FRIDAY
West Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney are coming off the back of a dominant display against the Warriors in Perth as they look to get their season back on track. Alex Johnson will move to his preferred position of fullback filling in for captain Greg Inglis, who is on Origin duties. Promising youngster, John Olive will make his NRL debut on the wing. Isaac Luke is another big name missing, with a medial ligament injury. He will be replaced by Cameron McInnes. The Tigers will lose both captain and co-captain to Origin, Robbie Farrah and Aaron Woods. However they do get some potential back into the backline with the return of David Nofoaluma and Tim Simona into the centres. Keith Galloway will start at prop and veteran Dean Halatau shifts to hooker.
SATURDAY
Warriors v Sydney Roosters
A host of changes for both teams in this one as the Warriors welcome back the services of internationals Sam Tomkins at fullback and Konrad Hurrell at centre. With both Jacob Lilyman and Ryan Hoffman away for origin, there has been a big reshuffle for the New Zealand outfit. Nathan Friend starts at hooker and Tuimoala Lolohea moves to the bench while Charlie Gubb and Raymond Faitala-Mariner come in for the Origin representatives. Albert Vete will start at prop. Blake Ferguson makes his long awaited Roosters return from a foot injury and slots in at centre in place of Michael Jennings. Absence of Boyd Cordner sees the ever versatile Mitch Aubusson move to the back row as Shaun Kenny-Dowall moves to his preferred centre position and Brendan Elliot shifts to the wing. Jackson Hastings will start at half back in place of Blues pivot Mitchell Pearce.
SUNDAY
Titans v Bulldogs
The Gold Coast Titans will be without the services of star half Kane Elgey for up to six weeks due to a syndesmosis strain. Daniel Mortimer replaces him while Kiwi international Eddy Pettybourne starts in place of Origin-bound Nate Myles. Matt White starts from the bench and Dave Taylor is replaced by Mark Ioane in this must win home game for the Titans. With both Morris twins and Trent Hodkinson recalled into the Blues squad for game two and James Graham out injured again, the bulldogs have had a reshuffle ahead of their Sunday clash. Sam Perrett will move to fullback and Corey Thompson takes his place on the wing, while Chase Stanley fills in at centre. Josh Reynolds moves from bench to halfback and Greg Eastwood will start the match at lock in place of origin bound Josh Jackson. The absence of Graham and David Klemmer sees Antonio Kaufusi and Herman Ese’ese come on to the bench.
MONDAY
Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
The Storm are no strangers to life without The Big Three when it comes to origin time and have worthy replacements at the ready. Kurt Mann slots into centre for Will Chambers while Ben Hampton and Ryan Hinchcliffe fill in at hooker and half respectively. Cameron Munster gets another chance at fullback. Just the one Origin rep for the Eels in the form of Will Hopoate as he will be replaced by Bureta Faraimo is back in the side and makes his return on the wing, seeing Ryan Morgan shift in to the centres. – Jackson Thomas
Top photo from Naparazzi’s Flickr photostream.
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