Round Two Team News: Key Returns and Shake-Ups Across the NRL
The National Rugby League is gearing up for an exciting Round Two, with team announcements revealing a mix of crucial player returns, strategic positional changes, and some tough selection decisions following an intense opening round. From the Parramatta Eels facing consequences for their dismal Round One performance to premiership-winning coaches making bold moves, the landscape of the competition is already starting to shift.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of all the team news for Round Two:
Thursday: Broncos Host Eels in a Blockbuster Opener
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium
The Brisbane Broncos will welcome the Parramatta Eels to Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. For the Broncos, Ezra Mam has been shifted to five-eighth, trading places with Ben Hunt, who will now come off the bench. Despite being named, Brendan Piakura remains sidelined due to a knee injury.
The Eels receive a significant boost with the return of speedster Josh Addo-Carr, who has been named to make an early comeback from a thumb injury. This reshapes their backline, pushing Sean Russell into the centres and seeing Brian Kelly omitted from the squad. In the forwards, Jack Williams earns a starting spot at prop, filling the void left by J’maine Hopgood’s suspension. Kelma Tuilagi also comes into the starting back-row.
Brisbane Broncos Squad:
- Reece Walsh
- Josiah Karapani
- Kotoni Staggs
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Deine Mariner
- Ezra Mam
- Adam Reynolds
- Corey Jensen
- Cory Paix
- Payne Haas
- Jack Gosiewski
- Jordan Riki
- Pat Carrigan
- Ben Hunt
- Xavier Willison
- Ben Talty
- Aublix Tawha
- Grant Anderson
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Blake Mozer
- Delouise Hoeter
- Thomas Duffy
Parramatta Eels Squad:
- Isaiah Iongi
- Bailey Simonsson
- Viliami Penisini
- Sean Russell
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Jonah Pezet
- Mitchell Moses
- Jack Williams
- Ryley Smith
- Junior Paulo
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Kitione Kautoga
- Jack de Belin
- Dylan Walker
- Sam Tuivaiti
- Matt Doorey
- Tallyn Da Silva
- Charlie Guymer
- Joash Papalii
- Jordan Samrani
- Brian Kelly
- Luca Moretti
Friday: Warriors Face Raiders, Roosters Clash with Rabbitohs
Warriors vs Canberra Raiders, Go Media Stadium (6pm)
The Warriors have opted for stability, naming an unchanged side from their Round One fixture. While Marata Niukore and Alofiana Khan-Pereira are included in the extended squad, co-captain Mitch Barnett remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
The Canberra Raiders will be without Josh Papalii, who has been ruled out due to concussion. Morgan Smithies steps into the front-row in his absence. Matt Timoko has been named on the bench as he works his way back to full fitness after a foot injury, having played in the NSW Cup last weekend.
Warriors Squad:
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Ali Leiataua
- Adam Pompey
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Tanah Boyd
- James Fisher-Harris
- Wayde Egan
- Jackson Ford
- Kurt Capewell
- Jacob Laban
- Erin Clark
- Samuel Healey
- Demitric Vaimauga
- Leka Halasima
- Tanner Stowers-Smith
- Taine Tuaupiki
- Morgan Gannon
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Marata Niukore
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Canberra Raiders Squad:
- Kaeo Weekes
- Savelio Tamale
- Simi Sasagi
- Sebastian Kris
- Xavier Savage
- Ethan Strange
- Ethan Sanders
- Morgan Smithies
- Tom Starling
- Joseph Tapine
- Hudson Young
- Noah Martin
- Corey Horsburgh
- Jayden Brailey
- Zac Hosking
- Ata Mariota
- Matthew Timoko
- Daine Laurie
- Joseph Roddy
- Owen Pattie
- Jed Stuart
- Chevy Stewart
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Allianz Stadium (8pm)
The Sydney Roosters welcome back centre Robert Toia from a foot injury, but face a blow with Spencer Leniu out indefinitely with a hamstring issue. Nat Butcher and Blake Steep have been moved to the bench, making way for Egan Butcher and Siua Wong to start in the second row.
For the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Jayden Sullivan steps into the lineup to cover for the injured Ashton Ward, who is expected to miss the next eight weeks with an ankle problem. No other changes have been made following their Round One victory.
Sydney Roosters Squad:
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupou
- Billy Smith
- Robert Toia
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Sam Walker
- Naufahu Whyte
- Benaiah Ioelu
- Lindsay Collins
- Angus Crichton
- Siua Wong
- Egan Butcher
- Connor Watson
- Blake Steep
- Nat Butcher
- Salesi Foketi
- Cody Ramsey
- Fetalaiga Pauga
- Toby Rodwell
- Toby Rodwell
- Taylor Losalu
South Sydney Rabbitohs Squad:
- Jye Gray
- Alex Johnston
- Latrell Mitchell
- Jack Wighton
- Campbell Graham
- Cody Walker
- Jayden Sullivan
- Tevita Tatola
- Bronson Garlick
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- David Fifita
- Euan Aitken
- Cameron Murray
- Peter Mamouzelos
- Tallis Duncan
- Lachlan Hubner
- Sean Keppie
- Latrell Siegwalt
- Moala Graham-Taufa
- Liam Le Blanc
- Thomas Fletcher
- Salesi Ataata
Saturday: Tigers and Cowboys Kick Off Double Header, Dragons Meet Storm
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys, Leichhardt Oval (3pm)
The Wests Tigers have been dealt a blow with Starford To’o ruled out through injury. Teenage sensation Heamasi Makasini has been named at centre, with Luke Laulilii taking a spot on the wing. Terrell May returns after missing the trials due to a back issue, and new recruit Kai Pearce-Paul will start on the edge.
For the North Queensland Cowboys, Scott Drinkwater has been cleared to play at fullback after recovering from rib cartilage damage. Thomas Mikaele will be sidelined for approximately a month with a knee injury. Braidon Burns is facing the judiciary in an attempt to downgrade a high tackle charge.
Wests Tigers Squad:
- Jahream Bula
- Sunia Turuva
- Taylan May
- Heamasi Makasini
- Luke Laulilii
- Jarome Luai
- Adam Doueihi
- Terrell May
- Apisai Koroisau
- Fonua Pole
- Samuela Fainu
- Kai Pearce-Paul
- Alex Twal
- Jock Madden
- Sione Fainu
- Royce Hunt
- Alex Seyfarth
- Tristan Hope
- Jeral Skelton
- Mavrik Geyer
- Tony Sukkar
- Heath Mason
North Queensland Cowboys Squad:
- Scott Drinkwater
- Braidon Burns
- Jaxon Purdue
- Tomas Chester
- Murray Taulagi
- Jake Clifford
- Tom Dearden
- Coen Hess
- Reed Mahoney
- Jason Taumalolo
- Heilum Luki
- Sam McIntyre
- Reuben Cotter
- Soni Luke
- Kai O’Donnell
- Griffin Neame
- Matthew Lodge
- Liam Sutton
- Ethan King
- Robert Derby
- Harrison Edwards
- Kaiden Lahrs
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm, WIN Stadium (5.30pm)
The St George Illawarra Dragons have named an unchanged side from their Round One encounter. Hooker Jacob Liddle remains a couple of weeks away from returning from his hamstring injury.
The Melbourne Storm see Tui Kamikamica promoted into the starting side, with Alec MacDonald ruled out due to concussion. Jack Hetherington is set to make his club debut off the bench after serving a suspension, while Shawn Blore is nearing a return from an ankle injury.
St George Illawarra Dragons Squad:
- Clinton Gutherson
- Christian Tuipulotu
- Moses Suli
- Valentine Holmes
- Setu Tu
- Kyle Flanagan
- Daniel Atkinson
- Emre Guler
- Damien Cook
- Toby Couchman
- Luciano Leilua
- Jaydn Su’A
- Hamish Stewart
- Hame Sele
- Josh Kerr
- Blake Lawrie
- Ryan Couchman
- Lyhkan King-Togia
- David Fale
- Jacob Halangahu
- Mathew Feagai
- Tyrell Sloan
Melbourne Storm Squad:
- Sua Faalogo
- Will Warbrick
- Jack Howarth
- Moses Leo
- Nick Meaney
- Cameron Munster
- Jahrome Hughes
- Stefano Utoikamanu
- Harry Grant
- Josh King
- Joe Chan
- Ativalu Lisati
- Tui Kamikamica
- Tyran Wishart
- Cooper Clarke
- Jack Hetherington
- Davvy Moale
- Preston Conn
- Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
- Angus Hinchey
- Shawn Blore
- Hugo Peel
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks, CommBank Stadium (7.35pm)
The reigning premiers, the Penrith Panthers, have opted for continuity, naming an unchanged side from their Round One victory. Back-rower Liam Martin remains on the sidelines with a calf injury. Izack Tago, who was a late omission from the starting side last week, is again named at No. 18.
The Cronulla Sharks have also kept faith with the same lineup that defeated the Gold Coast Titans in their opening match.
Penrith Panthers Squad:
- Dylan Edwards
- Thomas Jenkins
- Paul Alamoti
- Casey McLean
- Brian To’o
- Blaize Talagi
- Nathan Cleary
- Moses Leota
- Mitch Kenny
- Lindsay Smith
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Luke Garner
- Isaah Yeo
- Jack Cogger
- Billy Phillips
- Scott Sorensen
- Kalani Going
- Izack Tago
- Freddy Lussick
- Tom Ale
- Jack Cole
- Sione Fonua
Cronulla Sharks Squad:
- Will Kennedy
- Sione Katoa
- Jesse Ramien
- KL Iro
- Sam Stonestreet
- Braydon Trindall
- Nicho Hynes
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Blayke Brailey
- Thomas Hazelton
- Briton Nikora
- Billy Burns
- Jesse Colquhoun
- Siosifa Talakai
- Toby Rudolf
- Oregon Kaufusi
- Braden Hamlin-Uele
- Hohepa Puru
- Chris Veaila
- Jayden Berrell
- Niwhai Puru
- Michael Gabrael
Sunday: Sea Eagles Host Knights, Dolphins Take on Titans
Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights, Brookvale Oval (4.05pm)
Manly Sea Eagles’ Kobe Hetherington will start at prop with Siosiua Taukeiaho unavailable due to a calf injury. Paul Bryan is set to make his club debut off the bench.
The Newcastle Knights have Sandon Smith starting at five-eighth, replacing the injured Fletcher Sharpe. Francis Manuleleua is slated to make his NRL debut from the bench.
Manly Sea Eagles Squad:
- Tom Trbojevic
- Jason Saab
- Tolutau Koula
- Reuben Garrick
- Lehi Hopoate
- Luke Brooks
- Jamal Fogarty
- Taniela Paseka
- Jake Simpkin
- Kobe Hetherington
- Haumole Olakau’atu
- Ben Trbojevic
- Jake Trbojevic
- Joey Walsh
- Nathan Brown
- Ethan Bullemor
- Paul Bryan
- Brandon Wakeham
- Josh Feledy
- Corey Waddell
- Jackson Shereb
- Simione Laiafi
Newcastle Knights Squad:
- Kalyn Ponga
- Dominic Young
- Dane Gagai
- Bradman Best
- Greg Marzhew
- Sandon Smith
- Dylan Brown
- Jacob Saifiti
- Phoenix Crossland
- Trey Mooney
- Dylan Lucas
- Jermaine McEwen
- Tyson Frizell
- Thomas Cant
- Mathew Croker
- Pasami Saulo
- Francis Manuleleua
- Fletcher Hunt
- Harrison Graham
- Tyson Gamble
- Cody Hopwood
- James Schiller
Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans, Suncorp Stadium (6.15pm)
The Dolphins receive a significant boost with the return of forwards Max Plath and Ray Stone to the bench after extended layoffs due to injury. Daniel Saifiti remains unavailable.
The Gold Coast Titans, under coach Josh Hannay, have opted for an unchanged lineup. Sam Verrills has been cleared to play despite sustaining an injury in Round One.
Dolphins Squad:
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Jamayne Isaako
- Jake Averillo
- Herbie Farnworth
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Kodi Nikorima
- Isaiya Katoa
- Tom Gilbert
- Brad Schneider
- Thomas Flegler
- Connelly Lemuelu
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
- Morgan Knowles
- Max Plath
- Oryn Keeley
- Felise Kaufusi
- Ray Stone
- Trai Fuller
- Sebastian Su’a
- Lewis Symonds
- Tevita Naufahu
- Brian Pouniu
Gold Coast Titans Squad:
- Keano Kini
- Sialetili Faeamani
- Jojo Fifita
- Max Feagai
- Phillip Sami
- AJ Brimson
- Lachlan Ilias
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Verrills
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Arama Hau
- Beau Fermor
- Chris Randall
- Kurtis Morrin
- Tukimihia Simpkins
- Klese Haas
- Cooper Bai
- Luke Sommerton
- Zane Harrison
- Jett Liu
- Jenson Taumoepeau
- Josh Patston
