Roosters vs Rabbitohs

Roosters

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

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

Rabbitohs

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

After almost being non-existent in the loss to the Warriors, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves both responded strongly last week in their win over Cronulla Sharks. Taukeiaho had 14runs/153m which is more in keeping with his standard usage and Waerea-Hargreaves came off the bench to roll out an efficient 9runs/98m.

T h a t s S o B o y s . . . 🤙🏼

2,731 Likes, 15 Comments - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (@jwh_755) on Instagram: "T h a t s S o B o y s . . . 🤙🏼"

Storm vs Knights

Storm

Starting: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich.

Bench/Extended Bench: Sam Kasiano/Brandon Smith.

Knights

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

Bench/Extended Bench: Danny Levi.

Doc's Word

Finally we got to see some Danny Levi action for Newcastle Knights and we got the best case scenario as Levi shared the field with starting hooker and Greymouth geezer Slade Griffin. Levi played 52 minutes off the bench and Griffin played 56 minutes, made possible by Griffin's ability to play as a genuine middle forward and with Connor Watson out injured, thus pushing Brock Lamb into the halves, we should enjoy this while it lasts.

Griffin is coming up against his former club this week and that is likely to bring out the best in him. Unless Brandon Smith is a late call up from the extended bench for Melbourne Storm, we won't get to see the young kiwi hookers go at it in Levi vs Smith (three if you include Griffin).

Brandon Smith will start at hooker for Easts Tigers in Queensland's Super Cup - Craig Bellamy wants him getting minutes.

Dragons vs Sharks

Dragons

Starting: Jason Nightingale.

Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau.

Sharks

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Ava Seumanufagai.

Doc's Word

Sosaia Feki is out for Cronulla, couldn't find any word of an injury and he played 80 minutes last week. Feki hasn't been named in reserve grade so you'd assume he's got some sort of niggle, otherwise Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has opted for Edrick Lee's aerial ability ahead of Feki.

Warriors vs Broncos

Warriors

Starting: All but Blake Green.

Bench/Extended Bench: All the boys.

Broncos

Starting: Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.

Doc's Word

Alex Glenn is back in for Brisbane Broncos after missing last wee and his inclusion can't be slept on. Brisbane are getting headlines for all the wrong reasons and now there is noise of Jack Bird moving into the halves, which would likely come at the expense of the cuzzie Kodi Nikorima. If Bird does shift to the halves, I reckon Tom Opacic would take his centre spot (or Jordan Kahu when he's fit) and Nikorima could slide back to the bench.

I have always loved Nikorima coming off the bench and prefer that to him playing in the halves alongside Anthony Milford; Nikorima needs a controlling half like Shaun Johnson has with Blake Green. Expect the Broncos to look a wee bit better, injecting Nikorima on in the middle around tired forwards.

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1,765 Likes, 42 Comments - Jordan Kahu (@jordan.kahu) on Instagram: ""What are you going to do after you retire?" A common question all athletes would get asked. I'm..."

Cowboys vs Bulldogs

Cowboys

Starting: Antonio Winterstein, Jason Taumalolo.

Bench/Extended Bench: Te Maire Martin.

Bulldogs

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

Bench/Extended Bench: Greg Eastwood/Renouf To'omaga.

Doc's Word

Te Maire Martin got a solid shift in at dummy half last week in Auckland, playing 26 minutes. His distribution was crisp, although he didn't register a dummy half run and Jake Granville only had 3 dummy half runs, which simply isn't enough. You need to engage the defenders around the ruck to A) make metres B) get quick play-the-balls and C) limit the pressure put on your halves by defenders. The Cowboys aren't doing that; partly because Martin isn't a dummy half.

Jason Taumalolo was also fairly quiet vs Warriors with just 11runs/106m. The Cowboys had plenty of ball and Taumalolo's usage was down on his par, plus he dipped below averaging 10m/carry.

Raiders vs Eels

Raiders

Starting: Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola, Siliva Havili, Joseph Tapine.

Bench/Extended Bench: Ata Hingano/Brad Abbey.

Eels

Starting: Kirisome Auva'a, Peni Terepo, Manu Ma'u.

Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Edwards/Suaia Matagi, Josh Hoffman.

Doc's Word

With Parramatta not looking so flash at the moment, coach Brad Arthur has moved Peni Terepo in to start as a middle forward. This caps off a swift rise for Terepo in 2018 after being absent to start the season, then getting a run off the bench and now forcing his way into starting. Terepo offers more power, speed and footwork than Daniel Alvaro and this could help the Eels offer more oomph in the middle.

Siliva Havili put in a massive shift last week after Ata Hingano was forced off the field with a concussion after just 3 minutes. Havili played 77 minutes and Canberra Raiders grabbed a win, which shows how useful Havili can be at hooker. Expect Hingano to settle into a 20-25 minute stint, but I'm enjoying watching Havili snap up his opportunity with Josh Hodgson out injured.

Getting touched up thanks to coops-makeup for having us look zinc out there on the paddock in this blistering Canberra Heat 🔥

1,139 Likes, 26 Comments - Ata Hingano (@atahingano) on Instagram: "Getting touched up thanks to coops-makeup for having us look zinc out there on the paddock in this..."

Panthers vs Titans

Panthers

Starting: Dean Whare, Corey Harawira-Naera, James Fisher-Harris.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Jarome Luai, Nick Lui-Toso, Sione Katoa.

Titans

Starting: Kevin Proctor.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

An injury to Waqa Blake pushes Issah Yeo out to centre and this opens the door for Corey Harawira-Naera to slide on into that right edge spot. Harawira-Naera has had limited involvement this season and now he gets his opportunity in his favoured position, alongside his Northland homie James Fisher-Harris who continues to impress as a rugged middle forward.

Highlights of rookie second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera from his first season in the NRL playing for the Penrith Panthers.

Fisher-Harris has been among the Panthers best most weeks and he was the busiest Panthers forward in their win over Parramatta; 17 touches, 16runs/123m, 3 offloads, 36 tackles, 63 minutes. That's more minutes than Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Trent Merrin and James Tamou, plus Fisher-Harris is hugely effective in his marathon stints.

Sea Eagles vs Tigers

Sea Eagles

Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Toafofoa Sipley.

Tigers

Starting: Esan Marsters, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino.

Bench/Extended Bench: Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee-Kam/Tuimoala Lolohea.

Doc's Word

Russell Packer is out injured for a couple of weeks and I reckon this will see Josh Aloiai get a few more minutes off the bench. Aloiai can play edge and middle, so I'll be keeping a close eye on whether he is used through the middle now that the Tigers are without Packer or if Aloiai continues to get right edge minutes.

Pita Godinet and Tuimoala Lolohea miss out on selection this week. Lolohea has been named at fullback in reserve grade, which means he has been dropped to allow coach Ivan Cleary to play Corey Thompson at fullback and David Nofoaluma on the wing. Godinet isn't in reserve grade, not sure what's doing there; Matt McIlwrick is starting at hooker in reserve grade.

It's difficult to see Godinet getting back into the Tigers first grade team now that Josh Reynolds is back. Reynolds has been selected on the bench and between he and Benji Marshall, they will hold on to that bench utility spot, meaning that there is only space for a starting dummy half. Jacob Liddle appears to have that gig for now.

Benji had 3 errors vs Melbourne Storm and is tied with Thompson for having the most errors for the Tigers this season (7). This is because of how Benji plays and that attacking flair combined with how he has orchestrated these Tigers victories, makes it easier to absorb his errors. With Reynolds back in the frame now though, there is a bit of pressure on Benji and it's up to him to hold on to the starting spot; Benji coming off the bench isn't an L for him or the Tigers as he'll still have value in that role.

Jahtearoa Premiers

OG Coaches: Benji Marshall (GOAT), Jason Nightingale (Gypsy)

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: David Fusitu'a (T), Jordan Rapana.
Centres: Esan Marsters (Cook Islands), Peta Hiku.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran.
Middles: Issac Luke, Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Jason Taumalolo.
Edges: Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Martin Taupau, James Fisher-Harris.

In: Jordan Rapana.

Out: Sosaia Feki.

Only change this week rewards Jordan Rapana for his performance in the Raiders win over the Bulldogs, with Rapana back to his best. Rapana would have probably earned selection even if Feki was still available, but with Feki not named this week, it's Rapana's spot easily.

There's also some pressure on Esan Marsters with Dean Whare in nice form for the Panthers. I'm going to lean with Marsters as long as he continues to maintain his high level of play, but Whare is there chomping at his heels. It's a big week for James Fisher-Harris as well, given that Kenny Bromwich is back for the Storm and Sio Siua Taukeiaho has bounced back. Another strong showing from Fisher-Harris will demand further selection.

Jahtearoa Premiers Training Squad

Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Dean Whare, Joseph Manu, Ken Maumalo (S), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Slade Griffin, Jeremy Marshall-King, Te Maire Martin.

Ben Matulino, Addin Fonua-Blake, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Joseph Tapine, Ava Seumanufagai, Bunty Afoa, Kenny Bromwich.

In: Dean Whare, Joseph Manu, Te Maire Martin, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Kenny Bromwich.

Out: Antonio Winterstein, Jordan Rapana, Pita Godinet, Russell Packer,Alex Glenn.

Jordan Rapana is up in the Premiers, while Pita Godinet and Russell Packer are absent this week and Alex Glenn missed last week. Dean Whare replaces Rapana, Te Maire Martin replaces Godinet, while Taukeiaho and Kenny Bromwich replace Packer and Glenn.

I've also brought in Joseph Manu, who replaces Antonio Winterstein. I rocked with Winterstein to start the season but he and the Cowboys aren't doing the business, which now gives me a group of outside backs who are all in high-performing teams.

It's a 'show me something' week for Jeremy Marshall-King and Addin Fonua-Blake; they have to show me something to demand selection next week.

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Peace and love 27.