NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 8

Warriors, Titans open Anzac Triple-Header in Auckland

The NRL’s slate of Anzac Day games begins at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium on Thursday afternoon with the Warriors taking on the winless Titans.

Kurt Capewell (throat) and Adam Pompey drop out for the hosts with Jacob Laban starting on an edge and Dylan Walker (ankle) and debutant Zyon Maiu’u coming onto the pine.

A Te Atatu Roosters junior, Maiu’u has come through the grades with the Warriors and earns a maiden NRL nod having made 32 NSW Cup appearances over the past two seasons.

Des Hasler has named the same 17 that went down to the Sea Eagles a week ago.

The Warriors have lost their past eight Anzac Day games – although they have been against Melbourne – whilst the Titans have won three of their past four against the Warriors.

Dragons do battle with Roosters in traditional showdown

Anzac Day’s storied Dragons-Roosters clash will ignite at Allianz Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Shane Flanagan has named the same 17 that got the job done against the Warriors a week ago although Jack Bird (head knock) has been named among the reserves.

Dom Young (suspension) and Sam Walker (head knock) both make their way back into the side for the Tricolours with Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i pushing into the centres, Connor Watson reverting to the interchange, and Michael Jennings and Zach Dockar-Clay dropping out.

Four of the past six Anzac clashes have gone the way of the Roosters.

Bunnies make trip south for Storm clash

The desperate Rabbitohs make the trip down to Melbourne for an Anzac clash against the Storm on Thursday afternoon.

Craig Bellamy has named the same 17 that downed the Roosters a week ago.

Tyrone Munro (collarbone) and Tevita Tatola (foot) are both unavailable for the visitors although Damien Cook has earnt a recall at hooker and Jai Arrow (shoulder) makes his return off the bench.

Shaquai Mitchell starts up front with Peter Mamouzelos dropping back to the bench.

The Rabbitohs are an unbelievable 0-18 in games played in the Victorian capital whilst the Storm are riding a 13-game home winning streak.

Sea Eagles host Eels in Friday night meeting

Parramatta journey to 4 Pines Park to face rivals Manly on Friday night in a bid to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Dolphins.

Josh Aloiai (suspension) and Nathan Brown (knee) return for the hosts with Matt Lodge reverting to the pine and Aaron Woods and Dean Matterson dropping out.

Ethan Sanders has been named to make his NRL debut at five-eighth for the Eels whilst Maika Sivo has earnt a recall on the wing.

Brendan Hands, Makahesi Makatoa, and Kelma Tuilagi all come onto the interchange with Ryan Matterson starting on an edge.

Bryce Cartwright, Sean Russell, Blaize Talagi, Luca Moretti and Daejarn Asi are the men who drop out.

An NSW under-19s rep who has come through the Eels’ pathways system, Sanders earns a maiden call-up having made his NSW Cup debut earlier this season.

The Eels have beaten Manly in four of their past five tries.

Campbelltown the scene as Wests Tigers take on Broncos

The Wests Tigers face the Broncos at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday evening.

Junior Tupou (foot) is out for the hosts with Solomon Alaimalo earning an NRL debut on the wing.

An Auckland-native, the 28-year-old joined the club prior to the season after carving out a Super Rugby career across the ditch.

Samuela Fainu earns a starting nod at second row with John Bateman shifting to lock and Fonua Pole coming off the interchange.

Payne Haas (knee), Adam Reynolds (hamstring), and Brendan Piakura (ankle) all make their returns for the Broncos although Ezra Mam (finger) and Selwyn Cobbo (shoulder) are unavailable.

Jock Madden starts at five-eighth with Deine Mariner (back) returning onto the wing and pushing Jesse Arthars into the centres.

Brisbane have won their past seven games at Campbelltown whilst the Wests Tigers have lost their past nine at the venue.

Cowboys back in Townsville to face Panthers

The Cowboys will look to respond from a poor loss to the Sharks when they meet the defending premier Panthers in Townsville on Saturday night.

Thomas Mikaele comes in for the Cowboys on the bench in place of Jack Gosiewski whilst Griffin Neame has been named to start up front with Jason Taumalolo reverting to the interchange.

Nathan Cleary (hamstring) is back for the Panthers in a major boost along with Taylan May (personal reasons) with Brad Schneider and Paul Alamoti the men to make way.

The Panthers have won five of their past seven against the Cows.

Dolphins meet with Ponga-less Knights at Suncorp

Newcastle make the trip up to Brisbane to take on the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon but will be without star No.1 Kalyn Ponga.

Kurt Donoghoe (suspension) returns for the hosts with Sean O’Sullivan making way.

David Armstrong earns an NRL debut at fullback whilst Dane Gagai (calf) returns at the expense of Tom Jenkins and Jed Cartwright replaces Jack Hetherington (suspension) on the bench.

Hailing from Moree, Armstrong became an integral part of the Knights NSW Cup team a year ago scoring 15 tries in 18 outings.

The Knights have won only three of their past 10 without Ponga.

Sharks journey to nation’s capital for Raiders face-off

The high-flying Sharks will look to continue their strong run of form when they head to Canberra on Sunday afternoon to face the Raiders.

Jamal Fogarty (biceps) is out in a big loss for the hosts with Kaeo Weekes filling his void at halfback.

Braydon Trindall (stood down) is out for the Sharks with Dan Atkinson coming into the No.6 jumper whilst Sione Katoa (suspension) returns onto the wing in place of debutant Sam Stonestreet.

The Raiders have beaten the Sharks in their past four games at GIO Stadium.

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