Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership competition sees several team changes due to injury and personal reasons.
Storm and Broncos Face Line-Up Changes
The Storm will welcome back Alec MacDonald from concussion for their grand final rematch against the Broncos. However, Ativalu Lisati will miss the game after picking up a calf injury during the week. Alec MacDonald will start in place of Ativalu Lisati, who faces a month out. Trent Loiero returns from his two-game suspension and will be on the interchange bench alongside Tyran Wishart, Davvy Moale and Cooper Clarke.
The Broncos will be without skipper Adam Reynolds, who has been ruled out due to rib cartilage damage. Coach Michael Maguire said he thought Reynolds was going to play but couldn’t make the trip down. Ben Hunt starts the game at halfback and Blake Mozer joins the six-man bench in jersey No.20. Brendan Piakura is in the mix for his first appearance of the year after recovering from off-season knee injury and has been listed in jumper No.18. Grant Anderson comes on to the wing for his Broncos debut, with Deine Mariner shifting to the centres and Gehamat Shibasaki moving to the interchange.
Warriors Welcome Barnett Back, Pompey Stays in Auckland
Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett will play his first game since tearing his ACL last June. Adam Pompey has stayed in Auckland to support his wife Casey, who is expecting the couple’s first child. Leka Halasima shifts to centre and Marata Niukore comes into the back row in his return from a calf injury. Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad have all been ruled out. Taine Tuaupiki is the new fullback and Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut at five-eighth.
Knights Forced to Adjust Ranks
Fletcher Sharpe was originally named to return from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas but he has dropped out of the side. Tyson Gamble will come into the halves alongside Sandon Smith. Fletcher Hunt is set to start at fullback in place of Kalyn Ponga (hamstring). Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana also came out of the squad with Cody Hopwood moving onto the six-man bench.
Other Team News
Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle and Gold Coast playmaker Jayden Campbell are set to complete comebacks from injury in Round 3.
Teig Wilton is pushing for his first footy of the year as he completes his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The punishing back-rower has been named in the ext