#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round 14
Taumalolo who?
Sharks vs Storm
The 13
Sharks: Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale.
Storm: Tohu Harris, Jesse Bromwich.
Bench
Sharks: Sam Tagataese.
Storm: Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Doc's Word
With Cooper Cronk out injured, Tohu Harris has been named to start in the halves. Melbourne have Cameron Smith and Billy Slater who will both take on far more ball-playing responsibility, expect Smith to do much of Harris' kicking for him and this could work out nicely for Melbourne as Harris will defend in Cronk's edge spot, giving the Storm another big body to stop Cronulla's rugged forward pack. Cronulla will know that they can put more pressure on the likes of Smith and Slater, which will give Harris a few interesting options and Warriors fans should definitely tune into this game to see what Harris is fully capable of.
Sea Eagles vs Knights
The 13
Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau.
Knights: Danny Levi.
Bench
Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake.
Knights: Haters.
Doc's Word
Forget Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau is sitting on top of the Kiwi Beast throne at the moment as he's rolling through big minutes, big metres and splashes of funk with offloads. Taupau has played less than 50 minutes a game just once this season and funnily enough that game was one of two games in which he has run for less than 150m; the other game being the season opener in which he ran for 102 off just 9 carries. With five games in a row where he's put up over 50 minutes, 15 carries and 150m, Taupau has also squeezed out 26 offloads in those five games. The season opener was the only game in which Taupau had less than 3 offloads.
Broncos vs Rabbitohs
The 13
Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Adam Blair.
Rabbitohs: Bryson Goodwin.
Bench
Broncos: Alex Glenn, Herman Ese'ese, Kodi Nikorima, Benji Marshall.
Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove.
Doc's Word
There's been plenty of talk about where Benji Marshall fits in after Whakatane's finest put up a few solid performances around game on of Origin. Marshall finds him unlikely to play this week and he should settle back into reserve grade, doing exactly what Wayne Bennett signed him to do. Having Marshall around ensures that the Broncos have a veteran play-maker to step in when needed while other clubs turn to youngsters and Marshall is not only showing that he's still capable of doing a fine job at this level, but he's being a GC in the process; simply doing what is asked of him.
Titans vs Warriors
The 13
Titans: Konrad Hurrell, Leivaha Pulu.
Warriors: All but Blake Ayshford, Jacob Lillyman, Ryan Hoffman.
Bench
Titans: Paterika Vaivai, Agnatius Paasi, Nathaniel Peteru, Eddy Pettybourne.
Warriors: All dem boys.
Doc's Word
While Warriors fans will have to tune into the Storm's game to catch a glimpse of Tohu Harris in the halves, they'll see first-hand what fellow new recruit Leivaha Pulu can do as he'll start at lock. I'm intrigued by the presence of Agnatius Paasi on the extended bench and he could sneak on to the bench come game time, giving Gold Coast their full contingent of tokos. Gold Coast already look solid and with Paasi back in the mix they'll have close to their best team together again.
Panthers vs Raiders
The 13
Panthers: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Corey Harawira-Naera.
Raiders: Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola.
Bench
Panthers: Sitaleki Akauola, Sione Katoa, Moses Leota, Peta Hiku.
Raiders: Joseph Tapine.
Doc's Word
Corey Harawira-Naera has signed a new deal with Penrith and while it may look like there's plenty of #KiwiNRL funk on Penrith's bench, all four of those players named have been named on the extended bench. That means that we could see a Penrith team with just three cuzzies/tokos/usos in it and that's gotta be a season low for the Panthers. I celebrated Benji Marshall's veteran presence up in Brisbane and Canberra have their own veteran who does whatever is required of him in Iosia Soliola. He'll start at prop, which isn't too different from his usual job but don't sleep on how important someone like Soliola is to their club.
Eels vs Cowboys
The 13
Eels: Brad Takairangi, Kirisome Auva'a, Suaia Matagi, Manu Ma'u.
Cowboys: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench
Eels: Kenny Edwards, Marata Niukore.
Cowboys: Kalyn Ponga.
Doc's Word
Manu Ma'u once again showed off his versatility last week as he moved to centre to cover a few injuries, but Eels coach Brad Arthur will be hoping to enjoy a settled team against the Cowboys. Nathan Brown's got everyone buzzing thanks to his rugged style and nimble feet, so how he deals with Jason Taumalolo, or how Jason Taumalolo goes about stamping his mark on the middle of the field will be very interesting. Not only is that a juicy match up, but Taumalolo has to put this Cowboys forward pack on his back and lead the way against Parramatta, or else they'll end up grinding away with an Eels team who will eat that grind up.
Tigers vs Roosters
The 13
Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam, Tuimoala Lolohea, Matt McIlwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Elijah Taylor.
Roosters: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Bench
Tigers: Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.
Roosters: Isaac Liu.
Doc's Word
The No.13 match up flows nicely from last week as Sio Siua Taukeiaho as another #KiwiNRL battle, this time against a fellow Warriors junior in Elijah Taylor. They have contrasting styles so expect Taylor to do a lot more ball-playing than Taukeiaho, while Taukeiaho will be a menace with his power and footwork. Both teams have #KiwiNRL centres and although I doubt we'll see Michael Chee-Kam and Joseph Manu line up against each other, they'll have their defensive nous seriously tested as Chee-Kam will come up against Latrell Mitchell and Manu will have to stop Moses Suli.
Bulldogs vs Dragons
The 13
Bulldogs: Chase Stanley.
Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer.
Bench
Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Greg Eastwood, Francis Tualau.
Dragons: Leeson Ah Mau, Taane Milne, Kalifa Faifai Loa.
Doc's Word
Chase Stanley makes a surprise return to the NRL at centre, while #KiwiNRL centre Taane Milne has forced Dragons coach Paul McGregor to select him on the bench. Milne is off to Wests Tigers next season as the Dragons have plenty of depth in their outside backs and Milne can't get a start even with Euan Aitken out. That Milne is still getting a gig on the bench is just as good though as he continues to take whatever game time he can get and do something positive with it.
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