NRL TEAMS - 2021 Round 25

All the squad lists and match official appointments for the weekend ahead, available at 4pm Tuesday. Bookmark this article and come back for squad updates and late mail across the round.

What to expect each week:

• Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday: match official appointments
• Tuesday approx 3pm: Warriors teamlist announced
• Tuesday 4pm: remaining fifteen teamlists announced
• 24 hours before a match kicks off: squad update, 21 players reduced to 19
• One hour before a match kicks off: late mail, 19 players reduced to final 17 plus 18th man medical sub

All times are listed in AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT) unless otherwise noted.

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Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters
Thu September 2 2021, 7:50pm at BB Print Stadium Mackay

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Harley Smith-Shields 19. Jordan Rapana 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Semi Valemei 6. Jack Wighton 7. Matt Frawley 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola 14. Emre Guler 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Siliva Havili 20. Elijah Anderson

Changes from last round - CNK moves to fullback, starting for the first time since his return from injury. Bailey Simonsson is out with a groin injury so Rapana moves there. Soliola is named at lock with Sutton benched.

Squad update - Elijah Anderson (20) and Trey Mooney (21) cut.

Late mail - Seb Kris (3) is out. Valemei replaces him in the centres, with Elijah Anderson 18th man.

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Adam Keighran 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Lachlan Lam 13. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Egan Butcher 14. Sam Walker 16. Ben Marschke 17. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 26. Naufahu Whyte 19. Brad Abbey

Changes from last round - Crichton returns from suspension in the back row, as do Josh Morris and Adam Keighran at centre, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at prop. Lam is listed at halfback with Walker benched, while Fletcher Baker is out suspended, while Egan Butcher drops to the bench and Whyte out of the 17.

Squad update - Moala Graham-Taufa (18) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (21) cut.

Late mail - JWH (8) is out, with Liu shifting to prop and Butcher starting lock. Whyte joins the bench and Abbey is 18th man.

Referees: Gerard Sutton;Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Todd Smith;Video Referees: Grant Atkins;

FINALS EQUATION: Canberra's loss means they won't be playing finals in 2021. Depending on the Titans' result on Sunday, they'll end up 9th or 10th.
The Roosters on the other hand finish 5th and will face the 8th placed side - Cronulla or the Titans - in Week 1.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Melbourne Storm
Fri September 3 2021, 6:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Mawene Hiroti 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jack Williams 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Siosifa Talakai 18. Kai O'Donnell

Changes from last round - Moylan starts in the halves with Metcalf benched.

Squad update - Billy Magoulias (19) and Jensen Taumoepeau (20) cut.

Late mail - 1-17. Kai O'Donnell is 18th man with Jonaiah Lualua (21) cut.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 21. Isaac Lumelume 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Dean Ieremia 6. Nicholas Hynes 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Brandon Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 20. Trent Loiero 12. Chris Lewis 13. Dale Finucane 11. Aaron Pene 14. Harry Grant 15. Tepai Moeroa 19. Daniel Atkinson 16. Jordan Grant

Changes from last round - Jesse Bromwich's suspension sees Asofa-Solomona return at prop, while Kamikamica is the other prop and Christian Welch rested. George Jennings returns from injury sustained a fortnight ago with Josh Addo-Carr's hamstring injury ruling him out this week. Hynes will start at #6 with Cameron Munster rested, Finucane returns at lock with Harry Grant benched, and Brandon Smith switching back to hooker. Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich are also rested, with Chris Lewis and Aaron Pene into the side, while Jordan Grant and Ryley Jacks join the bench.

Squad update - Jennings (2) has not passed fit, while Ryley Jacks (17) drops off the bench. Lumelume is named on the wing with Cooper Johns joining the bench.

Late mail - Johns (18) drops out, with Atkinson joining the bench. Jordan Grant drops to 18th man with Trent Loiero starting second row and Aaron Pene dropping to the bench.

Referees: Grant Atkins;Sideline Officials: David Munro, Chris Butler;Video Referees: Matt Noyen;

FiNALS EQUATION: After losing to the Storm, Cronulla now face a nervous wait to see if the Titans win *and* cover the 12 point differential gap on Sunday. If they do that, the Sharks finish 9th, otherwise 8th for Cronulla and they face 5th (Roosters or Manly) in Week One.
Melbourne's win has secured them the J.J. Giltinan Shield and they finish as minor premiers.

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
Fri September 3 2021, 8:05pm at Cbus Super Stadium

1. Hayze Perham 2. Haze Dunster 3. Tom Opacic 4. Michael Oldfield 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Will Smith 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Joey Lussick 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Ray Stone 14. Samuel Loizou 15. Ky Rodwell 16. Shaun Lane 17. Sean Russell 18. Viliami Penisini

Changes from last round - Junior Paulo (suspended) is joined by Clint Gutherson, Isaiah Papali'i and Nathan Brown in sitting this game, with the latter three rested. Marata Niukore (head knock) will also miss the clash. Hayze Perham, Oregon Kaufusi, Makahesia Makatoa, Bryce Cartwright, Keegan Hipgrave and Ray Stone will all start, while a shiny new bench sees Sam Loizou, Ky Rodwell and Sean Russell join Shaun Lane. Tom Opacic is back and will pair with Oldfield in the centres. Jakob Arthur and Will Smith are the new halves with the latter to captain the blue-and-gold.

Squad update - Papali (19) and Nathan Brown (20) cut.

Late mail - 1-17. Penisini is 18th man, with Dylan Brown (21) dropping out.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 17. Liam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 11. Viliame Kikau 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 19. Izack Tago

Changes from last round - Ivan Cleary isn't going down the Brad Arthur route - Penrith are going in full strength. 

Squad update - Spencer Leniu (18) and Taylan May (20) cut.

Late mail - Kikau is benched with Martin startin' in the back row. Tago 18th man, Mitch Kenny (21) drops out.

Referees: Adam Gee;Sideline Officials: Peter Gough, Jon Stone;Video Referees: Ashley Klein;

FINALS EQUATION: Parramatta's loss ensures they will finish 6th. They play Newcastle in week one of the finals.
Penrith's win secures second place after the Storm earlier confirmed 1st place. It's Panthers v Souths in the 2 v 3 qualifying final.

Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights
Sat September 4 2021, 3:00pm at Suncorp Stadium

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Albert Kelly 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. David Mead 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. TC Robati 19. Brodie Croft

Changes from last round - Thomas Flegler and Brendan Piakura are both out suspended. Ethan Bullemor comes into the pack for Flegler, while Rhys Kennedy comes in for Piakura. Riki returns in the back row with Robati benched, while Paix and Mead fill the final two bench spots.

Squad update - Danny Levi (18) and Jamayne Isaako (21) make way.

Late mail - 1-17. Croft is 18th man with Jesse Arthars (20) omitted.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Starford To'a 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 16. Josh King 17. Jack Johns 12. Brodie Jones 13. Connor Watson 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jirah Momoisea 19. Pasami Saulo 21. Simi Sasagi 20. Tex Hoy

Changes from last round - Klemmer returns from suspension at prop, with Jacob Saifiti rested ahead of Newcastle's elimination final next week. Jayden Brailey and Mitch Barnett join Saifiti on the sideline with Chris Randall and Brodie Jones starting instead. Star To'a replaces Hymel Hunt on the wing while Crossland and Johns are the new bench players.

Squad update - Tyson Frizell (11) comes out of the lineup, replaced in the second row by Jack Johns. Saulo pushes up to the bench with Dominic Young (18) the omitted reserve.

Late mail - Sauaso Sue (10) drops out of the side as well. Josh King is the new prop with Sasagi joining the bench, Hoy being 18th man.

Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski;Sideline Officials: Darian Furner, Todd Smith;Video Referees: Steve Chiddy;

FINALS EQUATION: Nothing to see here. Brisbane have been out of the running for at least a month and finished 15th, while Newcastle are locked in 7th place, and will face 6th placed Parramatta next week.

North Queensland Cowboys v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sat September 4 2021, 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 19. Daejarn Asi 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Ben Condon 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Mitchell Dunn 17. Griffin Neame 21. Connelly Lemuelu

Changes from last round - Reuben Cotter is out again, with Coen Hess returning at prop, allowing Taumalolo to move to lock. 

Squad update - Ben Hampton (4) is out with a groin injury. Asi moves into the side at centre. Lachlan Burr (20) is the omitted reserve.

Late mail - Lemuelu is 18th man with Tom Gilbert (18) cut.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 18. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 19. Moses Suli

Changes from last round - Keppie and Paseka return on the bench, with Sipley and Sironen dropping to the reserves.

Squad update - Josh Aloiai (8) is out. Paseka moves into the front row with Sipley joining the bench. St Helens-bound Curtis Sironen (20) is omitted.

Late mail - Paseka moves back to the bench with Sipley starting prop. Suli is 18th man with Kurt de Luis (21) cut.

Referees: Ben Cummins;Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Drew Oultram;Video Referees: Alan Shortall;

FINALS EQUATION: Like Brisbane, the Cowboys have been in the wilderness for many weeks and finished 15th. Manly's win secured 4th place - they'll face Melbourne in Week 1 with a double chance.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sat September 4 2021, 7:35pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Taane Milne 3. Braidon Burns 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Benji Marshall 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Jed Cartwright 11. Jaydn Su'A 12. Jacob Host 13. Mark Nicholls 10. Patrick Mago 14. Dean Hawkins 15. Tautau Moga 17. Davvy Moale 18. Jai Arrow

Changes from last round - Taaffe replaces suspended fullback Latrell Mitchell in one of many changes. Adam Reynolds, Dane Gagai and Damien Cook are all out, while Johnston, Walker, Murray and Arrow all drop to reserves. Ilias is the new half, alongside Marshall who is promoted to the starting five-eighth role. Milne and Burns come into the backline, Mamouzelos replaces Cook at hooker, and Mago is prop, Nicholls instead moving to lock and taking the captaincy. Liam Knight, like Mitchell, is suspended, while Tom Burgess is rested. New bench quartet is Hawkins, Moga, Cartwright and Moale.

Squad update - Alex Johnston (20) and Cody Walker (21) are cut.

Late mail - Cartwright starts prop with Mago reverting to the bench. Cameron Murray (19) drops out with Arrow as 18th man.

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Gerard Beale 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Corey Norman 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Jayden Sullivan 10. Josh Mcguire 11. Billy Burns 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Poasa Faamausili 21. Kaide Ellis

Changes from last round - Beale replaces Lomax in the backline, Faamausili replaces Ford on the bench.

Squad update - Jackson Ford (18) and Adam Clune (19) drop out.

Late mail - 1-17 with Ellis as 18th man.  Cody Ramsey (20) omitted.

Referees: Matt Cecchin;Sideline Officials: Peter Gough, Wyatt Raymond;Video Referees: Chris Butler;

FINALS EQUATION: South Sydney's position is locked in after the Panthers' win over Parramatta. They finish 3rd and will face 2nd-placed Penrith next week.
The Dragons' loss last week removed any mathematical chance of finals footy. Mathematically they can finish anywhere from 10th to 13th.

Gold Coast Titans v Warriors
Sun September 5 2021, 2:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Erin Clark 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 19. Sam Lisone 20. Toby Sexton

Changes from last round - Fotuaika starts prop with Tino at lock and McIntyre benched.

Squad update - Greg Marzhew (18) and Anthony Don (21) drop out.

Late mail - Kevin Proctor (11) is not passed fit so McIntyre starts back row with Lisone joining the bench. Sexton is 18th man.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Peta Hiku 4. Rocco Berry 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Josh Curran 12. Euan Aitken 13. Bayley Sironen 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Kane Evans 17. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 18. Jazz Tevaga 14. Kodi Nikorima

Changes from last round - Harris-Tavita returns in the halves with Chad Townsend out. Bunty Afoa drops off the bench with Taunoa-Brown replacing him.

Squad update - Adam Pompey (20) and Jack Murchie (21) won't feature.

Late mail - Nikorima is relegated to 18th man, with Tevaga joining the interchange. Edward Kosi (22) drops off the line.

Referees: Ashley Klein;Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Belinda Sharpe;Video Referees: Alan Shortall;

FINALS EQUATION: The Titans need to win by 12 or more to finish 8th and knock the Sharks out. Anything else and they miss the boat - a big big loss could see them slip anywhere as low as 11th depending on other results. Titans possible finishes: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th.
Last weekend it all ended for the Warriors, so they're playing for pride on Sunday. Warriors' possible finishes: 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th

Wests Tigers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sun September 5 2021, 4:05pm at Moreton Daily Stadium

20. Zac Cini 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. Michael Chee-Kam 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jock Madden 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Shawn Blore 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Twal 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Jake Simpkin 16. Tom Amone 23. Kelma Tuilagi 18. James Roberts

Changes from last round - Tuilagi replaces Seyfarth on the bench.

Squad update - Moses Mbye (1) is out. Cini comes into the side at fullback, while Tuki Simpkins (21) is cut. Kelma Tuilagi's jumper changes from 17 to 23 - not sure why.

Late mail - No further changes - Roberts is 18th man while Reece Hoffman (19) drops out.

1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Brandon Wakeham 21. Jake Averillo 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Sione Katoa 20. Dylan Napa 10. Jack Hetherington 12. Joe Stimson 13. Josh Jackson 11. Corey Waddell 15. Ofahiki Ogden 16. Chris Patolo 17. Jackson Topine 22. Watson Heleta

Changes from last round - Waddell replaces injured Matt Doorey in the back row, while the other returning player - Dylan Napa - is only named as a reserve.

Squad update - Bailey Biondi-Odo (14) drops out along with Falakiko Manu (19).

Late mail - Kyle Flanagan (7) drops out on game day. Averillo comes into the halves, while Napa is named to start front row in what will be his last game for the club. Hetherington moves to second row and Waddell to the bench. Watson Heleta is 18th man.

Referees: Chris Sutton;Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Kasey Badger;Video Referees: Chris Butler;

END OF SEASON EQUATION: The Tigers' loss to Penrith on Sunday ended their mathematical hopes while Canterbury have realistically never been a hope, collecting another wooden spoon. Wests Tigers possible finishes: 11th, 12th, 13th. Bulldogs will finish 16th.