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NRL team lists Round 16: Burton replaces Cleary, Ponga returns for Knights, Warriors name DWZ and Townsend

Jun 29th, 2021
Jun 29th, 2021

The team lists for Round 16 of the NRL are in with the Penrith Panthers forced into a major shake-up following the shoulder injury to star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Cleary's status for the remainder of the season remains clouded after he suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday's Origin. Fellow playmaker Matt Burton, who will join Canterbury next season, has been named at five-eighth and will pair with Jarome Luai in the halves.

The Panthers will also welcome back Brent Naden, who earlier this season was sanctioned by the NRL after testing positive for cocaine on the night of the grand final loss to Melbourne last year.

Nathan Cleary. (Getty)

In other team news, the Knights will welcome back star fullback Kalyn Ponga, while playmaker Kyle Flanagan returns for the Bulldogs after sitting out the past few rounds due to being dropped.

The Bulldogs will be without Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Corey Waddell and Sione Katoa, who breached the NRL's biosecurity protocols earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the Warriors will welcome mid-season recruits Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Chad Townsend, who have been named in the starting 13 to take on the Dragons.

The Brisbane Broncos will also welcome back Kotoni Staggs from an ACL injury. Brisbane have decided to rest Xavier Coates after he featured in last week's Origin.



Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.50pm

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Lachlan Lam 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu 14. Adam Keighran 15. Egan Butcher 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Ben Thomas 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Joseph Suaalii

Analysis: Teen star Sam Walker returns from a shoulder injury and will link up with Lachlan Lam in the halves. Joey Manu will return to the centres, which will push Joseph Suaalii back to the reserves. James Tedesco and Angus Crichton have also been named to start after featuring in Sunday's Origin.

Storm: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aaron Booth 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Aaron Pene 18. Cooper Johns 19. Jordan Grant 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Trent Loiero

Analysis: Jesse Bromwich makes his return to the side following a shoulder injury. Prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out due to suspension, along with hooker Harry Grant who suffered a hamstring injury. Tom Eisenhuth is also out after suffering an elbow injury.

Roosters young gun Sam Walker (Getty)


New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra at Central Coast Stadium, 6.00pm

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chad Townsend 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Kane Evans 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Tohu Harris 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Rocco Berry 20. Jack Murchie 21. Taniela Otukolo 22. Sean O'Sullivan

Analysis: Mid-season recruits Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wing) and Chad Townsend (halfback) have been named to start. Euan Aitken and Josh Curran are out due to isolation protocols, while teen star Reece Walsh will miss due to injury.

Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Jack Bird 5. Gerard Beale 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin 14. Josh Mcguire 15. Billy Burns 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. Adam Clune 19. Jackson Ford 20. Kaide Ellis 21. Jordan Pereira

Analysis: Matt Dufty returns and is named at fullback, which pushes Tyrell Sloan out of the side. Mikaele Ravalawa is out due to suspension and will be replaced on the wing by Gerard Beale. Jack Bird will shift from back-row to centre. Meanwhile, Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono have been named on the interchange following their suspensions.

Warriors recruit Chad Townsend in action for the Sharks. (Getty)

Penrith Panters vs Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium, 7.55pm

Panthers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. Brent Naden 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Tyrone May 5. Brian To'o 6. Matt Burton 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin 18. Izack Tago 19. Jaeman Salmon 20. Matthew Eisenhuth 21. Taylan May

Analysis: Matt Burton will shift from centre and into the halves to replace the injured Nathan Cleary. Fullback Dylan Edwards is out and will be replaced by Charlie Staines, with Brent Naden coming into the side on the wing. Viliame Kikau will return after a hamstring injury, which will push Spencer Leniu into the reserves. Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo and Kurt Capewell have all been named after playing Origin.

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. Marata Niukore 15. Shaun Lane 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Viliami Penisini 19. Will Smith 20. Sean Russell 21. Jakob Arthur

Analysis: Maika Sivo returns from suspension, which pushes Sean Russell to reserves. Nathaniel Roache and Keegan Hipgrave come out, with Oregon Kaufusi and Bryce Cartwright returning.

Parramatta Eels skipper Clint Gutherson. (NRL Imagery)


Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles at Bankwest Stadium, 3.00pm

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Falakiko Manu 5. Tuipulotu Katoa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jake Averillo 8. Jack Hetherington 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Luke Thompson 11. Jackson Topine 12. Matt Doorey 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Joe Stimson 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Chris Patolo 19. Lachlan Lewis 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Renouf Atoni 22. Watson Heleta

Analysis: Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Corey Waddell and Sione Katoa all won't be part of the squad due to biosecurity breaches. Adam Elliott (cheek) and Nick Cotric are out of the squad. Kyle Flanagan will return, while three debutants - Falakiko Manu, Bailey Biondi-Odo and Christopher Patolo come into the top 17. Joe Stimson and Jackson Topine also come into the side.

Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Sean Keppie 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Kurt De Luis 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Moses Suli 19. Cade Cust 20. Tevita Funa 21. Jack Gosiewski

Analysis: Manly's 1-17 remains unchanged from last round.

Manly gun Tom Trbojevic. (Getty)

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium, 5.30pm

Raiders: 1. Bailey Simonsson 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Joseph Tapine 18. Matthew Timoko 19. Hudson Young 20. Matt Frawley 21. Ryan James

Analysis: Co-captain Jarrod Croker is back and has been named in the centres, which will push Matthew Timoko into the reserves.

Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tyrone Peachey 14. Beau Fermor 15. Sam Lisone 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam Stone 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Mitch Rein 21. Jayden Campbell

Analysis: AJ Brimson returns from injury and is named at fullback, which pushes Jayden Campbell to the reserves. Corey Thompson also returns from injury and is named on the wing. He replaces rookie Greg Marzhew, who comes out of the squad. Kevin Proctor returns from a suspension in the back-row, with Sam Stone dropping back to the reserves. Mitch Rein and Jai Whitbread have been squeezed out as Beau Fermor and Sam Lisone return on the interchange.

Jack Wighton of the Raiders. (Getty) (Getty)

Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.35pm

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Kurt Mann 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Sauaso Sue 14. Connor Watson 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Johns 19. Phoenix Crossland 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Jirah Momoisea

Analysis: Kalyn Ponga returns and is named at fullback following a groin injury. Kurt Mann will shift into the centres as a result, which means Brodie Jones goes back to the interchange as Jack Johns goes back to the reserves.

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Lachlan Burr 17. Francis Molo 18. Peter Hola 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Heilum Luki

Analysis: North Queensland's 1-17 remains unchanged from last week.

Valentine Holmes of the Cowboys (Getty)


Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, 2.00pm

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Corey Oates 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Brodie Croft 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. TC Robati 13. Thomas Flegler 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Jesse Arthars 18. Jordan Riki 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. David Mead 21. Anthony Milford

Analysis: Kotoni Staggs returns from an ACL injury and is named at centre, pushing Jesse Arthars to the interchange. Jamayne Isaako and Corey Oates have been named on the wing and will replace Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo. Brodie Croft is back in the starting side and will replace Karmichael Hunt in the halves.

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Toby Rudolf 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Teig Wilton 16. Jack Williams 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Sione Katoa 20. Andrew Fifita 21. Mawene Hiroti

Analysis: Cronulla's 1-17 remains unchanged from last week.

Kotoni Staggs (Getty)

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Moses Mbye 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Stefano Utoikamanu 15. Shawn Blore 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Joe Ofahengaue 18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Tom Amone 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Jake Simpkin

Analysis: Adam Doueihi returns from a head knock and replaces Tommy Talau in the centres. Thomas Mikaele returns and is named on the interchange as Tom Amone shifts to the reserves.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Liam Knight 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jacob Host 18. Braidon Burns 19. Jaydn Su'A 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Josh Mansour

Analysis: Benji Marshall returns and is back on in the interchange, with Blake Taaffe dropping to reserves as a result. Tevita Tatola (knee) comes out with Hame Sele replacing him in the starting side. Liam Knight is back and joins the bench. Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray have all been named after featuring in Origin.


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