#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round Rua
And Jesse.
Sharks vs Dragons
Sharks
Starting: Sosaia Feki.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Ava Seumanufagai.
Dragons
Starting: Jason Nightingale.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Leeson Ah Mau.
Doc's Word
Sione Katoa got injured in his NRL debut, which is far from ideal. I am however excited about Seumanufagai's impact off the bench as Cronulla don't have much size on their bench and Seumanufagai's minutes will come against a fairly lacklustre Dragons bench that could see him shine with dominant carries either side of half-time.
592 Likes, 14 Comments - Ava Seumanufagai (@ava_seumanufagai) on Instagram: "Honoured to be presented with my club debut jersey. Looking forward to ripping in this year with..."
Roosters vs Bulldogs
Roosters
Starting: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.
Bench/Exteded Bench:
Bulldogs
Starting: Kieran Foran, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Greg Eastwood, Jeremy Marshall-King.
Doc's Word
The Roosters #KiwiNRL middle trio were unable to stay on top of the Tigers middles last week and things don't get any easier coming up against Aaron Woods and David Klemmer. We also have the Foran/Faitala-Mariner combo on the Bulldogs left edge to enjoy and this produced a try early in the loss to Melbourne. Faitala-Mariner is big with footwork and as there will always be a lot of attention on Foran's running game and Moses M'bye out the back, Faitala-Mariner could be set to blossom on that left edge.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Broncos
Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.
3,639 Likes, 48 Comments - Jordan Kahu (@jordan.kahu) on Instagram: "Not the result nor the performance I wanted to deliver! Only just the beginning! #jflay23"
Cowboys
Starting: Antonio Winterstein, Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench/Exteded Bench:
Doc's Word
Michael Morgan is likely to play for the Cowboys, pushing Te Maire Martin back to the bench and that will rob us of a Martin vs Nikorima halves battle. This will again offer some intrigue as to how Martin fits in as a utility - we didn't see that last week - and there is a lot of pressure on Nikorima and the Broncos spine to offer more potency in attack.
Warriors vs Titans
Warriors
Starting: All but Blake Green.
Bench/Exteded Bench: All the boyz.
Titans
Starting: Kevin Proctor.
Bench/Exteded Bench:
Doc's Word
I don't mention Konrad Hurrell in #KiwiNRL matters, however from time to time I may inject a little Koni Files in and his return to Mt Smart is definitely worthy of a mention. Hurrell has consistently been among the Titans best over the past 18 months and he went up a level in the last minute win over Gold Coast, setting the scene for his return.
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Panthers
Starting: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera, Sam McKendry, James Fisher-Harris.
Rabbitohs
Starting:
Bench/Exteded Bench:
Doc's Word
We haven't seen too much of Sam McKendry in recent years, yet in coming off the bench vs Parramatta, he looked fairly decent. Harawira-Naera got limited minutes and I don't expect much more this weekend, the major funk here is that all three of the Panthers #KiwiNRL bench hails from the naughty Northland.
Dean Whare gets an extended bench spot, if he is fit this could come at the expense of Harawira-Naera; Whare replaces Tyrone Peachey, Peachey takes Harawira-Naera's bench spot.
Storm vs Tigers
Storm
Starting: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Kenny Bromwich/Brandon Smith.
Tigers
Starting: Tuimoala Lolohea, Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Benji Marshall, Russell Packer, Pita Godinet, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor.
Bench/Exteded Bench: Matt McIlwrick, Michael Chee Kam/Josh Aloiai.
10.3k Likes, 239 Comments - Benji Marshall (@benji6marshall) on Instagram: "What an absolute honour to wear this jumper again . I missed it !!!!!!! So proud of the boys effort..."
Doc's Word
I was delighted to see Matt McIlwrick promoted to the bench last week and he put in a big shift during the middle period of the game. Josh Reynolds' injury gives Benji Marshall another crack after his dominant performace last week, but I'll be zoned in the battle of the big boppers as Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona line up against Ben Matulino and Russell Packer.
Matulino came off the bench in round one, so that might happen again. This staggered the rotation of Packer and Matulino, ensuring that one of them was on the field most of the time and it worked nicely. Bromwich and Asofa-Solomona are the on par with the Cowboys middle forwards in terms of quality, making this a beauty of a battle.
I'm still on Sam Kasiano watch. He got a cheeky spell off the bench last week and we should expect more minutes this week.
Sea Eagles vs Eels
Sea Eagles
Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.
Bench/Exteded Bench: /Lewis Brown.
Eels
Starting: Josh Hoffman, Kirisome Auva'a, Manu Ma'u
Bench/Exteded Bench: Brad Takairangi, Suaia Matagi/Kenny Edwards.
Doc's Word
Lewis Brown drops out of the top 17 for Manly, replaced by Jackson Hastings after the loss to Newcastle. I'm also liking the low key return of Josh Hoffman on the wing for Parramatta.
Raiders vs Knights
Raiders
Starting: Jordan Rapana, Siliva Havili.
Bench/Extended Bench: Charlie Gubb.
Knights
Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Slade Griffin.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Danny Levi.
Doc's Word
Charlie Gubb gets his first opportunity with Canberra, unfortunately at the expense of Joseph Tapine. Tapine is out injured with a broken finger, so Elliott Whitehead moves to the right edge and thus opening a middle spot in the 17.
Herman Ese'ese and Slade Griffin were among Newcastle's best forwards last week, with Ese'ese especially offering dynamic carries thanks to his footwork; similar-ish to the Jason Taumalolo/Martin Taupau style.
Jahtearoa Premiers
OG Coaches: Benji Marshall (GOAT), Jason Nightingale (Gypsy).
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: David Fusitua (T), Jordan Rapana.
Centres: Esan Marsters (Cook Islands), Peta Hiku
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran.
Middles: Issac Luke, Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Jason Taumalolo (T).
Edges: Tohu Harris, Alex Glenn.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Martin Taupau.
In: Esan Marsters, Peta Hiku and Kenny Bromwich.
Out: Joseph Manu, Jordan Kahu and Joseph Tapine.
Marsters was so impressive in round one that he replaces the other young gun centre Joseph Manu, while Kahu couldn't really fire in a mediocre Broncos team. I think my best centre pairing will ultimately be Kahu and Hiku, I'm just spreading the minutes to give everyone a crack. Bromwich is a straight swap for Tapine who is injured and Bromwich's ability to play edge was the deciding factor in selecting him ahead of Russell Packer.
Jahtearoa Premiers Training Squad.
Sosaia Feki (T), Joseph Manu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jordan Kahu, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Te Maire Martin, Slade Griffin.
James Gavet, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Ma'u, Kevin Proctor, James Fisher-Harris, Brad Takairangi.
Manu and Kahu drop back down to the training squad and James Fisher-Harris is called up to fill Kenny Bromwich's spot.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall is in danger of losing his spot; Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Ken Maumalo, Josh Hoffman and Jamayne Isaako are putting the pressure on.
Reserve Grade Kiwis
New South Wales
Team of the Week: Hayze Perham (Warriors fullback - 17 runs, 159m, 2 TA, 3 LBA, 5 O), Lewis Soosemea (Warriors wing - 3 tries, 12 runs, 140m, 3 LB, 1 O), Agnatius Paasi (Warriors middle - 21 runs, 190m, 2 O, 20 T), Chris Satae (Warriors middle - 15 runs, 185m, 28 T).
Patrick Herbert could line up against Reubenn Rennie in the centres when Herbert's Steelers (Dragons) take on Newtown. Cronulla edge forward Briton Nikoria starts on the edge for Newton as well.
Taane Milne is at centre for Western Suburbs (Tigers).
Dane Aukafolau is at centre for Wentworthville (Eels).
Ata Hingano gets his first start for Mounties (Raiders) at halfback)
Queensland
Former Warrior Sione Lousi is playing with Townsville (Cowboys) and is named to come off the bench again this week.
Henare Wells has found a home with Burleigh (Titans), playing there for a number of years and he now has younger brother Dallas playing in the halves for the Bears.
Jeremy Hawkins starts at centre for Redcliffe (Broncos), having left Melbourne Storm over the summer.
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Peace and love 27.