Cowboys vs Panthers

Cowboys

Starting: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.

Bench/Extended Bench: Te Maire Martin.

Panthers

Starting: Dean Whare.

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

Doc's Word

Depending on how coaches Paul Green and Anthony Griffin juggle the minutes of their middle forwards, we could be treated to intriguing battle between Jason Taumalolo and James Fisher-Harris. Penrith's forwards will be tasked with limiting Taumalolo's impact and Reagan Campbell-Gilliard will handle those duties in the opening exchanges, while Fisher-Harris maintains the aggression in the second wave.

Fisher-Harris could start as he has done a few times this season, either way I'm fizzing to see the impact Fisher-Harris has in slowing Taumalolo down.

2017 Junior Kiwis captain and Samoan international Jarome Luai has been named on the bench for Penrith in the wake of Nathan Cleary's knee injury. Luai can play all spine positions and if the Tyrone Peachey/James Maloney combination doesn't quite gel, Luai is the lad who will benefit the most in Cleary's absence.

Expect Luai to play a bit of dummy half, or he could come on in the halves which would allow Peachey to roam. This also signals that Luai is ahead of former JK and Tongan international Sione Katoa in the Penrith ranks, although that is probably more of a positional thing as Katoa is a hooker/lock and Luai is predominantly a half/fullback.

S Q U A D 🇺🇸 #Big3

454 Likes, 1 Comments - Jarome Luai 🐐 (@jaromeluai_) on Instagram: "S Q U A D 🇺🇸 #Big3"

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs

Rabbitohs

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Bulldogs

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

Bench/Extended Bench: Francis Tualalo, Fa'manu Brown/Renouf To'omaga.

Doc's Word

The developing combination of Jeremy Marshall-King and Kieran Foran is going to demand my attention over the coming weeks, especially with constant noise about the Bulldogs wanting to sign Aiden Sezer. Marshall-King was solid last week in his Bulldogs debut and I view this as a great situation for him as he has the experience of Foran to lean on, as well as Foran, Moses Mbye and Michael Lichaa all having fantastic running abilties.

This allows Marshall-King a tad more time and space. Mbye also had as many kicks as Marshall-King (3) last week, while Foran had 7 kicks and Lichaa had 1 kick; Marshall-King really doesn't have to do too much, just chime in with job-doing touches.

Fa'amanu Brown also had a kick in his spell at hooker when Lichaa left the field for injury. This means that the hookers combined for 2 kicks, again showing the options available to the Bulldogs. Brown played 15 minutes and it felt as though he only got those minutes because of Lichaa's injury, thus I'll also be keeping a close eye on how Bulldogs coach Dean Pay utilizes Brown of the bench this week.

Sharks vs Storm

Sharks

Starting: Sosaia Feki.

Bench/Extended Bench: Ava Seumanufagai/Braden Uele.

Storm

Starting: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

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

Doc's Word

Brandon Smith snapped up Kenny Bromwich's bench spot in their win over the Cowboys and while Smith makes way for Bromwich's return this week, this was a lovely example of A) how funky Smith is and B) how Craig Bellamy can use Smith moving forward.

Brandon played 9 minutes and although Cameron Smith didn't play the full 80, he did play 78mins. That means that both Smiths were on the field at the same time as Brandon played in the middle as a mobile forward, in very similar fashion to Kenny Bromwich. Smith has crazy power for his size and is obviously skillful, which will open the door for him to feature alongside Cameron this season.

Roosters vs Warriors

Roosters

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

Bench/Extended Bench: Jared Waerea-Hargraeves, Zane Tetevano.

Warriors

Starting: All but Blake Green.

Bench/Extended Bench: All the boyz.

Doc's Word

The return of Luke Keary and more game time for James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk is obviously going to help the Roosters, don't sleep on coach Trent Robinson's move to swap Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa. Waerea-Hargreaves started in the first game with Napa coming off the bench, now Waerea-Hargreaves is coming off the bench. I reckon a slightly shorter stint for Waerea-Hargreaves suits the Roosters better as he can do hundies, without becoming a liability by conceding penalties as he gets fatigued.

Chur to Tokoroa's Zane Tetevano as well who had 8runs/90m in just 27mins vs Newcastle.

Sea Eagles vs Raiders

Sea Eagles

Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Lewis Brown.

Raiders

Starting: Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola, Siliva Havili.

Bench/Extended Bench: Ata Hingano, Joseph Tapine.

Doc's Word

I said last week that a mediocre showing from Canberra's play-makers could result in Ata Hingano getting a swift promotion and that's exactly what has happened. Hingano replaces Blake Austin on the bench and this could mean that Hingano does the same (weird) job that Austin did in playing as a half, with Sezer moving to hooker.

Hingano does have experience at hooker though and having him on the bench will allow Sam Williams and Sezer to stay in their halves roles, while the Tongan tokos Hingano and Siliva Havili share the hooking duties.

I don't think that constantly changing the play-making roles - even during games - is helping Canberra in any way, hence I view Ricky Stuart's selections as weird. Hingano's ability to cover halves and hooker could offer stability, or Stuart will keep making things weird and the Raiders will likely keep losing.

Having Joseph Tapine back in the 17 will definitely help though.

Dragons vs Knights

Dragons

Starting: Jason Nightingale.

Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau.

Knights

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

Bench/Extended Bench: /Danny Levi.

Doc's Word

Herman Ese'ese was the only Knights forward to run over 100m in their loss to the Roosters, most importantly though he snuck over the 10m/carry mark by running for 101m from 10 carries. He is the most dynamic Knights forward and the Knights will need him to shine if they are to gain parity (at the very least) with the Dragons forward pack.

Broncos vs Titans

Broncos

Starting: Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.

Titans

Starting: Kevin Proctor.

Bench/Extended Bench: Nada.

Doc's Word

Jamayne Isaako reminds Steve Renouf of Israel Folau? Nah, he reminds me of Jordan Kahu.

Alex Glenn was brutal in running the footy vs Wests Tigers and this week he may line up against fellow Kiwis edge forward Kevin Proctor. Even if he doesn't directly match up against Proctor, just note who is the more dominant edge forward and I'll suggest that Glenn is going to put Proctor deep in the shade.

Tigers vs Eels

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/Tuimoala Lolohea.

Eels

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

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

Doc's Word

Tuimoala Lolohea is lurking on an extended bench and this sets up an interesting conundrum for Tigers coach Ivan Cleary; does Lolohea slot right into fullback or, nah?

Corey Thompson doesn't quite have the play-making ability of Lolohea and I expect that to result in Thompson moving back to the wing, with Lolohea at fullback. That's if Lolohea is fit and ready to go.

With Parramatta in a spot of bother, their bench has been re-shuffled as Peni Terepo and Tony Williams get the call up. Terepo is a mobile, powerful middle forward and with Kenny Edwards, this gives the Eels more impact/energy on their bench. Also peep former Warriors junior Marata Niukore sneaking on to the extended bench.

@nrl_weststigers TEAM!!!!!! We didn't get the win last night but I am super proud of our team for the effort and the way we are playing for each other. It means so much to everyone. I know there has been a lot said about the final penalty being wrong and it may have been, but there is no excuses. We didn't play our best but we still had a chance to win so congrats to the @brisbanebroncos On the win. We are finding our way as a new group and all moving in the same direction and that is very positive 3 rounds in. Massive thank you to our fans for the support out at campbelltown we love seeing you guys at our games and get so much out of you guys being there for us. Love your passion !!!! See you all next week #letsmoveontonextweekcantchangeitnow #proud #teamfirst #weststigers

7,116 Likes, 151 Comments - Benji Marshall (@benji6marshall) on Instagram: "@nrl_weststigers TEAM!!!!!! We didn't get the win last night but I am super proud of our team for..."

Every three weeks, I'm going to drop a Kiwis team based on recent #KiwiNRL activities. This will be based on the idea that the Kiwis are playing on the weekend and those who are unavailable for NRL selection are unavailable here. This team also differs to my otherwise weekly Jahtearoa Premiers as the Jahtearoa team is my funky group and this Kiwis team is based on the idea of selecting the strongest possible Kiwis team.

We don't know which nations a few players are going to roll with after the World Cup, so I have selected cover until these players make their decisions. And of course Benji Marshall will be part of the squad as a consultant.

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: Jordan Rapana, David Fusitu'a (/Jason Nightingale).
Centres: Dean Whare, Peta Hiku.
Halves: Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson.
Middles: Jesse Bromwich, Jason Taumalolo (/Martin Taupau starts), Adam Blair, Issac Luke.
Edges: Alex Glenn, Tohu Harris.

Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Martin Taupau (/Kenny Bromwich), Russell Packer.

Three more players to make up squad of 20: Te Maire Martin, Kenny Bromwich (/James Fisher-Harris), Isaac Liu.

Unavailable due to injury: Simon Mannering, Jordan Kahu, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Elijah Taylor.

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Peace and love 27.