NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 3

Penrith the scene for anticipated GF rematch

BlueBet Stadium will host a highly anticipated Grand Final rematch between the Panthers and Broncos to kick off Round 3 on Thursday night.

James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) is missing for the hosts with Lindsay Smith moving into the front row and Matt Eisenhuth coming onto the interchange.

For Brisbane, Payne Haas (knee) and Adam Reynolds (knee) are both out with Jock Madden starting at No.7, Fletcher Baker pushing into the front row, and Xavier Willison the new man on the bench.

The Panthers have won six of their past seven against the Broncos and 11 of their past 12 at BlueBet.

Christchurch to host Warriors-Raiders clash

The Warriors will look to nab their first win of the year when they take on the undefeated Raiders at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium on Friday.

Wayde Egan (elbow) has been named to start for the Warriors with Chanel Harris-Tavita dropping out.

Skipper Elliott Whitehead (groin) makes his season debut for the Raiders with Zac Hosking reverting to the interchange and Ata Mariota dropping out.

With Sebastian Kris (head knock) unavailable, Nick Čotrić starts on the wing with Albert Hopoate moving into the centres.

The Warriors and Raiders have split their past eight encounters, but the Warriors have won just one of their four clashes at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Friday Night Lights: Book of Feuds to light up Allianz

The Roosters and Rabbitohs do battle at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night in the 255th edition of their storied rivalry.

Sandon Smith will start in the halves for the Roosters with Luke Keary (head knock) out whilst Angus Crichton has been named for his first game of the season.

Nat Butcher starts in the second row and Siua Wong drops out whilst Connor Watson comes onto the interchange.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will appear in his 300th NRL game when he runs out on Friday night becoming the 50th player to do so.

For the Bunnies, Lachlan Ilias’ demotion paves the way for Dean Hawkins to start at No.7 whilst high-profile recruit Jack Wighton returns from suspension and into the centres in place of Richie Kennar.

Davvy Moale starts up front with Sean Keppie reverting to the interchange whilst Jacob Host comes into the second row with Shaquai Mitchell dropping out.

The Roosters have won four of their past five against the Rabbits whilst Alex Johnston will be looking to become the outright leading try-scorer in the fixture all-time.

Dogs back at Belmore for Titans face-off

The Bulldogs take on the Titans in their first home game of the season at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Poasa Fa’amausili (head knock) drops out for the Bulldogs with Liam Knight coming in at prop.

Kieran Foran (groin) is back for the visitors with Tom Weaver dropping out whilst Jaimin Jolliffe has been named to start at lock with Isaac Liu dropping back to the pine.

Both teams will be eyeing their first wins of 2024 on Saturday however the Dogs have won just two of their past dozen at Belmore.

Cowboys travel to Kogarah for Dragons showdown

The Cowboys make the trip to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday to take on a Dragons outfit in need of a bounce-back win.

Jacob Liddle (head knock) and Francis Molo (suspension) are both missing for the hosts with Jesse Marschke named to debut at hooker and Blake Lawrie named to start in the front row alongside Jack de Belin.

Tom Eisenhuth starts in the No.13 jersey with Viliami Fifita coming onto the interchange whilst Luciano Leilua starts in the back row pushing Raymond Faitala-Mariner to the bench.

For the Cowboys, Heilum Luki (ankle) is out with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki starting on the edge and Jack Gosiewski joining the interchange.

The Cowboys have won four in a row against the Dragons but have won just one game at Kogarah since 2003.

Wests Tigers, Sharks to do battle at Leichhardt

The Sharks make the trip to Leichhardt Oval for a Saturday night showdown against the Wests Tigers.

Justin Olam (knee) comes into the centres for the Wests Tigers to replace Starford To’a (ankle) whilst Aidan Sezer and Fonua Pole both come into the run-on side with Jayden Sullivan and Alex Seyfarth dropping back to the bench.

Briton Nikora (suspension) is missing for the Sharks with Jack Williams starting in the second row and Billy Burns coming onto the interchange whilst Royce Hunt (virus) returns pushing Tuku Hau Tapuha out.

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 against the Wests Tigers who have won just two of their past seven at Leichhardt.

Parra host Manly in key Sunday matchup

The Sea Eagles make the journey to CommBank Stadium for a Sunday afternoon blockbuster against the Eels.

With Bailey Simonsson (head knock) out, debutant Blaize Talagi comes into the centres with Morgan Harper starting on the wing.

Luca Moretti comes onto the interchange in place of Brendan Hands whilst Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been named to start in his 200th NRL game.

Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes onto the wing for Manly for Tommy Talau (ankle) however the latter has been named among the reserves.

Manly have won just one of their five games against the Eels at CommBank Stadium.

Storm travel to the Hunter for Knights meeting

The Knights will look to snag their opening win of the new season when they host an understrength Storm side at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.

Jack Cogger replaces Jackson Hastings in the halves for Newcastle whilst Jayden Brailey (hamstring) comes onto the bench for his first game of the year.

Enari Tuala (quad) returns to replace Greg Marzhew (wrist) on the wing whilst Dylan Lucas (head knock) has been listed among the reserves.

For Melbourne, Jahrome Hughes (suspension) and Christian Welch (head knock) join Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the sideline.

Tyran Wishart starts at halfback with Kane Bradley and Tepai Moeroa coming onto the bench.

Newcastle last year snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Storm.

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