Storm vs Cowboys

Storm

Starting: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich, Sam Kasiano/Brandon Smith.

Cowboys

Starting: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.

Bench/Extended Bench: Te Maire Martin.

Doc's Word

Keep an eye on a shift to fullback for Michael Morgan, thus allowing Te Maire Martin to play in the halves with Ben Hampton as the bench utility. Hampton is better suited to that role than Martin and also pay close attention to Nelson Asofa-Solomona late in the game, or whenever Sam Kasiano comes on for Melbourne Storm as this usually means a move to right edge for Nasty NAS.

Bulldogs vs Panthers

Bulldogs

Starting: Jeremy Marshall-King, Kieran Foran, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

Bench/Extended Bench: Fa'amanu Brown/Francis Tualau, Renouf To'omaga.

Panthers

Starting: Dean Whare.

Bench/Extended Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera, James Fisher-Harris/Sione Katoa, Nick Lui-Toso, Jarome Luai.

Doc's Word

Panthers winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been ruled out for a few weeks with a broken jaw, joining Sam McKendry in the rehab group after McKendry suffered another long-term injury. The first two rounds for Penrith have seen coach Anthony Griffin bump James Fisher-Harris to the starting team after being named on the bench, Fisher-Harris starts at right edge and then moves to the middle of the park later on when Viliame Kikau comes off the bench to play on the left edge - after making way for Fisher-Harris in the starting team.

This is a weird rotation and I'll be interested to see how long it continues, yet it has seen Fisher-Harris shine as one of the Panthers best forwards. The young Northlander went toe-to-toe with the Burgess bros last week and he is likely to play a key role once again in countering the Bulldogs middle forwards this week; look for Fisher-Harris to make a point of going after Aaron Woods and David Klemmer.

The Bulldogs have graced us with a rare #KiwiNRL moment as Jeremy Marshall-King slots into the halves alongside Kieran Foran and that folks is an all-#KiwiNRL halves combo. Just let that sink in - two Kiwis eligible halves starting in an NRL team - and know that the #KiwiNRL takeover is simmering away, not quite boiling over but heating up.

We haven't seen Marshall-King operate in the halves as he was a hooker in his debut for the Tigers last year and came off the bench for the Bulldogs in the first two rounds there also. This gives us our first glimpse at Marshall-King as a half and given the change was made after a two Bulldogs losses, there's a chance for Marshall-King and Foran to build a long-term tandem. 

The promotion of Marshall-King also means that Fa'amanu Brown comes on to the bench. Brown has been playing at hooker in reserve grade and will likely play 10-20 minutes in giving Michael Lichaa a spell. What's funky here is that Brown also plays in the halves and if the Marshall-King experiment doesn't work out, we at least have another #KiwiNRL half waiting for his shot.

Tigers vs Broncos

Tigers

Starting: Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Benji Marshall, Russell Packer, Pita Godinet, Ben Matulino.

Bench/Extended Bench: Matt McIlwrick, Michael Chee Kam, Josh Aloiai/Taane Milne.

Broncos

Starting: Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.

Doc's Word

Can Benji lead his Tigers to another big win?

Benji has always been must-watch viewing, only that now it's because of the leadership and class that he is playing with. His combination with Esan Marsters on the right edge is part of this as Marsters has been delightful in the opening two games (footwork and offloads) and it's Benji who is usually giving him the footy, or playing off of a Marsters offload.

Elijah Taylor is out injured, which doesn't do anything to the Tigers' #KiwiNRL numbers. Josh Aloiai has slid back into their top 17 and Michael Chee Kam is also on the bench; Aloiai can play middle and edge, Chee Kam is more suited to the edge but could do some middle things also.

For those who don't know: Aloiai is one of my favourite young #KiwiNRL forwards. He's super powerful with footwork and I reckon Aloiai's inclusion will add even more enthusiasm, energy and oomph to this Tigers pack.

Jordan Kahu also suffered a broken jaw. That's three #KiwiNRL outside backs who have suffered broken jaws in the first three rounds of footy; Kahu, Watene-Zelezniak and Sione Katoa (on debut). Wtf.

With Jack Bird likely to make a return, Kahu's pain is an unfortunate gain for Jamayne Isaako. Kahu would have probably moved to the wing with Bird playing left centre, but now Isaako will keep his left wing spot and also take over the goal-kicking duties from Kahu.

Raiders vs Warriors

Raiders

Starting: Siliva Havili, Iosia Soliola.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Joseph Tapine, Ata Hingano.

Warriors

Starting: All but Blake Green.

Bench/Extended Bench: All them boys.

Doc's Word

Joseph Tapine is lurking on an extended bench, poised to make his return for the Raiders. Tapine is far more likely to play than Ata Hingano, although the presence of Hingano is obviously interesting given that the Raiders haven't quite locked down their play-making roles this season.

Blake Austin has slid back to the bench and Aidan Sezer has spent time at hooker and it's a hot mess. Hopefully none of this has much of an impact on Siliva Havili starting at hooker and those throughout Aotearoa, or our cousins in Tonga would be advised to keep close tabs on how Sezer, Austin and Sam Williams perform; another lacklustre effort from them would be good news for Hingano.

The Warriors will roll out a top 17 featuring just one Australian for the third week in a row.

Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles

Rabbitohs

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Super haters.

Sea Eagles

Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.

Bench/Extended Bench: 

Doc's Word

I can't fuck with the Rabbitohs while they continue to lack any #KiwiNRL funk and the Martin Taupau/Addin Fonua-Blake (+ Jake Trbojevic) combo will dominate the Rabbitohs through the middle.

Eels vs Sharks

Eels

Starting:  Josh Hoffman, Kirisome Auva'a, Manu Ma'u.

Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Edwards, Suaia Matagi/Peni Terepo.

Sharks

Starting: Sosaia Feki.

Bench/Extended Bench: Ava Seumanufagai.

Doc's Word

Brad Takairangi is out injured and Kenny Edwards gets his bench spot, which could benefit the Eels as Edwards plays with nek-level energy and offers a range of skills as an edge forward. Peni Terepo also creeps on to an extended bench and there will a funky match up between Josh Hoffman and Sosaia Feki on the flank (or Kirisome Auva'a vs Feki).

Titans vs Dragons

Titans

Starting: Kevin Proctor.

Bench/Extended Bench: 

Dragons

Starting: Jason Nightingale.

Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau.

Doc's Word

Not much happening here from a #KiwiNRL perspective, although this game does offer a fair amount of general intrigue. Everyone is loving the Dragons right now and the Titans are coming a loss to the Warriors, they do get Ash Taylor and Jarrod Wallace back which will make a big difference and I wouldn't be surprised if they get an upset win.

Roosters vs Knights

Roosters

Starting: Joseph Manu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.

Bench/Extended Bench: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves/Frank-Paul Nuuausala.

Knights

Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Slade Griffin.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Danny Levi.

Doc's Word

Joseph Manu will line up against Tautau Moga and this will present a lovely centre battle and we're obviously going to be rocking with Manu. The footwork of Manu could trouble Moga, while Moga has the size advantage and Manu's defence will be heavily tested by Moga; not just Manu's physical tackling ability but also in his defensive reads as Kalyn Ponga features heavily down Newcastle's left edge.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa swap starting/bench spots, which I think is a case of using Napa's size and energy to dominate the opening 20 minutes against a smaller Knights pack. 

This will also offer a nice gauge of how Slade Griffin is tracking. He'll come up against a more fancied hooker in Jake Friend and will also have Waerea-Haregreaves, Napa, Taukieaho, Cordner and Tetevano keeping him busy. Griffin has been impressive in the opening two rounds and if he can continue that against the Roosters, he'll level up as a #KiwiNRL hooker.

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.

No need to make any changes this week as everyone is healthy and playing decent footy. I'm giving Kieran Foran some respect as a #KiwiNRL half and allowing him time to suss things out in the halves for the Jahtearoa Prems. This is largely because I don't view the Bulldogs problems or lack of form as being his fault, nor do I think he is playing poorly and he's more a victim of circumstance. 

The Bulldogs have a new coach, couple of new players and positional switches and generally weren't very good last season. Thus resulting in a slow start to their season and I don't actually think they'll finish in the top 8, if they do it'll be as the #7/8 seed. As long as Foran is doing his job and maintaining a high level of play, he'll have keep his spot here and his selection is not dependent on Bulldogs results.

Jahtearoa Premiers Training Squad

Sosaia Feki (T), Joseph Manu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jamayne Isaako, Antonio Winterstein (S).

Te Maire Martin, Slade Griffin.

James Gavet, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Kevin Proctor, James Fisher-Harris, Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaac Liu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho (T).

In: Jamayne Isaako, Antonio Winterstein, Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaac Liu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Out: Jordan Kahu, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Brad Takairangi, Elijah Taylor, Manu Ma'u (T).
 
Injuries mean big changes to the Training Squad. Despite leading the NRL in errors, I've promoted Jamayne Isaako to cover Jordan Kahu's absence and my bias has me overlooking Isaako's errors for the class he has shown at various stages throughout his short career. I also love Antonio Winterstein and his steady nature on the Cowboys wing has me rolling with him to replace Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Brad Takairangi and Elijah Taylor are out via injury, while Manu Ma'u is a casualty of the Eels huge loss to Manly Sea Eagles. Jarryd Hayne was the only Eels player to miss more tackles than Ma'u in that loss (5 and 4), although this is more about a shake up after such a bonkers loss. 

Addin Fonua-Blake obviously benefits from that result, while Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Isaac Liu were fabulous for the Roosters vs Bulldogs; Taukeiaho had 10runs/121m and Liu 11runs/113m. I expect Ma'u to earn a recall with a typically dominant performance this week and the three young bucks will be competing to hold on to their spots, Kevin Proctor could be in danger as well.

Reserve Grade Kiwis

New South Wales

Team Of The Week

Hayze Perham: Warriors - 2 tries, 151m 2LB, 9TB - 2nd selection.
Brad Abbey: Mounties - 2 tries, 131m, 1TA, 3TB - centre, but fullback for Mounties.
Greg Eastwood: Bulldogs - 124m, 20tkl, 48mins - middle.
Manase Fainu: Sea Eagles - 1 try, 2TA, 2LBA, 1LB, 5TB, 197kick metres, 2OL, 29tkl - bench utility, but hooker for Sea Eagles.

Greg Eastwood starting for the Bulldogs again, forming a ruthless middle combo with Renouf To'omaga.

Another veteran Frank-Paul Nuuausala is named to start for Wyong Roos.

Beastly Junior Kiwis winger Greg Leleisiuao to start for Wentworthville (Eels).

Queensland

Moeaki Fotuaika starts in the middle and Lamar Manuel-Liolevave on an edge for Tweed Heads (Titans). Fotuaika is a prospect for the Titans and Junior Kiwi, Liolevave is a reserve grade soldier and former JK.

Former Junior Warriors Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Sheldon Pitama will play against each other. Tuimavave-Gerrard comes off the bench for Wynnum (Broncos) and Pitama off the bench for Redcliffe (Broncos).

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Peace and love 27.