Shock Hunt call Hook must consider; Roosters face reshuffle amid double blow: Team Tips

Shock Hunt call Hook must consider; Roosters face reshuffle amid double blow: Team Tips

The Broncos welcome back two big guns from suspension in Payne Haas and Ezra Mam for their clash with Manly.

Meanwhile, injuries to Brandon Smith and Paul Momirovski could force a Roosters reshuffle and Tom Trbojevic is set to take off in Magic Round.

Read on for all of the latest team news ahead of Magic Round.

Round 9

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Resilient Roosters grind out win in NZ | 00:54

FRIDAY

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders 6pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Declan Casey 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Burton 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 9. Reed Mahoney 25. Harrison Edwards 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Samuel Hughes 20. Karl Oloapu 19. Fa’amanu Brown

Team Tips: Winger Braidon Burns was clearly nursing a leg injury against the Dragons on Sunday but played through. Speaking in the post-match press conference Cameron Ciraldo said his performance was “outstanding” but conceded he was unsure if he will spend any time on the sidelines. Jayden Okunbor could be the man to replace him on the wing if he is ruled out. Gun outside back Jacob Kiraz is due back in Round 11. Max King was a late scratching against the Dragons with a rib complaint with Harrison Edwards expected to be named in the front row after filling in last week.

Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. James Schiller

Team Tips: The Raiders got through their win over the Dolphins unscathed and with no players due back, Ricky Stuart will likely keep the same 17 for Round 10. However, young gun Xavier Savage could push for a return at fullback after playing in the No.1 jersey in NSW Cup. Savage scored and ran for 145 metres, but Sebastian Kris also had a strong game against Wayne Bennett’s side. Stuart may opt to give his promising fullback more time to acclimatise to contact and keep Kris at the back.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos 8.05pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 19. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Reuben Garrick 4. Morgan Harper 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Woods 20. Samuela Fainu

Team Tips: Josh Schuster won’t feature and Anthony Seibold said the five-eighth will be “a couple of weeks” away from taking the field. But in a huge boost, Tom Trbojevic is a strong chance of returning after he was ruled out with a groin injury. In more good news, Tolu Koula is scheduled to return from a knee injury which will likely see Reuben Garrick shift back to the wing in place of Christian Tuipulotu. Kaeo Weekes could move back to the bench with Trbojevic returning. Brad Parker is out for 3-4 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Keenan Palasia 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau

Team Tips: The Broncos will welcome back two star players from suspension in Round 10 — Payne Haas and Ezra Mam. Haas will take up his spot in the front row, shifting Keenan Palasia back to the bench or out of the team completely if Kevin Walters wants to keep Corey Jensen and Martin Taupau in the front row rotation. Meanwhile, Mam will replace Jock Madden at five-eighth in a straight switch.

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Soni Luke in hot water over hip drop | 03:00

SATURDAY

Warriors vs Penrith Panthers 3pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Warriors team: 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Adam Pompey 17. Viliami Vailea 5. Edward Kosi 6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 12. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 13. Josh Curran 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 18. Demitric Sifakula 22. Kalani Going

Team Tips: Warriors coach Andrew Webster breathed a sigh of relief in the post-match press conference when he realised his team escaped injuries in Round 9. He also revealed Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad won’t return next week. Taine Tuaupiki was initially named at fullback against the Roosters, but was ruled out with a leg injury. The young gun is expected to return in the No.1 jersey, shifting Dallin Watene-Zelezniak back to the wing and Viliami Vailea out of the 17. Brayden Williame could also return for his third game of the season after being sidelined with a calf injury. Meanwhile, Tohu Harris is set to return in a huge boost. New Zealand’s skipper will slot into lock, pushing Addin Fonua-Blake but into the front row, Bunty Afoa onto the bench and Demitric Sifakula out of the team after he made his NRL debut in Round 9.

Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 17. Jaeman Salmon 22. Liam Henry 18. Luke Garner

Team Tips: Front rower Spencer Leniu was a late scratching for the Panthers due to a calf injury and if he returns, he will take Liam Henry’s spot on the bench. James Fisher-Harris is also due to return and could be a straight swap for Matt Eisenhuth who copped a shoulder blow Ivan Cleary described as “not great” in the post-match press conference.

Cronulla Sharks vs The Dolphins 5.30pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton

Team Tips: Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele is set for a four-week sideline stint after a hip-drop tackle caused a grade two medial ligament strain. Royce Hunt will likely take his place in the starting team, while Dale Finucane is set for a timely return from suspension at lock, shifting Cameron McInnes back to the bench. Briton Nikora has been cleared of any serious knee damage and is tipped to back up against the Dolphins.

Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Poasa Faamausili

Team Tips: Centre Brenko Lee is set for a stint on the sidelines after he left the field with a hamstring injury against the Raiders. Tesi Niu could return from a knee injury in the centres, however Bennett may take a cautious approach and ease him back via Queensland Cup. Connelly Lemuelu could shift to the centres or Bennett could hand rugby union convert Valynce Te Whare his debut. The young gun ran for 140 metres, with 63 post-contract metres and a line break against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Meanwhile, Ray Stone has been stood down for 11 days after a head knock, meaning Poasa Faamausili will likely come into the 17.

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs 7.45pm at Suncorp Stadium

Round 8 Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 17. Tariq Sims 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Bronson Garlick 19. Aaron Pene 20. Tyran Wishart

Team Tips: Melbourne enjoyed the bye in Round 9 which could see Eliesa Katoa return from an ugly head knock in Round 8 without missing a game. Tui Kamikamica is one week off coming back from suspension.

Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Jai Arrow 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Davvy Moale 16. Hame Sele 17. Thomas Burgess

Team Tips: The Rabbitohs got through their big win over the Broncos unscathed and Jason Demetriou will likely field the same 17.

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Tigers knock off Panthers to end drought | 07:54

SUNDAY

Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons 1.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 18. Justin Matamua

Team Tips: Asu Kepaoa (illness) is due back but may struggle to force his way back into a winning side. Brandon Tumeth (hamstring) is scheduled to return, but Tim Sheens will be reluctant to change a winning formula.

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Max Feagai 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Michael Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 15. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jack Bird 13. Jack de Belin 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Jacob Liddle 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 20. Billy Burns

Team Tips: Ben Murdoch-Masila was switched to the bench last week, but may again be named to start in the second row, with Jaiyden Hunt named on the bench as he was last week. Anthony Griffin needs to consider moving Ben Hunt to hooker to ignite the team and bring in Jayden Sullivan at halfback, but history shows that he has been reluctant to make that move. Moses Mbye and Jacob Liddle just don’t offer enough threat out of dummyhalf, but Griffin has been stoic in his commitment to Hunt playing in the No.7 jersey.

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys 4pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 17. Matthew Lodge 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Angus Crichton 16. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Sam Walker

Team Tips: Brandon Smith is battling a neck injury that saw him hospitalised, with Jake Turpin a chance to come into the 17 to give him a spell. Paul Momirovski suffered ligament damage to his shoulder with Drew Hutchison likely to switch from bench utility to the centres. Another option would be to recall Sam Walker at halfback and switch Joseph Manu to centre, but that would appear unlikely at this stage. Veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was rested from the Warriors game after failing to recover in time from a back injury, but is expected to come back in for Fletcher Baker.

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jeremiah Nanai 15. Jake Granville 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Tomas Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Mitchell Dunn

Team Tips: Young gun Tom Chester is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury against the Sharks. Skipper Chad Townsend came off against the Sharks with Todd Payten revealing he carried a few niggles into the game and wasn’t risked further as a precaution. Ben Hampton will be on standby for Townsend and is also a chance to take the utility role amid Chester’s injury. Heilum Luki is an outside chance to return from a hamstring injury, but will likely return in Round 11.

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels 6.25pm at Suncorp Stadium

Last week’s Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna 18. Kruise Leeming 19. Aaron Schoupp

Team Tips: AJ Brimson is set to be sidelined for an extended period with a hamstring injury, with Jayden Campbell expected to fill the void at fullback. Kieran Foran battled through the game against his old club Manly, but was battered and bruised and sore and he may be rested in the next couple of weeks due to his age and the long season, but with Toby Sexton still out that may not be this week.

Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 14. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Matt Doorey 17. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Ofahiki Ogden

Team Tips: Ryan Matterson was a late scratching against the Knights due to illness, but should return in the second row against the Titans, with Bryce Cartwright switching to the bench and Ofahiki Ogden dropping out. Bailey Simonsson (concussion) is bidding to return, with Haze Dunster or Sean Russell to make way if he is deemed fit.

Bye: Newcastle Knights