Round 15 teams: Storm stars return, another Manly debut
BILLY Slater makes his return for the Storm against the Knights on Sunday. It sets up a mouth-watering duel between the master and his heir apparent Kalyn Ponga.
Curtis Scott and Will Chambers will also make their welcome returns, as Melbourne looks to push into the top four.
James Roberts will bolster the Broncos' backline against the Sharks on Saturday night, after the electric centre was rested by Wayne Bennett following his State of Origin debut.
And the Sea Eagles have opted against recalling Jackson Hastings, instead Manase Fainu will debut for the club as Api Koroisau's replacement.
Check out all the team lists for Round 15 below!
Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm at ANZ Stadium
Eels: 1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Corey Norman, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Peni Terepo, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14 Reed Mahoney, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore
Reserves: 18 Siosaia Vave, 19 Suaia Matagi, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Mitchell Moses
Manu Ma'u returns to the starting side after missing last weekend's trip to Darwin and Marata Niukore goes back to the bench with Siosaia Vave the 18th man. Reed Mahony retains his place in the 17 after an impressive debut against the Cowboys. Mitchell Moses could return after being included on the extended bench.
Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Greg Inglis (c), 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 18 Robbie Farah, 19 Hymel Hunt, 20 Mark Nicholls, 21 Tyrell Fuimaono
Origin stars Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Angus Crichton return, with Cameron Murray and Adam Doueihi moving back to the bench and Robbie Farah, Hymel Hunt, Mark Nicholls, Tyrell Fuimaono dropping to the reserves.
North Queensland Cowboys v New Zealand Warriors, Friday 6pm (8pm NZT) at 1300Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: 1 Michael Morgan, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Kane Linnett, 4 Enari Tuala, 5 Javid Bowen, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Sam Hoare
Reserves: 18 Justin O'Neill, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Francis Molo
Coach Paul Green has overhauled his backline. Kane Linnett starts in the centres with Justin O'Neill moving to 18th man. Javid Bowen scores a wing spot in place of Antonio Winterstein. Origin player Michael Morgan (groin) returns at fullback with Lachlan Coote dropping out. Origin forwards Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess return to the starting side after playing from the bench last week. Scott Bolton (rib cartilage) returns from injury.
Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu'a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair
Interchange: 14 Karl Lawton, 15 Chris Satae, 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Simon Mannering
Reserves: 18 Gerard Beale, 19 Mason Lino, 20 Liligiifo Sao, 21 Anthony Gelling
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ankle) returns at fullback with Peta Hiku moving back to centre and Gerard Beale dropping out of the 17.
Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers, Friday 7.55pm at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Dylan Napa, 11 Boyd Cordner, 12 Mitchell Aubusson, 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Kurt Baptiste, 17 Victor Radley
Reserves: 18 Nat Butcher, 19 Lindsay Collins, 20 Paul Momirovski, 21 Billy Smith
Boyd Corder returns after being rested following Origin with Victor Radley moving to the interchange. Dylan Napa returns to the starting side after playing from the bench when backing up last week. Ryan Matterson (concussion/wrist) remains sidelined.
Panthers: 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Tyrone Peachey, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Corey Harawira-Naera, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Kaide Ellis, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 James Tamou
Reserves: 18 Jarome Luai, 19 Liam Martin, 20 Tyrone May, 21 Nick Lui-Toso
Viliame Kikau (knee) is out for 1-3 weeks and, replaced on the bench by returning youngster Jack Hetherington (suspension).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans, Saturday 3pm at Belmore Sports Ground
Bulldogs: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 John Olive, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Jeremy Marshall-King, 7 Matt Frawley, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange: 14 Clay Priest, 15 Kerrod Holland, 16 Renouf Toomaga, 17 Aiden Tolman
Reserves: 18 Reimis Smith, 19 Rhyse Martin, 20 Greg Eastwood, 21 Lachlan Lewis
Rhyse Martin has been named on the extended bench after being dropped last week for missing a training session. Blues Origin prop David Klemmer returns to the starting side with Renouf Toomaga going back to the bench.
Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jack Stockwell, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Will Matthews, 16 Moeaki Fotuaika, 17 Morgan Boyle
Reserves: 18 Bryce Cartwright, 19 Leilani Latu, 20 Kane Elgey, 21 Jai Whitbread
The Titans are without forwards Jarrod Wallace (suspension) and Max King (shoulder). Jack Stockwell starts for Wallace with Will Matthews coming onto the bench. Morgan Boyle comes onto the interchange for King.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Saturday 5.30pm at WIN Stadium
Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Kurt Mann, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Jason Nightingale, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Jacob Host
Reserves: 18 Blake Lawrie, 19 Patrick Herbert, 20 Reece Robson, 21 Hame Sele
Unchanged with Kurt Mann retaining the right wing spot ahead of benched veteran Jason Nightingale, as per Monday's late change.
Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Akuila Uate, 6 Trent Hodkinson, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Frank Winterstein, 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14 Matthew Wright, 15 Brad Parker, 16 Shaun Lane, 17 Taniela Paseka
Reserves: 18 Thomas Wright, 19 Lewis Brown, 20 Toafofoa Sipley, 21 Lloyd Perrett
19-year-old hooker Manase Fainu has been named for his NRL debut in place of Apisai Koroisau (foot), who will miss 8-10 weeks. Moses Suli (disciplinary) returns at centre with Brad Parker dropping to the bench. Frank Winterstein comes into the starting side in the second row and Shaun Lane moves to the bench.
Cronulla Sharks v Brisbane Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham (c), 13 Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Jack Williams, 17 Jayson Bukuya
Reserves: 18 Kurt Capewell, 19 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 20 Scott Sorensen, 21 Sosaia Feki
The Sharks have named the same 17 which stormed home to beat Wests Tigers last Sunday after trailing at half-time.
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Jaydn Su'A, 13 Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14 Patrick Mago, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Tevita Pangai jnr, 17 Kotoni Staggs
Reserves: 18 Sam Tagataese, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Tom Opacic, 21 David Fifita
James Roberts (achilles) returns after being rested following Origin with Tom Opacic moving to reserves.
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm, Sunday 2pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Herman Ese'ese, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Josh King, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitchell Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra (c)
Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Luke Yates, 18 Jacob Lillyman
Reserves: 18 Nicholas Meaney, 19 Sam Stone, 20 Brock Lamb, 21 Brent Naden
Luke Yates replaces Jamie Buhrer (ACL) on the bench.
Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Ryley Jacks, 8 Tim Glasby, 9 Cameron Smith, 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich
Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Christian Welch, 16 Joe Stimson, 17 Jahrome Hughes
Reserves: 18 Young Tonumaipea, 19 Sam Kasiano, 20 Patrick Kaufusi, 21 Cheyse Blair
Billy Slater returns at fullback but remains in doubt. Jahrome Hughes would return to the starting team is Slater misses out. Curtis Scott looms as a POD bye coverage option after being named to reutrn from suspension along with Will Chambers. Tim Glasby shifts from lock to prop to replace the injured Jesse Bromwich. Kenny Bromwich starts at lock for the Storm.
Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders, Sunday 4.10pm at Campbelltown Stadium
Wests Tigers: 1 Corey Thompson, 2 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Mahe Fonua, 5 Kevin Naiqama, 6 Josh Reynolds, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Matt McIlwrick, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Matthew Eisenhuth, 16 Josh Aloiai, 17 Tim Grant
Reserves: 18 Michael Chee-Kam, 19 Tyson Gamble, 20 Sauaso Sue, 21 Chris McQueen
Popular purchase Michael Chee-Kam drops out of the 17 with Robbie Rochow returning in the back-row. Tui Lolohea has been dropped with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak coming onto the wing and Corey Thompson shifting to fullback. Matt McIlwrick starts at hooker with Elijah Taylor moving to lock.
Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Michael Oldfield, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii
Interchange: 14 Siliva Havili, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Dunamis Lui, 17 Liam Knight
Reserves: 18 Emre Guler, 19 Brad Abbey, 20 Jack Murchie, 21 Craig Garvey
Josh Hodgson makes an early returning from a devastating ACL injury suffered at the World Cup. Siliva Havili moves to the bench with Ata Hingano drops out of the side. Michael Oldfield replaces Jordan Rapana (hamstring) on the wing.
