NRL predicted team lists: Every side’s likely lineup for Round 3
Round 2 saw plenty of massive moments for several clubs and some injury and suspension drama.
Scott Drinkwater and Jacob Saifiti both face lengthy bans over their on-pitch leaks, while Melbourne’s injury crisis has deepened with star striker Nelson Asofa-Solomona being sidelined for up to eight weeks.
Manly will welcome back five-eighth Josh Schuster for his crucial duel against Parramatta, while the Dragons are likely to receive a boost in the form of Jack de Belin.
Here’s all the early NRL mail ahead of Round 3.
MALE SEAL EAGLE vs PARRAMATTA EEL
Thursday, March 16, Brookvale Oval (8pm)
Sea Eagles Predicted Team:
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3.Brad Parker
4. Tolutau Koula
5. Ruben Garrick
6.Josh Schuster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Jake Trbojevic
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. Sean Keppie
14. Kaeo Weekes
15. Ben Trbojevic
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Josh Aloiai
Sea Eagles Team News:
Josh Schuster (Wade) is expected to return in the halves, pushing Cooper Johns from the side.
Eel’s predicted team:
1.Clint Gutherson
2.Maika Sivo
3. Will penisini
4. Waqa Blake
19.Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. MitchellMoses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9.Josh Hodgson
10.Junior Paulo
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Matt Doorey
13. J’maine Hopgood
14.Jira Momoisea
15. Jack Murchie
16. Wiremu Greig
17. Makahesi Makatoa
Eels Team News:
No changes to Parramatta’s line-up are expected despite the loss to Cronulla.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS vs DOLPHINS
Friday, March 17, McDonald Jones Stadium (6 p.m.)
Knight’s predicted team:
1. Lachlan Miller
2. Hymel Hunt
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Dom Young
6. Adam Clune
7.Jackson Hastings
8. Daniel Saifiti
9.Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Brodie Jones
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Tyson gambling
14. Kobe Rugless
15. Jack Hetherington
16. Mat Croker
17. Ben Talty
News from the knight team:
Newcastle have been ravaged by injuries and suspensions, with five players set to miss Friday night’s game following their Round 2 loss to the Tigers.
Adam Clune will come into halftime to replace Kalyn Ponga (headknock), while Phoenix Crossland are expected to finish ninth in the absence of Jayden Brailey (headknock).
Mat Croker (suspension) is likely to return to the side on the bench, while Leo Thompson should move up the front row to replace Jacob Saifiti, who is facing a five-week suspension with a high shot.
Ben Talty and Kobe Rugless emerge as potential debutants as the club scramble for replacements amid their injury crisis.
Dolphins predicted team:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2.Jamayne Isaako
3. Euan Aitken
4. Brenko Lee
5.Tesi Niu
6. Isaiya Katoa
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8.Jesse Bromwich
9. Kodi Nikorima
10. Jarrod Wallace
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13.Tom Gilbert
14. Connelly Lemuelu
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Mason Teague
17. Kurt Donoghoe
Dolphin team news:
Jeremy Marshall-King faces a two-week suspension for a hip-drop tackle that likely opens the door for Kodi Nikorima to join the hooker.
After their perfect start to 2023, no further team changes are expected for the Dolphins.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS vs SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Friday, March 17, Allianz Stadium (8 p.m.)
Rooster’s predicted team:
1. James Tedesco
2.Daniel Tupou
3. Joseph Swaaalii
4. Joseph Manu
5.Jaxson Paulo
6.Luke Keary
7. Sam Walker
8. LindsayCollins
9.BrandonSmith
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11. Egan Butcher
12. Nat Butcher
13.Victor Radley
14.Jake Turpin
15. Drew Hutchison
16. Fletcher Baker
17 Terrell May
Roosters Team News:
Victor Radley (headknock) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) are both expected to return to the side, which will likely see Naufahu Whyte and Ben Thomas eliminated.
Brandon Smith (rear) is in doubt after picking up an injury against the Warriors.
Rabbitoh’s predicted team:
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Isaiah Tass
4. Campbell Graham
5. Izaac Thompson
6. Cody Walker
7. Lachlan Iliad
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Damian Koch
10.Tom Burgess
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Michael Chee Kam
13.Cameron Murray
14. Blake Taaffe
15.Jed Cartwright
16. Davvy Moale
17. Shaq Mitchell
News from the Rabbitohs team:
Tevita Tatola (headknock) is expected to return to the front row which will sideline Daniel Suluka-Fifita.
Hame Sele (Wade) and Jacob Host (Wade) both have a chance to line up while recovering from preseason injuries.
GOLD COAST TITANS vs. MELBOURNE STORM
Saturday, March 18, Cbus Super Stadium (3 p.m.)
Titan’s predicted team:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Philip Sami
3.Aaron Schoupp
4. Brian Kelly
5. Jojo Fifita
6.Kieran Foran
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Jaimin Jolliffe
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. David Fifita
12. Joe Stimson
13. Isaac Liu
14.Jayden Campbell
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Erin Clark
17. Sam McIntyre
Titans Team News:
Brian Kelly is set to return from suspension this weekend, which will likely see Phillip Sami switch to the wing and Alofiana Khan-Pereira drop from defence.
Storm predicted team:
1.Nick Meney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Reimis Smith
4. Young Tonumaipea
5.Xavier Coates
6. Tyran Wishart
7. Jarome Hughes
8. Tariq Sims
9. Harry Grant
10. Christian Walch
11. Trento Loiero
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Josh King
14. Bronson Garlic
15. Alec McDonald
16.Tom Eisenhuth
17.Jordan Grant
Storm Team News:
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (knee) will miss the next six weeks, which likely opens the door for Tariq Sims (wade) to get on the front row and play his first game for the storm.
Xavier Coates (shoulder) is expected to be named on the wing, with Grant Anderson and Kane Bradley emerging as likely players to make way from the side.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS vs NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Saturday, March 18, Queensland Country Bank Stadium (5:30 p.m.)
Cowboy’s Predicted Team:
1. Tom Chester
2. Kyle Feldt
3.Valentine Holmes
4. Brendan Elliott
5.Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend
8.Jordan McLean
9.Reece Robson
10. Ruben Cotter
11. Coen Hess
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville
15. Griffin name
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Braun
17.James Tamou
Cowboys Team News:
Scott Drinkwater and Peta Hiku were both suspended in a heavy blow for the Cowboys after losing to Brisbane.
Tom Chester is likely to join the side at full-back, while journeyman Brendan Elliot is the logical choice at centres.
Warrior’s predicted team:
1. Charnze Nicoll Klokstad
2. Edward Kosi
3. Brayden William
4. Adam Pompey
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Te Maire Martin
7.Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9.Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Jackson-Ford
12. Marata Niukore
13. Tohu Harris
14. Dylan Walker
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Josh Curran
17. Tom Ale
News from the Warriors team:
Despite losing to the Roosters, no changes are expected at this point.
Josh Curran (hip) has picked up an injury but is expected to sit on the bench.
BRISBANE BRONCOS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Saturday, March 18, Suncorp Stadium (7:35 p.m.)
Broncos predicted team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Jesse Arthars
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9.Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Kurt Capewell
12.Jordan Riki
13.Patrick Carrigan
14. Cory Paix
15 Keenan Palasia
16.Tom Flegler
17. Martin Taupau
Broncos Team News:
Corey Oates (Kiefer) will miss the next six weeks after a high shot from Scott Drinkwater left him having surgery. Jesse Arthars will replace him on the wing.
No further changes are expected for the Broncos after their brilliant start to the year.
Dragon’s predicted team:
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
Leviticus Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6.Jayden Sullivan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Jack de Belin
9. Moses Mbye
10.Blake Lawrie
11. Ben Murdoch-Masila
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack Bird
14. Jacob Liddle
15.Zane Musgrove
16.Francis Molo
17.Josh Kerr
Dragons Team News:
Jack de Belin (Wade) is expected to return to the side in the front row, likely putting Francis Molo on the bench and missing debutant Toby Couchman.
No further changes are likely for the Red V as young Wilde Junior Amone will wait out his time in the NSW Cup for now.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS vs WEST TIGERS
Sunday, March 19, Belmore Oval (4:05 p.m.)
Bulldog’s predicted team:
1.Hayze Perham
2. Jacob Kiraz
3.Jake Averillo
4.Paul Alamoti
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Matt Burton
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10.Ryan Sutton
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
14. Fa’amanu Brown
15. Corey Waddell
16. Franklin Pele
17.Jayden Gerber
Bulldogs Team News:
No major changes are expected for Canterbury after an impressive win over the Storm in Round 2.
Tiger’s predicted team:
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Brent Naden
4. Asu Kepaoa
5.Charlie Staines
6. Adam Doueihi
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Api Koroisau
10.David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12.Shawn Blore
13.Joe Ofahengaue
14. Justin Matamua
15. Brandon Tumeth
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Alex Twal
News from the Tigers team:
Jake Simpkin and Tommy Talau will both miss Round 3 after suffering headbutts against the Knights.
Asu Kepaoa is likely to switch to the middle, allowing returning Shawn Blore (headknock) to regain his spot on the second row, while Justin Matamua emerges as a bench option.
John Bateman’s status is still up in the air as he ‘acclimates’ to Australian conditions.
CANBERRA RAIDERS vs. CRONULLA SHARKS
Sunday, March 19, GIO Stadium (6:15 p.m.)
Raider’s Predicted Team:
1.Sebastian Kris
2. Nick Cotric
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Harley Smith shields
5. Albert Hopoate
6. Jack Wighton
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Corey Harawira-Naera
14. Tom Starling
15. Ata Mariota
16. Corey Horsburgh
17. Pasami Saulo
Raiders Team News:
Josh Papalii (Wade) is set to return from injury and join the front row for Canberra.
Expected team of the Sharks:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3.Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Matt Moylan
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Toby Rudolph
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Braden Hamlin-Uele
11. British Nikora
12. Dough Wilton
13. Dale Finucane
14.Cameron McInnes
15. Royce hunt
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Connor Tracey
News from the Sharks team:
No changes are expected to the Cronulla lineup that defeated Parramatta in Round 2.
With a bye in two weeks and some easier games on paper, Nicho Hynes (Wade) is likely to remain on hold for now.