#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round 15
Uncle Ivan's favourite nephews.
Rabbitohs vs Titans
The 13
Rabbitohs: Bryson Goodwin.
Titans: Konrad Hurrell, Nathaniel Peteru, Kevin Proctor, Leivaha Pulu.
Bench
Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove.
Titans: Eddy Pettybourne, Paterika Vaivai.
Doc's Word
Kevin Proctor returns to the Titans to start on the edge, allowing Chris McQueen to slide into the halves. Gold Coast have given Joe Greenwood an edge spot in Proctor's absence, so how coach Neil Henry juggles a trio of edge forwards will be interesting but Proctor should be a certain selection. There's also a sneaky start for Nathaniel Peteru at prop in the absence of Jarrod Wallace and Peteru has been promoted to start ahead of a few other handy candidates.
Peteru will start against the Burgess bros and this will be a good test for Peteru as he's been restricted to an impact role off the bench in the past and will have to lead the Titans in aggression and enthusiasm.
Storm vs Cowboys
The 13
Storm: Tohu Harris, Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich.
Cowboys: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench
Storm: Brandon Smith, Jeremy Hawkins, Jahrome Hughes.
Cowboys: Braden Uele, Kalyn Ponga.
Doc's Word
Melbourne have named their full Kiwi Storm Gang, although outside back Jeremy Hawkins and fullback/half Jahrome Hughes feature on the extended bench and are unlikely to play. To cover their Origin losses, Tohu Harris will start at centre in another example of his unique abilities while there's also another sneaky starting spot for Nelson Asofa-Solomona as he'll start alongside Jesse Bromwich. Peteru isn't as big, nor as skillful as Asofa-Solomona but this weekend they'll both get a chance to impress from the opening whistle and whether Asofa-Solomona can provide his usual dose of efficient brutality starting as he does coming off the bench, could offer insight into his long-term potential.
Slade Griffin will start at hooker for Melbourne with Brandon Smith coming off the bench and any chance to watch Smith's power out of dummy half can't be missed.
Sharks vs Tigers
The 13
Sharks: Gerard Beale, Sosaia Feki, Fa'amanu Brown, Sam Tagataese.
Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Tuimoala Lolohea, Matt McIwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Elijah Taylor.
Bench
Sharks: Haters.
Tigers: Esan Marsters, Watson Heleta.
Doc's Word
Either team has a solid halfback who will handle the organisation duties, they also have two talented #KiwiNRL halves in Fa'amanu Brown and Tuimoala Lolohea playing in No.6 jerseys. We've seen their respective talents on display before, however Brown only gets a chance during Origin and Lolohea is still settling into his new club. They're likely to line up opposite each other with Lolohea playing down the Tigers right and Brown down the Sharks' left, giving us a beautiful #KiwiNRL battle.
Elijah Taylor has been named as skipper for Wests Tigers, so shout out to him and there's also Watson Heleta on an extended Tigers bench; he's a former Junior Kiwi out of Otahuhu and can cover any outside back position.
Eels vs Dragons
The 13
Eels: Brad Takairangi, Kirisome Auva'a, Manu Ma'u.
Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Russell Packer.
Bench
Eels: Suaia Matagi, Kenny Edwards, Marata Niukore.
Dragons: Leeson Ah Mau, Taane Milne.
Doc's Word
Another game chocka-block with #KiwiNRL funk and my focus will be on Suaia Matagi and Kenny Edwards on the Eels bench and Leeson Ah Mau and Taane Milne on the Dragos bench. Matagi and Ah Mau are very different middle forwards but they add plenty off the bench and who can offer the greater impact around the 25min mark will be crucial, while Edwards and Milne add all sorts of attacking spunk.
Edwards is far more likely to play more minutes than Milne and his footwork back through the middle of the field could trouble the big Dragons forward pack. Milne demands selection and is an x-factor for the Dragons as he's big, quick and can offloads with ease. Keep an eye on Kirisome Auva'a as well, he had been playing centre and with Corey Norman returning, Clint Gutherson has moved back to centre pushing Auva'a to wing. Michael Jennings is nearing a return, so Auva'a could be the unlucky bloke to miss out but he's done a fine job in returning to the NRL with Parramatta.
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