#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round Tahi
Upto Greymouth
Dragons vs Broncos
Dragons
Starting: Jason Nightingale.
Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau.
Broncos
Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.
Doc's Word
Jamayne Isaako is the major benefactor from Jack Bird's injury and will have a week or two to flex on the wing, after looking good at fullback last season.
1,724 Likes, 8 Comments - Brisbane CITY 🍂 (@jamaynisaako) on Instagram: "Way to finish off our last pre season trial against the @pnghunters ! Another overwhelming..."
Knights vs Sea Eagles
Knights
Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Slade Griffin.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Danny Levi.
Sea Eagles
Starters: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.
Bench/Extended Bench: Lewis Brown.
Doc's Word
No Danny Levi means a bonkers six months is topped off for Slade Griffin. The Greymouth Geezer signed with Newcastle, won a Premiership with Melbourne Storm and here he is starting at hooker for round tahi with the Knights.
280 Likes, 7 Comments - Slade Griffin (@sladegriffin) on Instagram: "Running off that birthday cake 🍰 #newcastleknights"
Cowboys vs Sharks
Cowboys
Starters: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench/Extended Bench: Te Maire Martin.
Sharks
Starters: Sosaia Feki, Sione Katoa.
Bench/Extended Bench: Ava Seumanufagai.
Doc's Word
Sione Katoa will make his #KiwiNRL debut on the wing for Cronulla, don't sleep on Ava Seumanufagai coming off the bench though after moving to the Shire from Wests Tigers.
Tigers vs Roosters
Tigers
Starters: Tuimoala Lolohea, Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Russell Packer, Pita Godinet, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor.
Bench/Extended Bench: Benji Marshall, Michael Chee Kam/Matt McIlwrick, Taane Milne.
Roosters
Starters: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.
Bench/Extended Bench:
Doc's Word
Seven #KiwiNRL jokers in the Tigers starting 13 and this will be our first looksie at the Russell Packer/Ben Matulino combination, with a sprinkling of Elijah Taylor's ball-playing on top as well.
2,075 Likes, 20 Comments - Ben Matulino (@benmatulino) on Instagram: "Race night 🐎"
Rabbitohs vs Warriors
Rabbitohs
Starters: ...
Bench/Extended Bench: ...
Warriors
Starters: All but Blake Green.
Bench/Extended Bench: All.
Doc's Word
Rabbitohs are hating, straight up. They do have Mawene Hiroti, Siosifa Talakai and Zane Musgrove in reserve grade though.
Bulldogs vs Storm
Bulldogs
Starters: Kieran Foran, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
Bench/Extended Bench: Greg Eastwood, Jeremy Marshall-King/Francis Tualau.
Storm
Starters: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich/Sam Kasiano.
Doc's Word
Immensely intrigued with what Jeremy Marshall-King offers coming off the bench as he has quickly risen through the Bulldogs ranks after moving from the Tigers this summer.
Panthers vs Eels
Panthers
Starters: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Bench/Extended Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera, James Fisher-Harris, Sam McKendry/Sione Katoa, Jarome Luai.
Eels
Starters: Josh Hoffman, Kirisome Auva'a, Manu Ma'u.
Bench/Extended Bench: Brad Takairangi, Suaia Matagi/Kenny Edwards.
2,926 Likes, 43 Comments - Keep It 💯..Alisi💍 (@manulisi_mau88) on Instagram: "Blessed & Grateful 🙌🏾#PARRAdise"
Doc's Word
Corey Harawira-Naera and Brad Takairangi are both likely to be used as edge forwards of the bench for their respective teams, although I'm not 1,000 percent sure if that will be the case. They could add some funk to the middle with skill, footwork and mobility - bet on them replacing Viliame Kikau (Panthers) and Tepai Moeroa (Eels) on the edges though.
Titans vs Raiders
Titans
Starters: Kevin Proctor.
Bench/Extended Bench:
Raiders
Starters: Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine.
Bench/Extended Bench: Iosia Soliola/Charlie Gubb, Brad Abbey.
Doc's Word
Charlie Gubb is named on the extended bench and he will be competing with Luke Bateman and Dunamis Lui for their bench spots in the next few weeks. Keep an eye on what Bateman and Lui are up to in the middle, especially against a Titans forward pack that Canberra should be able to dominate. If they don't have much of an impact, that's in Gubb's favour.
Notable Outs
Danny Levi - reserves (Knights), Zane Musgrove - reserves (Rabbitohs), Simon Mannering - injury (Warriors), Fa'amanu Brown - reserves (Bulldogs), Jahrome Hughes - injury (Storm), Dean Whare - injury (Panthers)
Jahtearoa Premiers
OG Coaches: Benji Marshall (GOAT), Jason Nightingale (Gypsy).
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: David Fusitua (T), Jordan Rapana.
Centres: Jordan Kahu, Joseph Manu
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, Joseph Tapine, Martin Taupau.
Jahtearoa Premiers Training Squad
Sosaia Feki (T), Esan Marsters (Cook Islands), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Peta Hiku, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Te Maire Martin, Slade Griffin.
James Gavet, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Ma'u, Kevin Proctor, Kenny Bromwich, Brad Takairangi.
With Dean Whare out, Esan Marsters is called up to the training squad of 15. I have also rewarded Slade Griffin for his round one start with a place in the squad and my appreciation of James Gavet has me rocking with him for our first Jahtearoa Premiers Training Squad of 2018. Other than that, this is fairly stock standard and I'll be keeping a close eye on the Penrith Panthers duo of James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera as they narrowly missed out on squad selection.
Reserve Grade Kiwis
Here's a few Reserve Grade #KiwiNRL selections that caught my eye this week
New South Wales
Manase Fainu starting at hooker for Blacktown (Sea Eagles) alongside Manly's new recruit Toafofoa Sipley who is starting as a middle forward.
Mawene Hiroti starts at centre for North Sydney (Rabbitohs) and his older brother Haimona is starting as an edge forward for Wentworthville (Parramatta) - they're from Taranaki.
304 Likes, 1 Comments - Mawene Hiroti (@mawene_hiroti) on Instagram: "It was an honour to wear the black and white jersey ⚫️⚪️ #threemusketeers"
Northland's Caleb Aekins starts at fullback for Penrith.
Queensland
Zach Dockar-Clay starting in the halves for Townsville (Cowboys) - he's not signed to the Cowboys though, only with Townsville.
Emry Pere however, he is signed to the Cowboys and will come off the bench for Northern Pride.
Brandon Smith starts at hooker for Easts Tigers (Storm) after making the shift from Sunshine Coast. Both Easts and Sunshine Coasts are under the Storm's umbrella.
982 Likes, 10 Comments - Brandon Smith (@drsmithers) on Instagram: "Celebrating Melbourne Storms 20th season launch alongside my brother in arms. ⚡️"
Norths Devils coach Rohan Smith used have a gig with the Warriors, this could be why he has Paul Ulberg, Michael Sio, John Palavi and Carne Doyle-Manga in his Devils squad; they've all spent time with the Warriors.
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Peace and love 27.