Young Eel firming for NRL debut, Tigers forced into backline change, Raiders to name new halves combo: NRL Team Talk: Round 8

Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga headline the additions and losses.

WRITER | April 23, 2024 - 10:45am

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Entering Round 8, 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 Nathan Cleary, Dominic Young and Jai Arrow, while Kalyn Ponga, Junior Tupou and Jamal Fogarty headline the losses.

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

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters

NRL Rd 5 - Bulldogs v Roosters — SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Dominic Young of the Roosters is sent off by referee Grant Atkins after a high tackle on Blake Taaffe of the Bulldogs during the round five NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium on April 05, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra Dragons

Shane Flanagan will welcome back Jack Bird (concussion) into the team this week, which means Zac Lomax will slot back to the wing in Christian Tuipulotu's place.

A late inclusion into the team last week after signing from the Super League, hooker Fa'amanu Brown will keep his spot on the interchange bench.

Luciano Leilua (calf) is also slated to make his return to the team after missing the past two weeks with Ben Murdoch-Masila dropping out of the side.

Projected Round 8 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. Hame Sele 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Fa'amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Sydney Roosters

After spending an extra week on the sidelines, Sam Walker will re-enter the team for the ANZAC Day clash, pushing Zach Dockar-Clay to drop out of the team.

Winger Dominic Young will return from suspension this round, meaning Michael Jennings will drop down to the reserves with Joseph Suaalii entering the centres once again.

While Sitili Tupouniua (concussion) will return there is still some doubt around if Sandon Smith (elbow) will be available for selection as he continues to recover from injury - it is hard seeing him push Connor Watson out of the team.

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