NRL Team Lists: Round 16

Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai suffered a concussion playing for Samoa on Saturday night and will be rested so Sean Keppie moves to the starting side and Taniela Paseka joins the bench. Having recovered from a knee injury Paseka has been 18th Man for Manly's last two matches and is ready to line up for his first NRL game since round seven. Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have been named to back up from Origin as have Tongan reps Christian Tuipulotu and Tolutau Koula and Samoan pair Josh Schuster and Marty Taupau. Ben Trbojevic is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from a shoulder injury.

Storm: Cameron Munster (shoulder) has been named but looks in serious doubt while his Maroons team-mate Felise Kaufusi will miss the game for family reasons having flown to the USA to be with his father Taniela who has been hospitalised in Los Angeles. Chris Lewis moves into the starting side along with Josh King while Jayden Nikorima joins the bench.

Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named among the reserves after a hamstring injury and COVID protocols kept him sidelined for a number of weeks and could be a late inclusion. Skipper Jesse Bromwich and brother Kenny along with halfback Jahrome Hughes and lock Brandon Smith have all been named after representing the Kiwis, while Tui Kamikamika and Justin Olam are good to go after the Pacific Tests. 

Knights v Titans, Friday 6.00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Star fullback Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out after suffering a category one concussion in Origin Two and his place is taken by Tex Hoy. Prop Daniel Saifiti (knee) and centre Bradman Best (elbow) are listed in the reserves and could be a chance to return in a boost for Adam O'Brien. Dane Gagai has a five-day turnaround after the Origin game in Perth and will be monitored. 

Titans: Superstar David Fifita (knee) will return via the bench for his first game since round 12 while veterans Kevin Proctor (bicep) and Corey Thompson (knee) are listed among the reserves as they eye a return to action. Captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has been named to back up from Origin while Moeaki Fotuaika is good to go after representing Tonga on Saturday.

Panthers v Roosters, Friday 7.55pm at BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau have all been named to back up from Origin Two. Listed among the reserves are back-up No.7 Sean O'Sullivan, Matt Eisenhuth and Chris Smith should coach Ivan Cleary decide to rest any of his rep stars. Also named in the reserves is youngster Sunia Turuva, who made a stunning Test debut with Fiji on  Saturday.

Roosters: Playmaker Luke Keary (concussion) is being rested again so Sam Walker will play halfback with Drew Hutchison slotting in at five-eighth. A huge in for the Roosters with Victor Radley returning from an ankle injury at lock, so Nat Butcher goes to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita to the reserves. James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton will look to back up after helping the Blues to a win in Perth while Maroons prop Lindsay Collins suffered a head knock in Origin but passed his HIA.

Bulldogs v Sharks, Saturday 3.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Bulldogs: Coach Mick Potter has stuck with the same 17 that took care of the Tigers in round 15. Matt Burton is expected to back up after his stunning Origin debut and his presence would be a huge boost. Kurt Morrin has been named on the bench despite suffering a shoulder injury on debut against the Tigers.

Sharks: The Sharks will roll out the same side that downed the Titans with Siosifa Talakai and Nicho Hynes returning from the victorious Blues camp and Ronaldo Mulitalo riding high after a fine Test debut for the Kiwis. Skipper Dale Finucane will be all the better for the run after coming back in round 15 following three games on the sideline.

Cowboys v Broncos, Saturday 5.30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: All eyes will be on the Maroons contingent with Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai getting through the match unscathed. Jason Taumalolo played 67 minutes for Tonga against the Kiwis and will back up. Mid-season recruit Luciano Leilua officially joined the Cowboys during the re round and will make his club debut in what will be his 100th NRL appearance. Back-rower Tom Gilbert is ready to return from an eye injury so Jamayne Taunoa-Brown reverts to the bench and Connelly Lemuelu drops to the reserves along with Brendan Elliot. Veteran winger Kyle Feldt is listed among the reserves as he closes in on a return from a knee injury.

Broncos: A huge boost with captain Adam Reynolds returning from a rib injury while Blues prop Payne Haas has been named despite suffering an ankle injury in Origin. Patrick Carrigan and Kurt Capewell played over 60 minutes each in the Maroons' loss but have been named to back up along with Selwyn Cobbo, as have Kotoni Staggs (Tonga) and Keenan Palasia (Samoa). Tyson Gamble is nearing a return from a leg injury and has been named among the reserves.

Rabbitohs v Eels, Saturday 7.35pm at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell is back from a long injury lay-off for his first game since round five so Kodi Nikorima reverts to the bench and Blake Taaffe to the reserves. Damien Cook got through 46 minutes off the bench for NSW and is set to back up. Cameron Murray copped a head gash but passed a HIA and should be good to go despite a short turnaround. Jai Arrow got through limited time in Origin II and should be OK to play. Mark Nicholls has been named to start at prop with Thomas Burgess going to the bench.

Eels: Parramatta had only Junior Paulo to worry about after Origin II with the big man getting through 43 minutes on Sunday night. The Eels' international contingent including Dylan Brown, Marata Niukore, Waqa Blake and Maika Sivo got through Test matches unscathed and with a seven-day turnaround will all be raring to go as Brad Arthur sticks with the same 17 that downed the Roosters in round 15. 

Warriors v Wests Tigers, Sunday 2.00pm at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: Euan Aitken (concussion) is back on deck in the centres so Adam Pompey drops to the reserves. Eliesa Katoa is the new face on the bench in place of Dunamis Lui. Forwards Jazz Tevaga, Addin Fonua-Blake and Bunty Afoa all got through their international appearances on Saturday and will take their place in the emotional homecoming to Mt Smart Stadium.

Tigers: James Roberts made a successful return returns from back surgery two weeks ago in NSW Cup and has been named to play his first NRL game since riund six. Stefano Utoikamanu (foot) is also good to go. Fa'amanu Brown has been named to start at hooker with Jacob Liddle going to the reserves. Adam Doueihi again starts from the interchange in his second game back from a knee reconstruction. James Tamou will start at prop with Alex Twal sidelined by concussion. Young prop Fonua Pole has been named to debut from the bench. David Nofoaluma is coming off a four-try showing for Samoa and will be on a high after that performance.

Dragons v Raiders, Sunday 4.05pm at WIN Stadium

Dragons: Skipper Ben Hunt has been named and will be monitored after he picked up a leg injury in Origin Two. Hunt got twisted awkwardly in the second half but played out the match and will be crucial to the side's chances. The club's international representatives have also returned relatively unscathed, allowing Anthony Griffin to name the same 17 that was so impressive against Souths in round 15.

Raiders: Jack Wighton (COVID protocols) will return to the side with Matt Frawley the man to drop out. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been named to return from a hamstring injury on the bench replacing James Schiller, who faces 2-3 weeks out with a shoulder injury suffered against the Knights. Maroons prop Josh Papalii played just 26 minutes in Origin II and is ready to rumble for the Green Machine while Joseph Tapine and Jordan Rapana also back up from Kiwi Test duty.