The NRL semi-finals teams have been revealed.
The Penrith Panthers have been boosted ahead of Saturday night’s do-or-die semi-final, regaining Dylan Edwards at fullback and Moses Leota at prop after both were withdrawn late from last week’s lock loss to South Sydney.
Charlie Staines is the casualty from Edwards’ return, with Stephen Crichton shifting to the wing to take his spot. Matt Eisenhuth drops out due to Leota’s return.
The Parramatta Eels, for their part, have named Clint Gutherson and Blake Ferguson despite both suffering injuries in last week’s controversial win over the Knights. The only change they’ve made is the return of Ryan Matterson to the bench at the expense of Makahesi Makatoa.
The Sydney Roosters will be without Sio Siua Taukeiaho for their crunch match on Friday night, after the forward succumbed to a leg injury. They do, however, regain Nat Butcher from a knee problem on the the bench.
Sam Verrills has been named despite facing the judiciary for a high tackle charge.
The Manly Sea Eagles have made one change; Lachlan Croker returns at hooker after he was a late withdrawal from last week’s loss with a back injury. Karl Lawton drops to the bench and Curtis Sironen leaves the side altogether as a result.
CHECK OUT THE FULL TEAMS
Friday, 7:50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
| Sea Eagles | No. | Roosters |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Trbojevic | 1 | James Tedesco |
| Jason Saab | 2 | Daniel Tupou |
| Brad Parker | 3 | Josh Morris |
| Morgan Harper | 4 | Adam Keighran |
| Reuben Garrick | 5 | Matt Ikuvalu |
| Kieran Foran | 6 | Lachlan Lam |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 7 | Drew Hutchison |
| Josh Aloiai | 8 | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves |
| Lachlan Croker | 9 | Sam Verrills |
| Martin Taupau | 10 | Isaac Liu |
| Haumole Olakau’atu | 11 | Angus Crichton |
| Josh Schuster | 12 | Sitili Tupouniua |
| Jake Trbojevic | 13 | Victor Radley |
| Interchange | ||
| Dylan Walker | 14 | Sam Walker |
| Karl Lawton | 15 | Nat Butcher |
| Sean Keppie | 16 | Egan Butcher |
| Taniela Paseka | 17 | Fletcher Baker |
| Reserves | ||
| Toafofoa Sipley | 18 | Dale Copley |
| Moses Suli | 19 | Ben Thomas |
| Curtis Sironen | 20 | Ben Marschke |
| Tevita Funa | 21 | Naufahu Whyte |
Saturday, 7:50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
| Panthers | No. | Eels |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Edwards | 1 | Clint Gutherson |
| Stephen Crichton | 2 | Haze Dunster |
| Paul Momirovski | 3 | Will Penisini |
| Matt Burton | 4 | Waqa Blake |
| Brian To’o | 5 | Blake Ferguson |
| Jarome Luai | 6 | Dylan Brown |
| Nathan Cleary | 7 | Mitchell Moses |
| Moses Leota | 8 | Reagan Campbell-Gillard |
| Apisai Koroisau | 9 | Ray Stone |
| James Fisher-Harris | 10 | Junior Paulo |
| Viliame Kikau | 11 | Shaun Lane |
| Kurt Capewell | 12 | Marata Niukore |
| Isaah Yeo | 13 | Nathan Brown |
| Interchange | ||
| Mitch Kenny | 14 | Will Smith |
| Scott Sorensen | 15 | Isaiah Papali’i |
| Tevita Pangai Jr. | 16 | Bryce Cartwright |
| Liam Martin | 17 | Ryan Matterson |
| Reserves | ||
| Spencer Leniu | 18 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Izack Tago | 19 | Oregon Kaufusi |
| Brent Naden | 20 | Tom Opacic |
| Tyrone May | 21 | Jake Arthur |
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
You're right, thus weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I'm more worried about the material Waqa Blake has on BA. With his horrendous defensive reads, how does he start with Tom Opacic on the extended bench. I can see tries free flowing through that 3/4 area.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Looking at that bench, surely the plan is for Papali'i to be the middle forward rotation?
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm not the greatest Dylan Edwards fan either. He can make an error or three , but he is the only Panther player to be there backing up breaks . He would have been there for Yeo's break to score under the posts and possibly the breaks in the second half by Kikau & Burton. Where was Crichton ? If Edwards played , the Panthers might have been resting up this weekend as Staines also wouldn't have been out there to miss that easy tackle on Gagai.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Editors seem to have missed a couple of errors in this: "The Parramatta Eels, for their part, have named Clint Gutherson and Blake Ferguson despite both suffering injuries in last week’s controversial win over the Knights" There was nothing controversial about it. "The Penrith Panthers have been boosted ahead of Saturday night’s do-or-die semi-final, regaining Dylan Edwards at fullback..." That should surely read "a huge boost for Parramatta?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Team winning % with Grant Atkins referee: Parramtta 37% (2nd lowest win % for grant Atkins) Penrith 69% (2nd highest win % under Atkins)
Ja ja klazo
Guest
That's true but he looked like he was starting to hit has straps in the last few games of the year. Had a blinder against the Raiders.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder which teams will cope with the conditions the best in Mackay? I gather it won't be that hot, around 25 degrees, but the humidity will be pushing 70%. If either game is close, it might be a case of last man standing
Paul
Roar Guru
I thought it was only me who was seeing things. Pass them on to me please Jack.
mushi
Roar Guru
He hasn't been as great last year or so. Not the explosive agile runner he was. I feel like he's had a lot of minor injuries, I worry they've taken a toll.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And Ray Stone is filling in at hooker, so positional play in defense is a big concern.
Murray Fosts
Guest
He's a huge out , possibly the difference between winning and losing in a big game .
Ed Gein
Roar Rookie
"The Parramatta Eels, for their part, have named Clint Gutherson and Blake Ferguson despite both suffering injuries in last week’s controversial win over the Knighrs." I'm a little bit scared to pronounce that typo out loud!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Ah, so you don’t agree with Souvalis. You think Sutton would deliberately cheat to ensure Penrith lost. Same questions to you as to Souvalis.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
$4.50 Penrith? Please send me your bookies details
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Cleary was p*ssed off about Atkin no refereeeing the Panthers last game their general leg ups, that this week he is back playing for teh Panthers as teh Bunker Official.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
It's outrageous that Grant Atkins ( a member of the Penrith ref's Association and friend of Cleary) is named as the Senior Review Official of the Panthers game. Is this the NRL trying to appease Panthers for thier loss on the weekend, Atkins refereeing is overly biased towards the panthers. Eels are in trouble brace yourself for some stupid bunker decision on Friday night in favour of Penrith, and on Monday Spin Doctor Annesley will claim it's all ok.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Shaun Lane starting; Matterson on the bench and Makatoa out completely… does Shaun Lane have blackmail material on BA or something?!
Dutski
Roar Guru
I was thinking the Eels bench looked pretty light on. Three backrowers and a utility. Look for RCG and Junior to play big minutes.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Parramatta are running low on middle forwards. Penrith should exploit this by looking for inside passes around the ruck to tire out / catch out inattentiveness from whatever combination is playing there.