NRL predicted team lists: Every side’s likely lineup for Round 20
The grueling period of State of Origin is almost over and Wednesday night’s final game puts an end to disruptions in club country.
NRL clubs and players will now focus on progressing to the Finals, with plenty of spots up for grabs in both the top four and top eight.
Brandon Smith will return to first grade for the Roosters while the Knights get a big boost in the form of Dane Gagai.
South Sydney, St George Illawarra and Canberra will all get byes this weekend.
The sports news Below is all of the early post ahead of Round 20.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS vs WEST TIGERS
Friday, July 14, McDonald Jones Stadium (8 p.m.)
Expected team of the Knights:
1.Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhev
6.Tyson Gamble
7.Jackson Hastings
8. Daniel Saifiti
9.Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11.Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Adam Elliott
14. Kurt Mann
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Mathew Croker
News from the Knights team:
Dane Gagai (foot) is set to return to centre-backs, replacing Enari Tuala.
Origin duo Jacob Saifiti and Bradman Best are expected to be named as replacements.
Anticipated Tigers team:
1st year at Bula
2. Asu Kepaoa
3. Starford To’a
4.Tommy Talau
5.Junior Tupou
6. WillSmith
7.Brandon Wakeham
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jake Simpkin
10.David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12.John Bateman
13. Fonua Pole
14. Tallin Da Silva
15.Shawn Blore
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Aitasi James
Tigers Team News:
Despite losing to Cronulla in Round 19, no major changes are expected for the Tigers at this point.
Luke Brooks (hamstring) and Api Koroisau (jaw) are both two weeks away from a return.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS vs. BRISBANE BRONCOS
Saturday 15 July, Belmore Oval (3pm)
Expected team for the Bulldogs:
1.Jake Averillo
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Braidon Burns
4. Ethan Quai-Ward
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Matt Burton
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Tevita Pangai Jr
11. Jackson Topine
12.Jacob Preston
13. Raymond Faitala Mariner
14. Kyle Flanagan
15. Kurtis Morrin
16. Jayden Okunbor
17. Franklin Pele
Bulldogs Team News:
Josh Addo-Carr is likely to be named as Origin’s replacement on the wing, giving way to last-round hat-trick hero Blake Wilson.
Ryan Sutton (neck) is expected to be sidelined which should give Franklin Pele an opportunity to join the squad.
Broncos Predicted Team:
1. Tristan Sailor
2. Corey Oates
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Keenan Palasia
9.Billy Walters
10. Corey Jensen
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Kurt Capewell
13.Patrick Carrigan
14. TysonSmoothy
15.Xavier Willison
16.Kobe Hetherington
17. Martin Taupau
Broncos team news:
Kurt Capewell (quad) is expected to return to the back row, which will give a timely boost to the Broncos, who will be without Payne Haas (ankle) for at least a week.
Brisbane hope all Origin players will be available for replacements from Wednesday night’s game.
Reece Walsh (suspended) remains sidelined for one more game.
MANLY SEA EAGLES v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Saturday, July 15, Brookvale Oval (5:30 p.m.)
Probable Sea Eagles team:
1.Reuben Garrick
2. Jason Saab
3.Brad Parker
4. Tolutau Koula
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6.Josh Schuster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. Jake Trbojevic
14.Ben Trbojevic
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ethan Bullemor
17.Aaron Woods
Sea Eagles Team News:
No changes are expected from the team that defeated the Roosters in Round 18.
Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans are expected to retire from Origin in this must-win duel.
Probable team of the Cowboys:
1.Scott Drinkwater
2.Semi Valemei
3.Valentine Holmes
4. Peta Hiku
5.Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7.Chad Townsend
8.Jordan McLean
9.Reece Robson
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville
15.Griffin Neame
16. Coen Hess
17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Cowboys Team News:
For the Cowboys, who had the bye in round 19, there were no changes at this point.
All of the club’s representative stars are expected to be named as Origin’s replacements.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v MELBOURNE STORM
Saturday 15 July, Sydney Cricket Ground (7.35pm)
Expected team for the Roosters:
1. James Tedesco
2.Daniel Tupou
3.BillySmith
4. Joseph Manu
5. Joseph Swaaalii
6.Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9.Jake Turpin
10. LindsayCollins
11. Egan Butcher
12.Nat Butcher
13.Victor Radley
14.BrandonSmith
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Nathan Brown
17. Terrell May
Roosters team news:
Brandon Smith (thumb) played in the NSW Cup at the weekend and is likely to return to the first year lineup on the bench, while Sam Walker (knee) and Connor Watson (knee) are both out for a week or two.
Joseph Suaalii, Egan Butcher and Billy Smith are all expected to return to the squad after missing round 18 with headbutts.
James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins are both expected to step down from their Origin responsibilities.
Team predicted by the storm:
1.Nick Meaney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Reimis Smith
4. Justin Olam
5.Xavier Coates
6.Cameron Munster
7. Jarome Hughes
8. Tariq Sims
9. Harry Grant
10.Christian Welch
11. Trent Loiero
12. Nelson Asofa Solomona
13. Josh King
14.Bronson Garlick
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Tui Kamikamica
17.Tom Eisenhuth
Storm Team News:
No changes are expected for the Storm at this stage following the round 19 bye, with Will Warbrick (headbutt) set to run up the wing.
Cameron Munster and Harry Grant must both get through State of Origin unscathed, but should be credited. ‘
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS vs CRONULLA SHARKS
Sunday, July 16, Go Media Stadium (2:00 p.m.)
Likely Warriors team:
1. Charnze Nicoll Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Rocco berry
4. Adam Pompey
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Luke Metcalf
7.Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9.Wayde Egan
10. Bunty Afoa
11.Jackson Ford
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Tohu Harris
14. Dylan Walker
15. Bayley Sirons
16. Josh Curran
17.Freddy Lussick
Warriors Team News:
Josh Curran (suspended) will return to the bench and likely replace Tom Ale, which is the only change for the squad.
Expected team for the Sharks:
1.William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3.Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Matt Moylan
7.Nicho Hynes
8. Oregon Kaufusi
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Toby Rudolph
11. Briton Nikora
12. Dough Wilton
13.Cameron McInnes
14.Jack Williams
15. Wade Graham
16.Jesse Colquhoun
17.Tom Hazelton
Sharks Team News:
There are currently no changes for Cronulla following the Round 19 win over the Tigers.
Dale Finucane (suspended) is a week away from his return to the squad.
DOLPHINS vs. PENRITH PANTHERS
Sunday, July 16, Kayo Stadium (4:05 p.m.)
Expected team of the Dolphins:
1. Kodi Nikorima
2.Jamayne Isaako
3. Euan Aitken
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5.Tesi Niu
6. Isaiya Katoa
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8.Jesse Bromwich
9.Harrison Graham
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Ray Stone
14.Josh Kerr
15. Connelly Lemuelu
16. Anthony Milford
17. Jarrod Wallace
Dolphins Team News:
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is likely to be named in the squad, but his position with the Dolphins is currently unknown. Kodi Nikorima played full-back in round 18 when “The Hammer” switched to the middle.
Felise Kaufusi (concussion) will also return to the back row, benching Connelly Lemuelu.
Expected team for the Panthers:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3.Izack Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jack Cogger
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11.Scott Sorensen
12.Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Spencer Leniu
17.Zac Hosking
Panthers team news:
Penrith hopes his Origin quota will be available again after Wednesday night’s clash.
Scott Sorensen (neck) is questionable but should be named on the second row.
PARRAMATTA EELS vs. GOLD COAST TITANS
Sunday, July 16, CommBank Stadium (6:15 p.m.)
Estimated team of the Eels:
1.Clint Gutherson
2.Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4.Bailey Simonsson
5.Sean Russell
6. Daejarn Asi
7. MitchellMoses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Brendan Hands
10.Junior Paulo
11.Ryan Matterson
12.Andrew Davey
13. J’maine Hopgood
14.Bryce Cartwright
15.Joe Ofahengaue
16. Shaun Lane
17. Makahesi Makatoa
News from the Eels team:
Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are all expected to return from Origin.
Daejarn Asi will move up to fifth/eighth, Ryan Matterson will move to the back row and Bryce Cartwright will return to the reserve row.
Dylan Brown (suspension) is three weeks away from his return, while front rower Wiremu Greig (foot) is close to making his return in the next two weeks.
Anticipated team for the Titans:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
3. Brian Kelly
4.Aaron Schoupp
5. Phillip Sami
6.Kieran Foran
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. David Fifita
12. Klese Haas
13. Isaac Liu
14.Jayden Campbell
15. Erin Clark
16. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
17.Jaimin Jolliffe
Titans Team News:
Gold Coast hopes their entire Origin team survives Wednesday night’s game unscathed and ready for this must-win duel.
Joe Stimson (headbutt) is likely to miss at least a week after leaving the field on Round 19.