Raiders vs Sea Eagles

The 13

Raiders: Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine.

Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau.

Bench

Raiders: Iosia Soliola, Makahesi Makatoa.

Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake.

Doc's Word

Joseph Tapine is on the brink of a Kiwis spot for the Anzac Test and he just needs to put a few more impressive performances up to earn a bench spot. The battle between Tapine and Martin Taupau in the middle will be funk as well, they are of course two T's the a possible quartet of Kiwis T's (Tapine, Taupau, Taumalolo, Taukeiaho).

Rabbitohs vs Broncos

The 13

Rabbitohs: Siosifa Talakai.

Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Adam Blair.

Bench

Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove.

Broncos: Alex Glenn, Herman Ese'ese, Jamayne Isaako.

Doc's Word

Watch out for Alex Glenn in this contest as his mobility and power could pose a few problems for the size in the Rabbitohs pack. Like Tapine, Glenn is sniffing around for a Kiwis spot and that will demand Glenn's best.

Jamayne Isaako is obviously impressing Wayne Bennett by getting selected on those big ol' benches, he's named at fullback for Souths Logan though so he's only getting an NRL debut via injuries. Isaako is definitely one to watch out for and I continue to keep tabs on him.

Ees vs Panthers

The 13

Eels: Josh Hoffman, Brad Takairangi, Suaia Matagi, Manu Ma'u.

Panthers: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris.

Bench

Eels: Kenny Edwards, Marata Niukore.

Panthers: Peta Hiku, Moses Leota, Corey Harawira-Naera, Sitaleki Akauola.

Doc's Word

Peta Hiku is back in the No.14 jersey and we should expect him to share minutes with James Fisher-Harris on the Panthers' right edge. Hiku and Fisher-Harris are outside chances of making this Kiwis squad; it's hard to see Fisher-Harris getting in with so much depth and Hiku's utility value could work in his favour.

The battles for Kiwis spots don't stop there though as Josh Hoffman, Brad Takairangi, Suaia Matagi and Manu Ma'u will all be eager to put their best foot/feet forward. Takairangi could be one to watch for a possible centre spot, while Ma'u is already starting on the Kiwis edge for me right now.

Dean Whare's got a centre spot locked down, however Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Te Maire Martin aren't much more than outside chances of Kiwis selection. Especially given how their Panthers are truckin' along.

Cowboys vs Knights

The 13

Cowboys: Kalyn Ponga, Jason Taumalolo.

Knights: Danny Levi.

Bench

Cowboys: Braden Uele.

Knights: Haters.

Doc's Word

One eye on Kalyn Ponga, one eye on Danny Levi. These two will combine at Newcastle next season and watching them do battle will be fun, but keep the future in mind.

Jason Taumalolo put up his first non-200m game of the season last week against the Dragons and without Jonathan Thurston, Taumalolo needs to be at his very best.

Sharks vs Titans

The 13 

Sharks: Sosaia Feki.

Titans: Haters.

Bench

Sharks: Sam Tagataese, Fa'amanu Brown.

Titans: Paterika Vaivai, Leivaha Pulu, Konrad Hurrell, Kevin Proctor.

Doc's Word

Don't judge the Titans on what they are doing right now as they need to get a gang of troops back on the field. Konrad Hurrell and Kevin Proctor could come back this weekend and while Hurrell has been bubblin' when on the field this season, the Titans need him boiling.

Tigers vs Bulldogs

The 13

Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam, Matt McIlwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Josh Aloiai, Elijah Taylor.

Bulldogs: Greg Eastwood.

Bench

Tigers: Haters.

Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Francis Tualau, Renouf To'omaga, Reimis Smith.

Doc's Word

In keeping with the context of the Anzac Test, you'd struggle to make a case for these #KiwiNRL Tigers to make the Kiwis team but in yet another mark of our depth, these lads would be in contention for a 'B' team. The likes of Matt McIlwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Josh Aloiai and Elijah Taylor have plenty of improvement and development left in their careers as well.

Roosters vs Dragons

The 13

Roosters: Joseph Manu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Liu.

Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer.

Bench

Roosters: Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Dragons: Leeson Ah Mau, Taane Milne.

Doc's Word

Ah the mayhem! I'll touch on a few of these blokes in today's #KiwiNRL Stocks because Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Liu, Russell Packer and Sio Siua Taukeiaho are all there as capable Kiwis forwards. That offers a brutal battle through the middle in this game though as the battle between Waerea-Hargreaves and Packer will not only be entertaining, but also go a long way to deciding which team enjoys control of the middle.

Still holding on to some hope that we are graced with a Joseph Manu vs Taane Milne match up at centre as well, unlikely but here's to hope.

Storm vs Warriors

The 13

Storm: Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich.

Warriors: All but Blake Ayshford, Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman.

Bench

Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Warriors: Everyone.

Doc's Word

On the surface, Jesse Bromwich hasn't enjoyed the same headline status as recent seasons in the opening stanza of 2017. However, the best prop in the world is averaging 108.6m/per-game and is touching on that magical 10m/per-carry mark, averaging 9.87m/per-carry. Last week against Manly he played 54 minutes and averaged 10.26m/per-carry through 15 carries, which should remind everyone why the Manurewa Marlins junior is the best.

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