Queensland State of Origin forward Jeremiah Nanai has been dropped by North Queensland after the Cowboys’ ugly start to the 2025 season.
Nanai had a night to forget in his side’s 42-12 loss to Manly to open round one, with the 22-year-old clocking up more missed tackles (four) than runs (three).
The back-rower’s spot has been taken by former Canberra forward Kai O’Donnell, who arrived in Townsville over the off-season following an impressive three-year stint with Super League side Leigh.
“Jeremiah is an elite attacking player but needs to improve some defensive parts of his game,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten told the club’s website.
“He’s going to get some time in the Q Cup, which was not an easy decision but I felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.”
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will get his first taste of NRL action since rupturing his ACL in Round 3 last year, leading a new-look Titans forward pack.
Gold Coast’s big-name recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard has overcome a shoulder injury to start in the front row alongside Moe Fotuaika.
It is a similar relief for Benji Marshall at the Tigers who will welcome back Api Koroisau from suspension as well as fullback Jahream Bula and centre Starford To’a.
Souths star Jack Wighton has been rubbed out of Saturday’s stoush with the Dragons after pleading guilty to a careless high tackle in Friday’s win over the Dolphins.
Wighton has accepted a one-game ban for the hit on Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the 50th minute and was also fined $1000 for dangerous contact for another tackle on Daniel Saifiti.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton was one of several players fined for dangerous contact after sliding in with his knees in a bid to stop Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu from scoring.
Crichton was pinged $1800 and was lucky to avoid a suspension while Canterbury forward Jacob Preston, Dragons duo Emre Guler and Mat Feagai, Cowboys utility Karl Lawton, Knights veteran Tyson Frizell and Storm prop Lazarus Vaalepu have been fined $1000 for various charges.
Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe was slugged $1800 for an incident on Jai Arrow and Roosters forward Angus Crichton ($3000) is also lighter in the hip pocket due to a third offence.
It was a lucky break for the Dolphins side, who are missing Finefeuiaki and Connelly Lemuelu for this week’s clash through injury.
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine and winger Xavier Savage had already accepted bans over incidents from their win over the Warriors in Las Vegas.
Tapine will miss two matches for a shoulder charge but Savage will only miss this Saturday’s clash with the Broncos after pleading guilty to dangerous contact for a late challenge after a kick.
Wighton’s absence at centre compounds the loss of winger Tyrone Munro, who broke his collarbone in Round 1.
Jamie Humphreys trained at halfback in Monday’s opposed session after starring in his club debut while Lewis Dodd was out suspended.
Humphreys had been playing only his second NRL game and was expected to start the season behind the Englishman in the halfback pecking order.
But Dodd lined up with the reserves on Monday and wore a rehabilitation singlet as he manages a minor hand injury. But he is considered available for selection and barring a last-minute change of heart from coach Wayne Bennett, it appears Humphreys will be named as Cody Walker’s halves partner.
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Round 2 teams
All times AEDT
Knights vs Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium: 8pm, Thursday March 13
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Thomas Cant
It’s a relatively unchanged line-up for the Knights from round 1 with the single change of Adam Elliott returning and being named on the bench and Brodie Jones dropping to 18th man.
Tyson Frizell is free to play after avoiding a high tackle suspension by paying a $1000 fine.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Kenneath Bromwich 21. Harrison Graham 22. Aublix Tawha
Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls have returned to the 17-man squad but Kenny Bromwich is on the extended bench after the trio sat out the Round 1 loss to Souths due to family concerns over Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Sean O’Sullivan, who partnered Isaiya Katoa, makes way for Nikorima.
Connelly Lemuelu has been rubbed out for up to four weeks with a fractured eye socket, sustained in the 16-14 loss to South Sydney. Fellow back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will also miss the clash after failing his HIA.
Lemuelu was forced to return to Brisbane by car due to the dangers posed by flying with such an injury, and Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans said there was one silver lining.
“Connelly will not require surgery on his eye socket,” Hickmans said.
“This is a positive as it brings the timeline for his return to the field down to around the four-week mark.”
Warriors vs Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday March 14
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi
It is an unchanged 17-man Warriors squad that lost in Las Vegas, with Chanel Harris-Tavita retaining the opportunity for the No.6 jersey after beating out Te Maire Martin who has been named among the extended reserves.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Tommy Talau 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jake Arthur 22. Dean Matterson
Anthony Seibold has a near-full roster to choose from after they smashed the Cowboys, apart from hooker Lachlan Croker being out with a knee injury, but the coach has brought in Josh Aloiai at prop for Siosiua Taukeiaho.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Panthers vs Roosters at CommBank Stadium: 8pm, Friday March 14
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Liam Henry 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
Star winger Brian To’o missed the Vegas win over the Sharks due to a hamstring injury but is set to return this Friday in more bad news for the Roosters. This means that Paul Alamoti shifts to the centre and Luke Garner reverts to the bench.
Casey McLean has recovered from a head knock suffered in Vegas and will retain his spot on the other wing.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts 20 Ethan King 21 Max McCathie 22 Billy Smith
Victor Radley has been ruled out due to concussion while Nat Butcher will also be missing because of an undisclosed injury after he was a late withdrawal before the loss to Brisbane. Salesi Foketi has been promoted to the starting line-up.
Spencer Leniu is sitting out one more game because of suspension and fellow prop De La Salle Va’a has been sidelined for six weeks after coughing up blood last week.
Dragons vs Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium: 3pm, Saturday March 15
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr 22. Pasifiki Tonga
Prop Blake Lawrie returns from a hand injury and has been named on the bench, in place of Ryan Couchman (ACL) in the only change from the Bulldogs’ loss.
Ex-Raiders prop Emre Guler is free to play after only copping a fine for a hip-drop tackle in the loss to Canterbury.
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani
Jack Wighton has been suspended so Fletcher Myers gets a call-up out wide, while Bayleigh Bentley-Hape makes his NRL debut on the wing as Tyrone Munro is out with a fractured collarbone.
Jamie Humphreys will partner skipper Cody Walker in the halves even though Lewis Dodd is available again after serving a high tackle suspension, with Wayne Bennett naming him on the extended reserves.
Jason Taumalolo. (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)
Cowboys vs Sharks at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday March 15
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
Jake Clifford and Jason Taumalolo could still make their return from hip and foot injuries respectively after being named in the Cowboys extended reserves.
Kai O’Donnell, who is returning to the NRL for the first time since 2020, comes into the starting line-up for Jeremiah Nanai in the back row, as the only change.
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
No changes to the Cronulla team after their six-point loss to the premiers in Vegas.
Raiders vs Broncos at GIO Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday March 15
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matt Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Michael Asomua 22. Ethan Sanders
Ricky Stuart has made a change to the starting forward pack, with Joseph Tapine out suspended. Josh Papalii moves to prop and Morgan Smithies starts at lock.
Xavier Savage is also suspended with Albert Hopoate coming into the side. The 18th man is Danny Levi.
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden
Michael Maguire is expected to stick with a winning combination after flogging the Roosters.
Jock Madden is available again after overcoming a hamstring problem but hasn’t forced his way into the line-up – and has been named on the extended reserves. Kotoni Staggs (thigh) is a couple of weeks away from returning.
Eels vs Tigers at CommBank Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday March 16
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Joey Lussick 22. Charlie Guymer
Shaun Lane will return from a knee problem in place of Kelma Tuilagi, with former Bulldog Jordan Samrani set to make his NRL debut on the wing, taking over from Jake Tago.
Ronald Volkman will again deputise at halfback with Mitch Moses hit for six weeks due to his foot injury.
Josh Addo-Carr has one more game to serve from his drugs ban carried over from last year at Canterbury.
Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Charlie Staines 19. Latu Fainu 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape
Api Koroisau is back from suspension with Tallyn Da Silva dropping back to the bench.
Young fullback Jahream Bula has been named to return from shoulder surgery with Heath Mason left out of the side. Starford To’a also returns to the centres.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Bulldogs vs Titans at Belmore Sports Ground: 6.15pm, Sunday March 16
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Harry Hayes 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua
Stephen Crichton is fortunate to be available after only being fined for using his knees while trying to prevent a try on Saturday.
Middle forward Josh Curran should come straight back into the starting side after returning from suspension. He replaces Harry Hayes, who shifts to 18th man.
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been named to make his NRL return at lock. He will join New recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard in the front row alongside Moe Fotuaika.
AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell have been chosen to get first crack at the halves after Kieran Foran was ruled out for the first couple of months of what will likely be his final season after suffering a biceps muscle tear in their trial win over the Dolphins.
Former Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon is out for the first few rounds with a back problem.
Bye – Storm
with AAP
