NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 6

Undermanned Chooks journey to Newcastle to kick-off round

The Roosters will take on the Knights in the NRL’s Round 6 opener on Thursday night at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Adam O’Brien has named the same 17 that got the job done a week ago against the Dragons although Greg Marzhew (wrist) has been named among the reserves as he eyes a return.

Trent Robinson’s squad will be without James Tedesco (head knock), Sam Walker (head knock), and Dom Young (suspension) with Joseph Manu shifting to the back, Michael Jennings coming into the centres, and Junior Pauga onto the wing.

Connor Watson is the new No.6, Luke Keary the new halfback, and Zach Dockar-Clay joins the interchange.

Nat Butcher also returns with Sitili Tupouniua reverting to the interchange and Egan Butcher dropping out.

Newcastle have won eight of their past nine games at home although Roosters have won 12 of their past 14 against the Knights.

Dogs make trip south for Melbourne showdown

Canterbury will look to pull off an upset when they take on the Storm at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Friday evening.

Tepai Moeroa replaces Jack Howarth on the interchange in the only change for Melbourne.

Blake Taaffe (head knock), Kurt Mann (hand), and Harrison Edwards (neck) are missing for the visitors with Stephen Crichton shifting to fullback, Josh Addo-Carr (head knock) returning onto the wing, and Jaeman Salmon starting at lock.

Josh Curran starts on an edge with Poasa Fa’amausili and debutant Bailey Hayward coming onto the bench.

Hayward, 23, became a key component of Canterbury’s NSW Cup side in 2023 after representing Scotland at the World Cup and now gets his shot in the top grade.

The Storm have won seven of their past eight against the Dogs and 12 in a row at AAMI Park.

Walsh returns as Broncos host ladder-leading Phins in Battle of Brisbane

The third edition of the Battle of Brisbane is set to ignite on Friday night at Suncorp with star fullback Reece Walsh set to return for the Broncos.

Walsh’s (facial fracture) return pushes Tristan Sailor out of the side whilst Jock Madden replaces Adam Reynolds (hamstring) at halfback.

Corey Oates and Xavier Willison also come into the side to replace Deine Mariner (back) and try-scoring debutant Ben Te Kura.

Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (arm), and Kurt Donoghoe are out for the Dolphins.

Tesi Niu comes into the centres, Kenny Bromwich starts on an edge, and Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford join the interchange.

The Broncos got the chocolates in both of last year’s matchups however the Dolphins enter this clash atop the competition ladder.

Go Media Stadium hosts Warriors-Manly meeting

Fresh off upsetting the defending champs, Manly make the trip to Auckland for a Saturday showdown against the surging Warriors.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) and Kurt Capewell (head knock) are back for the Wahs but Bunty Afoa (hamstring) is unable to play.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns into the centres with Adam Pompey dropping out whilst Mitch Barnett starts in the front row again.

Reuben Garrick (head knock) is out for the visitors with Ben Trbojevic shifting into the centres, Corey Waddell starting in the second row, and Ethan Bullemor coming onto the pine.

The Warriors have now won six of their past seven games at Go Media Stadium and face an Eagles unit that have not won in Auckland since 2017.

Eels look to respond vs. Cowboys at CommBank

Parramatta host the Cowboys at CommBank on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Canberra.

Maika Sivo, Blaize Talagi, and Wiremu Greig have all been omitted by coach Brad Arthur with Morgan Harper coming into the centres, Bailey Simonsson starting on the flank, and Daejarn Asi the five-eighth.

Bryce Cartwright (ribs) returns pushing Kelma Tuilagi back to the bench.

For the Cows, star rookie Zac Laybutt will be out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear with Tom Chester named as his replacement in the centres.

The Eels have won nine of their past 12 games at CommBank and take on a North Queensland side who have not won at Parramatta in nine years.

Mitchell-less Bunnies look to steady ship vs. Cronulla

A desperate Rabbitohs outfit host the Sharks at Accor Stadium on Saturday night with Jason Demetriou opting to shake things up following a disappointing loss to the Warriors.

Latrell Mitchell (suspension) is out along with Damien Cook, Izaac Thompson, Tallis Duncan, and Sean Keppie who have been dropped.

Jye Gray debuts in the No.1 jersey, Peter Mamouzelos starts at hooker, and Tyrone Munro comes onto the wing for his season debut.

Shaq Mitchell (head knock), Siliva Havili, and Davvy Moale join the bench.

Gray, 20, played his juniors with the Burleigh Bears and joined the Bunnies system last year making his NSW Cup debut this season.

Briton Nikora (suspension) returns for the Sharks pushing Siosifa Talakai to the bench and Daniel Atkinson out.

The Rabbitohs have won their past seven games against the Sharks at Accor Stadium but have managed just five wins from their past 18 NRL games as the pressure continues to mount at Redfern.

Campbelltown the scene for Sunday clash between Wests Tigers, Dragons

The Dragons make a rare trip to Campbelltown on Sunday afternoon to face an improved Wests Tigers outfit in a key clash for both squads.

Fainu brothers Samuela (head knock) and Latu (hamstring) join John Bateman (head knock) on the sideline for the hosts.

Alex Seyfarth starts in the second row with Jake Simpkin, Justin Matamua, and Asu Kepaoa coming onto the bench.

Hame Sele returns for the Red V at prop and Tom Eisenhuth starts at lock with Blake Lawrie and Jack de Belin coming off the interchange.

The Wests Tigers have lost their past eight games at Campbelltown and won just one of their past four against the Dragons.

Titans travel to nation’s capital in search of opening W

The Raiders will look to replicate their clinical win over the Eels last Sunday night at home when they face the winless Titans in Round 6.

Chevy Stewart debuts at fullback for Ricky Stuart’s Raiders in the absence of Jordan Rapana (knee) absent.

A Kurnell Stingrays junior, the teenager joined the Raiders last year after coming through the Cronulla system and was rewarded with a NSW under-19s nod.

Corey Horsburgh (groin) and Simi Sasagi drop out with Zac Hosking (head knock) returning on an edge and Ata Mariota and Trey Mooney starting off the bench.

Kieran Foran (ankle) has been named to play for the Titans whilst Isaac Liu (head knock) comes onto the bench for Joe Stimson.

The Raiders have won eight of their past nine games against the Titans.

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