Brad Arthur has a four-way race on his hands after an injury to key prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard after a Payne Haas hip drop.
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga could make his first starting appearance in Round 9 after he was moved back to the bench in a late switch.
Meanwhile, Kevin Walters has a big selection headache with two key stars out suspended.
Read on for Round 9’s Team Tips.
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THURSDAY APRIL 27
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys 7.50pm at PointsBet 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: The Sharks got through Round 8 unscathed but will have to wait another week until skipper Dale Finucane returns from suspension. Cameron McInnes will almost certainly wear the No.13 again after a solid outing, making 38 tackles.
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: Gun backrower Jeremiah Nanai suffered injuries to his shoulder and neck against the Knights, however the reigning Dally M Rookie of the Year played on and should be fit for Round 9.Todd Payten only used 15 players against Newcastle, with both Tom Chester and Mitch Dunn remaining on the bench for the full 80 minutes. North Queensland got a crucial win and Payten is unlikely to make any changes to his bench, whilst he also once again shifted Jake Granville into the starting team an hour before kick-off in place of Reuben Cotter. Payten will likely employ that tactic again in Round 9, opting to keep Cotter on the field once he enters the game. Murray Taulagi also escaped suspension for a late tackle on Dane Gagai and Gehamat Shibasaki (hamstring) is due to return but won’t force his way into the backline.
FRIDAY APRIL 28
Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights 6pm at CommBank Stadium
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 21. Bailey Simonsson 4. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Matt Doorey
Team Tips: Brad Arthur is set to be without gun prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard for an extended period after an ugly hip drop tackle from Payne Haas injured his groin. Speaking in the post-match press conference he said Wiremu Greig will be the man to come into the starting side, with Makahesi Makatoa, Jack Murchie, Ky Rodwell and Jirah Momoisea all potential replacements on the bench. Makatoa is the most senior of the group, while Murchie and Momoisea both joined in the off-season. Rodwell has the least NRL appearances to his name and Makatoa or Murchie could be Arthur’s replacement. Meanwhile outside back Bailey Simonsson, who was a late inclusion for Haze Dunster, suffered an ugly head knock and will be stood down 11 days under the NRL’s concussion policy. Dunster is the likely man to take his place, with Sean Russell shifting into the centres.
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 14. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 6. Kalyn Ponga 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Jack Hetherington
Team Tips: Coach Adam O’Brien pulled a late switch by moving Kalyn Ponga to the bench and Tyson Gamble to the starting five-eighth position. Otherwise the Knights will likely field the same 17 with Adam Elliott still a number of weeks away whilst dealing with a groin injury.
Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs 8pm at Suncorp Stadium
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau
Team Tips: Broncos coach Kevin Walters has a huge headache on his hands with two key players, Ezra Mam and Payne Haas, suspended for ugly hip drop tackles. Off-season recruit Jock Madden could make his club debut in the No.6 jersey, or Walters could take a left-field approach to replace his gun playmaker. Billy Walters could slot into the halves alongside Reynolds, with Cory Paix taking over in the No.9 jersey and Blake Mozer earning his NRL debut. Meanwhile, Corey Jensen will slot into the front row in Haas’ absence and Keenan Palasia will likely return onto the bench.
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 18. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 16. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 10. Thomas Burgess 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Davvy Moale
Team Tips: Jason Demetriou’s side got through their Round 8 win over the reigning premiers unscathed and will likely welcome back Liam Knight and Tevita Tatola from their respective knee injuries. Knight has been out for over 12 months and Demetriou may opt to bring him back via reserve grade. Meanwhile, if deemed fit Tatola will slot into the front row in place of Hame Sele, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita the man to drop off the bench.
Phins pull off comeback from 26 nil down | 02:10
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SATURDAY APRIL 29
Canberra Raiders vs The Dolphins 3pm at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga
Round 7 Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 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
Team Tips: The Raiders enjoyed the bye in Round 8 and are set to welcome back some troops ahead of their clash with the Dolphins. Jordan Rapana is set to take Albert Hopoate’s spot on the wing or could replace Sebastian Kris at fullback, with Kris switching into the centres in place of veteran Jarrod Croker. Fox Sports understands Ricky Stuart also asked young gun Xavier Savage where he wanted to play on his return via NSW Cup two weeks ago. Savage said he wanted to feature on the wing to build his confidence before his NRL return and to be eased back into contact after he broke his jaw in the club’s first trial match. He scored within six minutes of kick-off in that game and is nearing a first grade return. Young gun Chevy Stewart has been wearing the No.1 jersey for the Raiders after starting the year in S.G Ball. He was propelled into reserve grade and recently signed a four-year contract according to The Daily Telegraph.
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. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe
Team Tips: Winger Tesi Niu could make a return after being sidelined with a knee injury. He would take Robert Jennings’ place. Kenny Bromwich also returns from suspension, likely shifting Conelly Lemuelu back to the bench or slotting into the front row in Herman Ese’ese’s place. Kurt Donoghoe looked the likely candidate to drop out of the team.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans 5.30pm at 4 Pines Park
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Samuela Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley
Team Tips: Tom Trbojevic’s fitness has once again come under the microscope after he left the field in the 70th minute with a groin complaint against the Tigers. Coach Anthony Seibold said in the postmatch press conference the club’s medical staff don’t believe the injury is “serious”. He also said the club took the cautious approach and he could have remained on the field. If he is ruled out, Reuben Garrick will take his spot at fullback with Christian Tuipulotu coming into the side on return from a knee injury. Brad Parker also left the field with a knee injury and is set for a stint on the sidelines, with scans needed to confirm the extent of the injury. Seibold will be hoping Tolu Koula is fit, with a Round 10 return scheduled from a knee injury. Otherwise debutant Samuela Fainu could be forced into the centres, after he was shifted into the outside backs in Round 8. Fainu is a backrower or prop by trade, so Manly may opt to pick Kaeo Weekes instead. Meanwhile, Kelma Tuilagi is also due to return from a head knock and will start in place of Ethan Bullemor. Bullemor will then likely force Fainu from the bench if the young gun isn’t needed elsewhere.
Last week’s Titans team: 21. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 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 1. Jayden Campbell 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Thomas Mikaele
Team Tips: AJ Brimson made his return at fullback, with Jayden Campbell shifting to the utility role. Brimson was electric for a half, but was equally quiet in the second period. Campbell only featured for eight minutes and Justin Holbrook needs to find a way to inject the impressive young gun into the contest.
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers 7.35pm at Carrington Park, Bathurst
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 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 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon
Team Tips: Gun halfback Nathan Cleary carried a groin niggle into Round 8 and gave up his goalkicking duties. He will almost certainly be fit for Round 9. Winger Sunia Turuva also rolled his ankle and left the field in the 73rd minute against the Rabbitohs, but he remains a strong chance of taking the field next round. Meanwhile, Liam Martin’s return date remains unclear, while Scott Sorensen started in the backrow as Luke Garner returned via NSW Cup. Coach Ivan Cleary has a big headache on his hands and could reintroduce the off-season recruit, shifting Sorensen back to the bench in place of Lindsay Smith.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 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 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 22. Jake Simpkin
Team Tips: Coach Tim Sheens said Brent Naden is due to return from a collarbone injury in Round 9 and the former Panther will likely replace Starford To’a in the backline. Meanwhile, Sheens also said Shawn Blore had a strong game after being dropped to NSW Cup and he could return via the bench in place of Tommy Talau.
Saab and Sea Eagles break Tiger hearts | 00:35
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SUNDAY APRIL 30
New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters 2pm at Mt Smart Stadium
Last week’s Warriors team: To come.
Team Tips: To come.
Last week’s Roosters team: To come.
Team Tips: To come.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 4.05pm at WIN Stadium
Last week’s Dragons team: To come.
Team Tips: To come.
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Declan Casey 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Sutton
Team Tips: Coach Cameron Ciraldo said both Franklin Pele and Fa’amanu Brown are doubtful to return and the club could take a cautious approach after respective elbow and arm injuries. Both players would take up bench spots if fit and would likely replace Josh Reynolds and Andrew Davey. He also said he was happy with Matt Burton’s switch to halfback and the marquee man will remain in the No.7 jumper in a bid to get his hands on the ball.
Bye: Melbourne Storm
