Just days after an acrimonious split, Selwyn Cobbo is back at fullback for the Brisbane Broncos for their clash with Canterbury.
Cobbo signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins for next year, having fallen out of favour under Michael Maguire in 2025.
Heavy criticism of Cobbo was leaked to media during the week, further souring relations between the two parties.
Cobbo’s recall comes with Reece Walsh having been called up to Queensland’s squad for Game 3 of the State of Origin series, albeit as a reserve.
The Broncos have been decimated even further by Origin duty, with Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas again absent, while centre Gehamat Shibasaki will also miss after his whirlwind call-up for the series decider.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have been stripped of Max King, Stephen Crichton, Kurt Mann and NSW reserve Jacob Kiraz, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita will miss with concussion.
Canberra have also been forced into a reshuffle owing to Josh Papali’i’s Origin call-up, with Corey Horsburgh shifting from lock to prop and Morgan Smithies to start in the No.13.
While the Dragons are only missing Valentin Holmes to representative footy, they have been badly hit by injuries, with Luciano Leilua (quad), Nathan Lawson (shoulder), Hamish Stewart (concussion) and Toby Couchman (shoulder) all sidelined.
The Roosters have handed an NRL debut to Tom Rodwell, who replaces Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wing as Sydney shuffle due to the loss of centre Robert Toia to Origin duty.
Wests Tigers utility Heath Mason is out of Sunday’s trip east to face the Roosters after making contact with the referee during Friday’s loss to Manly, with Sunia Turuva moving to fullback and Charlie Staines recalled on the wing..
With Jarome Luai absent with the NSW side, Api Koroisau out with a concussion and Tallyn Da Silva linking with Parramatta on Monday, coach Benji Marshall has plenty of headaches to solve his team’s spine woes with fullback Jahream Bula already sidelined with a torn hamstring.
Round 18 teams
All times AEST
Bulldogs vs Broncos at Accor Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 4
Bulldogs:
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Enari Tuala 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Harry Hayes 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Lachlan Galvin 15. Josh Curran 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Jake Turpin 20. Jethro Rinakama 21. Jack Todd 22. Luke Smith 23. Jack Underhill
The Dogs will be without Kurt Mann, Stephen Crichton, Max King and Jacob Kiraz on Origin duty, while Viliame Kikau is free to play after only copping a fine for a high shot on Nathan Cleary in last Thursday’s loss to Penrith.
Broncos:
1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Tyson Smoothy 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Delouise Hoeter 19. Ben Talty 20. Blake Mozer 21. Va’a Semu 22. Josh Rogers
The big story is Cobbo’s return amid Origin unavailability, while Deine Mariner has been given the nod as Shibasaki’s replacement in the centres. Veteran Ben Hunt (hamstring) has not been sighted since Round 10 and is close to his comeback. Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan will be out due to rep commitments.
Raiders vs Dragons at GIO Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday July 5
Raiders:
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Joseph Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders
Hudson Young was rested from the Raiders’ trip to Newcastle and he will be absent on Origin duty this week, while Corey Horsburgh has moved from lock to prop with Josh Papali’i on Origin duty.
Dragons:
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Hame Sele 17. Michael Molo 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Viliami Fifita 20. Nicholas Tsougranis 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Jacob Halangahu
Hamish Stewart (concussion), Luciano Leilua (quad), Toby Couchman (shoulder) and both wingers Nathan Lawson (arm) and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) are sidelined in injury carnage at the Dragons. However, Damien Cook has recovered from an ankle knock.
Cowboys vs Storm at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday July 5
Cowboys:
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Coen Hess 18. Braidon Burns 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Jamal Shibasaki 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Mason Kira
Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter will be out due to Origin while Karl Lawton is out suspended for another week. Tom Duffy has been given the No.7 jersey in Dearden’s stead.
Jason Taumalolo (calf) is out again, while Jordan McLean (calf) and John Bateman (groin) having named despite being under an injury cloud.
Storm:
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Josiah Pahulu 19. Coby Williamson 20. Gabriel Satrick 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Siulagi Pio
Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero will be in Origin camp.
Young winger Sua Fa’alogo injured his hamstring in Sunday’s win over Cronulla and may not play again in the regular season.
Eliesa Katoa celebrates scoring a try with teammates (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Roosters vs Tigers at Allianz Stadium: 4pm, Sunday July 6
Roosters:
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Egan Butcher 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Blake Steep 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Max McCathie 16. Taylor Losalu 17. Delasalle Vaa 18. Ethan King 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Chad Townsend 21. Ben Johnson 22. Tyler Moriarty
Coming off a bye, Sandon Smith is right to suit up at five-eighth despite a recent knee injury. Victor Radley will sit this one out due to a concussion a fortnight ago, but Egan Butcher is back from a head knock of his own.
Tigers:
1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Luke Laulilii 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Tristan Hope 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal 14. Charlie Murray 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Brent Naden 20. Royce Hunt 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Izaac Tu’itupou
Jarome Luai is again absent with the NSW side, while Heath Mason is suspended for bumping into the ref during the loss to Manly, Api Koroisau is out with a concussion. Tallyn Da Silva linked with Parramatta on Monday to further weaken the team’s spine.
Adam Doueihi will shift from the centres into the halves with Latu Fainu and Tristan Hope is set to take over at hooker with Luke Laulilii, Alex Lobb and Sunia Turuva options for fullback.
Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs at QCB Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 6
Sea Eagles:
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Manly are awaiting a prognosis on Nathan Brown’s bicep, hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery after a suspected rupture. Tommy Talau comes onto the bench in his stead, having overcome a hamstring injury.
Rabbitohs:
1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 17. Lewis Dodd 18. Ryan Gray 19. Sean Keppie 20. Jacob Host 21. Cody Walker 22. Brandon Smith
Souths have halves issues with Cody Walker set for a stint out with a hamstring tear, while his likely replacement Jayden Sullivan suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup.
The Rabbitohs are awaiting scans to determine how long Walker will miss, but Jack Wighton will need to play No.6 against Manly on Sunday.
Latrell Mitchell is away with the NSW team, with Alex Johnston moving from wing to fullback.
Byes – Dolphins, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Titans, Warriors
with AAP
