It’s a big week of team changes in the NRL, with superstar Kalyn Ponga shifted to fullback by the Newcastle Knights, while injuries have forced Kieran Foran and James Roberts, among others, to the sideline.
After the Knights were beaten by the Raiders last week, the Ponga experiment in the halves has already been brought to an end by coach Nathan Brown. The youngster will play fullback, with recruit Mason Lino brought into the halves.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of injuries to contend with. Bulldogs half Kieran Foran has been rubbed out for up to three months through a leg injury, while James Roberts will also sit out of the Broncos trip to Sydney to play the Roosters.
Foran will be replaced in a straight swap by Jack Cogger, while Kontoni Staggs lines up in the centres at Brisbane.
As confirmed by the Dragons on Monday, Gareth Widdop will also miss a significant chunk of time as he has surgery to repair the shoulder he dislocated last weekend against Brisbane for the second time in six months. Widdop will be replaced at the back by Matt Dufty.
Eels half Dylan Brown and Rabbitohs outside back Braidon Burns are also injured this week, while Jake Friend will remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Cooper Cronk has been named to make his return in the halves for the Roosters, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will play through the pain of a rib injury this weekend.
Matt Moylan is also out for the Sharks, but that will pave the way for exciting rookie Bronson Xerri to make his debut in the centres, as Josh Dugan shifts to fullback.
The other major questions were at the South Sydney Rabbitohs this weekend, however, Greg Inglis and Cody Walker have both been cleared of injury.
In better news across the competition, Ashley Taylor, George Burgess and Villame Kikau have both been named to make their return.
Round 4 NRL teams
Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Thursday, 8:05pm at Sydney Cricket Ground
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. Victor Radley, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Lindsay Collins, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Angus Crichton, 18. Nat Butcher, 19. Sitili Tupouniua, 20. Sam Verrlis, 23. Lachlan Lam
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kontoni Staggs, 4. Jack Bird, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Matt Lodge, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Tevita Pangai Junior
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Gehamat Shibasaki, 15. Jaydn Su’A, 16. Thomas Flegler, 17. David Fifita, 18. Patrick Carrigan, 19. Shaun Fensom, 20. Izaia Perese, 21. Richard Kennar
New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans
Friday, 6pm at MT.Smart Stadium
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Chanel Harris-Tevita, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Adam Blair
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Lachlan Burr, 17. Ligi Sao, 18 Gerard Beale, 20. Leivaha Pulu 21. Adam Keighran, 22. Blake Ayshford
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Tyrone Peachey, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Dale Copley, 6. Alexander Brimson, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Ryan James, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Alexander Brimson, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Shannon Boyd, 17. Keegan Hipgrave, 18. Max King, 19. Phillip Sami, 20. Ryley Jacks, 21. Jai Whitbread
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers
Friday, 8:05pm 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. Villame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13, James Fisher-Harris
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Frank Winterstein, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Jack Hetherington, 18. Liam Martin, 19. Tim Grant, 20. Jarome Luai, 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Robert Jennings, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Josh Reynolds, 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. Matthew Eisenhuth, 20. Robbie Rochow, 21. Chris McQueen
Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Saturday, 3pm at Lottoland
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Brendan Elliot, 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. Trent Hodkinson, 19. Lachlan Croker, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa, 21. Taniela Paseka
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess, 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Tevita Tatola, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Kyle Turner, 18. Connor Tracey, 19. Bayley Sironen, 20. Rhys Kennedy, 21. Jacob Gagan
Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs runs the ball during the round 11 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 1300SMILES Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday, 5:30pm at 1300 Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: 1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Nene Macdonald, 3. Jordan Kahu, 4. Ben Hampton, 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
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. Joseph Tapine, 19. Jack Murchie, 20 Bailey Simonsson, 21. JJ Collins
Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday, 7:30pm at ANZ Stadium
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Jaeman Salmon, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Peni Terepo, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Oregon Kaufusi, 18. Ray Stone, 19. Matt McIlwrick, 20. Josh Hoffman, 21. George Jennings
Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Bronson Xerri, 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. Aaron Gray, 21. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Sunday, 4:05pm at AAMI Park
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
Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Rhyse Martin
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Michael Lichaa, 15. Ofahiki Ogden, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Chris Smith, 19, Danny Fualalo, 20. Marcel Montoya, 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 22. Sauaso Sue
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday, 6:10pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Mason Lino, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Tim Glasby 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Aidan Guerra, 16. Daniel Saifiti, 17. Josh King, 18. Herman Ese’ese, 19. Brodie Jones, 20. Jamie Buhrer, 21. Tautau Moga
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty, 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. Zac Lomax, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Tyson Frizell, 19. Mitch Allgood, 20. Jai Field, 21. Jonus Pearson
All times AEDT
Scott Pryde
Expert
The under is paying $1.12.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Josh Dugan playing fullback! That is an injury waiting to happen... over/under 50 minutes for Dugan?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
My draft side is devastated by injuries. One more and I’ll pretty much have to choose between giving up good players to stay competitive or tanking for a couple weeks to keep my side together
Albo
Roar Rookie
Staggs will be fine ! That kid can play.
Paul
Roar Guru
I thought he could have been anything when he came on the scene in Melbourne TB and thought my Dragons had picked up a good buy. Obviously the Dragons worked out what Bellamy had already decided and moved him on. I hope he does make a go of it at the Knights though. He did some good things with the Red V
KenW
Guest
He's not the worst player going around and his versatility makes him a handy squaddie. It's just that he's not quite good enough to hold any particular position. Probably at his best on the wing with good finishing skills - but he lacks the size or speed to be a good kick-returner. Good enough ball-skills to fill in the halves - but never enough to be a first-choice. Even played some middle forward time for Saints last year - and pulled off some surprisingly strong tackles - but clearly is not built for that. You got to give him points for getting in there and having a go though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s still a couple of steps higher than where he should be...
Dutski
Roar Guru
He's in the right place for a Kurt Gidley style career though!
Paul
Roar Guru
Kurt Mann's gone from playing interchange at the Dragons to...... playing interchange at the Knights! A step up?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Does not bode well. What are the odds on Latrell being the first points scorer?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hmm, Staggs will be lining up against Latrell huh? That'll be an interesting test for the young fella
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
A lot of people were calling for the Dragon's to flick Dufty not that long ago. Good thing they didn't. He's a tidy player. Mind you I think he could benefit from six weeks on Guinness and meat pies to build up. He could be in danger of being grabbed by a kookaburra during the game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
When you consider the finishing time of their game against Souths, the Titans are on less than a five day turnaround...thrown in with a trip to NZ and it’s a big ask. My SuperCoach team is battling its own injury woes. JT13 out last week, Burns and Brown this week and Keighran dropped.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Ponga was never gonna work at 5/8. Needs more experience