NRL Weekly Watch: Everything To Keep An Eye On In Round 20 | The Sporting Base
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NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 20

July 13, 2023

NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 20

Wests Tigers look to end losing streak in Newcastle

The Wests Tigers will be in search of their first win since Round 12 when they make the trip up to face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

Dane Gagai (foot) returns for the Knights at the expense of Enari Tuala whilst Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti have both been named to back-up from Origin.

The Wests Tigers welcome Apisai Koroisau (jaw) and Alex Twal (suspension) back into the side with Jake Simpkin reverting to the interchange and rookies Tallyn da Silva and Aitasi James dropping out.

The Knights have won three in a row against the Wests Tigers but have lost four of their past six against them in Newcastle.


Bulldogs back at Belmore to host Broncos

The Bulldogs will be back at Belmore on Saturday afternoon for a big-time meeting with the second-place Broncos as they celebrate the career of recently retired playmaker Josh Reynolds.

Josh Addo-Carr has been named to back-up from Origin with Jacob Kiraz shifting into the centres and last week’s debutant Ethan Quai-Ward dropping out.

Ryan Sutton (neck) is out with Raymond Faitala-Mariner shifting into the front row and Corey Waddell coming in at lock.

Payne Haas (ankle) is missing for the Broncos with Corey Jensen coming into the run-on side and Jesse Arthars joining the bench.

Kurt Capewell (quad) returns at second row pushing Kobe Hetherington to lock whilst Patrick Carrigan has been named among the reserves and is a chance to back-up from Origin.

Brisbane have won four in a row against the Bulldogs but have not played at Belmore in a quarter of a century.


Sea Eagles, Cowboys face-off at 4 Pines

North Queensland make the journey to 4 Pines Park on Saturday evening to clash with Manly in an all-important 9th vs. 10th showdown.

Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) is out for the hosts with Dean Matterson set to make his NRL debut off the interchange.

The younger brother of Eels back rower Ryan, the 25-year-old is a Wentworthville Magpies junior who came through the Parramatta system and has toiled at NSW Cup level for several years.

Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have both been named to back-up from Origin.

Todd Payten has named the same 17 that obliterated the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago with Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, and Jeremiah Nanai all named to back-up from Origin.

Manly have won four of their past five against the Cowboys but just two of their past eight against them at 4 Pines Park.


Desperate Roosters meet Storm at SCG

With just two wins from their past eight and sitting at 13th on the competition ladder, the Roosters will host the Storm at the SCG on Saturday night in desperate need of a victory.

In a needed boost, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (head knock), Brandon Smith (thumb), Egan Butcher (head knock) and Billy Smith (head knock) all return for the Tricolours.

Corey Allan and Junior Pauga are the men to drop out of the backline whilst Drew Hutchison and Terrell May drop off the interchange.

James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins have both been named to back-up from Origin.

It is smooth sailing for the Storm with Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, and Xavier Coates all named to back-up from Origin.

Melbourne have beaten the Roosters in six of their past seven.


Sharks NZ-bound for top 8 showdown vs. Warriors

The Sharks make the journey across the ditch to face an in-form Warriors side at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

Bunty Afoa’s (head knock) streak of 48 consecutive games comes to an end with Mitchell Barnett shifting into the front row and Josh Curran (suspension) returning onto an edge.

Shaun Johnson has been named but may be unavailable with the veteran half expecting his second child.

Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 that took care of business versus the Wests Tigers on Thursday night although Braden Hamlin-Uele has been named among the reserves as he looks to make a return from a minor rib complaint.

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 13 against the Warriors and five of their past six in Auckland.


Dolphins host defending champs in Redcliffe

The Panthers will make their inaugural trip to Redcliffe to face the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Origin) and Felise Kaufusi (head knock) are back for the hosts with Valynce Te Whare and Josh Kerr dropping out.

Mark Nicholls shifts to the bench with Kenny Bromwich named at prop.

Zac Hosking and Tyrone Peachey drop out for Penrith with Soni Luke and Jaeman Salmon joining the interchange whilst Nathan Cleary has been named among the reserves as he looks to make a return from a hamstring issue.

Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton have all been named to back up from Origin.

Penrith have won 11 of their past 13 games in Queensland and have won the only two games that they have played at Kayo Stadium.


Eels looking to get back on track in Sunday night clash vs. Titans

Parramatta will face off against the Gold Coast in the final game of the round on Sunday night at CommBank Stadium.

Origin reps Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, and Clint Gutherson all return for the Eels with Isaac Lumelume, Ofahiki Ogden, and Makahesi Makatoa all dropping out.

Sean Russell is back on the wing, Shaun Lane starts at second row, and Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey revert to the interchange.

Maroons A.J. Brimson, David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika have all been named for the Titans with Jaimin Jolliffe (hand), Joe Stimson (head knock), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui and Jacob Alick out.

Jayden Campbell and Chris Randall move back to the interchange.

The Eels have won seven of their past eight against the Titans.


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