NRL Round Three: Teams, score predictions, kick-off times and TV coverage

The NRL is back in full swing as we enter the third week of the competition.

Round Three has a number of exciting fixtures, with the surprise package of the first two rounds the Newcastle Knights taking on the reigning Premiers the Penrith Panthers in a top of the table clash in a particularly noteworthy match.

So, let’s take a look at the 17 men squads for each team and give our prediction on how each game will go in round 3.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks

Both teams come into this game having performed well in the previous round. The Dragons put in a spirited performance as they were narrowly beaten by the Panthers. The Sharks meanwhile secured a victory against the Parramatta Eels with a last-minute conversion from halfback Nicho Hynes. However, both teams have been forced into changes this week. The Dragons have lost hooker Andrew McCullough to an elbow injury and he is replaced by experience utility Moses Mbye. George Burgess has also dropped to the reserves after he was charged with sexual touching earlier In the week. The Sharks have lost last weeks late try scorer Teig Wilton to suspension and Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo due to a head knock. They are replaced by Siosifa Talakai and Matt Ikuvalu respectively.

Prediction: St George Illawarra Dragons 16 – 24 Cronulla Sharks

Teams:

St George Illawarra Dragons
1.Tyrell Sloan, 2. Cody Ramsey, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Moses Mbye, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Jack Bird, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Tariq Sims.
Interchange: 14. Jack De Belin, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Jackson Ford, 17. Jack Gosiewski

Cronulla Sharks
1.Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Connor Tracey, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Siosifa Talakai, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Braydon Trindall, 17. Andrew Fifita

West Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors

Both teams are still searching for their first win of the season after defeats in rounds one and two. Oliver Gildart keeps his place in the centres and will be looking to improve of last week’s performance but the Tigers will be without stand-off Jackson Hastings until round six after his appeal against a dangerous throw charge was unsuccessful. The Warriors have had a change at halfback with Ash Taylor dropping out due to a hip problem and is replaced by Kodi Nikorima.

Prediction: West Tigers 12-22 New Zealand Warriors

Teams:

West Tigers
1 Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Stefano Utoikamanu, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue.
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Zane Musgrove, 17. Jake Simpkin

New Zealand Warriors
1.Reece Walsh, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Josh Curran
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Aaron Pene, 17. Bayley Sironen

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters

These are two of the biggest clubs in the NRL and always produce memorable games when competing for the Ron Coote Cup. It will be interesting to see how the Roosters players handle Latrell Mitchell, particularly Joseph Manu as this is their first meeting since Mitchell Broke Manu’s cheekbone with a shocking tackle. The Rabbitohs have switched Taane Milne and Jaxson Paulo to centre and wing after it worked well in their second half fightback last week whilst Origin back row Angus Crichton has dropped to the interchange for the roosters, Nat Butcher taking his place in the starting 13.

Prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs 16-18 Sydney Roosters
TV Coverage: Sky Sport Arena 9:00am

Teams:

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnstone, 3. Taane Milne, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilais, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Mark Nicholls, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray.
Interchange: 14. Jacob Host, 15. Siliva Havili, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. Liam Knight

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

Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights

Not many would have predicted this game to consist of the top two teams in the ladder before Round One, but the Knights have started the season in electric fashion and could upset the current premiers in round three. Newcastle are boosted by the return of star fullback Kalyn Ponga and New South Wales prop Daniel Saifiti, the latter playing his first game of the season. Penrith are still without star halfback Nathan Cleary who is named among the reserves as he nears a return but they will be without winger Brian To’o for at least the next six weeks as he has suffered an MCL injury and is replaced by Taylan May in the Panthers starting 13.

Prediction Penrith Panthers 20-12 Newcastle Knights

Teams:

Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 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

Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Kurt Mann
Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jirah Momoisea, 16. Leo Thompson, 17. Mat Croker

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels

Melbourne survived a late scare last week to eventually beat the Rabbitohs in golden point, whilst the Eels conceded a late try to fall just short of a victory against the Sharks. The Storm have named the same 17 from last weeks game but star hooker Harry Grant has since tested positive for COVID so he will be replaced later in the week. There’s one change for the Eels as loose forward Nathan Brown comes into the starting line up in place of Oregon Kaufusi, Parramatta will be desperate to win this weekend to prove they are genuine contenders for the Premiership this year.

Prediction: Melbourne Storm 16-24 Parramatta Eels

Teams:

Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Dean Ieremia, 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. Tyran Wishart, 15. Alec Macdonald, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Tepai Moeroa

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Waqa Blake, 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. Wiremu Greig, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans

Canberra welcome back young half Brad Schneider from Covid protocols as he takes the seven jersey moving Matt Frawley to the interchange. They are also boosted by the return of both their wingers with Nick Cotric recovering from a quad injury and Jordan Rapana available for his first appearance of the season after suspension. The Titans name the 17 which picked up their first victory of the season last weekend against the Warriors and will be looking to build on that win and allow their young spine to continue their growth together.

Canberra Raiders 10 – 18 Gold Coast Titans
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena 8:30am

Teams:

Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elliott Whitehead
Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh

Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Alexander Brimson, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Interchange: 14. Will Smith, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Kevin Procter

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys

The Broncos will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season as they aim to win three games in a row for the first time since 2019. Coach Kevin Walters has named the same 17 for this Queensland derby and will be hoping Adam Reynolds can continue pulling the strings for his new club. After their dominant display in Round Two, the Cowboys will come into this game against the Broncos full of confidence. Their win against the Raiders did come at a cost as they have lost Mitch Dunn for the season due to an ACL injury. He is replaced by Reuben Cotter on the interchange bench.

Prediction: Brisbane Broncos 22-18 North Queensland Cowboys
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Arena 6:00am

Teams

Brisbane Broncos
1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Keenan Palasia, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Ryan James, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Teui Robati, 17. Billy Walters

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Coen Hess, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Heilum Luki, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Griffin Neame

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Manly are sticking with the same 17 that lost against the Roosters last weekend and after facing tough opponents in the opening two rounds of the competition, they will be looking to get their first points on the ladder against the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have also named the same 17 from last week, Luke Thompson once again named to start but Coach Trent Barrett may still choose to bring the powerhouse prop off the bench as he did last week against the Broncos.

Prediction: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30-12 Canterbury Bulldogs

Teams:

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

Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jaydon Okunbor, 3. Braidom Burns, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Jack Hetherington, 12. Tevita Pangai Junior, 13. Josh Jackson
Interchange: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Max King, 17. Ava Seumanufagai