NRL: Farnworth starts, Wighton boosts Canberra & Gildart misses out

Zach Holland
Herbie Farnworth Brisbane Broncos PA

Herbie Farnworth in action for Brisbane

England World Cup hopeful Herbie Farnworth starts again for Brisbane Broncos as he looks to continue his red-hot form in the NRL.

Knights v Broncos | Thursday | 10:50am | Sky Sports Main Event, Arena & Watch NRL

 

Anthony Milford is set to play his first game for Newcastle after being named at five-eighth while Jake Clifford and Dane Gagai could be late inclusions as they near returns from injury. England and Jamaica eligible winger Dom Young again starts on the wing for the Knights.

England World Cup hopeful Herbie Farnworth starts for the Broncos. Farnworth has been in sensational form for the Broncos this season. England coach Shaun Wane will no doubt be paying close attention to Farnworth with the World Cup coming up at the end of the year.

Knights: Ponga; Lee, Tuala, Best, Young; Milford, Clune; Klemmer, Randall, D Saifiti, Frizell, Fitzgibbon, Barnett. Subs: Crossland, J Saifiti, L Thompson, M Croker.

Broncos: T M Martin; Oates, Staggs, Farnworth, Cobbo; Gamble, Reynolds; Jensen, Walters, Haas, Capewell, Riki, Carrigan. Subs: Paix, K Hetherington, Flegler, Palasia.

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Tigers v Bulldogs | Friday | 9am | Watch NRL

Jackson Hastings Wests Tigers PA

Jackson Hastings is again named at half-back for the Tigers and will partner Jock Madden in the halves. Oliver Gildart has been included on the extended bench after missing last week due to a calf injury.

Former St. Helens prop forward Luke Thompson is named in the front row for the Bulldogs.

Tigers: To’a; J Tupou, Kepaoa, Peachey, Maumalo; Madden, Hastings; Tamou, Liddle, Musgrove, Garner, Leilua, Ofahengaue. Subs: Tuilagi, Twal, F Brown, Utoikamanu.

Bulldogs: Dufty; Okunbor, Schoupp, Averillo, Addo-Carr; Burton, Flanagan; L Thompson, Marshall-King, Vaughan, Topine, Pangai Jr, Jackson. Subs: Biondi-Odo, Stimson, M King, Patolo.

Eels v Sea Eagles | Friday | 10:55am | Sky Sports Main Event, Arena & Watch NRL

Maika Sivo Fiji PA

Maika Sivo has been named on the extended bench for Parramatta for the first time this season as he looks to make his way back from ACL injury suffered last year.

Tom Trbojevic has been named at full-back for Manly despite suffering a slight knee injury during the loss to Brisbane.

Eels: Gutherson; Perham, Penisini, Opacic, Simonsson; D Brown, Moses; Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, J Paulo, Lane, Papali’I, Matterson. Subs: Makatoa, Niukore, O Kaufusi, N Brown.

Sea Eagles: T Trbojevic; Tuipulotu, Harper, Koula, Garrick; Foran, Cherry-Evans; Aloiai, L Croker, Keppie, Olakau’atu, Davey, J Trbojevic. Subs: D Walker, Schuster, Taupau, Sipley.

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Dragons v Warriors | Saturday | 6am | Watch NRL

Tariq Sims

Cody Ramsey is the new man at full-back for the Dragons while Francis Molo’s younger brother, Michael, will make his NRL debut off the bench. George Burgess has again been named on the extended bench. Tariq Sims is on the bench for the Dragons.

Warriors captain Tohu Harris is back in the starting side after making his return off the bench last week and will start in the second row.

Dragons: Ramsey; Feagai, Suli, Lomax, Ravalawa; Amone, B Hunt; Lawrie, Mbye, F Molo, Bird, Gosiewski, De Belin. Subs: Sullivan, Sims, Woods, M Molo.

Warriors: Walsh; Watene-Zelezniak, Vailea, Pompey, Montoya; Asi, Johnson; Fonua-Blake, Tevaga, Lodge, Aitken, Harris, Murchie. Subs: Pene, Murdoch-Masila, Afoa, Lussick.

Cowboys v Storm | Saturday | 8:30am | Sky Sports Arena & Watch NRL

Jahrome Hughes Melbourne Storm PA

A big boost for Melbourne as Jahrome Hughes is back at half-back after missing the game against Penrith last week due to a calf injury.

Cowboys: Drinkwater; Feldt, Holmes, Hiku, Taulagi; Dearden, Townsend; McLean, Robson, Cotter, Gilbert, Nanai, Taumalolo. Subs: Tabuai-Fidow, Luki, Hess, Neame.

Storm: Wishart; Meaney, Seve, Olam, Coates; Munster, Hughes; J Bromwich, Grant, B Smith, F Kaufusi, K Bromwich, J King. Subs: MacDonald, Ieremia, Loiero, Kamikamica.

Roosters v Panthers | Saturday | 10:35am | Watch NRL

Drew Hutchison Sydney Roosters PA

Nat Butcher replaces Victor Radley at loose forward for the Roosters with the latter out with an ankle injury. Former Leigh half-back Drew Hutchison is on the bench and could switch with Connor Watson on game day as they did last week.

Roosters: Tedesco; D Tupou, Momirovski, Manu, Suaalii; S Walker, Keary; Waerea-Hargreaves, Watson, Taukeiaho, A Crichton, Tupouniua, Butcher. Subs: Hutchison, Baker, Suluka-Fifita, Collins.

Panthers: Edwards; May, Tago, S Crichton, To’o; Luai, Cleary; Leota, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, L Martin, Yeo. Subs: Kenny, Sorensen, Leniu, Salmon.

Rabbitohs v Raiders | Sunday | 5am | Watch NRL

Jack Wighton

A huge positive for Canberra as Jack Wighton returns from a two-match ban at five-eighth. Raiders front rower Josh Papalii will play his 250th NRL game.

Rabbitohs: Taaffe; Johnston, J Paulo, C Graham, Milne; C Walker, Ilias; Tatola, Cook, T Burgess, Koloamatangi, Peoples, Arrow. Subs: Nikorima, Moale, Havili, Knight.

Raiders: Nicoll-Klokstad; Cotric, Timoko, Kris, Rapana; Wighton, Frawley; Papalii, Woolford, Tapine, Young, Whitehead, Harawira-Naera. Subs: Starling, Sutton, Savage, Horsburgh.

Titans v Sharks | Sunday | 7:05am | Watch NRL

Corey Thompson NRL

Rugby Sevens convert Lachlan Miller will play his first NRL game as he starts at full-back for Cronulla. Cameron McInnes remains at loose forward with Dale Finucane out with a head knock. Andrew Fifita is set to come off the bench and mark his 200th NRL appearance.

Former Widnes winger Corey Thompson is set to start for the Titans.

Titans: Campbell; C Thompson, Sami, Marsters, Isaako; Brimson, Sexton; Fotuaika, Clark, Wallace, Liu, Fermor, Fa’asuamaleaui. Subs: Boyd, Lisone, Ese’ese, McIntyre.

Sharks: Miller; Katoa, Tracey, Talakai, Mulitalo; Moylan, Hynes; Rudolf, Brailey, R Hunt, Nikora, W Graham, McInnes. Subs: Tolman, Trindall, Wilton, A Fifita.

PODCAST: James Graham on World Cup, Saints farewell and life after league