Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 8
Welcome to Team Talk Round 8. This Sunday will see the announcement of the reps teams.
It will be interesting to see who gets selected for Australia and New Zealand. Especially the Australian team, with so many injuries and form being an issue, the Kiwis will be looking to break a long drought in this one off ANZAC Test Match.
Canterbury v West Tigers
Only one Friday night game this week with a massive Saturday line up in store. The Dogs finally welcome back some players this week with Josh Morris, Tim Browne and Sam Kasiano all returning. Moses Mbye is becoming the Mr fix it and can play anywhere in the backline as well as at hooker.
The Tigers let a big lead slip for the second time this year. Mitchell Moses hasn’t done much this year and if he is your 5/8 you have to look around for a trade or dump him. Keith Galloway is out with a shoulder injury, Matt Lodge comes in for him on the bench.
New Zealand v Gold Coast
Warriors coaches seem to love dropping Konrad Hurrell, I have no idea why! Albert Vete has also been dropped. David Fusituá is back and somehow Jonathan Wright has retained his spot on the wing, again I have no idea! He must be sucking up to someone at training and doing a fine job of it! Sam Rapira comes back into the bench. Sam Tomkins should be back soon
The Titans are in some good form ATM. Nate Myles is under an injury cloud and may not play again this week despite being named. Ryan Simpkins has done an ACL, which means season over, unfortunately. Dave Taylor is suspended for one week. Matt Robinson and Eddy Pettybourne both join the bench. Agnastius Paasi is also out injured.
Newcastle v North Queensland
The Knights are starring down the barrel at a 4-4 start, after being 4-0. Sione Mataútia didn’t play on the weekend, not sure if that will continue or not, but unless you’re in a keeper comp, get rid of him! Robbie Rochow had back surgery and will be out until round 16, not worth holding onto either. Knights are 1-18, same as round 7.
The Cowboys are on a roll right now. Jake Granville scored plenty of points last week, but don’t go chasing last weeks points! He won’t score that many points again this year, although he is getting more minutes and secured a WH on the weekend. Lachlan Coote is getting better and better at fullback, despite putting a few kick offs out on the full. He is scoring some solid NRLCEO points. Same team as last week.
Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra
The biggest injury news out of the weekend was Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’s pectoral strain which will keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Sam Moa takes his place in the starting side. Moa has only scored one WH this year but should increase his involvements. Dylan Napa has been killing it. Matt Mcllwrick has been named as 19th man, so Jake Friend could get a DWH.
The Dragons have named a huge bench, but are the same 1-17 as last week. Captain Ben Creagh is on the bench, which is never a good sign for a player, maybe I’m reading into nothing but with salary cap rumours swirling at the Dragons who knows. Jack De Belin is also on the bench, but that won’t stop him getting a WH.
Melbourne v Manly
Another grudge game here. The Sea Eagles only win of the year came against the Storm, back in round 2. Jamie Lyon is out again, only scoring three points all year and only playing four games. Kieran Foran was a late withdrawal last week but is back this week. James Hasson is playing only his second game of the year. And Jayden Hodges is on an extended bench and could play. Matt Ballin owners will be hoping he doesn’t, as he missed out on a WH over the weekend.
The Storm are lucky to one have the one injury concern, Billy Slater who is expected back in round 9. Blake Green has to be one of the signings of the year. Manly always lift for the Storm, but this time round the Storm will look to dominate up front with their kiwi enforcers Bromwich, Harris and Proctor. Unchanged from the side that beat the Roosters.
Brisbane v Parramatta
Nice to see the Broncos not playing on a Friday night for a change! Justin Hodges is out injured again, meaning Corey Oates slots back into the wing. Alex Glenn will be out for at least a month. Sam Thaiday drops back to the secondrow and Adam Blair returning at prop. Jarrod Wallace and Mitch Garbutt are on the bench.
Brad Arthur has shuffled his backline again this week with Reece Robinson moving to fullback, Will Hopoate moving to the centres and John Folau to the wing. Ryan Morgan finally got cut! Darcy Lussick has been added to the side that beat the Knights, pushing Danny Wicks to the interchange bench. Richie Fa’áoso 18th man.
Penrith v Cronulla
The dreadful injury curse at the foot of the mountains has continued on from last season for the poor Panthers. Elijah Taylor is a few weeks away. The retiring Brent Kite is out injured, replaced by Sam Anderson on the bench and Sam McKendry in the starting side. Josh Mansour was firming for an Origin jersey until he too wound up on the casualty list, replaced by George Jennings on the wing. Dean Whare comes back to centre and Robert Jennings on an extended bench.
Paul Gallen returns to the Sharks side, pushing Jason Bukuya to the bench and Sam Tagataese to 18th man. Luke Lewis is producing some solid NRLCEO form with both try’s and WH’s since his return. Wade Graham has notoriously been hit and miss when it comes to WH’s in previous years. This is shaping as the year he finally bucks that trend.
South Sydney v Canberra
The Rabbits look lost without Adam Reynolds steering them around the park, so Bunnies fans will be hoping he doesn’t require surgery, but only time will tell. Cameron McInnes played 5/8 but still managed a WH on the weekend. John Sutton could be a late inclusion for this game. Otherwise the Rabbits are unchanged.
The Raiders were courageous in coming from behind at Leichhardt last week and the task won’t be much easier against a Rabbits team desperate for a win. Dane Tilse departed for the Super League this week. Shaun Fenson has returned at lock. Mark Nicholls is back on the bench, with Kyle O’Donnell and Jeremy Hawkins on an extended bench.
I hope the weather stays fine and sunny this ANZAC weekend with the highlight undoubtedly be waking up early for the dawn service followed by five games of NRL, all back to back!
It’s going to be a massive weekend!
As Always best of luck to all, expect if you are playing me!
Will Marchinton
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