
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THURSDAY
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys at GIO Stadium, 7.50pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Xavier Savage 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Hudson Young 20. Matt Frawley 21. Albert Hopoate 22. Jarrod Croker 23. Trey Mooney 24. Peter Hola
Analysis: Young gun fullback Xavier Savage has been named on the bench, pushing Matt Frawley out of the side. Matt Timoko is in doubt with a back injury and veteran centre Jarrod Croker is in the extended squad as cover.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 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. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Emry Pere 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Riley Price 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Ben Condon 23. Ben Hampton 24. Tomas Chester
Analysis: Coen Hess is back in the front row, pushing Reuben Cotter back to the bench.
FRIDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, 4pm
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Hame Sele 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Siliva Havili 19. Isaiah Tass 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Richard Kennar 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Terrell Kalo Kalo 24. Jaxson Paulo
Analysis: Blake Taaffe returns to replace the injured Latrell Mitchell at fullback.
Bulldogs: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Chris Patolo 16. Max King 17. Joe Stimson 19. Bailey Biondi-Odo 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Reece Hoffman 22. Jackson Topine 23. Ava Seumanufagai 24. Josh Cook 25. Corey Allan
Analysis: Coach Trent Barrett is basically persisting with the team that lost to Penrith last week, including Kyle Flanagan at halfback whose return to the NRL side caused controversy.
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos at BlueBet Stadium, 7.55pm
Referee: Adam Gee
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 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. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Soni Luke 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan
Analysis: No changes to the side that accounted for Canterbury.
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Billy Walters 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Corey Jensen 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Ryan James 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. TC Robati 17. Cory Paix 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Ezra Mam 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Ethan Quai-Ward 24. Logan Bayliss-Brow
Analysis: Payne Haas has accepted his one-game suspension from the NRL and is replaced by Corey Jensen in the front row.
SATURDAY
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans at 4 Pines Park, 5.30pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Ben Trbojevic 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Kurt De Luis 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. James Roumanos
Analysis: Morgan Harper is out due to COVID-19. Young gun Tolu Koula comes in at centre to replace him. Koula was meant to play fullback last week before injury ruled him out, however the coach has opted to stick with Reuben Garrick at the back as the Tom Trbojevic replacement.
Titans: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Will Smith 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Paul Turner 19. Kevin Proctor 20. Herman Ese’ese 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Corey Thompson 23. Tanah Boyd 24. Sosefo Fifita
Analysis: Brian Kelly is back at centre, pushing Phillip Sami to the wing and Corey Thompson out of the side. Kevin Proctor is dumped in favour of Sam Lisone.
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park, 7.35pm
Referee: Grant Atkins
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Marion Seve 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jayden Nikorima 23. William Warbrick 24. Sualauvi Faalogo
Analysis: Tyran Wishart is back on the bench, pushing Alex MacDonald out.
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. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Jack Williams 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Royce Hunt 22. Kade Dykes 23. Jonaiah Lualua 24. Franklin Pele
Analysis: Royce Hunt is out of the side to accommodate Aiden Tolman on the bench.
SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs Warriors at Sydney Cricket Ground, 2pm
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Angus Crichton 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Adam Keighran 21. Renouf Atoni 22. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 23. Joseph Suaalii 24. Drew Hutchison
Analysis: Sam Verrills is back to start at hooker, pushing Connor Watson to the bench, while Drew Hutchison is out of the side. Siosiua Taukeiaho returns to the bench.
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Taniela Otukolo 20. Viliami Vailea 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Rocco Berry 23. Otukinekina Kepu 24. Junior Ratuva 25. Valingi Kepu
Analysis: Marcelo Montoya is out as he faces suspension for a homophobic slur used during last week’s game. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak comes onto the wing as his replacement.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm
Referee: Ben Cummins
Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh Mcguire 17. George Burgess 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jackson Ford 20. Aaron Woods 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Jack Gosiewski 23. Tyrell Fuimaono 24. Jayden Sullivan
Analysis: Josh McGuire returns from suspension to join the bench. Aaron Woods has been axed, while young gun fullback Tyrell Sloan remains out of the side.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Tex Hoy 21. Jack Johns 22. Jaron Purcell 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Brayden Musgrove
Analysis: David Klemmer makes his return to the front row, pushing Jacob Saifiti to the bench. Dom Young and Jirah Momoisea are out injured, with Edrick Lee to make a long-awaited return to the NRL to replace Young on the wing.
MONDAY
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium, 4pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Viliami Penisini 3. Tom Opacic 4. Marata Niukore 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Hayze Perham 17. Mitch Rein 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Samuel Loizou 23. Elie El Zakhem 24. Zac Cini
Analysis: Waqa Blake is out with a knee injury, adding to their wing woes. Will Penisini has moved to the wing, with Marata Niukore moving to centre. Junior Paulo is out suspended, bringing Oregon Kaufusi into the front row. Shaun Lane is again named in the backrow despite being withdrawn the last two weeks.
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Luke Garner 5. Starford To’a 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jock Madden 15. Alex Twal 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Jacob Liddle 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Tukimihia Simpkins 23. Junior Tupou 24. Austin Dias
Analysis: Luke Brooks has been shifted from halfback to five-eighth, with Jackson Hastings handed the reins to be the chief playmaker. James Roberts and Daine Laurie return to the side after injury and COVID-19 ruled them out of round five. Ken Maumalo, Oliver Gildart, and Tyrone Peachey are axed from the side on the back of a five-loss slump to start the season.
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