NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 7

Roosters, Storm open round at Allianz

Round 7 opens with an anticipated clash between 2018 Grand Finalists the Roosters and Storm at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.

Skipper James Tedesco (head knock) returns into the No.1 jersey for the Tricolours with Joseph Manu shifting back into the centres, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i onto the wing, and Junior Pauga out.

Sitili Tupouniua (head knock) is unavailable with Egan Butcher earning a bench nod whilst Sam Walker (head knock) has been listed among the reserves.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona makes his season debut for the Storm in place of Tui Kamikamica (calf) whilst Joe Chan returns onto the bench for Tepai Moeroa (back).

The Storm have won eight of their past nine against the Chooks with winger Xavier Coates having nabbed seven tries in his past three games against them.

Warriors journey to Wollongong for Dragons showdown

The Dragons are back at WIN Stadium to take on the Warriors on Friday evening.

Jack Bird (head knock) is out for the hosts with Zac Lomax shifting into the centres for his 100th NRL game and Christian Tuipulotu earning a club debut on the wing.

Fa’amanu Brown has been listed among the reserves for the Dragons after signing with them this week.

For the Warriors, Jazz Tevaga (hamstring) drops out with Adam Pompey earning a bench spot.

The Dragons will be eyeing back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022.

Darwin the scene for Friday night Eels, Dolphins face-off

The Eels host the Dolphins at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Friday night – their 10th trip to the Northern Territory capital in 11 years.

Rookie Blaize Talagi comes onto the bench in place of Kelma Tuilagi in the only change for the Eels.

For the visitors, Trai Fuller starts at the back in place of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) with Anthony Milford (suspension) and Round 6 debutant Lachlan Hubner also dropping out.

Max Plath returns from suspension to start at lock pushing Ray Stone back to the pine whilst Sean O’Sullivan also earns an interchange gig.

The Eels have won six of their nine games in Darwin over the years but have not won back-to-back games without Mitchell Moses since 2020.

Panthers host Wests Tigers in Bathurst

The Panthers – fresh off a bye – and Wests Tigers will do battle at Bathurst’s Carrington Park on Saturday afternoon.

Scott Sorensen (knee) returns for the premiers pushing Luke Garner back to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth to the reserves.

The Wests Tigers welcome back John Bateman (head knock), Lachlan Galvin (suspension), Samuela Fainu (head knock) and Latu Fainu (hamstring).

Jayden Sullivan, Justin Matamua, Asu Kepaoa and Jake Simpkin drop out whilst Brent Naden makes his season debut in the centres in place of Solomona Faataape.

The Wests Tigers have defeated the Panthers three times from their past seven meetings whilst Ivan Cleary’s men have won just two of their past five in Bathurst.

Titans eye opening win vs. Manly on the Goldie

Manly make the trip north for a Saturday evening showdown against a Titans side still in search of their first win of 2024.

Phillip Sami (hamstring) returns for the Titans and replaces Jayden Campbell (knee) at fullback with AJ Brimson remaining in the No.6 jersey.

Jason Saab (hamstring), Matt Lodge (ACL), Reuben Garrick (head knock) and Nathan Brown return for Manly with Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) and Toafofoa Sipley (knee) out along with Josh Aloiai and Jaxson Paulo.

Des Hasler has won seven of his last eight matches against the Sea Eagles.

Raiders make trip to Suncorp to take on Broncos

Saturday’s slate of games finishes with a meeting between the Broncos and Raiders at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos head coach Kevvie Walters has named the same 17 that got the job done last week against the Dolphins in the Battle of Brisbane.

Zac Hosking (shoulder) drops out for the visitors with Ata Mariota starting in the second row and Simi Sasagi coming onto the interchange.

The Broncos are riding a five-game unbeaten streak at Suncorp although the Raiders have won four of their past six against Brisbane.

Bulldogs, Knights meet each other in key clash at Accor

The Bulldogs and Knights will both be desperate for a win when they face each other at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Connor Tracey has been named at fullback with Stephen Crichton in the centres and Jacob Kiraz on the wing after a late shuffle prior to last week’s kick-off.

Blake Taaffe (head knock) and Kurtis Morrin (suspension) are back on the bench for the hosts with Jake Turpin and Kitione Kautoga dropping out.

It is business as usual for Adam O’Brien’s team with the same 17 that went down to the Roosters set to trot on Sunday.

Skipper Kalyn Ponga has been named to play despite picking up a hip issue a week ago.

The Bulldogs have not beaten the Knights at Homebush in almost a decade whilst the Knights have won five of their past six against the Dogs.

Sharks host Cowboys in Top 4 battle on Sunday

The Sharks are back in the Shire to host the Cowboys in a 1st vs. 4th Sunday afternoon battle.

Sione Katoa (suspension) is out for the Sharks paving the way for local junior Sam Stonestreet to make his debut on the wing whilst Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) has been named on the bench for his season debut in place of Tuku Hau Tapuha.

A De La Salle Caringbah junior, Stonestreet has progressed through the grades at Cronulla and last year became a permanent fixture of their NSW Cup outfit.

For the Cows, Murray Taulagi (hamstring) is out with Semi Valemei coming onto the wing for his first NRL game of the year.

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Cowboys with the only loss coming in a qualifying finals thriller at PointsBet in 2022.

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