Lachie Galvin has been sensationally dropped from the Wests Tigers team to take on the Eels on Easter Monday, after the news that he’ll be leaving the club at the end of next season and reports of discontent in the playing group.
Jarome Luai will take over at five-eighth, and Adam Doueihi has been named at halfback.
Their opponents, Parramatta, also received some massive news with Mitch Moses recovering from his foot injury earlier than expected and being named at halfback for the clash.
The Warriors’ depth is in for a significant test as Rocco Berry’s one-game suspension adds him to their list of outs for Saturday’s clash against Brisbane.
The Auckland club had already been preparing to lose co-captain James Fisher-Harris (pectoral) and star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) after both went down in Sunday’s 42-14 loss to Melbourne.
Four-time premiership-winner Fisher-Harris was booked in for scans on arrival back in Auckland on Monday, but the club is not expecting an update on his condition until later in the week.
Berry has accepted a one-game suspension for a late, high shot on opposite centre Jack Howarth in the final 10 minutes of the hefty loss in Melbourne. He risked missing two games by challenging his grade-two charge.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
With backs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck still injured, the Warriors have shifted Taine Tuapiki to fullback to cover for Nicoll-Klokstad and named Ed Kosi on the wing.
Morgan Harper has been named among the reserves after arriving on a one-year deal from Parramatta this season.
Souths’ Jayden Sullivan and Sean Keppie were banned for 1-2 games each after being charged for dangerous contact and high tackle offences, respectively, in Saturday’s loss to North Queensland in Perth. Sullivan has copped his charge for a one-match suspension, but Keppie will be the first player this year to challenge the judiciary on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs were set to get a massive boost for their Good Friday blockbuster against Souths, with star duo Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau to return from knee injuries, but only the five-eighth has been named in the starting line-up, and the forward still needs to prove his fitness before game day.
They have not suited up for a month after suffering medial ligament damage in the Round 2 win over Gold Coast. Canterbury will put their undefeated record on the line against a depleted Bunnies side.
Brisbane’s chances of bouncing back from their upset loss to the Roosters have been strengthened by Jordan Riki returning from a high tackle ban but fellow back-rower Jack Gosiewski will be out this week after being charged for the same offence.
Round 7 teams
All times AEST
Sea Eagles vs Dragons at 4 Pines Park: 7.50pm, Thursday April 17
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Caleb Navale 22. Michael Chee Kam
Jason Saab returns to the Manly side on the wing, with Clayton Faulalo named 18th man.
Corey Waddell has one more match to serve for his two-game ban for a high shot on Tyran Wishart. Haumole Olakau’atu was charged for a high tackle on Sam Stonestreet in the loss to Cronulla but has avoided a ban, copping a $1000 fine.
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan 18. Sione Finau 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Finau Latu 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Mat Feagai gets a recall to the wing, with Christian Tuipulotu missing the match against his old club after straining his hamstring in the big win over Gold Coast.
Emre Guler is back next week from his hip-drop suspension.
Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium: 4.05pm, Friday April 18
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 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. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Viliame Kikau
Rested after the bye, Matt Burton has been named in the starting line-up after a month out with a knee injury. However, there is still doubt over Viliame Kikau, who has been named on the extended bench as he recovers from his knee problem.
Bailey Hayward drops back to the bench, where he will be joined by Sitili Tupouniua, who is returning from suspension.
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster
Cody Walker is making a surprise return from injury to partner Latrell Mitchell in the halves. Englishman Lewis Dodd is set to finally make his NRL debut after serving a ban in the NSW Cup, coming off the bench, as Jamie Humphreys is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Campbell Graham (calf) is returning on the wing in place of Alex Johnston, but Jayden Sullivan has been banned this week for dangerous contact. Veteran prop Sean Keppie has also been suspended a week for a high tackle in the loss to the Cowboys but is risking the punishment being doubled by seeking a downgrade at the judiciary.
Former Sea Eagle Josh Schuster has been listed among the reserves.
Dolphins vs Storm at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday April 18
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Francis Molo 22. Junior Tupou
Utility forward Ray Stone is back after a one-game high tackle ban but has been named as the standby reserve as Kristian Woolf sticks with the same 17 that beat the Panthers.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sua Fa’alogo 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Stanley Huen 22. Lazarus Va’alepu
Jahrome Hughes has been named at halfback despite sitting out half of the match against the Warriors with a shoulder issue.
Sua Fa’alogo will make his first NRL appearance of the season, coming in on the wing, with Grant Anderson moving to the centres.
Winger Will Warbrick and prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona remain sidelined after recent concussions.
Warriors vs Broncos at Go Media Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday April 19
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Te Maire Martin 18. Tanah Boyd 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Samuel Healey 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Morgan Harper
Rocco Berry (suspension), James Fisher-Harris (pectoral) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) are out.
With backs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck still injured, the Warriors have shifted Taine Tuapiki to fullback to cover for Nicoll-Klokstad and named Ed Kosi on the wing.
Kurt Capewell shifts into the to centres, and Morgan Harper was named on an extended bench after arriving on a one-year deal from Parramatta this season.
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Deine Mariner 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Blake Mozer
Jordan Riki will return from a grade-two careless high tackle ban and is straight back into the starting line-up, but fellow back-rower Jack Gosiewski was charged with a careless high tackle and will be out for one match.
Tyson Smoothy is set for his first appearance of the season, joining the bench in place of Martin Taupau.
Roosters vs Panthers at Allianz Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday April 19
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Chad Townsend 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
Billy Smith copped a one-week ban for a high shot on Reece Walsh in the upset win in Brisbane. Mark Nawaqanitawase is his replacement after he was the standby reserve against the Broncos.
Victor Radley has been named to start at lock while second-rower Angus Crichton is free to play after only receiving a fine for his raised forearm into the throat of former teammate Adam Reynolds.
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jack Cole
Hooker Mitch Kenny will make his return from a shoulder injury, but Jack Cole has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from concussion – but Brian To’o (hamstring) remains sidelined.
There is also a shake-up to the backline with Casey McLean and Luke Garner forming a new centre pairing with Izack Tago moved to the bench.
Titans vs Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium: 2pm, Sunday April 20
Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 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. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Arama Hau 19. Allan Fitzgibbon 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Tom Weaver 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will return after serving one match for his hit on Felisa Kaufusi. Jojo Fifita (thigh) is back on deck and into the starting side, while Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (ankle) comes off the bench.
Phil Sami has been named at centre, with Beau Fermor returning to the more familiar back row.
Young forward Brock Gray has been banned this week for a careless high tackle in the loss to the Dragons.
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 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. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Jed Stuart 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Injury-plagued forward Zac Hosking returns from a hand complaint and has been named on the bench in the only change made by Ricky Stuart, as Simi Sasagi drops to the reserves.
Jacob Saifiti on the charge. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Knights vs Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday April 20
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings
Tyson Gamble (back) returns at No.7 to help lead the Knights’ attack that has struggled in recent weeks. Phoenix Crossland switches from halfback to hooker and Jayden Brailey drops back to the bench.
Winger James Schiller (concussion) sat out Sunday’s stoush with the Tigers and will return to the wing. But front-rower Jacob Saifiti (calf) remains out. Jack Cogger is listed among the reserves and is still recovering from a finger injury.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 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. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Billy Burns 22. Chris Veaila
The Sharks stick with the same squad that beat Manly, with Addin Fonua-Blake cleared of a groin injury.
However, centre Kayal Iro is another week or two away from a return after injuring his hamstring recently.
Wests Tigers vs Eels at CommBank Stadium: 4pm, Monday April 21
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 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. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope
It is a new-look halves combination for the Tigers, with Lachie Galvin dropped after the news that he wouldn’t be at the club after next season. Reports are that he didn’t trust Benji Marshall’s leadership, which seems to have upset some teammates.
Adam Doueihi has been named at halfback, with Jarome Luai taking over his No.6 jersey. Brent Naden (knee) returns and slides into Doueihi’s centre spot, while Jeral Skelton (hamstring) is also out.
Latu Fainu won’t be available for a few weeks after he needed to have surgery to repair his injured thumb.
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Brendan Hands 22. Jordan Samrani
Parramatta has received a massive boost, with Mitch Moses completing his comeback from foot surgery earlier than expected.
Prop Jack Williams (knee) is also back, and Kelma Tuilagi returns in the back row with Matt Doorey and Luca Moretti added to the bench.
Veteran forward Ryan Matterson was fined $1000 for dangerous contact on Joseph Tapine in the loss to Canberra in Darwin but has been named as the 18th man.
Bye – Cowboys
with AAP
