#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round Rua Tekau
Maybz.
Broncos vs Sharks
Broncos
Starting: Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.
Sharks
Starting: Sione Katoa.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Ava Seumanufagai, Sosaia Feki.
Doc's Word
Jamayne Isaako keeps his fullback spot after Brisbane Broncos ran riot over Penrith Panthers last week and he'll be in for a far different challenge vs Cronulla Sharks. The Sharks will put Isaako under greater pressure with the kicking games of Matt Moylan and Chad Townsend, along with a strong kick-chase that will restrict Isaako's impact running the footy.
The combination between Isaako and Kodi Nikorima is also intriguing; they are both fantastic runners of the footy and could roll out some slick set plays to trouble the Sharks on the edges. Generally eager to see more ball-playing from Isaako also, as this is the only real unknown about his game.
Cowboys vs Knights
Cowboys
Starting: Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Knights
Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Danny Levi.
Bench/Extended Bench: Herman Ese'ese.
Doc's Word
Playing Te Maire Martin at fullback doesn't feel like the best move for North Queensland Cowboys, but with their season all over and a young half in Jake Clifford emerging on the scene, Martin slides to fullback. As a fullback, Martin isn't going to offer a whole lot - let me put it that way - and playing fullback, with the abundance of #KiwiNRL fullbacks on the circuit at the moment, isn't doing any good for Martin's Kiwis chances for the end of year tour.
Bulldogs vs Tigers
Bulldogs
Starting: Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King.
Bench/Extended Bench: Fa'amanu Brown, Greg Eastwood, Ofahiki Ogden/Francis Tualau.
Tigers
Starting: Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor, Michael Chee Kam.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Pita Godinet, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.
Doc's Word
Jeremy Marshall-King comes up against older bro Benji and while it was always a possibility that these two would face off against each other in 2018, no one would have been expecting it to be a battle of the Marshall's in the halves. Jeremy went to the Bulldogs primarily as a hooker and started the season there, before finding a home in the halves alongside Lachlan Lewis; Jeremy hasn't been awesome but is learning his craft.
No Josh Aloiai for the Tigers, he's replaced by Luke Garner on an edge. This leaves Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Michael Chee Kam and Elijah Taylor holding it down for Aotearoa in the Tigers forward pack and the one bloke of that group to pay close attention to is Chee Kam. He's a handful chopping back in-field with his footwork and loves an offload, which could come with Chee Kam playing inside Esan Marsters which could build into a lethal edge combo with more reps - otherwise Chee Kam is left edge, not right.
Ofahiki Ogden is back for the Bulldogs as well after a week out. There's a growing #KiwiNRL presence on the Bulldogs bench with Ogden joined by OG forward Greg Eastwood and Fa'amanu Brown. Brown gets minutes at dummy half, replacing Michael Lichaa and could prove himself to be more threatening there than Lichaa.
Sea Eagles vs Panthers
Sea Eagles
Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau, Manase Fainu.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Toafofoa Sipley.
Panthers
Starting: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Fisher-Harris, Sione Katoa, Corey Harawira-Naera.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Doc's Word
Tyrone Peachey has been named to start at fullback, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing in a move that feels as though it is influenced by Watene-Zelezniak's recent injuries. Watene-Zelezniak has been fantastic at fullback this season and the Panthers have stumbled in the last few weeks, conveniently when Watene-Zelezniak has been absent. Thus, I reckon coach
Anthony Griffin is keeping a lid on Watene-Zelezniak's workload and easing him in.
Coach Griffin has shuffled his team around like no other, so I'm not sure how his forward pack will line up come kick-off. He has however named James Fisher-Harris to start at prop, with Isaah Yeo at lock and this opens up a spot for Corey Harawira-Naera to start on an edge. Trent Merrin effectively takes Harawira-Naera's bench spot and Merrin's footwork will offer a nice little impact either side of half-time against a Sea Eagles forward pack that will be out for blood after being rolled by the Roosters; Fisher-Harris vs a rampant Addin Fonua-Blake and Martin Taupau? Hmm.
Rabbitohs vs Eels
Rabbitohs
Starting: Haters.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Eels
Starting: Brad Takairangi, Marata Niukore.
Bench/Extended Bench: Peni Terepo/Greg Leleisiuao, Suaia Matagi.
Doc's Word
With Brad Takairangi, Marata Niukore and Tepai Moeroa in the same team, it's a Cook Islands extravaganza for Parramatta Eels. Other than that, we have a sneaky glimpse of Greg Leleisiuao nearing his much anticipated NRL debut, named on the Eels extended bench. It's unlikely to come this weekend, but he's obviously in the mix if there is an outside back injury or if coach Brad Arthur wants to bring in a fresh vibe in the coming weeks.
Storm vs Raiders
Storm
Starting: Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich/Albert Vete.
Raiders
Starting: Brad Abbey, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine.
Bench/Extended Bench: Siliva Havili, Iosia Soliola/Makahesi Makatoa.
Doc's Word
Jahrome Hughes holds on to his halves spot, keeping Brodie Croft and Ryley Jacks out of the Storm team. Dale Finucane's return pushes Kenny Bromwich back to the bench, resulting in no room for Brandon Smith.
The Raiders welcome back Joseph Tapine to their left edge, with Iosia Soliola moving back to the bench after doing a fine job in filling Tapine's boots. This will allow Soliola to play through the middle and he's had a huge impact off the bench in that role this season, while Tapine is a great inclusion.
Makahesi Makatoa has been named on the Raiders extended bench and altough he is unlikely to lace up to face the Storm, there's reason to be excited about Makatoa's future in Canberra. Hailing from New Plymouth, a Marist Dragons junior, Makatoa will be eager to impress as the departures of Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo will leave vacant middle forward roles next season.
Titans vs Warriors
Titans
Starting: Kevin Proctor.
Bench/Extended Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika.
Warriors
Starting: All but Blake Green.
Bench/Extended Bench: All but Karl Lawton.
Doc's Word
Hello, World!
Warriors again roll out just the two Aussies in their 22-man squad and will probably go through the whole season with Blake Green as the only Aussie consistently in their team of 17. That's low key amazing.
Roosters vs Dragons
Roosters
Starting: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Bench/Extended Bench: Isaac Liu, Zane Tetevano.
Dragons
Starting: Jordan Pereira, Jason Nightingale.
Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau/Patrick Herbert.
Doc's Word
Jordan Pereira is back for another crack at NRL footy, giving the Dragons an all #KiwiNRL wing combo again with Jason Nightingale. The rise of Pereira gives an insight into the possible role of Patrick Herbert, who has featured on the Dragons extended bench consistently this season and can also play wing. Herbert is mainly a centre, possibly a fullback though and with Pereira a straight up winger, Herbert waits for his chance to show what he can do.
Isaac Liu has been overtaken by Victor Radley in the starting side for the Roosters and fair enough as Radley has proven himself to be a beast, a silky beast. This means that Liu drops back to the bench and that's not all bad as Liu can still play a major role through the middle after the bashing of the first 20 minutes is finished.
Jahtearoa Premiers
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Centres: Esan Marsters, Dean Whare.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall.
Middles: Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Jason Taumalolo, Issac Luke.
Edges: Joseph Tapine, Tohu Harris.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, James Fisher-Harris, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Jahtearoa Reserves
Fullback: Jamayne Isaako.
Wings: Jordan Kahu, Ken Maumalo.
Centres: Joseph Manu, Gerard Beale.
Halves: Te Maire Martin, Jeremy Marshall-King.
Middles: Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Danny Levi.
Edges: Corey Harawira-Naera, Alex Glenn.
Bench: Siliva Havili, Leeson Ah Mau, Kenny Bromwich, Herman Ese'ese.
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Peace and love 27.