A month of rugby league is in the books, with Canterbury standing as the only unbeaten team after four rounds.
Penrith, the reigning premiers, have a mix of injury updates ahead of round five, while the Rabbitohs will be bolstered by the return of one of the sport’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers will be forced to field a young halves pairing following their captain’s charge from the match review committee.
Here’s an early look at team news for round five:
Thursday
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks, GIO Stadium (8pm)
Raiders predicted lineup:
- Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Morgan Smithies
Raiders team update: Morgan Smithies (concussion) is set to return after missing the round four defeat, likely replacing Ata Mariota on the bench.
Sharks predicted lineup:
- William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Billy Burns 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Sharks team update: Siosifa Talakai (head knock) is sidelined for at least a week, while Kayal Iro (hamstring) was forced off in the loss to the Bulldogs, with Mawene Hiroti likely to fill in at centre. Toby Rudolf returned last weekend and is expected to retain his bench spot. Tom Hazelton (back) remains a week-to-week case.
Friday
Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys, CommBank Stadium (6pm)
Panthers predicted lineup:
- Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth
Panthers team update: Nathan Cleary (concussion) is back at halfback, replacing Trent Toelau. Scott Sorensen (concussion) and Brian To’o (hamstring) will both miss out, with Matt Eisenhuth and Casey McLean expected to step in.
Cowboys predicted lineup:
- Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
Cowboys team update: No changes anticipated after their first win of the season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters, Accor Stadium (8pm)
Rabbitohs predicted lineup:
- Latrell Mitchell 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Jye Gray 15. Siliva Havili 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Tevita Tatola
Rabbitohs team update: Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) is expected to return at fullback, shifting Jye Gray to the bench. Alex Johnston (shoulder) is unlikely to play, with Fletcher Myers a likely replacement. Lachlan Hubner (suspension) is set to return after two games out.
Roosters predicted lineup:
- James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Lindsay Collins
Roosters team update: Victor Radley (cheekbone) is out for at least a week, with Nat Butcher expected to cover at lock. Connor Watson (concussion) is likely to return at hooker, while Salesi Foketi (suspension) is also available.
Saturday
Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons, CommBank Stadium (3pm)
Eels predicted lineup:
- Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Dan Keir 17. Charlie Guymer
Eels team update: Bailey Simonsson and Ryan Matterson may return after playing in the NSW Cup over the weekend.
Dragons predicted lineup:
- Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan
Dragons team update: Emre Guler is facing a three-game ban for a crusher tackle, while Hame Sele (calf) is in contention to return on the bench.
This preview covers the key team selections and expected changes ahead of round five. More updates will follow as team lists are confirmed.
