NRL Round 18 Discussion

[Aucklander]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/27/nrl-tipping-round-16---what-the-experts-are-saying/

Dragons v Eels

The Dragons will be hoping their Test and Origin stars take the field on Thursday night. It was a great start to the season for the Red V, but this period will challenge them physically and mentally. The Eels just need to win and they need an almighty effort from the 17 that take the field.
Tip: Dragons by 10

Warriors v Sharks

Both teams have won three of their past five matches, but the Warriors will benefit from Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck having missed the Denver Test. This is the time of year where they need to be making a statement. The Sharks love a grind and in an arm wrestle they will turn to their forwards to lead the way on Friday night. It will be a big test for Cronulla, but they can win in a close one.
Tip: Sharks by 4

Roosters v Storm

The game of the round. Cooper Cronk returns to face his old mates and the Roosters are looking for their fifth win in a row. The Tricolours have been impressive over the past month, with Cronk and halves partner Luke Keary steering the ship. It will be a mental challenge for their Origin stars who are backing up. The Storm have been impressive of late, with Cameron Smith the key to their success in 2018. The No.9 will once again be called upon to be the difference on Friday.
Tip: Storm by 4

Panthers v Sea Eagles

The Panthers will be hoping Nathan Cleary and James Maloney are ready to go after guiding NSW to a series win. The Panthers were poor during their last outing against the Roosters and need to improve to continue to stay a top-four side. Manly will look to Daly Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers to spark them, but they are busted and down on troops and the task will be too big.
Tip: Panthers by 10

Knights v Bulldogs

Kalyn Ponga is a star, but he can't do it on his own. The Knights halves need to provide more in attack and they need to help the fullback out. The Bulldogs need to go up the F3 and get the job done. They need to turn around their poor performance at Belmore and show their fans what they're capable of. The side needs to block the outside noise and win.
Tip: Bulldogs by 6

Broncos v Raiders

The Broncos sit in eighth position and are four points clear of the Raiders. It's a huge game for Brisbane to keep themselves in the eight and after a tough win against the Sharks in Round 15, the Broncos will have a point to prove. The Raiders were superb against the Wests Tigers thanks to the returning Josh Hodgson. Hodgson has brilliant in his first game back from a knee injury. His composure and game management helped the Raiders halves and ultimately changed the way Canberra played. The No.9 is key to their finals push.
Tip: Raiders by 6

Tigers v Titans

It's a new look Wests Tigers this weekend. Moses Mbye's first outing in his new colours and the return of Robbie Farah. The two additions will provide plenty of options in attack for the Tigers and provide much-needed help for Luke Brooks. The Titans come into the fixture with plenty of confidence after their impressive win over the Bulldogs. Ash Taylor and AJ Brimson have been impressive and their partnership will only get better. They will be up against on Sunday the Gold Coast, but the only way to shut the crowd out is score more points and worry about themselves.
Tip: Tigers by 4

Rabbitohs v Cowboys

The Rabbitohs are genuine title contenders in 2018. Their attack is the best in the competition and a lot of it is generated down their left side. Anthony Seibold has changed the way they play this year and they have benefited from a fit and healthy spine. The Cowboys have been disappointing. Their attack looks slow at times and very predictable. An injured Michael Morgan doesn't help, but the two JTs can't always be the ones to get them out of trouble. You can never write the Cowboys off, but it's just been one of those years for the 2017 grand finalist.
Tip: Rabbitohs by 10

 

[Aucklander]

Link

The official team lists for round 18 of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Friday 6pm at Panthers Stadium

Panthers: 1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 Tyrone May, 7 Jarome Luai, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo (c), 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota
Reserves: 18 Liam Martin, 19 Kaide Ellis, 20 Tyrone Peachey, 21 James Maloney, 22 Nathan Cleary

Caleb Aekins has been named to debut at fullback for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) in the only listed change. James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey are in the reserves list and could each play if they pull through Origin unscathed.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Scott Sorensen, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Kyle Flanagan

Wade Graham (cheek) returns from injury in the second row pushing Scott Sorensen to the reserves in Cronulla's only change.

Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels, Friday 7.55pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1 Nick Meaney, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Josh King, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Mitch Barnett, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange: 14 Nathan Ross, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Jacob Lillyman,

Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 19 Sam Stone, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 JJ Felise

The Knights have named halfback Mitchell Pearce to return from a pec injury, pushing Jack Cogger to the reserves. Nick Meaney debuts at fullback for Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Danny Levi starts at hooker for Slade Griffin (knee) with Nathan Ross coming onto the bench. Daniel Saifiti (foot) returns in the front row pushing Herman Ese'ese to lock, Aidan Guerra to second row and Sam Stone to the reserves.

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Tepai Moeroa, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18 Kane Evans, 19 Kirisome Auva'a, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Kaysa Pritchard

Tepai Moeroa (suspension) returns on the bench for Will Smith in Parramatta's only change.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Saturday 3pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa'amanu Brown, 15 Clay Priest, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Danny Fualalo

Reserves: 18 Asipeli Fine, 19 Matt Frawley, 20 Francis Tualau, 21 John Olive

David Klemmer returns from Origin at prop, pushing Danny Fualalo to the bench, while Greg Eastwood (calf) is out of the side.

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Mark Nicholls, 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18 Matt McIlwrick, 19 Braidon Burns, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Kyle Turner, 22 Billy Brittain

The Rabbitohs have named Hymel Hunt to replace Greg Inglis (broken thumb) at centre and Mark Nicholls replaces the suspended Jason Clark on the bench in the only changes from their round 16 win over North Queensland. All three Origin reps have been named to back up but a five-man reserves bench – including new recruit Matt McIlwrick – has been named as cover.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm, Saturday 5.30pm at Lottoland

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Matthew Wright, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Shaun Lane, 1 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Kelepi Tanginoa, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Jorge Taufua, 19 Thomas Wright, 20 Tevita Funa, 21 Toafofoa Sipley, 22 Lloyd Perrett

The Sea Eagles have named an unchanged 17 from their last-start upset win over Penrith in round 16. That means the Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans have been named to back up from Origin and young hooker Manase Fainu has been named despite police charges hanging over him.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17, Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18 Cheyse Blair, 19 Tui Kamikamica, 20 Young Tonumaipea, 21 Ryley Jacks, 22 Brodie Croft, 23 Albert Vete

Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Tim Glasby return from Origin. Prop Jesse Bromwich (hamstring) also returns, pushing Christian Welch to the bench. Jahrome Hughes moves to halfback. Cheyse Blair, Young Tonumaipea, Ryley Jacks, Brodie Croft, Tui Kamikamica and Albert Vete all drop to the reserves and Patrick Kaufusi is out of the squad.

Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 7.35pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1 Nick Cotric, 2 Michael Oldfield, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Sam Williams, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Iosia Soliola

Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Craig Garvey

Fullback Brad Abbey (concussion) and prop Shannon Boyd (calf) are out. Jordan Rapana (hamstring) returns on the wing with Nick Cotric switching to fullback. Josh Papalii returns at lock, Siliva Havili moves to the bench and Junior Paulo starts at prop for Boyd. Second-rower Joseph Tapine has been named pending Tuesday night's judiciary hearing. Luke Bateman (knee) returns on the bench in place of Liam Knight, who is 18th man and could yet come in for Tapine. Blake Austin retains the bench utility role.

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 John Asiata, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Shane Wright, 17 Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18 Justin O'Neill, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Francis Molo, 23 Jake Clifford

John Asiata (pec) returns at prop, pushing Corey Jensen to the bench and Francis Molo to the reserves. Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named to back up from Origin.

Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors, Sunday 2pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Jayden S'uA, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Tevita Pangai jnr

Reserves: 18 Jonus Pearson, 19 Patrick Mago, 20 David Fifita, 21 Sam Tagataese, 22 Jake Turpin, 23 Tom Opacic

Brisbane have named all their Origin reps to return. Corey Oates replaces Jonus Pearson on the wing and James Roberts pushes Kotoni Staggs from centre to the bench. Hooker Andrew McCullough and lock Josh McGuire start, pushing Alex Glenn to second row and Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai jnr to the bench. Patrick Mago, Jake Turpin and David Fifita drop to the reserves.

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu'a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Joseph Vuna, 17 Anthony Gelling

Reserves: 18 Ligi Sao, 19 Karl Lawton, 20 Blake Ayshford, 21 Mason Lino

Gerard Beale starts on the wing with Ken Maumalo (knee) out and Anthony Gelling joining the bench. Joseph Vuna replaces Ligi Sao on the bench.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.10pm at Jubilee Oval

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Patrick Herbert, 19 Hame Sele, 20 Blake Lawrie, 21 Reece Robson, 22 Jai Field, 23 Darren Nicholls

Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Jack De Belin return from Origin. Leeson Ah Mau and Luciano Leilua drop to the bench, Jacob Host (shoulder) is out and Darren Nicholls, Hame Sele, Reece Robson and Blake Lawrie drop to the reserves. Jason Nightingale is back starting on the wing with Kurt Mann on the bench.

Wests Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Josh Aloiai, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Luke Garner, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Benji Marshall replaces Josh Reynolds at five-eighth. David Nofoaluma (calf) returns on the wing in place of Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. Ben Matulino returns at prop with Alex Twal going to the bench and Josh Aloiai moving into the starting second row with Chris McQueen out.

Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters, Sunday 6.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 16 Will Matthews, 17 Jack Stockwell

Reserves: 18 Morgan Boyle, 19 Leilani Latu, 20 Kane Elgey, 21 Brendan Elliot, 22 Jai Whitbread

Konrad Hurrell starts at centre for Dale Copley (hamstring, season) with Jack Stockwell joining the bench. Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow have been named to back up from Maroons duty in the starting back shifting Moeaki Fotuaika and Will Matthews to the bench and Morgan Boyle and Leilani Latu to the reserves.

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Nat Butcher, 12 Victor Radley, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Zane Tetevano, 15 Lindsay Collins, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Kurt Baptiste

Reserves: 18 Matthew Ikuvalu, 19 Sitili Tupouniua, 20 Ryan Matterson, 21 Sean O'Sullivan, 22 Paul Momirovski, 23 Poasa Faamausili

Boyd Cordner will be rested after Origin III, but James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell are named to play. Joseph Manu returns from suspension at centre for Matthew Ikuvalu. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves replaces Dylan Napa at prop. Mitchell Aubusson replaces Sitili Tupouniua on the bench. Ryan Matterson (wrist/concussion) has been named in the reserves as he looks to make his return from injury.

 

[NSWCROW]

Shcoking scheduling.

Better fri game on at 6pm - let alone the fact it's out at Penrith and everyones still in traffic.
Sharks fans would've had to have left at ****en midday to make the game !!

 

[Gigantic]

How good is Damien Cook!

 

[Aucklander]

Good game in Manly. Storm coming back after a slow start.

 

[Aucklander]

They've hit the front.

 

[Aucklander]

Maybe not

 

[Aucklander]

Unlucky penalty against Manly and the Storm lead.

 

[Aucklander]

Panic footy by the Eagles and the Storm should win.

 

[BrisLion]

McCullough vs Luke exciting

 

[kickthething]

Whinging about accidental offside .... the Manly player takes deliberate possession of the ball in an offside position,it can’t be accidental. The accidental rule is where a player contacts the ball offside like a kicker kicking it and some boofhead in his own team gets in the way etc. Ithink the ruling, whilst unfortunate, was right.

 

[Aucklander]

Bonus 2 points thanks very much.

 

[Gigantic]

Haha go tigers!

Some good results this weekend. Souths now clear top of the table

 

[Aucklander]

Just about seen it all now. Outrageous decision to award the Roosters a try against the Titans. Every single match official should be fired.

 

[Aucklander]

Oh dear. Two major screw ups. Feel sorry for the Titans.

 

[Jatz]

Thank god we hung on against the Eels! Was great to see Junior back but my goodness, that was not one for the purists.

 

[kickthething]

Just about seen it all now. Outrageous decision to award the Roosters a try against the Titans. Every single match official should be fired.

no doubt, start with the ref who also thought it a try....this should never have been reviewed. This decision was so blatantly wrong it was not funny and Trent Robinson should of confirmed he thought it was not a try rather than try to justify it....absolute proof people officiating the game have very little feel for the game. Harrigan, Hartely, Danzey, Stone, Roberts etc etc would not for a split second considered anything other than a no try. Even Barry Gommersall would have rules against the Maroons with that one thinking there would be now way you could get away with awarding it. At best, incompetence, at worst...shades of IPL.

 

[NSWCROW]