Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 3
Welcome to Team Talk for Round 3. James Tedesco tore up the Manly defence on his way to 20 points, while Billy Slater has played his last game of the year. Nathen Peats will be missing for a few weeks after dislocating his elbow. Will the Warriors sack Andrew McFadden if they lose to the Storm? Week three also brings the first of the positional updates with it as well.
North Queensland v Sydney City
The Cowboys will again be unchanged with Jake Granville starting at hooker and Rory Kostjasyn back on the bench. The three times Kostjasyn started last year all resulted in loses and that trend continued against the Eels last week.
For the Roosters Latrell Mitchell looked the goods at fullback last week and Blake Ferguson looked comfortable playing back in the centres. Mitchell Frei will make his NRL debut off the bench. I can see the Cowboys bouncing back and putting on a clinic against the Roosters in the one, JT will be back to his best and making Kane Linnett and Gavin Cooper look like superstars again.
Canterbury v Parramatta
I was a bit surprised to find out that David Klemmer got off his contrary misconduct charge despite clearly touching the referee. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the NRL judiciary is a joke. Chase Stanley comes back into the centres as Kerrod Holland drops back to NSW Cup, I would rather Holland stay seeing as he is cool under pressure from the kicking tee.
Poor old Nathen Peats will spend a few weeks out nursing a dislocated elbow. Issac De Gois is his replacement while Kaysa Pritchard will remain on the bench. Peats is an excellent player but he is picking up the injury prone tag. Manu Maú is suspended for a week and is replaced by Ken Edwards, Maús strong runs will be dearly missed this week up against one of the most formidable forward packs in the comp.
Newcastle v Canberra
A few late changes for the Knights side with Akuila Uate out injured and Jaelen Feeney being dropped. Dane Gagai will move to fullback with Sione Mataútia coming into the side to partner his brother Pat in the centres. A young kid by the name of Cory Deniss will make his NRL debut on the wing this weekend. Pauli Pauli will come back onto the bench. Kade Snowden has a back injury that make require surgery, he could be worth trading or dropping if the worst is confirmed.
The Raiders have named Shaun Fenson and Lachlan Croker despite both being unable to finish last week’s game. Joey Leilua has been hit with a two week ban for a dangerous throw and has been replaced by Brenko Lee. Sisa Waqa will be released in June to take up a deal with French Rugby, so I don’t expect to see his unless the Raiders get desperate this season.
Penrith v Brisbane
Will Smith returns to fullback while Dean Whare reiunjured his calf. Waqa Blake hobbled off last week but has been named, however I have my doubts maybe George Jennings could come in. Tyrone Peachey has been at five-eighth and Peter Wallace at hooker but that is only for attack, Peachey will defend in the middle and should pick up a WH again with Wallace out wide.
The Broncos have lost their inform winger Corey Oates to a shoulder injury, he is replaced by Greg Eden. Lachlan Maranta is expected back from injury sooner than expected and would force Eden back to Q-Cup. Both Corey Parker and Andrew McCullough spend significantly more than usual on the bench last week, let’s hope it was a one off.
Gold Coast v Balmain-Wests
The Titans are unchanged for this week, with Ryan James and Agnatius Paasi swapping between the bench and prop. Luke Douglas saw a mediocre return last week with only 27 involvements in a fairly defensive orientated game for the Titans.
The Tigers have traditionally started off the last few years quiet well only to fall off big time. I don’t want to jump the gun here so I’ll wait a few more weeks to pass judgement. Curtis Sironen is out with a dodgy hamstring, Kyle Lovett will start in his place and is a big minute player who should be around the workhorse mark. Jordan Rankin will get a winger/five-eighth upgrade this week and could become a bench player. Robbie Farah should return next week.
New Zealand v Melbourne
This seems like Andrew McFaddens last chance to save his job. Manu Vatuvei and Blake Ashford remain in doubt for this clash with Konrad Hurrell and Jono Wright on an extended bench. Albert Vete and Charlie Gubb have come onto the bench for the injured Sam Lisone and Raymond Faitala–Mariner. Shaun Johnson will also get a positional upgrade to five-eigthth this weekend.
The Storm have named the same 17 that beat the Titans last week. Curtis Scott could lock down this centre spot and we all know how devastating Cameron Munster was last year at fullback, especially when it came to metre eaters, equal fourth last year without even playing a full season. Ben Hampton is an interesting choice on the bench.
St George-Illawarra v South Sydney
Kurt Mann isn’t playing this week with Josh Dugan moving back to fullback, Peter Mata’utia will play winger and Euan Aitkin to the centres. Lets hope this reignited their attack as they were the first team to be held try less in 2016. Mitch Rein is yet to get off the mark in 2016 and isn’t playing big minutes, he did end up on 39.
The Rabbits are red hot at the moment and should continue racking up plenty of points this weekend against the Dragons. They remain unchanged from last weeks thumping over the Knights. Kirisome Auva’a will again come off the bench with Bryson Goodwin being the current leading points scorer in the NRL, may as well make him you kicker. Damien Cook and Cameron McInnes continue to split the minutes and rely on attacking stats only.
Manly v Cronulla
Brett Stewart could be a late inclusion but I would be more inclined to throw him on the bench as it is the last game of the round. If not Tom Trbojevic is in line to become a fullback/winger. That is the only change to the Sea Eagles side. Jake Trbojevic has again been named at lock and only needs one more week to become a backrow/front row. Brenton Lawrence needs to spend more time on the field as the only go forward from the Sea Eagles pack is Marty Taupau who scored an impressive 12 and a metre eater.
The Sharks have added Chris Heighington to the bench meaning Joseph Paulo is the 18th man. David Fifita was impressive last week but is by no means NRLCEO relevant. Im expecting the Sharks spine to continue to gel and get better as the weeks go on, they should win this one going off recent form.
Good luck all NRLCEO coaches unless of course you are playing me.
Will Marchinton
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