NRL Round Seven: Teams, score predictions and TV coverage

There were some massive games over the Easter Weekend in the NRL, rounded off by Wests Tigers winning their first game of the season on Easter Monday as Jackson Hastings scored a last minute drop goal.

Big wins for Melbourne and Penrith cemented their place as serious Premiership contenders whilst the rest of the ladder starts to take shape.

Lets take a look at the fixtures for Round Seven and where we think the games will be won or lost.

Cronulla Sharks vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

The Cronulla Sharks are once again involved in a high stakes match after their defeat to the Melbourne Storm last weekend as they face the inform Sea Eagles. Dale Finucane misses out after failing a HIA as does prop Braden Hamlin-Uele with a pectoral injury. In their place is Cameron McInnes and Aiden Tolman. Sione Katoa and Briton Nikora also return to the starting 13 for the Sharks. Morgan Harper returns in the centres for Manly with Taniela Paseka also joining the starting lineup. Ethan Bullemor and Kurt De Luis make the interchange bench due to injuries in the Sea Eagles forward pack

Score Prediction: Cronulla Sharks 16-10 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Teams

Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicholas Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aiden Tolman, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes
Interchange
14. Brandon Trindall, 15. Jack Williams, 16. Royce Hunt, 17. Andrew Fifita

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1. Reuben Garrick, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Toafofoa Sipley, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Taniela Paseka, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Kurt De Luis

Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Te Maire Martin returns to Rugby League for the first time since 2019 after he was forced to retire due to a bleed on the brain, a remarkable moment for the fullback as he hopes to steer the Broncos to victory. Payne Haas and Herbie Farnworth return to the line up after suspension and injury respectively whilst Billy Walters drops to the bench with Tyson Gamble given the six jersey. A shoulder injury to Jake Turpin means that Cory Paix starts at hooker for Brisbane. The Bulldogs have made two enforced changes to their side which lost to South Sydney as Braidon Burns and Chris Patolo drop out and Aaron Schoupp and Corey Waddell take their place

TV Coverage: Sky Sports Arena 10:55am
Score Prediction: Brisbane Broncos 22-12 Canterbury Bulldogs

Teams

Brisbane Broncos
1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington
Interchange
14. Billy Walters, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. Thomas Flegler, 17. Keenan Palasia

Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Jake Averillo, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Tevita Pangai Junior, 13. Josh Jackson
Interchange
14. Brandon Wakeham, 15. Joe Stimson, 16. Max King, 17. Ava Seumanufagai

North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans

A big game for both teams in this Queensland battle as they look to make a push for the playoffs this season. The Cowboys bring Jordan McLean back into the starting 13 with Reuben Cotter back among the interchange bench alongside the returning Griffin Neame. The Titans have made no changes to their 17-man squad who fell short against Manly. Coach Justin Holbrook will be looking for a complete 80-minute performance from his team rather than waiting till they are trailing to play to their potential.

TV Coverage: Sky Sports Arena 8:30am
Score Prediction: North Queensland Cowboys 24-18 Gold Coast Titans

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

After their first win of the season in a shock result against Parramatta, the Tigers have named the same squad to hopefully go back to back. Jackson Hastings keeps the seven jersey after his man of the match display and winning drop goal sealed the victory. He will be looking to guide his team around the pitch once more. South Sydney have named Hame Sele to start with Tom Burgess dropping to the bench. Davvy Moale also returns for the Rabbitohs in place of Isaiah Tass. They will have to be at their best in this game as the Tigers will be full of confidence following their victory.

Score Prediction: Wests Tigers 20-16 South Sydney Rabbitohs

Teams

Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange
14. Jock Madden, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Thomas Mikaele, 17. Luke Garner

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Blake Taaffe, 2. Alex Johnstone, 3. Taane Milne, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Hame Sele, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Thomas Burgess, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Liam Knight

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels

One change to the Knights squad after their last minute defeat against St George last week, as Adam Clune returns at halfback. Newcastle have been on the wrong side of too many close games this season and will be looking to beat a wounded Parramatta side who were shocked last weekend by the Tigers. The Eels have a big boost in the forward pack as Junior Paulo returns from suspension which puts Oregon Kaufusi on the interchange bench. Will Penisini returns in the centres with Hayze Perham on the wing as Parramatta look to bounce back from their damaging defeat to the Wests.

Score Prediction: Newcastle Knights 20-22 Parramatta Eels

Teams

Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Kurt Mann
Interchange
14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Leo Thompson, 17. Sauaso Sue

Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Hayze Perham, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’I, 13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Jake Arthur

Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders

The Reigning premiers Penrith are still unbeaten in 2022 and coach Ivan Cleary has the luxury of naming the same 17-man squad after Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards both escaped with only fines from the judiciary. This is the fourth week in a row that the Panthers have named the same squad and that level of consistency can only aid their current dominance. After their second half collapse last weekend, the Raiders have made a number of changes to their backline to try get their season back on course after three consecutive defeats. Jordan Rapana has been moved to fullback with young gun Xavier Savage named on the wing. Usual fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is named on the interchange bench as he looks to recover some form.

TV Coverage: Sky Sports Mix 7:05am
Score Prediction: Penrith Panthers 32-12 Canberra Raiders

Teams

Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Matthew Eisenhuth, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange
14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon

Canberra Raiders
1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton
Interchange
14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Harry Rushton, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters

St George have been able to name the same 17 players from their win against the Newcastle Knights, which was their first since Round One. Moses Mbye continues at fullback with Tyrell Sloan still struggling to find a way back into the match day squad. The Roosters welcome the return of Paul Momirovski as Kevin Naiqama drops out of the squad. Siosiua Taukeiaho is back on the interchange bench for Sydney replacing Daniel Suluka-Fifita. Joseph Suaalii plays only his second game of the seasons as the attacking young talent looks to cement his place in this Roosters side.

Score Prediction: St George Illawarra Dragons 12-18 Sydney Roosters

Teams

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Jack Bird, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Josh Kerr, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Jack De Belin
Interchange
14. Talatau Amone, 15. Blake Lawrie, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. George Burgess

Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Sam Walker, 7. Luke Keary, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange
14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors

Melbourne Storm come into this game after proving too good for the Cronulla Sharks with their influential stand-off Cameron Munster pulling all the strings. The Bromwich brothers both return after Covid, starting at prop and backrow which pushes Chris Lewis and Alec Macdonald out of the matchday 17. Only one change for the Warriors as Matthew Lodge returns and takes Taniela Otukolo’s place in the squad with Aaron Pene back on the bench. With the form Melbourne and especially Munster, this will be a hard game for the Warriors after their difficult defeat against the Roosters last weekend.

Score Prediction: Melbourne Storm 28-10 New Zealand Warriors

Teams

Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Josh King
Interchange
14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tyran Wishart, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Tepai Moeroa

New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Edward Kosi, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Josh Curran
Interchange
14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Aaron Pene, 17. Eliesa Katoa