The Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters both have welcome additions in Round 3, with Tom Trbojevic and Cooper Cronk slated to return.
Trbojevic is yet to play a game in 2019, having missed the start of the season through injury, while Cronk sat out of the Roosters victory over Manly last week.
Jason Taumalolo is also out for the Cowboys, with confirmation on Monday he will miss between six and ten weeks of action. Josh McGuire will start at lock, while Te Maire Martin lines up at fullback in a reshuffle which effectively brings Jake Clifford into the side for Justin O’Neill.
It’s also bad news at the Raiders, with Joe Tapine set to miss some time with a hand injury. John Bateman move into the second row, with Ryan Sutton added to the side at lock.
Brett Morris is also out with a knee injury, replaced on the wing at the Roosters by Matt Ikuvalu.
The Bulldogs are the club to have rung the changes this week though, making four in total. Christian Chrichton Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Marcelo Montoya and Sauaso Sue make way for Jayden Okunbor, Rhyse Martin, Chris Smith and Ofahiki Ogden.
Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Thursday, 8:05pm at 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. Izaia Perese, 21. Gehamat Shibasaki
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. Korbin Sims, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Zac Lomax, 19. Reece Robson, 20. Mitchell Allgood, 21. Jonus Pearson
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights
Friday, 6pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders: 1. 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. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Hudson Young, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh, 18. Sam Williams, 19. JJ Collins, 20 Bailey Simonsson, 21. Jack Murchie
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
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 Gavet, 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
Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters
Friday, 8:05pm at ANZ Stadium
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. Oregon Kaufusi, 19. Peni Terepo, 20. Josh Hoffman, 21. George Jennings
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 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. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Angus Crichton, 18. Brock Lamb, 19. Asu Kepaoa, 20. Nat Butcher, 23. Lachlan Lam
Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors
Saturday, 3pm at AMI Stadium, Christchurch/em>
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 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. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Brendan Elliot, 19. Trent Hodkinson, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa, 21. Lloyd Perrett
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. Issac Luke, 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. Ligi Sao, 21. Karl Lawton, 22. Chanel Harris-Tavita
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday, 5:30pm at 1300 Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: 1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Nene Macdonald, 3. Jordan Kahu, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Javid Bowen, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Josh McGuire
Interchange/Reserves: 14. John Asiata, 15. Corey Jensen, 16. Mitchell Dunn, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Shane Wright, 19. Justin O’Neill, 20. Peter Hola, 21. Enari Taula
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
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm
Saturday, 7:30pm at Panthers Stadium
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. Frank Winterstein, 13, Hame Sele
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Tyrell Fuimaono, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Jack Hetherington, 18. Jarome Luai, 19. Tim Grant, 20. Liam Martin, 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
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. Marion Seve, 18. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 19. Patrick Kaufusi, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Billy Walters
(AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Sunday, 4:05pm at Campbelltown Stadium
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Robert Jennings, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Corey Thompson, 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. Paul Momirovski, 19. Josh Reynolds, 20. Matthew Eisenhuth, 21. Chris McQueen
Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Adam Elliott
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Michael Lichaa, 15. Ofahiki Ogden, 16. Rhyse Martin, 17. Chris Smith, 19, Jack Cogger, 20. Marcel Montoya, 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 22. Sauaso Sue
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Gold Coast Titans
Sunday, 6:10pm at ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. 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. Bayley Sironen, 20. Rhys Kennedy, 21. Jacob Gagan
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. Keegan Hipgrave, 20. Dale Copley, 21. Jai Whitbread
steveng
Roar Rookie
There is a mistake with the Bunnies lineup in this list, Liam Knight is suspended (for that stupid chicken wing tackle) that he did on Graham for two weeks. I recon that Bennett should give Corey Allan a go if GI gets a bit legless (sometime and trough this game) at FB or the centres, I would like to see how he goes, he's got big wraps on him.
3 R M
Guest
Coops didnt look match fit to me as in one set where he was doubled up and caught behind the play the ball in 2 of four tackles then ended up watching the try scored on the forth play from the ground behind play . Very un cooper like he did make 50 tackles though and all credit to the broncs play managers for the strategy. On form right now Tuala is the best centre in the club he seems a lot stronger this year Rob and looked ready on the weekend . Its a shame Wiltshire is injured as he has potential for first grade . Bowen to me is better this year as he went gunshy after some big hits last year but all 3 are above the two new recruited centres. Defence around the halves is a problem as each has missed 6 tackles in 1 of their last 2 games it cant go on if we want to win . The broncs had an 'advantage' of speed off the line so hopefully we can replicate that with our home crowd and some line speed in defence and stop the sharkies before they get rolling.
Rob
Guest
On a side note. The Cowboys were dominanted by the Broncos in the forwards IMO. Cooper? Love what he has done on the edge looking after JT but his attempt to stop TPJ was pathetic. His work rate is low especially bringing the ball out of his own end. Matty Scott is showing similar signs to Thurston maybe looking for a year or 2 to many. Being the elders of the pack they need to lead by example and have a crack.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Totally agree with the changes and, like JB and yourself TB, I'd be keeping RFM in the team. "Where to from here" is a great question as it doesn't get any easier with matches against the Storm, Dragons, Souths and Cowboys following. Could be really dire I'm afraid. Go Dogs!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice one Dean-0. Never really understood the signing of Crichton. Who poaches a reserve grade standard winger? They grow on trees don’t they? This side looks far more balanced. Okunbor is a good selection with the smaller Meaney at the back to do some of the grunt work. I think it will take him a while to settle into the role so hopefully he gets a chance. I’d like to see see Holland shifted back to the right with Smith where they were successful at the end of last season but from the numbers it looks like he’ll stay left. I think Okunbor would go better with Hoppa inside him but Hoppa always looks better passing right to left. I’d go one step further in the pack and put Jackson to 13, Martin in the starting side and Elliott back to the bench. The Dogs rotation when they’ve taken Napa, Tolman and Elliott off has cost them both games. Pay needs to get bigger minutes from his starting pack. I like Ogden but we don’t want to be giving him 40 minutes straight up. I don’t think RFM has been so bad he warrants dropping and I’d have him on the bench. Chris Smith has a dig but not sure he’s up to the standard. Maybe RFM needs to be part edge, but more middle third. Anyway, this shuffle gives a little bit of renewed hope. Not sure where to from here if this doesn’t work...!!!
Rob
Guest
I get really excited about GGM playing fullback. Tuala has so much more potential than Opacic. Unfortunately Javed is an almost player. He almost made the tackle, almost scored, almost dropped it, almost got there. He’s almost NRL standard but been around far to long to be any different. Kahu is a far better option than Javed. The Cowboys need a second kicking option Clifford needs Morgan and Morgan needs Martin to be a support player (7 tries in 13 games ). They need to get Gilmister up to do some defensive tutorials. Forget the wrestling and start hitting.
Zac Haig
Roar Rookie
No way around it. Dean Pay needed to shake up that side. I like the addition of Nick Meaney at the back. The Titans are certainly missing their halves but I'm expected a spirited bounce back from their forwards against a formidable Rabbitohs pack.
3 R M
Guest
Kahu should at least be smart in defence and have a good carry and pass the ball .TTM is going to get peppered and will need support from his wingers for the hard stuff and the centres need to cart up the second a fair bit better with him at the back but he could be good in attack and as the third kicker and as for defence we should be trying to hold front line and the less work he gets the better well go is the best i can say, as hes not a big body but hes got a big tickker .Mosby was moving defenders to correct the numbers on the weekend and didnt shirk his job and was always floating around the ruck so he might end up there if he can do some kicking and get enough of a go at it in isc. It will be interesting to see if the team changes again by Saturday as broncs gave out a few bruises and nene didnt come back
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
How do you reckon Martin will go at FB long term ? What about Kahu in the centre.? I saw him play a couple of games for the Broncs in the centre and he was less than ideal but as you say it had to be shaken up. I feel OK about the changes. Same ole same ole won’t cut it.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Any 80 minute players availabile for 13? Not sure Glen would be an option
Joe
Roar Rookie
You've got a mistake for the Cowboys list...Hampton is in for Opacid. Big changes for the Cowboys and the Dogs and I like it! Both O'Neil and Opacic dropped, Martin to fullback where he has been very good filling in for Kahu over the past two weeks. Clifford in to halves and Kahu to center. For the Dogs Crighton dropped, he was very poor last week especially, no effort. Meaney to fullback and Hoppa to center. CHN to 12 and Rys Martin returns via bench. I'd already done my tips but this will definitely make me rethink.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
I would hope that our full strength team has Gillett in the second row.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Not a fan of Gillett at 13. Much prefer to have him minding Milford or Nikorima in the defensive line than working in the middle.
3 R M
Guest
Its a relief that Greeny pulled the trigger when he had to Jimmmy with the disrupted pre-season he had to be open to change early if things weren't working. Tuala is very unlucky to miss out he had an impressive game in isc in a well beaten side whilst hampton was quiet. He didnt mention Opacic in the presser.Mosby played full back on the weekend it would be good to see him play a few games there.
AE47
Roar Rookie
Just give us a dry track PLEASE !!!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Earth to Mr Green , this is approximately the side most Cows supporters expected from round one . Are you telling us Clifford is so much better now two weeks after the season has kicked off.? Has Ben Hampton suddenly become the player he has always been.? Martin at FB and Kahu in the centres is OK . Not 100 percent convinced but anything and anyone is better than Opacic and ONeill ( atm only ,he is a better player than that but horrendously out of form). As for Clifford well who knows if he is the answer but he has to play and play again and again even if he is poor. He needs a good run at it ,then we can make up our mind.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thank farc for that.,!!
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Scratch that. Note to editor: Hampton in for Opacic.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Surprised Green didn’t freshen up that right side though.
3 R M
Guest
It makes me uncertain about an eastern standard sunrise tomorrow as north Queensland moves into strange new world of dramatic unforced changes . Im thanking every ones god that clifford gets a shot as he missed as many tackles as morgs and TTM in his last game .Green has done what he needed to this week and took a sword to the backline. i hope it pays off . He does give mention to the two young forwards and how close they are so the forwards are on notice as well.