The Knights have swung the axe with a gun winger dropped for not meeting standards after missing the team bus.

Brad Arthur has named a left-field replacement in his halves, with both Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile in the absence of James Tedesco, Trent Robinson has shaken up his Roosters spine with an international gun named at fullback.

FRIDAY JUNE 16

North Queensland vs Penrith Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 8:00pm AEDT

 

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Mitchell Dunn 21. Thomas Duffy 22. Jake Bourke

Analysis: Jason Taumalolo returns in a huge boost for a decimated Cowboys outfit without five Origin players. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki returns to the bench while Sam McIntyre also makes his club debut since joining from the Titans. Zac Laybutt slots in to the centres, Kyle Feldt returns on the wing and Jake Granville in the new No.9.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 18. Jack Cogger 19. Liam Henry 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Eddie Blacker 22. Jesse Maclean

Analysis: Jaeman Salmon comes in to five-eighth, Tyrone Peachey and Tom Jenkings into the back line. Meanwhile Zac Hosking, Luke Garner and Matt Eisenhuth have all returned to the starting 17 with five players called up for Origin duties. Moses Leota will play despite failing a HIA last week with category two symptoms.

SATURDAY JUNE 17

 

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3:00pm AEDT

 

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Johns 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Brodie Jones 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Adam Clune

Analysis: In a huge shock, Greg Marzhew has been dropped for Enari Tuala after failing to meet team standards. “Greg missed the team bus early on Sunday morning, which is a clear breach of team standards and as a result he will not play this weekend,” director of football Peter Parr said. Lachlan Fitzgibbon also replaced NSW representative Tyson Frizell.

 

Roosters team: 1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Corey Allan 4. Billy Smith 5. Junior Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Nat Butcher 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Siua Wong 19. Zach Dockar-Clay 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Tuipulotu Katoa 22. Elie El Zakhem

Analysis: Trent Robinson has shifted Joey Manu to fullback to fill the void left by NSW skipper James Tedesco. That move sees Sandon Smith make his first NRL starting appearance. Nat Butcher moves to prop in Linday Collins’ absence, while Naufahu Whyte has been named at lock. Billy Smith also replaces Drew Hutchison in the centres, while Matt Lodge has been dropped for Tyrell May.

 

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium, 5:30pm AEDT

Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Ryan Matterson 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Ofahiki Ogden 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Matt Doorey 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Haze Dunster 19. Jack Murchie 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Waqa Blake 22. Shaun Lane

Analysis: Ryan Matterson is the man to fill the void left by Mitchell Moses’ NSW call-up, with Daejarn Asi moving in to the halfback role. The ball-playing middle forward previously played in the centres and at five-eighth, having played in the outside backs for NSW City in 2016. Junior Paulo is also away for Origin with Joe Ofahengaue returning on the pine and Ofahiki Ogden taking Paulo’s spot. Josh Hodgson has also not been named after he was a late withdrawal in Round 15 with a neck injury.

 

Sea Eagles team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Sean Keppie 14. Karl Lawton 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon 18. Aaron Woods 19. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 20. Morgan Harper 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Zac Fulton

Analysis: Jake Arthur and Kaeo Weekes fill the void left by Origin representatives Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 7:35pm AEDT

 

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Starford To’a 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Fonua Pole 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. John Bateman 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Tommy Talau 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Will Smith 19. Justin Matamua 20. Aistasi James 21. Brandon Mansfield 22. Triston Reilly

Analysis: With Luke Brooks sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Starford To’o takes his spot in the halves. Jake Simpking slots in to hooker for the injured Api Koroisau, while 18-year-old Tallyn Da Silva will make his NRL debut off the bench. Fonua Pole also replaces NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu while John Bateman has shifted to lock.

 

Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Marion Seve 5. George Jennings 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Trent Loiero 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Aaron Pene 18. Justin Olam 19. Grant Anderson 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Chris Lewis 22. Kane Bradley

Analysis: Five players are out for the Storm this week, with Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates all on Origin duty, Christian Welch suspended and Eliesa Katoa injured. Tariq Sims has slotted in to the starting backrow, while George Jennings has been named on the wing. Justin Olam is also the 19th man and could be a late replacement in the centres. Aaron Pene and Alec McDonald have joined the bench while Bronson Garlick has been named to start at hookers.

 

SUNDAY JUNE 18

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at PointsBet Stadium, 4:05pm AEDT

 

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Jack Williams 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Connor Tracey 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Toby Rudolf 21. Daniel Atkinson 22. Jesse Colquhoun

Analysis: The Sharks have only made one change, with Royce Hunt out with an injured ankle and Tom Hazelton comes into the side on the bench. Braden Hamlin-Uele has shifted to the starting team.

 

Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Chris Patolo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Khaled Rajab 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Max King 17. Corey Waddell 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Kyle Flanagan 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22. Jackson Topine 23. Franklin Pele

Analysis: Braidon Burns has been named on the wing in Josh Addo-Carr’s absence, while Chris Patolo has been named at prop after he earned a late call-up to face the Eels in Round 15.

Byes: Broncos, Dolphins, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Titans, Warriors.