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Storm receive boost, triple Bulldogs blow, Raiders to make changes: NRL Team Talk: Round 5

Cameron Munster headlines the team changes for Round 5.

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk

Entering Round 5, some NRL clubs are set to receive significant boosts to their team, while others have lost key players as they look to clinch the two points.

Some big additions this week include Cameron Munster, Alex Twal and Jahrome Hughes, while the losses are headlined by Jacob Preston and Luke Metcalf.

Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.

Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Jahrome Hughes of the Storm looks to pass the ball during the round 11 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on May 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm

The Melbourne Storm will receive a massive boost against the Broncos, with Craig Bellamy set to welcome back four star players.

Cameron Munster (groin) and Jahrome Hughes (suspension) have returned to the team and will play together in the halves for the first time this season.

Joe Chan (hand), Reimis Smith (ribs) and Christian Welch (concussion) will also be available for selection after spending time in the casualty ward.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona's future is still clouded in uncertainty and may return to the NRL but is likely to spend another week in the QLD Cup.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Christian Welch 17. Chris Lewis

Brisbane Broncos

The Brisbane Broncos are still without the trio of Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and Reece Walsh as they look to continue their winning ways.

After a good 38-12 performance against the Cowboys, Kevin Walters will more than likely run out with the same 17 players against the Storm.

Rookie Benjamin Te Kura is pushing for a spot on the interchang bench and so is veteran Martin Taupau.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters

Jacob Preston during the round two NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park on March 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)

Canterbury Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have suffered a triple blow for this week with Josh Addo-Carr (concussion), Kurtis Morrin (suspension), and Jacob Preston (jaw) ruled out of the match.

After spending last week as the 18th Man, Connor Tracey will return back to the starting line-up, while Josh Curran is set to be pushed to the starting second-row.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Kitione Kautoga will make his club debut this weekend after the Fijian international signed with the club last season.

Kautoga has played two games for Fiji and appeared for the Wests Tigers in Round 24 of the 2022 NRL season.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Poasa Faamausili

Sydney Roosters

Sandon Smith will be available for selection and will battle it out with Connor Watson for the utility spot on the interchange bench - Trent Robinson may decide to choose both players but is unlikely to.

Apart from this, they will likely remain unchanged, but Siua Wong may earn a call-up if Robinson decides to shake up the forwards.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou  3. Joseph Manu 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Angus Crichton 17. Egan Butcher

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Dane Gagai of the Knights warms up before the round four NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights at PointsBet Stadium on April 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Newcastle Knights

After accepting a one-game suspension for an incident involving Ryan Papenhuyzen, prop Leo Thompson returns for the Knights and will take his place in the starting front-row.

Adam O'Brien has revealed that Dane Gagai will be fit and ready to go after being a late withdrawal against the New Zealand Warriors.

O'Brien also has a difficult task regarding his halves and whether or not to recall Jackson Hastings back into the team at the expense of either Tyson Gamble or Jack Cogger.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Hastings will be recalled back into the team in favour of Tyson Gamble.

Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mat Croker 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Jack Hetherington

St George Illawarra Dragons

After claiming their second win of the season last week against the Manly Sea Eagles, the Dragons will be looking to continue their good form going into this week.

Shane Flanagan will name the same team that played last weekend after sustaining no injuries. However, Jack De Belin and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are both contending for the starting lock position.

Jesse Marschke has seemingly earned the utility spot from the interchange bench and was very productive in the position last week.

Projected Round 5 Team:  1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jadyn Su'A 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Jack De Belin 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Tom Eisenhuth

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs will be without veteran winger Alex Johnston (hamstring) for some time. His departure will see Jacob Gagai and Izaac Thompson battle it out for the vacant wing position.

Head coach Jason Demetriou revealed during the press conference after their victory against the Bulldogs that Sean Keppie will replace Shaquai Mitchell (concussion).

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Jacob Gagai 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jack Wighton 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Michael Chee-Kam 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Sean Keppie 17. Thomas Burgess

New Zealand Warriors

The Warriors have confirmed that Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will finally make his long-awaited season debut this round and will move Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back to the centres - Adam Pompey will drop out of the team.

In other big news, the club are forced into changing their halves after Luke Metcalf (ankle) sustained an injury against the Knights, which could see him on the sidelines for a while.

Dylan Walker was a late withdrawal in Round 4 but is likely to return back to the team. If he is unavailable Jazz Tevaga will retain his spot on the interchange bench.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita

Manly Sea Eagles vs Penrith Panthers

Nathan Cleary in action at training for the Penrith Panthers. (Photo by Joshua Davis)

Manly Sea Eagles

Despite losing against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 4, it is hard to see the club make any changes to the team after not missing anyone to injuries or suspension.

Anthony Seilbold revealed that Josh Schuster will remain in the NSW Cup for the time being and will not be called-up to the side this weekend.

Project Round 5 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown

Penrith Panthers

Nathan Cleary has confirmed that he won't return to after the bye in Round 7 meaning the Panthers will roll out the same team as last week's victory over the Sydney Roosters.

Scott Sorensen and James Fisher-Harris remain injured and won't be rushed back, with the latter likely to return at the same time as his star halfback.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Mavrik Geyer 16. Liam Henry 17. Matthew Eisenhuth

The Dolphins vs Wests Tigers

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Max Plath of the Dolphins celebrates with team mate Sean O'Sullivan after scoring a try during the round 27 NRL match between the Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on September 02, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Dolphins

The Dolphins have added another decisive victory to their record but are forced into one change with young lock Max Plath facing suspension.

Plath's unavailability is set to see Ray Stone regain the starting lock position and Kenneath Bromwich be added to the interchange bench after spending last week as the 18th Man.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4, Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kenneath Bromwich

Wests Tigers

The Tigers will have to replace youngster Lachlan Galvin as he faces two weeks on the sidelines for a hip-drop tackle against Kelma Tuilagi. Jayden Sullivan is his likely replacement, but the club also has Latu Fainu waiting in the wings.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the club will unleash promising young gun Latu Fainu this weekend after he was told that he will make his NRL debut against The Dolphins.

While he has been told he will make his debut, it is unknown at this stage if he will start in the number six jersey or will be coming off the interchange bench.

Alex Twal will also return from concussion and enter the team. Twal's inclusion will see him replace Asu Kepaoa - the player who has replaced him in the team for the clash against the Eels

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Justin Olam 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan  7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Valentine Holmes of the Cowboys loduring the round 21 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels at Qld Country Bank Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

North Queensland Cowboys

Despite losing to the Brisbane Broncos on the weekend, Todd Payten is set to keep the same 17 after not being forced into any changes.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki remains in the starting second row, with Heilum Luki still out with injury.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Gold Coast Titans

Des Hasler is in a similar predicament with his opposing coach, with no forced changes needing to be made. After returning last week, David Fifita is a possibility to be promoted to the starting team.

Keenan Palasia will push to be chosen for this week after being a late withdrawal for Fifita in Round 4.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Keenan Palasia 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Jaimin Jolliffe 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas

Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 07: Zac Hosking of the Raiders is tackled during the round one NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 07, 2024, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders have lost Zac Hosking (concussion) for this week after he failed a HIA but are set to receive captain Elliott Whitehead in an added boost.

Ricky Stuart has stated that he will look to make several changes to the forwards this week after a disappointing performance against the Cronulla Sharks on Easter Sunday.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Hohepa Puru 17. Pasami Saulo

Parramatta Eels

Bailey Simonsson is available to play and will be pushing for a spot in the backs. If selected, either Morgan Harper or Sean Russell are the likely choices to make way for him.

Second-rower Bryce Cartwright and halfback Mitchell Moses will both be unavailable after picking up injuries in Round 3 against the Manly Sea Eagles.

Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brendan Hands

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk