NRL Teams Analysis - 2017 Round 10

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Sam Bourke is here with analysis of all sixteen teams, their ins and outs and what to expect ahead of Round 10.

1. William Hopoate 2. Kerrod Holland 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Brett Morris 6. Matt Frawley 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 16. Adam Elliot 13. David Klemmer 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Danny Fualalo 12. Greg Eastwood 20. Marcelo Montoya

In - Matt Frawley

Out - Josh Reynolds

Analysis - Canterbury were outstanding in Round 9, losing key players James Graham and Josh Reynolds before halftime and still managing to roll on to a very impressive win over the Raiders. The Bulldogs return to ANZ Stadium this week, where they host a Cowboys outfit minus Jonathan Thurston, however the Dogs will also be missing a key half in Josh Reynolds who has been replaced in the starting side by rookie Matt Frawley. Greg Eastwood has been named to start, with two try hero against the Raiders and now Country representative Adam Elliott named on the bench.    

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Ray Thompson 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Shaun Fensom 17. Ben Spina

In - Lachlan Coote, Jake Granville, Shaun Fensom

Out - Kalyn Ponga, Patrick Kaufusi, Blake Leary

Analysis - The Cowboys are in a form slump, having only won one of their last four and will again have to do without Jonathan Thurston, who has injured his shoulder playing for Australia. The good news for the visitors however is the return of Lachlan Coote, who will replace Kalyn Ponga at fullback. Hooker Jake Granville also returns from injury and will start, while veteran Shaun Fensom also returns for the clash with the Bulldogs. There are a host of positional changes with Ray Thompson to start at halfback, with John Asiata returning to the front row after an outstanding stint in the halves and Coen Hess will start from the interchange, with Ethan Lowe named to start in the backrow. 

Weather Watch - Partly Cloudy

1. Jason Nightingale 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Taane Milne 6. Kurt Mann 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Hame Sele 17. Jai Field

In - Jai Field

Out - Josh Dugan

Analysis - St George host the Sharks in the second installment of their local derby in which the Dragons stunned the defending premiers 16-12 at Shark Park in Round 3. The Dragons now return to Kogarah Oval, looking to maintain their Top 4 position against their 3^rd placed neighbours. St George go into the local derby without star fullback Josh Dugan, who ironically damaged his cheekbone on teammate Russell Packer's large melon. This sees the experienced Jason Nightingale move to fullback and Taane Milne come onto the wing, with Jai Field named on the bench.  

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Joseph Paulo 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. Kurt Capewell 18. Sam Tagataese

In - Luke Lewis

Out - Tony Williams

Analysis - The Sharks travel to Kogarah sitting in third position and a win here will see them leap frog their bitter rivals into second position on the NRL ladder. Luke Lewis returns to the starting side and replaces Tony Williams who has been ruled out for the season, after suffering an ACL injury playing for Tonga. The defending premiers have won five of their last six and a win here will give their Top 4 aspirations a big boost.

Weather Watch - Chance of Rain

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 4. Moses Suli 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Joel Edwards 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor 3. Michael Chee-Kam 14. Tim Grant 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Jacob Liddle

In - Tim Grant

Out - Aaron Woods

Analysis - Wests host traditional rivals Souths at ANZ Stadium in a vital match for the Tigers season. Both these sides clashed in the opening round, when the Tigers blew the Bunnies away 34-18 at the same venue. Captain Aaron Woods is out for six weeks with a groin injury and this sees Sauaso Sue move to the front row and Tim Grant join the interchange bench. The home side have had further bad injury news with centre Jamal Idris being ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL, which will end his season prematurely.  

6. Cody Walker 1. Alex Johnston 5. Bryson Goodwin 4. Hymel Hunt 22. Aaron Gray 11. John Sutton 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 14. Robbie Farah 10. Kyle Turner 19. Robbie Rochow 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess 9. Damien Cook 15. Jason Clark 18. Anthony Cherrington 20. Tyrell Fuimaono

In - Braidon Burns

Out - Robert Jennings

Analysis - South Sydney has lost their last 3 matches on the trot and were truly awful in their last start defeat against the Sea Eagles. Manly simply blew the Rabbitohs off the park in the first half with the Bunnies only receiving the ball 3 times in the first half! Rookie winger Braidon Burns replaces Robert Jennings, with Hymel Hunt moving back to centre. Aaron Gray has been named in the extended squad and could return after a long injury lay off in a timely boost for the Rabbitohs.

Weather Watch - Chance of Rain

1. Matt Moylan 2. Peta Hiku 3. Dean Whare 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Bryce Cartwright 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. James Fisher-Harris 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Leilani Latu 16. Tim Browne 17. Corey Harawira

In - James Fisher-Harris

Out - Viliame Kikau

Analysis - Penrith are severely under the pump to get their season on track after losing their last five matches. The Panthers will be desperate to turn things around against the Warriors who have yet to win a game away from home thus far in 2017. James Fisher-Harris returns in the second row with young gun Corey Harawira-Naera moving back to the bench and Viliame Kikau dropping out of the 17.

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 22. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 15. Sam Lisone 14. Nathaniel Roache 16. Ligi Sao 17. Ben Matulino 21. Bunty Afoa

In - Solomone Kata

Out - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Analysis - Given the amount of Kiwi representatives in the Warriors side, expect them to be fired up to get their season going against the hapless Panthers. Centre Solomone Kata returns, which sees David Fusitua move back to the wing and debutant Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out of the side. The Warriors have travelled like last night's Chinese takeaway again this season and will not get a better chance against the Panthers who are down on confidence.

 Weather Watch - Chance of Rain

1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Tim Glasby 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 16. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Joe Stimson 12. Kenneath Bromwich 18. Tui Kamikamica

In - Tohu Harris, Mark Nicholls, Ryley Jacks

Out - Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Christian Welch

Analysis - Melbourne take their home game to Suncorp Stadium in the first game of the double header at the venue on Saturday night.  The Storm have suffered a horror week heading into their clash with the Titans with Jesse Bromwich stood down for two matches after getting into some naughty extracurricular activity down in Canberra after the Test. Further to this, their depth in the front row will be further tested with Nelson Asofa-Solomona also missing this week, which sees Tim Glasby start at prop. In better news, Kiwi backrower Tohu Harris makes his long awaited return for the ‘home' side from a fractured foot, Harris will start from the bench. Mark Nicholls and Ryley Jacks also come onto the bench.  

1. Tyrone Roberts 2. Anthony Don 3. Jarryd Hayne 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Dan Sarginson 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Chris McQueen 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Ryan Simpkins 14. Dale Copley 15. Morgan Boyle 16. Paterika Vaivai 17. Leivaha Pulu

In - Dale Copley

Out - Kevin Proctor

Analysis - The Gold Coast have been in very good form, winning their last two games after struggling in the early part of the season. They now get the chance to test themselves against the competition's benchmark. The Titans have also had a horror week, with co-captain Kevin Proctor suspended for two weeks in the same episode as Bromwich. Joe Greenwood gets his chance to start in the backrow, with Dale Copley returning from the interchange. Jarryd Hayne remains at centre as per the late change against the Knights in Round 9.  

Weather Watch - Fine    

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Nate Myles 16. Jackson Hastings 17. Addin Fonua-blake

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - The Sea Eagles have forfeited their home game advantage and will play in the second match against the Broncos on Saturday night at Suncorp - and given they are undefeated away from home so far in 2017, it could be an absolute genius move by the club. Manly has been outstanding in the last two rounds with strong wins over Canberra and Souths in recent weeks and have made no changes to their 17.   

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Tautau Moga 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 16. Herman Essese 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 14. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire 8. Korbin Sims 11. Sam Thaiday 15. Joe Ofahengaue 17. George Fai

In - George Fai

Out - James Roberts

Analysis - The Broncos are not playing on a Thursday or Friday night, which is a turn for the books! Things aren't all bad up in Queensland though, with the Broncos at least playing at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday despite it being an ‘away' game. Centre James Roberts was initially ruled out for between two to four weeks, but has been named on the extended bench in a surprise. Jordan Kahu takes his place at centre, with David Mead starting on the wing. Rookie George Fai has been named to make his NRL debut from the interchange bench.    

Weather Watch - Fine

3. Dane Gagai 2. Ken Sio 15. Joe Wardle 4. Peter Mata'utia 5. Nathan Ross 6. Brock Lamb 7. Jaelen Feeney 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata'utia 21. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 20. Josh King 13. Luke Yates 15. Anthony Tupou 17. Jacob Saifiti 19. Tyler Randell

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - The Knights are staring down the barrel of seven losses in a row when they welcome the Raiders to Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Rookie Luke Yates has been named to start at lock, with Josh King back to the reserves while Trent Hodkinson could return to the side after being included on the extended bench. 

1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Clay Priest 17. Iosia Soliola

In - Dunamis Lui

Out - Josh Papalii

Analysis - Canberra have been poor in recent weeks with losses to Manly and Canterbury. The Green Machine now travel up the Hume Highway to face a desperate Newcastle outfit, who often lift on a Sunday afternoon in Newcastle, in what looms as a real danger game. The Raiders will be missing Josh Papalii, who is serving a suspension. This sees Sia Soliola starts in the second row, with Dunamis Lui joining the bench. 

Weather Watch - Rain 

1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 14. Aidan Guerra 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Kane Evans 17. Connor Watson

In - Latrell Mitchell

Out - Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Analysis - The Roosters host the Eels at Allianz Stadium in the final game of the round after suffering a heartbreaking one point loss to the Warriors in Round 9. The Tricolours will be keen to turn things around against their cross town rivals, with Latrell Mitchell replacing Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the only change, with Kenny-Dowall caught up in yet another drug scandal over the representative round weekend. 

1. Clint Gutherson 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Kirisome Auva'a 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Will Smith 7. Corey Norman 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Kenny Edwards 17. Siosaia Vave 18. David Gower

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - The Eels travel to Allianz Stadium to face the Roosters on the back of a three game winning streak and a win here could see them consolidate a position in the Top 8 as the State of Origin period approaches. Parramatta have made no changes to the side that defeated the Cowboys in Townsville last start in what could prove to be a catalyst in their stop start season so far in 2017.

Weather Watch - Rain