Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 14

Team Talk Knights

Welcome to Team Talk round 14.

This is the second of three big bye rounds around Origin. It’s always tough to get a full team together and it plays havoc with kickers and captains alike.

Bryson Goodwin and Moses Mbye are set to kick this weekend.

 

Balmain-Wests v South Sydney

The Tigers lose Aaron Woods to Origin while Robbie Farah hasn’t been available since round 11. Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma return to the centres as Delouise Hoeter and Nathan Milone drop out. Young gun Matt Lodge joins the bench. Chris Lawrence looks set for a permanent move to the backrow and will get a position upgrade this week. Dene Halatau will also get a position upgrade to hooker.

The Rabbits returned to form in a big way last week but will be without stars Greg Inglis and Isaac Luke, some pretty handy replacements in Cameron McInnes and Alex Johnston there. McInnes looks set to play the majority of the match at hooker meaning he should score a WH. John Olive is going to make his debut on the wing. Ben Lowe and Chris McQueen have been churning out some solid numbers in the backrow since Glenn Stewart went down injured.

 

New Zealand v Sydney City

The Warriors lose Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman to rep duties for this game, in comes Albert Vete and Raymond Faitala-Mariner to the forward pack. The backline welcomes back Konrad Hurrell from suspension and this season biggest flop, Sam Tomkins at fullback, although he could be a late scratching like last week. Tuimoala Lolohea gets pushed to the bench. Nathan Friend gets a start at hooker as Siliva Havili is the casualty after last weeks heavy defeat to the Rabbitohs. Jonathan Wright finally departs the team and is 18th man. Ken Maumalo stays on the wing.

The Roosters have a stack of changes headlined by the return of Blake Ferguson. Michael Jennings, Body Cordner, Aiden Guerra and Mitchell Pearce are all playing Origin. Mitch Aubusson and Sio Siua Taukeiaho move to the backrow while Jackson Hastings is making his first appearance at halfback. Brendan Elliot is playing his first game of the year on the wing. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a late scratching. Dylan Napa will start in his place and Suaia Matagi get his club debut off the bench.

 

Gold Coast v Cantebury

The Titans have lost Kane Elgey to an ankle injury, meaning Daniel Mortimer will start at halfback. Kierran Moseley comes into the starting line-up at hooker and Matt White joins the bench. Nate Myles is on origin duties and Dave Taylor has been dropped altogether!

The Dogs have lost five to origin this time around, Josh and Brett Morris, their replacements are Chase Stanley in the centres and Corey Thompson on the wing as Sam Perrett fills in at fullback. In the forwards Josh Jackson and David Klemmer are out, iLloyd Perrett comes in at lock and Antonio Kaufusi onto the bench. Moses Mbye will be playing at halfback with Trent Hodkinson steering the Blues side around the park despite his benching last weekend and lack of form. In Injury news James Graham did a hammie and will spend another six weeks on the sidelines!

 

Melbourne v Parramatta

Well what can you say about the Eels performance on the Monday night?!? Will Hopoate’s Origin selection means Ryan Morgan shifts to the centres and Bureta Faraimo comes onto the wing. Manu Maú has taken the early guilty plea and will miss the next two games, so Daniel Alvaro comes in on the bench and David Gower moves to the backrow.

The Storm are always one of the hardest hit teams this time of the year and the news that Billy Slater could miss the rest of the year is not good for NRLCEO coaches! Cameron Munster will fill the void at fullback this week. Tohu Harris is moving to the centres and Melbournian local Richard Kennar gets his second game on the wing. Ben Hampon will be playing in the halves for the injured Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hinchcliffe fills in at hooker, like he always does around Origin time. Young Tonumaipea comes into the bench and Tim Glasby will play in the backrow.

 

I’m hoping for injury free round and some better footy than last bye round that’s for sure! Best of luck this weekend, unless you are playing me of course!

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Will Marchinton

After being introduced to NRLCEO back in 2010, watching Rugby League has never been the same for Marcho! His spare time revolves around stats, trades, injury updates, writing these blogs and the occasional appearance on the Moneyball podcast. It’s fair to say he became addicted from day one.

Latest posts by Will Marchinton (see all)

Will Marchinton

After being introduced to NRLCEO back in 2010, watching Rugby League has never been the same for Marcho! His spare time revolves around stats, trades, injury updates, writing these blogs and the occasional appearance on the Moneyball podcast. It’s fair to say he became addicted from day one.