Eels vs Bulldogs

Eels

Dylan Brown, Brad Takairangi, Marata Niukore, Peni Terepo.

Bulldogs

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King, Renouf To'omaga, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Ofaihki Ogden, Sione Katoa.

Doc's Word

In recruiting Ryan Matterson, Mangere East Hawks junior Marata Niukore slides back to a bench role where he'll form a low key hearty bench alongside Brad Takairangi, Kane Evans and another Mangere East junior Peni Terepo. I'm also excited to see Dylan Brown in action and gauge the type of ceiling on offer in a time when there are plenty of young halves coming out of Aotearoa.

The Bulldogs went on a wee recruitment drive as well in snaring former Panthers hooker Sione Katoa, however Jeremy Marshall-King looks likely to settle into an 80 minute role. Last season was rather emphatic for Marshall-King as he was a consistent presence in the Doggies team, playing 23 games and averaging 61 minutes per game. With a powerful forward pack, Marshall-King's 3 runs for 35m average last season should be bumped up a wee bit, however all Marshall-king has to offer is that level of efficiency with speed and power around him.

Such speed and power will be in #KiwiUFC bench forwards Renouf To'omaga from Porirua Vikings and Otahuhu Leopards junior Raymond Faitala-Mariner. Two mobile, powerful forwards and keep an eye on whether Faitala-Mariner plays through the middle or on an edge.

Raiders vs Titans

Raiders

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstada, Bailey Simonsson, Joseph Tapine, Siliva Havili.

Titans

Sam Lisone, Kevin Proctor, Moeaki Fotuaika.

Doc's Word

Otahuhu Leopards' Sam Lisone is straight into the Gold Coast Titans starting team and any time we get to see a former Warriors enjoy legit opportunities at another club, it's team to tune in and see what that player can genuinely do in the NRL. Having paid close attention to the Warriors through the Niche Cache's existence, I've got no idea what Lisone is as an NRL forward or what he could be and I'm eager to see how new Titans coach Justin Holbrook uses Lisone.

Canberra Raiders are straight into their #KiwiNRL rotations with Manurewa Marlins junior Siliva Havili named on the bench and remember that Havili played much of last season strictly as a middle forward - Josh Hodgson stays at hooker. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has also shuffled Joseph Tapine between middle and edge in recent seasons, now the Harbour City Eagles junior is named in the middle.

Cowboys vs Broncos

Cowboys

Esan Marsters, Jason Taumalolo, Connelly Lemuelu.

Broncos

Jesse Arthars, Jamayne Isaako.

Doc's Word

I was fascinated to see Jamayne Isaako's named on the bench with Jesse Arthars selected ahead of Aranui Eagles' Isaako, given that Isaako established himself as a presence on the wing for Aotearoa Kiwis last year. Things have quickly flipped with Jack Bird suffering a major injury after being named to start at fullback and while I was intrigued to see how Broncos coach Anthony Seibold would use Isaako of the bench, the stars have aligned for Isaako to slide into the backline.

Mt Albert Lions junior Esan Marters gets his first start for North Queensland Cowboys at centre, while Otahuhu Leopards/Papakura Sea Eagles junior Jason Taumalolo is in his usual spot. Last season wasn't great for the Cowboys, although they still enjoyed fantastic service from Taumalolo as he averaged 61mins through 18 games and 10.76m/run from 17 runs. Not quite the bonkers 20+/200+ combo that Taumalolo has made his signature, definitely not a shabby season though and with more firepower around him, 2019 could see Taumalolo find that groove again.

Knights v Warriors

Knights

Herman Ese'ese, Starford To'a.

Warriors

All but Blake Green, Wayde Egan, Lachlan Burr, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Karl Lawton.

Doc's Word

New coach for Newcastle Knights and Mangere East Hawks junior Herman Ese'ese is starting through the middle. Ese'ese played 18 games last season and averaged just 33mins/game, putting up decent efficiency numbers, averaging 76m from 8 runs, a slither below that 10m/run mark. Sprinkle that among David Klemmer, Tim Glasby and the Saifiti twins for a specific role for Ese'ese as I reckon he'll resemble Taumalolo with his work around the ruck.

Five Aussies in the Aotearoa Warriors outfit, which is a bump up from last season. The likes of Patrick Herbert and Peta Hiku started their journeys in Whakatane and Gisbourne respectively before moving up to Auckland, which is funky because all of the Warriors backline named are from Auckland or played a decent amount in Auckland.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Otahuhu College.

Patrick Herbert: Tamaki Rugby/Southern Cross College.

David Fusitu'a: Marist Saints.

Peta Hiku: Manurewa Marlins.

Ken Maumalo: Papatoetoe Panthers.

Chanel Harris-Tavita: Pakuranga Jaguars.

Rabbitohs vs Sharks

Rabbitohs

Haters.

Sharks

Sione Katoa, Shaun Johnson, Briton Nikora, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Jackson Ferris.

Doc's Word

I don't believe we'll see Jackson Ferris promoted from his extended bench spot, this is a sneaky introduction to Ferris though and with Cronulla Sharks enduring all sorts of backline woes, Ferris isn't far from a crack at NRL footy. Ferris was recruited by the Sharks from Kia Ora Warriors/Palmerston North Boys High School and started at centre in the 2018 Junior Kiwis team.

Reminder of Braden Hamlin-Uele's (Glenora Bears) beastly 2019: 21 games, 36mins, 10 runs @ 10m/run. Freaky efficiency.

Panthers vs Roosters

Panthers

Caleb Aekins, Dean Whare, Zane Tetevano, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota.

Roosters

Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sitili Tupouniua, Isaac Liu, Poasa Fa'amausili, Asu Kepaoa.

Doc's Word

Caleb Aekins from Otaika Eagles in Northland benefits from an injury to Dylan Edwards, opening the door for Aekins to start at fullback and command further selection. Playing one game in 2018, then three games in 2019 for Penrith Panthers, Aekins has shown signs of being a factor in the NRL but hasn't enjoyed steady minutes, nor has he been graced with a position to settle into.

The Panthers signed Pacific Sharks (Tokoroa) junior Zane Tetevano and this appears to have bumped Whangarei Marist junior James Fisher-Harris to the bench. This is strange because Fisher-Harris was among the Panther best last season and found a niche in a rugged work-horsey role. Fisher-Harris offers versatility in playing through the middle and on an edge, I do believe that coming off the bench could boost Fisher-Harris' power as he won't be jacking up all the tackles.

No Boyd Cordner For Sydney Roosters means Sitili Tupouniua from Marist Saints starts on an edge, having been a interesting impact forward through the middle. Otahuhu Leopards junior Isaac Liu has previously played on an edge himself and is named on the bench here, perhaps pointing to Liu establishing himself as a middle forward where his work-rate and footwork add value.

Sea Eagles vs Storm

Sea Eagles

Danny Levi, Martin Taupau, Toafofoa Sipley.

Storm

Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Doc's Word

Nothing super interesting here as Randwick Kingfishers junior Danny Levi goes straight into the starting hooker role. Given that Levi had a niggly year or two with the Knights previously, Levi should be eager to emulate the speed and skill of Apisai Koroisau/Manase Fainu from last season. We haven't seen Levi do this consistently and now he has an opportunity to put himself back among the best #KiwiNRL dummy halves.

Dragons vs Tigers

Dragons

Jordan Pereira, Issac Luke.

Tigers

Benji Marshall, Josh Aloiai, Elijah Taylor, Zane Musgrove, Michael Chee-Kam.

Doc's Word

Jordan Pereira goes straight back into his starting wing role for St George Illawara Dragons after missing plenty of footy via health issues. The former Upper Hutt College student is joined by Hawera Hawks junior Issac Luke as the only #KiwiNRL jokers in the Dragons and this could be a fun season to keep a close eye on Luke as I can see him adding to the Dragons in a bunch of ways.

What kind of minutes Luke plays will be interesting and there is a dummy half on the Dragons bench in Billy Brittain. Luke has a unique package of speed, power and a level of skill that allows him to pass both ways as well as passing/offloading at the line after scooting out of dummy half. This should see Luke combine well with Corey Norman and Ben Hunt, but it's around the ruck that is the key area for Luke and how he shifts the footy with someone like James Graham who also loves a pass.

Josh Aloiai continues his development as he starts in the middle and the Glenora Bears junior is joined by Mangere East junior Zane Musgrove as funky #KiwiNRL middle forwards to keep an eye on. There is a young tinge to the Tigers forward pack and this presents a fantastic opportunity for Aloiai especially to command attention with how he leads the Tigers forwards and I wouldn't be surprised to see Aloiai come into Kiwis contention this year.

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Peace and love 27.