Older bro Haimona is in the Eels system.

Rabbitohs vs Broncos

Broncos

Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.

Rabbitohs

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Mawene Hiroti/Matt McIlwrick.

Doc's Word

Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold has made the unexpected move of handing an NRL debut to Mawene Hiroti off the bench, finally giving the Rabbits a splash of #KiwiNRL funk. Hiroti gets his opportunity through injuries to Alex Johnston and Greg Inglis, thus opening up some backline spots and despite being behind a few others in the depth chart, Seibold likes to carry an outside back on his bench, to the benefit of Hiroti.

It was an honour to wear the black and white jersey ⚫️⚪️ #threemusketeers

305 Likes, 2 Comments - Mawene Hiroti (@mawene_hiroti) on Instagram: "It was an honour to wear the black and white jersey ⚫️⚪️ #threemusketeers"

Hiroti is a centre/winger and after moving to Sydney from Taranaki, he has been a gun for the Rabbitohs junior sides. He earned an Australian Schoolboys call up, before playing for Aotearoa Under 18s last year; in under 12 months, Hiroti has gone from representing NZ U18, to being named to make his NRL debut.

Jordan Kahu also returns to the Broncos starting side, slotting in at centre. The Jamayne Isaako fullback experiment doesn't look like its worked for coach Wayne Bennett and he has once again tinkered with his selections. As long as the Broncos backline features Kahu, Isaako and Kodi Nikorima, all good.

Sea Eagles vs Titans

Sea Eagles

Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Manase Fainu, Martin Taupau.

Bench/Extended Bench: Toafofoa Sipley.

Titans

Starting: Kevin Proctor.

Bench/Extended Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika.

Doc's Word

Two young Tongan prospects will be on show in this game with Manase Fainu (Sea Eagles) and Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans) holding down their spots ever since the made their respective debuts this season. I will write something about the Tongan prospects that have emerged and how Tonga could get even better with the young wave coming through. This game also features Addin Fonua-Blake and Konrad Hurrell, making it mandatory viewing for any #KiwiNRL tokos.

Storm vs Eels

Storm

Starting: Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich/Brandon Smith, Albert Vete.

Eels

Starting: Marata Niukore.

Bench/Extended Bench: Peni Terepo, Brad Takairangi/Josh Hoffman.

Doc's Word

Nothing funky here from the Storm or Eels, so I'm pondering how Brandon Smith can work his way into the top-17 for Finals footy. Smith benefited from the Storm's injury woes during the season, now that they are reasonably healthy, Smith has fallen out of the top-17 and that's understandable when you consider the quality of middle forwards Melbourne have on their bench; Tim Glasby, Christian Welch and Kenny Bromwich.

Turn a L into a lesson #learn ! Also shout out to all the special women in my life, love representing you in this special jersey and round 👌💜

1,040 Likes, 19 Comments - Jahrome Hughes (@jahromehughes) on Instagram: "Turn a L into a lesson #learn ! Also shout out to all the special women in my life, love..."

Cheyse Blair gets the utility role though and with an 80-minute hooker, coach Craig Bellamy can carry outside back cover like Seibold with the Rabbitohs. That is Smith's likeliest option for more game time this year, although he's limited to playing through the middle and selecting Smith ahead of Blair means that there's no straight up backline cover. Obviously I want Smith in there and the energy he provides could add a twist to the Storm late in the season.

Panthers vs Knights

Panthers

Starting: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sione Katoa, James Fisher-Harris.

Bench/Extended Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera.

Knights

Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Danny Levi.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

Despite the dramas, everything was fairly standard for the #KiwiNRL Panthers last week in their first game under coach Cameron Ciraldo. With James Maloney out injured, Tyrone May gets the halves gig ahead of Jarome Luai, which is fine.

This game also has two #KiwiNRL hookers going up against each other with Tongan rep Sione Katoa and Knights hooker Danny Levi both starting. These two played together in the 2015 Junior Kiwis, Katoa started and Levi came off the bench in a team that was stacked with players who would go on to crack the NRL; Jamayne Isaako, Taane Milne, Joseph Manu, Te Maire Martin, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, James Fisher-Harris, Marata Niukore, Jazz Tevaga, Braden Uele, Toafofoa Sipley, Renouf To'omaga.

Tigers vs Dragons

Tigers

Starting: Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Michael Chee Kam, Elijah Taylor.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Dragons

Starting: Jordan Pereira, Leeson Ah Mau.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

You can't go wrong with jumping on the Tigers bus as they chase a top-8 spot. A game against a melancholy Dragons team offers the perfect opportunity for the Tigers to put some pressure on the Broncos and Warriors, also even the Dragons if they continue to slide.

Every week I talk about the Tigers #KiwiNRL crew and with just two #KiwiNRL Dragons named this week, it's difficult not to rally behind the Tigers. Everywhere you look when watching the Tigers, there is a #KiwiNRL lad doing his job and whether it's Esan Marsters' razzle dazzle out on the edge or the grunt offered by Ben Matulino; these Tigers deserve some lovin' from Aotearoa.

Sharks vs Cowboys

Sharks

Starting: Sosaia Feki.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Ava Seumanufagai, Sione Katoa.

Cowboys

Starting: Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

Could the Te Maire Martin at fullback thing actually be working? There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before we get to the point of pondering Martin as a long-term Cowboys fullback, but in recent weeks Martin has provided an intriguing buzz from fullback that has helped the Cowboys get a few wins.

Martin will again be tested this week, coming up against the Sharks. Chad Townsend has an accurate kicking game, while the class of Matt Moylan and Valentine Holmes will challenge Martin's positioning when the Cowboys are defending their try-line. The Sharks will ensure that Martin is under the pump when he has the footy as well and I'm eager to see how Martin goes against a rugged Sharks side.

Bulldogs vs Warriors

Bulldogs

Starting: Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King.

Bench/Extended Bench: Fa'amanu Brown, Ofahiki Ogden, Greg Eastwood/Francis Tualau, Renouf To'omaga.

Warriors

Starting: All but Blake Green.

Bench/Extended Bench: All but Karl Lawton.

Doc's Word

It's a pity that this game isn't in Auckland because the Bulldogs bench features a strong group of #KiwiNRL Doggies. Reimis Smith and Jeremy Marshall-King start, although both have spent most of, if not all of their time in Australia, while Greg Eastwood and Ofahiki Ogden are straight out of South Auckland. Fa'amanu Brown is from Christchurch and even the Bulldogs extended bench has Francis Tualau who is a Mangere East junior and Renouf To'omana from Wellington.

Raiders vs Roosters

Raiders

Starting: Brad Abbey, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Iosia Soliola.

Bench/Extended Bench: Siliva Havili/Makahesi Makatoa.

Roosters

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

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sitili Tupouniua.

Doc's Word

Brad Abbey has been named to shift from wing to fullback in a weird move from coach Ricky Stuart. Abbey first came into the team at fullback, then moved to the wing with Nick Cotric at fullback and now normal service has resumed. This must be a nice reflection on Abbey as Stuart may view Abbey as a better fullback than Cotric and I'll be keeping a close eye on Abbey's touches in the attacking line against a stingey Roosters defence.

As the season comes to a climax and the Roosters keep winning games, it's important to highlight Isaac Liu playing at right edge. Liu was moved there by coach Trent Robinson about a month ago, allowing for Victor Radley to play through the middle and it seems as though Liu will now focus all his energy on being an edge forward. This week will be an interesting contest for Liu as he should have greater attacking scope against a Raiders team that isn't known for their defence. It's also interesting to note that Joseph Manu has been in hot form recently, coinciding with Liu's move to right edge, playing inside Manu.

Jahtearoa Premiers

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: Jordan Rapana, David Fusitu'a.
Centres: Dean Whare, Esan Marsters.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall.
Middles: Jesse Bromwich, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Issac Luke.
Edges: Joseph Tapine, Adam Blair.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, James Fisher-Harris, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Jahtearoa Reserves

Fullback: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Wings: Ken Maumalo, Jamayne Isaako.
Centres: Jordan Kahu, Joseph Manu.
Halves: Te Maire Martin, Jeremy-Marshall-King.
Middles: Ben Matulino, Herman Ese'ese, Kenny Bromwich, Danny Levi.
Edges: Alex Glenn, Isaac Liu.
Bench: Siliva Havili, Leeson Ah Mau, Simon Mannering, Elijah Taylor.

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Peace and love 27.