The Canberra Raiders have made headlines at the selection table, after naming Jordan Rapana in the side for their Round 2 clash with the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.
Rapana was originally slated to miss the first ten weeks of the 2019 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, but has stunningly been named on the wing for Canberra.
All times AEDT
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
7:50pm Thursday, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: 1. Gareth Widdop, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Jacob Host, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Blake Lawrie
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Matthew Dufty, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Zac Lomax, 19. Reece Robson, 20. Mitchell Allgood, 21. Jonus Pearson
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Campbell Graham, 5. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess, 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Liam Knight, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Kyle Turner, 18. Corey Allan, 19. Connor Tracey, 20. Rhys Kennedy, 21. Mawene Hiroti
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
6pm Friday, GIO Stadium
Raiders: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. John Bateman
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh, 18. Sam Williams, 19. JJ Collins, 20 Bailey Simonsson, 21. Jack Murchie
Storm: 1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Patrick Kaufusi, 18. Marion Seve, 19. Albert Vete, 20. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 21. Billy Walters
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
7:55pm Friday, Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. James Roberts, 4. Jack Bird, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Tevita Pangai Junior, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. David Fifita, 13. Matt Gillett
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Kotoni Staggs, 15. Jaydn Su’A, 16. Thomas Flegler, 17. Shaun Fensom, 18. Patrick Carrigan, 19. Patrick Mago, 20. Richard Kennar, 21. Gehamat Shibasaki
Cowboys: 1. Jordan Kahu, 2. Nene Macdonald, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Javid Bowen, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange/Reserves: 14. John Asiata, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Mitchell Dunn, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Ben Hampton, 19. Jake Clifford, 20. Corey Jensen, 23. Enari Taula
Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans
3pm Saturday, Shark Park
Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Sione Katoa, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Blayke Brailey, 15. Jayson Bukuya, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jack Williams, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Kyle Flanagan, 20. Bronson Xerri, 21. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Tyrone Peachey, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Brenko Lee, 6. Alexander Brimson, 7. Ryley Jacks, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Ryan James, 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Phillip Sami, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Max King, 17. Bryce Cartwright, 18. Mitch Rein, 19. Jai Whitbread, 20. Leilani Latu, 21. Jesse Arthars
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers
5:30pm Saturday, McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: 1. Connor Watson, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10. James Havey, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Tim Glasby
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Aidan Guerra, 16. Mitchell Barnett, 17. Herman Ese’ese, 18. Josh King, 19. Jamie Buhrer, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Brodie Jones
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. James Fisher-Harris, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13, Hame Sele
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Frank Winterstein, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Jack Hetherington, 18. Jarome Luai, 19. Tim Grant, 20. Liam Martin, 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters
7:35pm Saturday, Lottoland
Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Toafofoa Sipley, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Manase Fainu, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Corey Waddell, 17. Kelepi Tanginoa, 18. Trent Hodkinson, 19. Tevita Funa, 20. Lloyd Perrett, 21. Lachlan Croker
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Isaac Liu, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Lindsay Collins, 17. Angus Crichton, 18. Nat Butcher, 19. Matt Ikuvalu, 20. Sitili Tupouniua, 21. Poasa Faamausili
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels
4:05pm Sunday, ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Christian Crichton, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Adam Elliott
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King, 15. Danny Fualalo, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. Sauaso Sue, 19, Jack Cogger, 20. Nick Meaney, 21. Chris Smith, 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jaeman Salmon, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Kane Evans, 17. David Gower, 18. Bevan French, 19. Oregon Kaufusi, 20. George Jennings, 21. Andrew Davey
Wests Tigers vs Warriors
6:10pm Sunday, Campbelltown Stadium
Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Ben Matulino, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Ryan Matterson, 12. Luke Garner, 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Russell Packer, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Josh Aloiai, 17. Michael Chee-Kam, 18. Moses Mbye, 19. Josh Reynolds, 20. Matthew Eisenhuth, 21. Chris McQueen
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Keighran, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Nathaniel Roache, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Isaiah Papali’i, 18 Gerard Beale, 20. Chanel Harris-Tabita, 22. Issac Luke, 23. Ligi Sao
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Correct. I was referring more to the future where guys that don't go down easy - dive or legit - like Burgess will be a target.
JD St George
Roar Pro
Yeo very clearly didn't dive
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Why?? You are judging by the damage done. Exactly my issue, shouldn't be the case. Because Sam could take it, Mitchell gets off lightly? So the bigger, tougher guys who don't dive will get smashed more? Sam's got a big target on his head because he's tougher? Not right.
JD St George
Roar Pro
Sam came back onto the field after his HIA. Yeo was basically unconcious. Big difference between the two.
Ray Stewart
Roar Rookie
Cameron Murray is twice the player with less the ego.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes fully agree! As an example, Keary when he went to the Roosters was very modest as he played all this rivalry nonsense down and was a real gentleman and didn’t put the Rabbitohs down! Lets see how good Crichton is? Anyway, I know who I would rather have at No: 12 between Sammy Burgess and Crichton and it certainly wouldn’t be Crichton!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yeah?? I'll bow to your better knowledge there, I didn't imagine that Jennings would have a worse history or profile than Mitchell. Cheers
Dutski
Roar Guru
He’s a quality player but he’s young. And immature if he did say those things. I hope he can play as well as he did for Souths. He looked the goods when he was on song. It’s a mixed bag when a good player goes elsewhere. I want them to do well but not too well. When the Roosters play the Tigers I’ll be like “I hope Momirovski scores a try and Matterson is man of the match in a losing side”. Lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Serves him right, he's bragging that he was always a Roosters boy even when he played for us (article on msn) and that he always knew that he will play for the Roosters. Figure that out? Very disappointing as I had allot of respect for him.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
All the pressure and expectation is on Souths this week after starting as clear underdogs before rolling the defending premiers in round 1. With JDB, Frizell and K. Sims missing Souths (who are also down George Burgess) have no excuses for not winning the forward battle in this game. Nick Cotric should be at FB IMO and CNK should move to the left wing for the Raiders clash with the Storm in Canberra. It would also be a good week for the Sea Eagles to find form and ensure that the Roosters are 0 from 2 after 2 rounds.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Different grading, different history of recent similar offences.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I think it's part of Robinson's plan for him. It is basically sending a message that "you need to earn your spot". Having watched him last year there were a few signs of an inflated ego there which is something that doesn't wash at the Roosters I am sure back end of the season he will be in number 12. I am interested to see how Latrell handles himself this season and if Robinson will need to bring him into line at some stage.
Jimmy G
Guest
The Raiders never claimed the salary cap dispensation. If they had, Rapana would be unavailable until after week 12 - regardless of how ready he was to play.
Harry
Guest
According to Fairfax reports during the off-season the Raiders never claimed it because Rapana's recovery was going more quickly than expected, and if they'd claimed the salary cap dispensation and used it to sign a high-profile winger Rapana would've had to sit on the sideline until mid-season, regardless of whether he was fit to play or not.
Peter Piper
Guest
Quietly forgotten
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Jennings out but Mitchell plays on. So it's not what you do it's who you hit... Sam's going to have a target on his head now.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
So whats the go with the salary cap dispensation the Raiders got to replace Rapana?
Dutski
Roar Guru
Crichton still off the bench for the Roosters. High profile bench warmer seems a bit of a waste.