A number of top eight teams could consider resting some of their biggest names, although one premiership contender is instead set to welcome back a superstar.
Elsewhere, a few returning stars could help the Rabbitohs spoil the Roosters’ top-eight hopes just as a Dolphins gun prepares to make a stunning return just in time.
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Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 27.
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Brendan Piakura. 18th man: 18. Jesse Arthars
Team Tips: A setback means Adam Reynolds won’t be back, with Brisbane otherwise expected to be unchanged.
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Kane Bradley 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 20. Will Warbrick 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Shawn Blore 12. Joe Chan 13. Trent Loiero 10. Alec MacDonald 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Lazarus Vaalepu. 18th man: 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Team Tips: Any chance of Melbourne resting multiple players was thrown out the window after last week’s 40-0 second-half drubbing at the hands of the Roosters. A seething Craig Bellamy will want to make sure his players are switched on ahead of the finals so outside of those with genuine niggling injuries, you can expect a close to full-strength Storm side. With that in mind, Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eliesa Katoa and Josh King should return after getting a rest last week while Jahrome Hughes is set to play his first game since injuring his shoulder. “He prefers coming back a week before the finals rather than coming back in a finals game,” Bellamy said of Hughes. “He is really keen to get back next week. If the medical people think it is not plausible or it is a real big risk, well we probably won’t do it… we’re really keen to get him back out there next week and he is keen to do it. He thinks he is feeling okay with the shoulder so hopefully the week will turn out okay.”
“Embarrassing!”: Bellamy goes bang | 08:27
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5
Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors at 4 Pines Park, 6.00pm AEST
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley. 18th man: 18. Joey Walsh
Team Tips: Already without Reuben Garrick, the Sea Eagles have also lost Tolutau Koula for the season to a knee injury while Toafofoa Sipley is set to miss this week’s game too due to suspension. Taniela Paseka (Achilles) will likely be available for selection according to coach Anthony Seibold. Aaron Schoupp replaced Koula mid-game and that opens up a utility spot on the bench, which could see Daly Cherry-Evans’ potential long-term replacement Joey Walsh make his NRL debut. Seibold hinted at it in recent weeks but said Walsh would only get game time once Manly’s finals hopes were dashed and with it looking near-impossible now for the Sea Eagles to make it, the 19-year-old may finally get his shot.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 10. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima. 18th man: 20. Samuel Healey
Team Tips: The Warriors are unlikely to make any changes but reinforcements are coming, with Jackson Ford (suspension), Jacob Laban (leg) and Freddy Lussick (ankle) all set to be available for selection in time for the finals.
Eels pip Warriors in controversial end | 01:18
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, 8.00pm AEST
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 14. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 17. Siua Wong 19. Blake Steep. 18th man: 18. Ethan King
Team Tips: Sam Walker will be back after missing last week’s game while in concussion protocols. That will see Hugo Savala drop out.
Round 25 Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Brandon Smith 16. Cody Walker 17. Thomas Fletcher. 18th man: 18. Shaquai Mitchell
Team Tips: There could be multiple big inclusions for the Rabbitohs with both Cameron Murray (Achilles) and Latrell Mitchell (back) a chance of returning while Jack Wighton (suspension) will also be back on deck. That could see the Rabbitohs field a completely new-look centre combination, unless Jye Gray shifts to the bench. Brandon Smith will also play despite being summoned to face Southport Magistrates Court next month with neither South Sydney nor the NRL standing the utility down.
Roosters take huge step towards finals | 02:20
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium, 3.00pm AEST
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jayden Su’a 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga. 18th man: 19. Corey Allan
Team Tips: The only change could see Moses Suli return from a knee injury, although with nothing to play for he may rest up until 2026. Meanwhile, Jack de Belin was cleared by the match review committee and is free to play in his final game for the Dragons. Hamish Stewart (concussion) won’t return after being ruled out by the Dragons for the remainder of the season.
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Jesse McLean 3. Sione Fonua 4. David Fale 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Luron Patea 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Maverick Geyer 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Preston Riki 16. Riley Price 17. Billy Phillips. 18th man: 22. Jaxen Edgar
Team Tips: “We’ve got a plan for next week.” It is the cryptic reply that Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had both before and after the Bulldogs game when quizzed if Penrith could again mass rest players for Saturday’s clash with the Dragons. Given the Roosters play the night before, the Panthers will know in advance if they need to win to move up to seventh, but does that even matter? The fact they rested players and gave up a shot at a home final suggests Cleary will only play his first graders if he believes they need to build some momentum after three-straight losses. If the Panthers are full-strength, Cleary will need to make a call on his bench with Luron Patea healthy. Scott Sorensen or Liam Henry could drop out if Cleary opts for Patea as an impact forward on the interchange.
‘Dangerous Contact?’ De Belin avoids bin | 00:48
Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Last week’s Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan de Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 22. Tony Francis 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston. 18th man: 20. Cooper Bai
Team Tips: The Titans aren’t expected to make any changes at this stage, with none of their injured players slated to return.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainui 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Heath Mason 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar. 18th man: 21. Tristan Hope
Team Tips: Winger Jeral Skelton will miss the final game of the season after being deemed to have shown Category 1 signs of a concussion. Brent Naden looms as the logical replacement in the backline.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerii 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Reed Mahoney. 18th man: 19. Enari Tuala
Team Tips: There won’t be mass restings for the Bulldogs, even if they can’t improve their position on the ladder. But coach Cameron Ciraldo did confirm in an interview with ABC Sport that any players carrying niggling injuries would get a break. “When you’re resting players, it depends on what part of the journey you’re on,” Ciraldo said. “Melbourne and Penrith are ahead of the journey, so it’s easy for them to rest. If we have some niggles I’m not going to throw them out there. We will rest them if we have to.” Both Jacob Kiraz (foot) and Harry Hayes (hamstring) will remain sidelined while the Bulldogs will probably be incentivised to give Viliame Kikau (illness) a hit-out if he is 100 per cent and ready to go. It sounds like that is the case, with Ciraldo telling reporters after the Penrith game that Kikau would be “refreshed and energetic and back at training tomorrow”.
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele. 18th man: 20. Jayden Berrell
Team Tips: All eyes will be on halfback Braydon Trindall after he limped off with an ankle injury. Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said the injury doesn’t look “too bad” and that it appears to be an “ankle sprain”. “But which ankle sprain is it?” Fitzgibbon added. “It’s the lateral ligaments by the looks of it, but we won’t know until we get an MRI.” If Trindall is ruled out, the Sharks do have Daniel Atkinson on deck as a logical replacement. Elsewhere, at this stage Jesse Ramien (thumb) is not expected to return until the finals.
Sharks keep top 4 dream alive | 01:34
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders at CommBank Stadium, 2.00pm AEST
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe
14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr. 18th man: 19. LJ Nonu
Team Tips: Fox League’s Eloise Sohier reported on sideline that she was told Herbie Farnworth will play in Sunday’s game if the Roosters lose and the Dolphins are still a shot at the finals. That was essentially confirmed by coach Kristian Woolf, who said after the win against the Titans that it was “some possibility” that Farnworth could returen from his hamstring injury. “He ran really well last week, he started doing some skills towards the end of the week,” added Woolf. “One thing we won’t be doing is being reckless there. If he’s 100 per cent right to play, then we’ll consider playing him. If he’s not, then we’ll make sure we get it right first.” Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of Round 26 but the Dolphins are “confident” he will be available for selection.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 15. Simi Sasagi 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin. 18th man: 20. Danny Levi
Team Tips: The Dolphins are set to be gifted a huge boost with Ricky Stuart flagging multiple big names will be rested for Sunday’s game, with fullback Kaeo Weekes confirmed as one of the players who will sit out. “I’m going to be resting players who are a big banged up and need a spell,” Stuart said. “There are some key positional players I think need a week off to get ready for the finals. It could be half a dozen players, I just don’t know yet. It might be three or four players, it could be eight or nine. I want to talk to the players first. But I am looking at half a dozen players who need a rest in regards to carrying some niggles.”
Raiders claim 2nd Minor Premiership | 01:34
Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights at CommBank Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Will Penisini 18. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Josah Papalii 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani. 18th man: 21. Toni Mataele
Team Tips: Forward Kitione Kautoga could be available to return from an ankle injury but otherwise the Eels are expected to stick with a winning formula.
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 4. Bradman Best 18. Greg Marzhew 5. Fletcher Hunt 9. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 14. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 6. Jakob Arthur 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Salesa Leaumoana. 18th man: 3. James Schiller
Team Tips: Veteran Adam Elliott (biceps) is closing in on a return but outside of avoiding the wooden spoon, there isn’t much else for the Knights to play for and so they may well stick with the 17 that took it to the Sharks early before fading away.
Bye: North Queensland Cowboys
