Team Talk with Marcho: Round 4
Week 4 of the NRL premiership is sure to produce some cracking matches. When will the North Queensland win a game? Who will be the first to take down South Sydney?
These are just a few of the questions fans will be asking themselves.
Also how good is the statistics update to the menu bar in NRLCEO, great works guys!
Parramatta v Souths
The Eels need to bounce back this week, but they come up against the hardest team in the competition to beat in the Rabbits! No changes for the Eels, John Folau gets his second game in the NRL on the wing. He might not be the only Folau at the Eels in 2016 either…
Rabbits have Daryl Millard coming into replace the injured Dylan Walker, who is set to miss the next month. Bryson Goodwin should become more relevant in Walkers absence. Ben Lowe and Nathan Brown are on an extended bench.
West Tigers v Canterbury
The Tigers will be without there always reliable goal kicker, Pat Richards for one week due to suspension, I wonder who will kick for the Tigers? Maybe Farah? Delouise Moses makes his NRL debut on the wing with Kyle Lovett wearing jersey 18. David Nofoaluma is also expected back very soon.
The Dogs are lining up as they did in round 3. Moses Mbye will be gaining a 5/8 position this week and has already got 7 points in two games, not too bad! If Aaron Woods misses out I expect the Dogs to roll through the middle of the Tigers with Tolman, Graham and Jackson doing the bulk of the work.
Newcastle v Penrith
The Knights got away with a scrappy win over the Titans and will be without Korbin Sims for the next two games, he has been great to start his year, posting a WH back in round 1. Tyler Randell has only played one game this year despite being named in all four games. It will be between Vaivai, and Randell for the last spot on the bench.
Jamie Soward is still four weeks away from a return, so Isaac John will be holding down the 5/8 spot until round 8. Same side that lost to the Roosters. With the short turn around I expect the Knights to hit the Panthers down the middle, before hitting Dane Gagai and trying to burn Jamal Idris for pace.
Cronulla v Gold Coast
Ben Barba is suspended for two weeks and Wade Graham will move into the halves with Anthony Tupou coming into the starting line-up. Sam Tagataese only lasted one game, he is replaced by U20’s and Auckland 9’s star Jack Bird who is making his debut. Matt Prior also comes on to the bench.
The Titans will favour a win in this game with both teams yet to win a game in 2015. Daniel Mortimer is injured but I think he would have been dropped after his average performance on the weekend. Kane Elgey is another to make his debut this week at halfback. He sure has gone quickly in all comps I am involved in, which is always a pretty good sign.
St George v Manly
George Rose has been added to the Dragons bench but he really should stick to the Matty Johns Show. Trent Merrin has finally been added to the run on team, maybe a DWH as well?? I sure hope so. Euan Aitken should have a mortgage on his centre spot for the season after impressing on debut last week.
The Sea Eagles have some major injury concerns in the backs! Matai, Lyon and Foran all face a fitness test on Friday. Tom Symonds is pushed back to bench and Justin Horo again is wearing jersey 18. But I doubt all three will play. Manly should win this one, but the Dragons proved us all wrong last week.
New Zealand v Brisbane
Kicking off at 10am in NZ as the cricket final is being played in the afternoon. Kiwi fans will be hoping for the double over the Broncos and Aussies (they will beat India!). Sam Tomkins in the big injury news this week, out for six weeks which will surely leave a massive hole for all coached who have him. Tuimoala Lolohea has not looked out of place so far this year in first grade and will wear the #1 jersey. Raiders recruit Matt Allwood gets his first start of 2015 in the centres.
The boring Broncos turned it on against the Cowboys last week with some great attacking footy with Corey Parker notched up 24 points, what an effort! Tries and WH were being handed out left right and centre for the Broncos forwards. Young prop James Gavet did his ACL during the week at training and will miss the rest of the season.
Sydney Roosters v Canberra
The Roosters keep role on, along with South’s, look like the teams to beat this year so far, but it is early days and injuries and upsets do happen. Blake Ferguson grabbed a double and I predict he will again step up against his former team and cross the line for a few more try’s this week as well.
Jack Wighton makes a surprise return for the Raiders, pushing Jordan Rapana to the wing and Bill Tupou back to reserve grade. JB’s man crush, Shaun Fenson was cleared at the judiciary and will play. Josh McCrone has finally been dropped, Glenn Buttriss comes onto the interchange bench.
North Queensland v Melbourne
The Cowgirls have been less the impressive to start 2015. Justin O’Neill and Kyle Feldt have been dropped for Matthew Wright and Antonio Winterstein. JT really needs to spark this notoriously slow starting team before it’s too late. Most people were tipping Cowboys to go deep into September, myself included, but I it looks like it will be a straight swap with the Knights into my top 4 now.
The Storm were far too good for the Sharks in Melbourne and Tohu Harris notched up 17 points as well! What a pick-up he has been! Same team with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Hymel Hunt also traveling up to Townsville on an extended bench.
Keep an eye out for any late mail come Friday and best of luck to all coached out there, except if you’re playing me!
Will Marchinton
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