#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round Rua Tekau Ma Rima
Maybe Benji's.
Rabbitohs vs Tigers
Rabbitohs
Starting: Haters.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Matt McIlwrick.
Tigers
Starting: Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino, Michael Chee Kam, Elijah Taylor.
Bench/Extended Bench: Josh Aloiai/Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.
Doc's Word
Boom centre Esan Marsters is likely to face his greatest challenge of 2018, marking up against Greg Inglis. Inglis has settled back into the Rabbitohs left edge and despite stuttering late in the season, that left edge has been one of the most potent attacking combinations all season. Now it's Marsters' job along with Benji Marshall and Michael Chee Kam to do a job defensively and the specific battle between Marsters and Inglis is going to be mandatory viewing.
786 Likes, 10 Comments - Esan Marsters (@esanmarsters) on Instagram: "When @michaelcheekam and @joshaloiai need a revive, I'm there 😂🤔"
Warriors vs Raiders
Warriors
Starting: All the lads.
Bench/Extended Bench: All but Karl Lawton.
Raiders
Starting: Brad Abbey, Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola.
Bench/Extended Bench: Siliva Havili, Makahesi Makatoa.
Doc's Word
Brad Abbey and Siliva Havili return to Mt Smart in the Raiders lime green, playing in front of friends and whanau in Auckland. Both of them probably didn't think they would be in this position, if you asked them at the start of the year given that Abbey was stuck behind Jack Wighton and Havili had only been signed as injury cover for Josh Hodgson. Now Abbey is the starting fullback and Havili has found a niche as a middle forward off the bench, giving them a nice opportunity in the last game to flex against their former club.
Storm vs Panthers
Storm
Starting: Jesse Bromwich.
Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich, Sam Kasiano/Jahrome Hughes, Albert Vete.
Panthers
Starting: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Fisher-Harris.
Bench/Extended Bench: Moeses Leota, Corey Harawira-Naera/Sione Katoa.
Doc's Word
Melbourne Storm continue be a wee bit confused about their line up at the moment, mainly because of injuries but Jahrome Hughes seems to be fit and is now on the outer behind Brodie Croft. There's no drama here because the Storm have rotated Croft, Hughes and Ryley Jacks in to partner Cameron Munster at various stages this season, without too many issues. It's just a bummer for Hughes who was looking the goods at halfback before getting injured and if Croft snaps up his opportunity, there's a chance we won't see Hughes play much during the Finals.
Knights vs Dragons
Knights
Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Danny Levi.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Dragons
Starting: Jordan Pereira, Leeson Ah Mau.
Bench/Extended Bench: Patrick Herbert.
Doc's Word
An injury to Euan Aitken opened up a spot at centre for the Dragons, possibly opening the door for Patrick Herbert to make his debut after being an extended bench regular this season. Zac Lomax has got that spot instead and Herbert holds on to his extended bench spot, it would be great if Herbert could somehow get a run this weekend before Finals footy heats up.
Titans vs Cowboys
Titans
Starting: Kevin Proctor.
Bench/Extended Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika.
Cowboys
Starting: Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Doc's Word
Te Maire Martin is back in the halves for the Cowboys, taking the honour of being the last bloke to partner Jonathan Thurston in the halves. More importantly from my perspective, this is a chance for Martin to make his case for Kiwis selection as a half, given that he's spent the last few months playing fullback. Martin faces stiff competition from Kodi Nikorima and Benji Marshall to join Shaun Johnson as a Kiwis halves combo and if Martin can impress in a resurgent Cowboys team, that could nudge him up the pecking order.
Eels vs Roosters
Eels
Starting: Marata Niukore, Brad Takairangi.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Josh Hoffman, Greg Leleisiuao.
Roosters
Starting: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.
Bench/Extended Bench: Zane Tetevano.
Doc's Word
Marata Niukore and Isaac Liu moved into their edge forward roles around the same time as each other, both shifting from middle to edge and now they'll line up against each other. Niukore will likely line up on the Eels left edge, while Liu has been playing right edge for the Roosters and we'll have a nice opportunity to see two of the best undercover #KiwiNRL edge forwards do battle.
Bulldogs vs Sharks
Bulldogs
Starting: Reimis Smith.
Bench/Extended Bench: Jeremy Marshall-King, Ofahiki Ogden, Greg Eastwood/Francis Tualau, Fa'amanu Brown, Renouf To'omaga.
Sharks
Starting: Sosaia Feki.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Ava Seumanufagai.
Doc's Word
The starting forward packs here are excessively strong, with OG experience and ruthless physicality on either side. Even the benches have that kinda quality with Aaron Woods on the Sharks bench, making this an almighty test for Ofahiki Ogden and what he can offer the Doggies. Youz will know how impressed I have been with Ogden and in the final game of the season, Ogden simply needs to roll out the same impact and oomph that he has done since making his debut; only that the Sharks won't let that happen easily.
Broncos vs Sea Eagles
Broncos
Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.
Sea Eagles
Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Manase Fainu, Martin Taupau.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Doc's Word
Kodi Nikorima is in a very similar position to Te Maire Martin as he looks to state his case for Kiwis halves selection. Nikorima though, has more opportunities as the Broncos will play Finals footy and this will put Nikorima front and centre, in big games to show what he's capable of. My memory though of such opportunities is that the Nikorima/Anthony Milford combination gets exposed in Finals footy as neither is an organising presence, which could work against Nikorima if this is the case again. Against Manly, Nikorima won't have that Finals microscope zoned in on him and how he plays here could give us an insight into what the Finals may bring for Nikorima.
Jahtearoa Premiers
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: David Fusitu'a, Jordan Rapana.
Centres: Esan Marsters, Jordan Kahu.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall.
Middles: Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Jason Taumalolo, Issac Luke.
Edges: Tohu Harris, Alex Glenn.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, James Fisher-Harris, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Leeson Ah Mau.
Jahtearoa Reserves
Fullback: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Wings: Reimis Smith, Jamayne Isaako.
Centres: Joseph Manu, Peta Hiku.
Halves: Te Maire Martin, Jeremy Marshall-King.
Middles: James Gavet, Ben Matulino, Simon Mannering, Danny Levi.
Edges: Kevin Proctor, Adam Blair.
Bench: Siliva Havili, Kenny Bromwich, Corey Harawira-Naera, Isaac Liu.
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Peace and love 27.