NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 21

Wests Tigers journey across ditch for Round 21 opener

Round 21 kicks off with a Friday face-off between the Warriors and Wests Tigers at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.

Taine Tuaupiki and Adam Pompey drop out for the Wahs with Moala Graham-Taufa coming into the centres, Ed Kosi onto the wing, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting to fullback.

Adam Doueihi (rest), Aidan Sezer (suspension), David Klemmer (ankle), John Bateman (loan) and Jordan Miller are missing for the visitors but Apisai Koroisau (calf), Isaiah Papali’i (ankle), and Alex Seyfarth (head knock) return.

Starford To’a and Reuben Porter also come into the run-on side with Latu Fainu named to start at halfback.

The Warriors have won their last six clashes against Wests Tigers.

Eels take on ladder-leading Storm at CommBank

With just one win from their past 11, Parramatta will be desperate to steady the ship when they host the ladder-leading Storm at CommBank on Friday night.

Lorenzo Mulitalo, Matt Doorey, and Charlie Guymer (ankle) drop out for the hosts with Sean Russell, Wiremu Greig, and Joey Lussick joining the squad.

Christian Welch (back) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) are back on deck for Melbourne with Joe Chan (suspension) and Alec MacDonald making way.

Cameron Munster (groin) has been listed among the reserves as he eyes an awaited comeback.

The Eels have won three of their four against the Storm at CommBank.

Broncos host Bulldogs in key Suncorp clash

The Broncos face the Dogs on Saturday at Suncorp with major Top 8 implications on the line.

Selwyn Cobbo (groin) and Blake Mozer come into the team for Brisbane with Corey Oates and Brendan Piakura (groin) dropping out and Kobe Hetherington shifting into the run-on side.

Just the lone change for Canterbury with rookie prop Lipoi Hopoi replacing Chris Patolo on the interchange.

The Broncos have won their past five against the Bulldogs who have not defeated the Broncos at Suncorp since 2015.

Sharks make trip to Townsville for Top 8 showdown

North Queensland will be looking for a boost to their Top 8 chances when they meet the Sharks at QCB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Todd Payten has named the same 17 men that got the job done against Canterbury a week ago although Jaxon Purdue has been named to start in the centres with Valentine Holmes on the wing and Murray Taulagi (hamstring) has been listed among the reserves.

Liam Ison has been named to debut for the Sharks at fullback with Will Kennedy (suspension) out whilst Siosifa Talakai (suspension) replaces Jesse Colquhoun on the bench.

A St. Mary’s Saints junior, Ison made the move from the Panthers to the Sharks over the offseason and has scored nine tries in 10 NSW Cup appearances this year.

The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 against the Cowboys with the only loss coming in 2022’s Qualifying Final epic in the Shire.

Allianz the scene for 4th-vs-5th blockbuster

Manly will face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night with the winner set to cement themselves in the Top 4.

Trent Robinson has named the same 17 that went down to the Storm a week ago however Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu will start up front.

Lehi Hopoate’s (eye) absence sees Tommy Talau push out to the wing, Ben Trbojevic shift into the centres, and Corey Waddell get a start in the second row.

The Roosters have won four of their past five at Allianz.

Defending premiers make rare trip to Wollongong

The Panthers make their first trip to WIN Stadium in eight years for a clash against the Dragons on Sunday afternoon.

Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt are back from Origin duty for the Red V along with Raymond Faitala-Mariner (back) with Mikaele Ravalawa, Jesse Marschke, and Jack Bird dropping out.

Origin stars Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin all return for the visitors although Dylan Edwards (knee) remains sidelined.

The Panthers have won six of their past seven against the Dragons but just two of their past 12 in Wollongong.

Dolphins, Titans meet in all-Queensland affair

The Dolphins and Titans meet in an all-Queensland showdown at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

There have been no changes to the Dolphins’ 17 that went down to the Panthers in heartbreaking fashion last week.

Des Hasler has also opted to keep the same 17 that were bested by Manly in Round 20.

The Dolphins are a perfect three-from-three against the Titans including a record-equalling 26-point comeback in Round 8 last year.

Rabbits journey to nation’s capital for Sunday night showdown

The round comes to an end at GIO Stadium with the Raiders taking on the Bunnies in a key clash for their finals chances.

Ricky Stuart has opted to name the same 17 that edged the Warriors a week ago.

For Souths, Michael Chee Kam replaces Richie Kennar (head knock) in the centres with Jacob Host coming into the back row.

The Raiders have won four of their past five against the Rabbits.

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