5 Things to Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in NRL Round 16

After a week of representative football, National Rugby League action is back as teams continue their navigation through the Origin period before the final stretch hits. Here are 5 Things to Watch in Round 16.

Another chapter in the Melbourne-Manly rivalry

The Storm and Sea Eagles will write another chapter in their heated rivalry, which now spans well over a decade, in Round 16. Melbourne will make the trip to Manly on Thursday night and attempt to extend their six-game winning streak over the Sea Eagles. The sides faced off in two grand finals in 2007 and 2008 and have battled it out in some fiery contests since that have often boiled over. Felise Kaufusi will not travel with the team to Sydney, whilst Cameron Munster is under an injury cloud after Origin. Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named in the reserves as he nears a return from an eight-week injury layoff and firms to be a late inclusion for Craig Bellamy’s men. For Manly, Josh Aloiai will miss the clash after suffering ahead knock in Sāmoa’s win over the Cook Islands on Saturday night, with Taniela Paseka replacing him. Melbourne have won their past six against Manly by an average of 21 points and will enter the match as favourites.

Big period for the Roosters

Currently sitting at ninth on the competition ladder with seven wins from 15 games, the Sydney Roosters are yet to hit the soaring heights many expected them to in 2022 and will need to notch some big wins in the coming weeks if they are to stay within reach of the top eight. They face the Panthers – who they have lost their past five to – this week in Penrith before a Round 17 bye, followed by clashes with St. George Illawarra and Newcastle – two sides they have already lost to this season. They are level with seventh and eighth in the wins column so, if the top eight is their goal, they are still in a strong position. They have, however, lost four of their past five and will face competition leaders Penrith this Friday night. Victor Radley has been named to return at lock for the Roosters this week, whilst all three of their Origin stars have been named to back up. Halfback Luke Keary will, however, miss the clash after suffering a head knock in their last outing with Drew Hutchison replacing him. All of Penrith’s representative stars have been named to back up and, with the club’s casualty ward currently empty, they will trot out their first-choice 17. Taylan May has scored a try in each of his past four games and also crossed on the Saturday night in his Sāmoan Test debut as he comes up against fellow young gun Joseph Suaalii.

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Game of the round in Townsville

Top eight heavyweights Brisbane and North Queensland will face off in Townsville this Saturday night in a battle fans have been waiting for. The 3rd-place Cowboys and 5th-place Broncos have already faced off once this season in Round 3 which ended in a 38-12 Cowboys win. Adam Reynolds will make his awaited return for Brisbane, whilst Payne Haas has been named despite being under an injury cloud. North Queensland will still be without Reuben Cotter; however, Luciano Leilua will make his club debut off the bench after making a midseason move from the Wests Tigers. The Broncos and Cowboys developed quite the rivalry both in the lead-up to and the aftermath of their memorable 2015 Grand Final clash and have put together numerous classic clashes this past decade. 11 of their past 23 clashes have been decided by four points or less, including five one-point finishes over the past 15. This upcoming clash is already a sell-out and will be must-watch television for those who cannot attend live. North Queensland will enter the match as favourites having won nine of their past 10 games.

Top eight battle at Homebush

South Sydney and Parramatta will look to put their up-and-down form behind them when they face each other this Saturday night at Accor Stadium. In a major boost for Souths, star fullback Latrell Mitchell will wear the number-one jumper for the first time since Round 5 and be eager to leave an immediate mark. South Sydney have won six of their past seven against the Eels and have hit the 38-point mark in each of their last four clashes. The Rabbits, however, have not looked themselves for long stretches this season and will enter the game as outsiders. They are fresh off a disastrous 20-point loss to the Dragons in Wollongong and are in danger of dropping out of the top eight in coming weeks if they are unable to improve their form. Parramatta, meanwhile, bounced back from an awful loss to Canterbury with a 26-16 win over the Roosters in Round 15. The Eels have conceded 20 or more points in eight of their past 10, whilst South Sydney have in six of their past eight, so expect some points to be scored.

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Warriors homecoming

The Warriors will play their first game in Auckland in 1,038 days this Sunday against the Wests Tigers in what will be an emotional homecoming for the struggling club. In a round full of storylines, this is the most compelling and, whilst the top eight appears out of reach in 2022, their play in the coming months will be key as they attempt to lay the platform for a rejuvenated 2023. Aside from the homecoming itself, this clash has some football-related importance as well. The Wests Tigers and Warriors are currently both on eight competition points and sit at 14th and 15th respectively, so whichever side comes out victorious will go a long way towards avoiding the wooden spoon. The Warriors will welcome Euan Aitken back into the centres, whilst star forwards Addin Fonua-Blake, Josh Curran, and Tohu Harris will play together for just the second time this season. For the Wests Tigers, James Roberts and Stefano Utoikamanu will both return from injury layoffs, whilst Fonua Pole will make his NRL debut off the bench.

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