#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Finals Round Tahi and #KiwiNRL Wahine Round Tahi
Bran Stark or Bran Smith?
Storm vs Rabbitohs
Storm
Starting: Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich.
Bench/Extended Bench: Brandon Smith, Kenny Bromwich/Sam Kasiano.
Rabbitohs
Starting: Haters.
Bench/Extended Bench: Matt McIlwrick.
Doc's Word
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named what has to be his strongest-possible team, sans Nelson Asofa-Solomona who is still out of action. The beauty here is that Jahrome Hughes starts at halfback in a nod to him over Brodie Croft and on top of that, Brandon Smith returns to the bench after injury and a stint in reserve grade.
This means that Bellamy will use Smith as a middle forward, playing alongside Cameron Smith and Cameron will likely spend a bit of time at first-receiver with Brandon getting into dummy half. Brandon has offered huge impact off the bench this season and his energy could be influential against the big Bunnies forward pack.
4,436 Likes, 9 Comments - Melbourne Storm (@storm) on Instagram: "Happy #FathersDay to all the Dad's! Go Storm! 😎 #purplepride"
Panthers vs Warriors
Panthers
Starting: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sione Katoa, James Fisher-Harris.
Bench/Extended Bench: Moses Leota, Corey Harawira-Naera.
Warriors
Starting: All the boys but Blake Green.
Bench/Extended Bench: All but Karl Lawton.
Doc's Word
Sione Katoa comes back into the starting side for Penrith Panthers after weirdly being dropped when the Panthers changed coaches. Warriors fans can saviour the moment, not only because they made the Finals but they did so with only one Australian consistently in their starting side. Blake Green returns from injury to give the Warriors an Aussie in this game, while Karl Lawton is named on the extended bench; they've had a great season and done so with minimal contributions from Australia.
Roosters vs Sharks
Roosters
Starting: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.
Bench/Extended Bench: Zane Tetevano.
Sharks
Starting: Sosaia Feki.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Ava Seumanufagai.
Doc's Word
Although there is plenty of funk in the respective backlines here, including Jospeh Manu who has been in fantastic form through the second half of the season, the battle of the forwards will be juicy. The Roosters will rely on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho through the middle; Taukeiaho's footwork and mobility could pose a few problems for Cronulla's bigger middle forwards.
Isaac Liu is mandatory viewing on the Roosters right edge as he'll line up against Wade Graham and Liu will be overshadowed by Graham coming into this game. Liu has made that right edge spot his own since shifting there mid-season and while he doesn't have the all-round skill package of Graham, Liu's running game could shine if he gets plenty of footy from Cooper Cronk.
Broncos vs Dragons
Broncos
Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: Sam Tagataese.
Dragons
Starting: Jordan Pereira, Leeson Ah Mau.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Jason Nightingale.
Doc's Word
Brisbane Broncos have named their full #KiwiNRL crew, with Alex Glenn returning to his edge spot. Jordan Pereira caps of an impressive 2018 by starting in a Finals game after he came from no where to earn a debut on the wing for the Dragons and even though Jason Nightingale has been named on the extended bench, expect Pereira to get the start.
#KiwiNRL Wahine - Round 1
Roosters vs Warriors
Roosters
Starting: Haters
Bench/Extended Bench: Nita Maynard.
Warriors
Starting: All the ladies.
Bench/Extended Bench: All the ladies.
Doc's Word
Nita Maynard holds it down for the Dragons #KiwiNRL wahine, coming off the bench as a utility. The Warriors have a team full of #KiwiNRL wahine and their starting 13 features Alice Vailea, Tanika Jazz-Noble, Laura Mariu, Onjeurlina Leiataua and Langi Veainu who weren't on the NZRL's top 20 marquee player list
Broncos vs Dragons
Broncos
Starting: Kimiora Nati, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Maitua Feterika, Rona Peters.
Bench/Extended Bench: Ngatokotoru Arakua/Lilieta Maumau, Karley Te Kawa.
Dragons
Starting: Honey Hireme, Raecene McGregor.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Teina Clark.
Doc's Word
Kimiora Nati and Raecene McGregor will serve up an all #KiwiNRL battle in the halves, with Nati named at #6 for the Broncos and McGregor at halfback. The Broncos have also stacked their forward pack with #KiwiNRL wahine as they will roll out a back row of Teuila Fotu-Moala, Maitua Feterika and Rona Peters; Fotu-Moala and Feterika on the edges, Peters up the guts.
900 Likes, 43 Comments - Teuila Fotu-Moala (@uilafotumoala) on Instagram: "The start of a new Era 🐴 1 more week until the NRLW competition kicks off‼️ @brisbanebroncos..."
In their squad of 22, Brisbane have named seven #KiwiNRL wahine which is the most of any of the three Australian clubs. We may get lucky and see Lilieta Maumau and Karley Te Kawa earn promotion into the playing 17 at some stage during the competition, or even better the stars could align to grace us with all seven in the starting team. Ya never know.
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Peace and love 27.