It is literally do-or-die for some NRL teams in round five. For others, they continue to fly high. 

In true rugby league fashion, though, the unpredictability keeps us all on our toes as inconsistency reigns supreme.

Without further adieu, here are the teams for round five of the NRL Telstra Premiership:

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs (#NRLcancby); GIO Stadium, Canberra; Thursday, April 5. Kick-off: 7:50 pm.

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Sam Williams 8. Iosia Soliola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Junior Paulo 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman.

Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Dunamis Lui 17. Liam Knight.

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Blake Austin 21. Josh Papalii.

Coach: Ricky Stuart.

Bulldogs: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Will Hopoate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Jeremy Marshall-King 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aaron Woods 9. Michael Lichaa 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson (C) 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott.

Interchange: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Francis Tualau 17. Kerrod Holland.

Reserves: 18. Greg Eastwood 19. Asipeli Fine 20. John Olive 21. Rhyse Martin.

Coach: Dean Pay.

Ricky’s View: Both sides have had inconsistencies but none more so than the Raiders. Several games this year, they should have won but failed to. As the pressure mounts on Stuart and his players, can they buck the trend?
The Dogs have looked good in patches but have failed to kick-on. Is this game the jumpstart they need? Moses Mbye shapes as a key from the back.
Bulldogs by 16.


Cronulla Sharks v Sydney Roosters (#NRLcrosyd); Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla; Friday, April 6. Kick-off: 6 pm.

Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham (C) 13. Paul Gallen (C).

Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell 15. James Segeyaro 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Joseph Paulo.

Reserves: 18. Trent Hodkinson 19. Kurt Dillon 20. Edrick Lee 21. Jack Williams.

Coach: Shane Flanagan.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Reece Robinson 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 9. Jake Friend (C) 10. Dylan Napa 11. oyd Cordner (C) 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Isaac Liu.

Interchange: 14. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Mitch Aubusson 17. Victor Radley.

Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher 19. Kurt Baptiste 20. Mitchell Cornish 21. Lindsay Collins.

Coach: Trent Robinson.

Ricky’s View: Both these competition heavyweights have been disappointing by their own standards and will want to start producing some form and consistency.
As they look to bounce back and achieve that, several returning players gives the Sharks an added boost. Is it enough, though, to defeat a Roosters side eager to return to the winner’s circle?
Roosters by 8.


St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs (#NRLsgisou); WIN Jubilee Oval; Friday, April 6. Kick-off: 8:05 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. Luciano Leilua 15. Kurt Mann 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Hame Sele.

Reserves: 18. Jeremy Latimore 19. Zac Lomax 20. Jacob Host 21. Blake Lawrie.

Coach: Paul McGregor.

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

Interchange: 14. Adam Doueihi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. George Burgess 17. Tevita Tatola.

Reserves: 18. Robbie Farah 19. Jason Clark 20. Braidon Burns 21. Kyle Turner.

Coach: Anthony Seibold.

Ricky’s View: The Dragons are flying high right now and are on cloud nine. Although the Rabbitohs are no slouches, the form of the Dragons is seemingly unstoppable right now but all streaks have to end at some point. Is this the round? It won’t be a blowout but the Dragons will just have too much firepower.
Dragons by 10.


Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm (#NRLwstmel); Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland; Saturday, April 7. Kick-off: 3 pm.

Tigers: 1. Tuimoala Lolohea 2. Corey Thompson 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer (C) 9. Pita Godinet 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Matthew Eisenhuth.

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Alex Twal 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Josh Aloiai.

Reserves: 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Tim Grant 20. David Nofoaluma 21. Sauaso Sue.

Coach: Ivan Cleary.

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Curtis Scott 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (C) 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Joe Stimson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Kenny Bromwich.

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tim Glasby 16. Christian Welch 17. Sam Kasiano.

Reserves: 18. Justin Olam 19. Patrick Kaufusi 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Felise Kaufusi.

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

Ricky’s View: The Tigers have already won once over the Storm this year but can they do it again? By the Storm’s standards, their season has been more inconsistent than usual and they will be out to get it back on track.
The Tigers defensive resolve was found wanting late on against the Eels but will it shore up once more against a resolute Storm outfit. The Storm don’t often lose many in a season and with Craig Bellamy screaming down the their throats, I’m leaning towards Melbourne in a close one.
Melbourne by 6.


New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys (#NRLwarnql); Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland; Saturday, April 7. Kick-off: 5:30 pm. 

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C) 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Mamalo 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Leivaha Pulu 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair.

Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Sam Lisone 16. Simon Mannering 17. Anthony Gelling.

Reserves: 18. Ligi Sao 19. Mason Lino 20. Tevita Satae 21. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad.

Coach: Stephen Kearney.

Cowboys: 1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Javid Bowen 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. Matt Scott (C) 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Coen Hess 12. Gavin Cooper 13. Jason Taumalolo.

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. John Asiata 16. Corey Jensen 17. Ethan Lowe.

Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Lachlan Coote 20. Enari Tual 21. Kyle Laybutt.

Coach: Paul Green.

Ricky’s View: The surprise packets of the year, the Warriors continue to impress. Even without Shaun Johnson, they dismantled the Roosters last week. With talent across the park, they evenly match the Cowboys in every key position or better it.
The Cowboys have also had an inconsistent season as Thurston and Morgan fail to find their attacking mojos as a cohesive unit. They need it if they are to beat a red-hot Warriors side.
Warriors by 10.


Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos (#NRLnewbri); McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle; Saturday, April 7. Kick-off: 7:30 pm. 

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Nathan Ross 5. Ken Sio 6. Brock Lamb 7. Mitchell Pearce (C) 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Slade Griffin 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitch Barnett.

Interchange: 14. Jamie Buhrer (C) 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jacob Saifiti 17. Daniel Saifiti.

Reserves: 18. Luke Yates 19. Jack Cogger 20. Danny Levi 21. Cory Denniss.

Coach: Nathan Brown.

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. Korbin Sims 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Sam Thaiday 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Tom Opacic 17. Jaydn Su’A.

Reserves: 18. Jonus Pearson 19. Tevita Pangai Jr. 20. Gehamat Shibaski 21. Payne Haas.

Coach: Wayne Bennett.

Ricky’s View: One of the games of the round, both sides boast impressive players in head-to-head battles. Pearce and Ponga are the two keys for the Knights as they go from strength to strength. For the Broncos, the possible return of Pangai Jr. is an added boost to their forward pack in dire need of power and aggression.
A close one but the Knights to edge it. Just. Knights by 2. 


Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles (#NRLgldman); Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone; Sunday, April 8. Kick-off: 2 pm. 

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Philip Sami 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James (C) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Will Matthews 13. Jai Arrow.

Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Max King 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Morgan Boyle.

Reserves: 18. Leilani Latu 19. Jack Stockwell 20. Keegan Hipgrave 21. Tyronne Roberts-Davis.

Coach: Garth Brennan.

Manly: 1. Matthew Wright 2. Brad Parker 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Marty Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Frank Winterstein 13. Jake Trbojevic.

Interchange: 14. Jackson Hastings 15. Shaun Lane 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Jack Gosiewski.

Reserves: 18. Lewis Brown 19. Tom Trbojevic 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Taniela Paseka.

Coach: Trent Barrett.

Ricky’s View: With Tom Trbojevic unlikely to play for Manly, how does that affect them? Producing a stellar display at fullback in their win v Canberra, not having him is a big blow. His replacement Matt Wright lacks the same impact and influence and so more pressure will be on Cherry-Evans to perform.
The Titans are flying high after their comprehensive win over Brisbane. Philip Sami was the man after he scored a hat-trick and bamboozled Broncos defenders repeatedly. Who wins, though, for this, like others, is no easy tip.
Titans by 4. 


Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers (#NRLparpen); ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park; Sunday, April 8. Kick-off: 4 pm.

Eels: 1. Will Smith 2. George Jennings 3. Michael Jennings 4. Kirisome Auva’a 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah (C) 11. Manu Ma’u 15. Kenny Edwards 13. Nathan Brown.

Interchange: 12. Tepai Moeroa 14. Beau Scott 16. Peni Terepo 17. Tony Williams.

Reserves: 18. Cameron King 19. Suaia Matagi 20. David Gower 21. Kane Evans.

Coach: Brad Arthur.

Penrith : 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dean Whare 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. James Maloney 8. Trent Merrin 9. Peter Wallace (C) 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris.

Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Moses Leota 17. James Tamou.

Reserves: 18. Jarome Luai 19. Nick Lui-Toso 20. Sione Katoa 21. Kaide Ellis.

Coach: Anthony Griffin.

Ricky’s View: If the Eels are going to start winning games, it has to start with this one. They looked better at the back end of their Tigers loss but didn’t do enough earlier to get themselves in the game.
Penrith are fresh off a Maloney-led masterclass but still need the consistency. Beating an Eels side low on confidence will only further their own but can they do it?
Penrith by 10.


 

By ricky

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