It is NRL teams for round 10 and already, it is make or break for some teams.
With several teams needing wins, this week looms as a crucial clash for any hope of finals.
On the other end, several teams are flying high with no end in sight for them. Can they continue the momentum?
Without further adieu, here are the sides for round 10 of the NRL Telstra Premiership:
Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys (#NRLwstnql); Thursday, May 10; Leichhardt Oval. Kick-off: 7:50 pm.
Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofolauma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Mahe Fonua 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Elijah Taylor 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14. Alex Twal 15. Jacob Liddlde 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Sauaso Sue.
Reserves: 18. Tim Grant 19. Chris McQueen 20. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 21. Tyson Gamble.
Coach: Ivan Cleary.
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Ben Hampton 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. Matt Scott (C) 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo.
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Shaun Fensom 16. Corey Jensen 17. Ethan Lowe.
Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Jake Clifford 20. Javid Bowden 21. Sam Hoare.
Coach: Paul Green.
Ricky’s View: You could make an argument that the Tigers appear to be on a slide of sorts given recent losses. Though the firepower is there to suggest that they can get it back on track. It looms as a key clash against a Cowboys side that found mojo and ticker last week to nab a much needed win.
Was it a one-off or is the spark back that was needed to kick-start their campaign? Cowboys by 2
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers (#NRLnewpen); Friday, May 11; McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle. Kick-off: 6 pm.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Nathan Ross 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Brock Lamb 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Slade Griffin 10. Josh King 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitch Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra (C).
Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Chris Heighington 16. Luke Yates 17. Daniel Saifiti.
Reserves: 18. Jamie Buhrer (C) 19. Jacob Saifiti 20. Jack Cogger 21. Cory Denniss.
Coach: Nathan Brown.
Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Christian Crichton 3. Isaah Yeo 4. Dean Whare 5. Tyrone Phillips 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. James Maloney 8. Trent Merrin 9. Peter Wallace (C) 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. James Fisher-Harris.
Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Kaide Ellis 16. James Tamou 17. Jarome Luai.
Reserves: 18. Wayde Egan 19. Nick Lui-Toso 20. Thomas Eisenhuth 21. Tyrone May.
Coach: Anthony Griffin.
Ricky’s View: The Panthers just have no luck this season when it comes to personnel. With players dropping like flies, they are forced to call on development players just to field a 21-man squad. Will the injuries be their downfall?
The rampant Knights side might spell blood in the water and with Kalyn Ponga playing out of his skin, can he be contained? Knights by 12
Canterbury Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels (#NRLcbypar); Friday, May 11; ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park. Kick-off: 7:55 pm.
Bulldogs: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Will Hopoate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson (C) 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Rhyse Martin.
Interchange: 14. Adam Elliott 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Renouf To’omaga 17. Kerrod Holland.
Reserves: 18. John Olive 19. Clay Priest 20. Asipeli Fine 21. Michael Lichaa.
Coach: Dean Pay
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (C) 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Will Smith 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Peni Terepo.
Interchange: 14. Beau Scott (C) 15. Kenny Edwards 16. David Gower 17. Siosaia Vave.
Reserves: 18. Cameron King 19. Kirisome Auva’a 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Marata Niukore.
Coach: Brad Arthur.
Ricky’s View: If there were ever two teams that so desperately need a win, it is these two fierce rivals. Both equal bottom on just four points and each with their own problems, this is a huge clash. Both can expect changes but just how will they affect the team?
The Eels halves have the firepower but the forward pack is not manning up as it should. With big bodies in the Dogs forward pack, can they overrun the smaller Eels pack? Eels by 4.
New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters (#NRLwarsyd); Saturday May, 12; Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. Kick-off: 3 pm (AEST) & 5 pm (local time)
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C) 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Mason Lino 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Simon Mannering 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair.
Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Sam Lisone 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. James Gavet.
Reserves: 18. Sam Cook 19. Jazz Tevaga 20. Albert Vete 21. Anthony Gelling.
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Joseph Manu 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitch Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 9. Jake Friend (C) 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner (C) 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Isaac Liu.
Interchange: 14. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Kurt Baptiste 17. Victor Radley
Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 21. Mitch Cornish.
Coach: Trent Robinson.
Ricky’s View: Boasting arguably the best side on paper, the Roosters, by their own standards and their fans expectations, have been poor. Inconsistency is rife, the attack is too rigid and players just cannot link up together.
Against a Warriors side that many think is the real deal, the Roosters will have to be on their game if they are to again avoid defeat to the NZ side. That said, the Warriors do look the goods and I back them. Warriors by 10
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans (#NRLmelgld); Saturday, May 12; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kick-off: 5:30 pm.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Christian Welch 9. Cameron Smith (C) 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Dale Finucane.
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Joe Stimson 17. Sam Kasiano.
Reserves: 18. Brodie Croft 19. Tui Kamikmica 20. Patrick Kaufusi 21. Justin Olam.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Brenko Lee 5. Philip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Max King 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ryan James (C) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Will Matthews 13. Jarrod Wallace.
Interchange: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Keegan Hipgrave 16. Jack Stockwell 17. Moeaki Fotuaika.
Reserves: 18. Leilani Latu 19. Konrad Hurrell 20. Nathan Peats 21. Kane Elgey.
Coach: Garth Brennan.
Ricky’s View: It looms as a David v Goliath battle but the Storm, as we have seen, can be vulnerable. Of course, the Dragons and the Titans are two very different teams but the Titans, at their best and by catching the Storm off guard can be slim hopes.
That in mind, the Storm – particularly winger Josh Addo-Carr – are electric right now. Addo-Carr is fresh off one of the best individual performances you will ever see and is a near-certainty for Origin duties for NSW. Storm by 18
Manly Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos (#NRLmanbri); Saturday, May 12; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kick-off: 7:35 pm.
Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Moses Suli 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic.
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Frank Winterstein 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Taniela Paseka.
Reserves: 18. Thomas Wright 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Tevita Funa 21. Toafofoa Sipley.
Coach: Trent Barrett.
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (C) 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jack Bird 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tevita Pangai Jr.
Interchange: 14. Payne Haas 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Korbin Sims 17. Tom Opacic.
Reserves: 18. Sam Tagataese 19. Todd Murphy 20. Jonus Pearson 21. Patrick Mago.
Coach: Wayne Bennett.
Ricky’s View: Neither side is firing on all cylinders right now but Manly, despite their best efforts, seem to be in all sorts. Only their forwards are showing any sort of consistency but will that be enough to overcome a tough trip to Brisbane and a raucous QLD crowd? Current form says no but anything is possible. Broncos by 16
South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons (#NRLsousgi); Sunday, May 13; ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park. Kick-off: 2 pm.
Souths: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Greg Inglis (C) 4. Dane Gagai 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess.
Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Jason Clark 17. Tevita Tatola.
Reserves: 18. Adam Doueihi 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Braidon Burns 21. Kyle Turner.
Coach: Anthony Seibold.
Dragons: 1. Matthew 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. Zachary Lomax.
Reserves: 18. Reece Robson 19. Mitch Allgood 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Hame Sele.
Coach: Paul McGregor.
Ricky’s View: As good as Souths have been in the past, they will need a Herculean effort to outlast and outmatch the Dragons. The form team of the competition, this one seems to be a foregone conclusion unless the Dragons have an off night. Dragons by 10
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks (#NRLcancro); Sunday, May 13; GIO Stadium, Canberra. Kick-off: 4 pm.
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Iosia Soliola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii.
Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Luke Bateman 16. Charlie Gubb 17. Dunamis Lui.
Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Craig Garvey 21. Jack Murchie.
Coach: Ricky Stuart.
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 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. Jayson Bukuya 13. Paul Gallen (C).
Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo 15. James Segeyaro 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Jack Williams.
Reserves: 18. Kurt Dillon 19. Braden Uele 20. Briton Nikora 21. Kyle Flanagan.
Coach: Stuart Flanagan.
Ricky’s View: A rare Sunday game for the Raiders who may have turned a corner. Again led by the forwards, they are setting the benchmark for the club. With a Sharks side smarting due to several injuries in the forwards, the blood in the water could be fresh and the Raiders, if they are good enough, can capitalise. The Sharks dig deep, though, and will not make it easy. Raiders by 2.