Deputising for Josh Hodgson before he returned to the Canberra Raiders side, the club has re-signed Siliva Havili.

Havili, who joined the club following his 2017 World Cup campaign with Tonga, expected to fight for the spot.

When Hodgson went down with an ACL injury during the tournament, however, he became the go-to man at hooker.

Playing across hooker, lock and from the bench, Havili impressed many and as such, has now been given a new two-year deal.

It was an easy decision for Havili to stay, who believes that the nation’s capital is the best place for him to be right now.

“Canberra is the best place for me to be in terms of my career and I’m really excited about re-signing with the Raiders,” Havili said.

“Ricky Stuart and the players and staff have really welcomed me into the club and I’m really enjoying being part of this team.”

There was nothing but praise from the club also, making note of Havili’s versatility.

“Siliva has done a wonderful job for us this year and has gone from a player who could handle a few minutes from the bench to a player who is capable of putting together a full 80-minute NRL performance,” Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland said.

“He’s a versatile player who can play a number of positions and roles for us and we believe he will continue to improve as a player with the more matches he plays at the top level.”

One of their more unheralded players, the Cronulla Sharks have retained Jayson Bukuya on a 2-year deal. 

Making his debut as a 19-year old back in 2008, Bukuya has since played in 141 NRL games for the Sharks.

In between his two stints with the club, there was one season at the New Zealand Warriors where he played in 18 NRL games.

The new deal pleases Bukuya and gives he and his family job security.

“I am pleased with the deal, for me and for my family,” Bukuya said.

“It gives us a bit more security and to represent the Sharks for the next two years is something special.”

The back-rower is proud to don the Sharks jersey.

“The majority of my football has been here at the Sharks and I’m pleased to stay here,” Bukuya continued.

 

Here we are! NRL Teams Rd 18 and back to the full quota of games. 

There is still plenty to play for at the top as teams vie for the minor premiership, top eight spots and to avoid the wooden spoon.

So, here we are; NRL teams for rd 18 of the NRL Telstra Premiership:

Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks (#NRLpencro); Panthers Stadium, Penrith; Friday, July 13. Kick-off: 6 pm. 

Panthers: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Christian Crichton 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dean Whare 5. Tyrone Phillips 6. Tyrone May 7. Jarome Luai 8. Trent Merrin 9. Sione Katoa 10. James Tamou 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo (C) 13. James Fisher-Harris.

Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Corey Harawira-Naerea 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Moses Leota.

Reserves: 18. Liam Martin 19. Kaide Ellis 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. James Maloney 22. Nathan Cleary.

Coach: Anthony Griffin

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (C).

Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo 15. James Segeyaro 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jayson Bukuya.

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorenson 19. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Sosaia Feki 21. Kyle Flanagan.

Coach: Shane Flanagan.

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Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels (#NRLnewpar); McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle; Friday, July 13. Kick-off: 7:55 pm. 

Knights: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Cory Denniss 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce (C) 8. Josh King 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Mitch Barnett 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Herman Ese’ese.

Interchange: 14. Nathan Ross 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jamie Buhrer (C) 17. Jacob Lillyman.

Reserves: 18. Luke Yates 19. Sam Stone 20. Jack Cogger 21. JJ Felise.

Coach: Nathan Brown.

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (C) 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Jarryd Hayne 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Cameron King 10. Siosaia Vave 11. Marata Niukore 12. Brad Takairangi 13. Nathan Brown.

Interchange: 14. Tepai Moeroa 15. Tim Mannah (C) 16. David Gower 17. Peni Terepo.

Reserves: 18. Kane Evans 19. Kirisome Auva’a 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Kaysa Pritchard.

Coach: Brad Arthur.

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Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs (#NRLcbysou); ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park; Saturday, July 14. Kick-off: 3 pm. 

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Reimis Smith 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Jeremy Marshall-King 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson (C) 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Adam Elliott.

Interchange: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Clay Priest 16. Ofahiki Ogden 17. Danny Fualalo.

Reserves: 18. Asipeli Fine 19. Matt Frawley 20. Francis Tualau 21. John Olive.

Coach: Dean Pay.

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Dane Gagai 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton (C) 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess.

Interchange: 14. Adam Doueihi 15. Cameron Murray 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Tevita Tatola.

Reserves: 18. Matt McIlwrick 19. Braidon Burns 20. Dean Britt 21. Kyle Turner 22. Billy Brittain.

Coach: Anthony Seibold.

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Manly Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm (#NRLmanmel); Lottoland, Brookvale; Saturday, July 14. Kick-off: 5:30 pm.

Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matt Wright 3. Moses Suli 4. Brian Kelly 5. Brad Parker 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Manase Fainu 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic.

Interchange: 14. Trent Hodkinson 15. Kelepi Tanginoa 16. Frank Winterstein 17. Taniela Paseka.

Reserves: 18. Jorge Taufua 19. Thomas Wright 20. Tevita Funa 21. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Lloyd Perrett.

Coach: Trent Barrett.

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (C) 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Kenny Bromwich.

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tim Glasby 16. Christian Welch 17. Joe Stimson.

Reserves: 18. Cheyse Blair 19. Tui Kamikamica 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Ryley Jacks 22. Brodie Croft 23. Albert Vete.

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

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Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys (#NRLcannql); GIO Stadium, Canberra; Saturday, July 14. Kick-off: 7:35 pm. 

Raiders: 1. Nick Cotric 2. Michael Oldfield 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii.

Interchange: 14. Blake Austin 15. Luke Bateman 16. Siliva Havili 17. Iosia Soliola.

Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Jack Murchie 20. Royce Hunt 21. Craig Garvey.

Coach: Ricky Stuart.

Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Enari Tuala 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo.

Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Shaun Fensom 16. Shane Wright 17. Corey Jensen.

Reserves: 18. Justin O’Neill 19. Ethan Lowe 20. Mitchell Dunn 21. Francis Molo 23. Jake Clifford.

Coach: Paul Green.

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Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors (#NRLbriwar); Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; Sunday, July 15. Kick-off: 2 pm.

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (C) 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jordan Kahu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matt Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Kotoni Staggs 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Korbin Sims 17. Tevita Pangai Jr.

Reserves: 18. Jonus Pearson 19. Patrick Mago 20. David Fifita 21. Sam Tagatese 22. Jake Turpin 23. Tom Opacic.

Coach: Wayne Bennett.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Gerard Beale 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Simon Mannering 13. Adam Blair.

Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Tevita Satae 16. Joseph Vuna 17. Anthony Gelling.

Reserves: 18. Ligi Sao 19. Karl Lawton 20. Blake Ayshford 21. Mason Lino.

Coach: Stephen Kearney.

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers (#NRLsgiwst); WIN Jubilee Oval, Wollongong; Sunday, July 15. Kick-off: 4:10 pm. 

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop (C) 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin.

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Kurt Mann 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Luciano Leilua.

Reserves: 18. Patrick Herbert 19. Hame Sele 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Reece Robson 22. Jai Field 23. Darren Nicholls.

Coach: Paul McGregor.

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Corey Thompson 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer (C) 9. Robbie Farah 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Elijah Taylor.

Interchange: 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Matt Eisenhuth.

Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle 19. Luke Garner 20. Tim Grant 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Coach: Ivan Cleary.

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Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters (#NRLgldsyd); Cbus Super Stadium, Robina; Sunday, July 15. Kick-off: 6:30 pm. 

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Konrad Hurrell 4. Brenko Lee 5. Philip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James (C) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow.

Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Will Matthews 17. Jack Stockwell.

Reserves: 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Leilani Latu 20. Kane Elgey 21. Brendan Elliott 22. Jai Whitbread.

Coach: Garth Brennan.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend (C) 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Isaac Liu.

Interchange: 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Mitch Aubusson 17. Kurt Baptiste.

Reserves: 18. Matt Ikuvalu 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Ryan Matterson 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Paul Momirovski 23. Poasa Faamausili.

Coach: Trent Robinson.

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He is not the first and will not be the last as St George Illawarra Dragons prop Leeson Ah Mau opts to return to the New Zealand Warriors.

Making his debut with the Warriors back in 2009, Ah Mau eventually moved to the Dragons side in 2012.

Since then, he played in 130 games for the Red V, won Players’ Player in 2015 and has been a fan favourite.

In the end, a return home was too good to turn down and the club understand Ah Mau’s decision, praising his time at the club.

“Leeson is a player we tried to retain but we also understood that there were a lot of other implications and they’re not always about money,” Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Millward said.

“He’s given outstanding service – not only this season, but his previous seasons – and he’s been a real benchmark for our other forwards in terms of how he’s gone about his business and the way he’s played the game.

The announced move now gives the Dragons a chance to search for an appropriate replacement on the open market.

“At the end of the day, we’re really delighted he’s been able to secure a contract,” continued Millward.

“We understand the reasons why he didn’t accept our offer and we can’t applaud him enough for what he’s done for the Dragons.

“We also appreciate that he signalled his intentions early so we have been active in the market place seeking a replacement for Leeson.”

The Dragons will always be near and dear to him but in the end, family means everything to Ah Mau.

“I love all the boys, the coaching staff and the fans so it was very tough,” Ah Mau said.

“I had to do what was right for my young family though. Having the support around my wife and daughter was the major factor.

“The Dragons will always hold a special place in my heart.

Despite his tenure ending at the end of the season, Ah Mau praised the club’s fans and wants to finish the 2018 season strongly.

“I definitely enjoyed my time here and I’m looking forward to finishing the year on a high,” the prop continued.

“I’ll miss everyone, especially the fans. They’ve been wonderful to me over the past seven years and I always love playing in front of them.”

The addition of Ah Mau is a boost for the Warriors pack and the club are pleased.

“Leeson will be a wonderful addition to our squad from next season,” said Warriors coach Stephen Kearney.

“He’s a big forward who is consistently one of the Dragons’ best week in, week out.”

Ah Mau is just the sort of player the Warriors are looking for and Kearney knows he will have a good impact.

“He fits the mould of the type of player we’re building our squad around – tough, durable and with a tremendous attitude in all he does on and off the field,” the Warriors coach continued.

“We’ve always had an interest in him as did a number of clubs, so we’re really excited he was keen to come back home and join the club he started with.”

Is his role now as a supersub? Last night’s result suggests so as Blake Austin turned on the magic in the Canberra Raiders late comeback victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Despite a remarkable 24 points from Bulldogs back-rower Rhyse Martin (3 tries & 6 goals), all the plaudits will go to Austin.

After a poor showing last week, he was dropped to the bench and replaced in the halves by Sam Williams.

It was far from all roses for the Raiders, though; Brad Abbey suffered concussion, Shannon Boyd a calf injury and Joseph Tapine facing suspension.

It was a terrible start by the Raiders. Williams kicked the ball out on the full in the third minute before the Dogs scored soon after.

Jeremy Marshall-King slicing through some soft defence off a scrum play to score.

The Raiders would hit back as Jarrod Croker used all his experience to outmuscle Kerrod Holland, before finding Williams inside to score.

A penalty goal put the Dogs back in front before Croker did it again. Overpowering Holland close to the line to get himself on the scoresheet.

Martin then scored the first of his tries, running onto a lovely short ball from young Dogs half Lachlan Lewis.

Croker was then involved yet again in the Raiders try; this time offloading for Nick Cotric to score in the corner.

It all went downhill from there and Joey Leilua was the culprit.

First, he lost the ball in the Raiders search for points. To make it worse, he piped up with backchat to the officials and was then penalised.

Martin’s second try then came off a Lewis kick that was batted down by Josh Morris.

Not long after, the back-rower had his hat-trick. Josh Morris made the break, busted tackles and then found Martin to cross the line.

The Raiders looked down-and-out, with errors plaguing their chances to score.

Enter the supersub, Blake Austin. Perhaps not quite the supersub in the Dean Widders mold, Austin produced a worldly performance to miraculously get the Raiders a win.

He got one back in the 75th minute with a huge step to score.

Tapine then got his name on the scorers list when he crashed over before, somehow, the Raiders scored again; three tries in five minutes.

It was Austin again, making the break before Leilua redeemed himself; powering over the Morris twins to score and win the game for the Raiders.

There was no-one to blame but themselves for the loss, as Dogs coach Dean Pay lamented his side’s poor finish.

“For all the hard work they put in, we just did a couple of poor things at the end there, we missed some tackles, easy one-on-ones,” Pay said post-game.

“We didn’t get the ball back off the kick off, had the ball stripped from Lich (hooker Michael Lichaa).

It was an accumulation of things that went against us and we couldn’t stop it.”

Austin drew nothing but praise from Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.

“After last week’s game [26-22 loss to Broncos] I felt for Blake because he’s had a tough week,” Stuart said.

“He certainly added a bit of vibe and feel to the team, some spark that we lacked all game.”

Player of the Game:

3. Blake Austin

2. Rhyse Martin

1. Jarrod Croker

We knew it was on the cards but Brisbane Broncos forward Sam Thaiday has today confirmed that 2018 will be his last. 

An ironman of the NRL for 16 years, Thaiday achieved everything there is to attain in the game.

He won a premiership with the Broncos, numerous Origin titles with Queensland and a World Cup with the Kangaroos.

With nearly 300 NRL games to his name, 29 Origins and 32 Tests, it was the right time to step down.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be a Bronco for 16 seasons, and played for my State and my country,” Thaiday said.

“I’ve seen the game change – from 12 to eight interchanges, from one to two referees, to the bunker, live streaming, and the effect of social media.

“I’m definitely one of the lucky ones who has turned a fun game I played as a kid into a job I love as an adult.”

He praised everyone who has been involved in his career and knows the rest of the season still beckons.

“But my time has come,” the veteran continued.

“Thank you all for the support throughout my career thus far, and of course for the rest of the season.”

With their Origin players missing, the Melbourne Storm’s young guns in Jahrome Hughes and Brodie Croft stepped up in a 14-try thriller.

In a game that saw a total of 82 points scored, the Storm finished up 52-30 winners at AAMI Park.

It was a late change that prompted Hughes move to fullback and it was justified, with the utility back involved in everything.

In a somewhat cool night with windy conditions, the teams initially went tit-for-tat when it came to tries.

Curtis Scott opened the scoring for the Storm, before Kurt Mann hit back for the St George Illawarra Dragons, capitalising on a swift play.

Croft then turned on the afterburners as he sliced through some lazy Dragons defence to put the Storm up 12-6.

Scores were then level yet again as a Gareth Widdop cut-out pass found Nene Macdonald who finished acrobatically in the corner.

Cheyse Blair and Euan Aitken then scored further tries for their sides.

Though on the stroke of half-time, veteran Ryan Hoffman burst through a gap, dummied to bamboozle Matt Dufty and went over to score.

As the second half ensued, it was the Dragons who would score first and again hit back.

Young back-rower Luciano Leilua ran the perfect line to stroll over for his maiden NRL try.

The Storm were not about to rest on their laurels, though; as Hughes was on the end of a barnstorming Nelson Asofa-Solomona break to score.

The Dragons then took the lead as Mann grabbed his second with a rare shortside play off the scrum.

That would be it for the Dragons, though, as the Storm scored four tries in the last fifteen minutes to notch the 50-point mark and get the win.

With Billy Slater on Origin duty, Storm coach Craig Bellamy gave Hughes the chance at the back and praised him for his performance.

“Jahrome was tremendous, Jacksy did a really good job,” Bellamy said.

He ran the ball and was really hard to handle. I thought those guys were really outstanding.”

Storm captain Cameron Smith made some comparisons between Hughes and Dragons fullback Dufty.

“We spoke about one of their opposition players, Dufty, the fullback, and any opportunity to find or see space that he is a dangerous runner,” Smith said.

“I think Jahrome Hughes is much the same. Any opportunity to get in some space or in between defenders, he took it tonight.

“Since he’s come into the first grade side, he’s been outstanding.”

Dragons coach Paul McGregor was honest in his post-game assessment, offering no excuses.

“I thought we attacked well,” he said.

“We had some really good movement with the footy once we got into any decent field position.

Defensively, our right edge was affected a little bit by the interchange early, and it wasn’t efficient enough after that.”

Player of the Game:

3. Jahrome Hughes

2. Cameron Smith

1. Nelson Asofa-Solomona