Team List Tuesday blog: Round 3

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 20 Mar 2018, 01:27 PM

We look at the big questions for all 16 NRL clubs ahead of the announcement of the official round three Telstra Premiership team lists at 4pm AEDT Tuesday.

We'll be updating this page with the latest team news as it comes to hand. Check out the key talking points for your team below.

Refresh this page for the latest updates.

NRL Teams – Round 3

3.30pm AEDT: NRL.com's Team Lists show kicks off live at 3.55pm right here.

1.41pm AEDT: Rookie Rabbitohs half Adam Doueihi is expected to line up for Souths again in the absence of the injured Adam Reynolds this week after a solid game on debut against the Panthers. Here's his take on his first taste of the NRL.

Doueihi on debut

1.23pm AEDT: The early versions of all eight match previews are in for this week's games:

The previews will be updated on Tuesday afternoon with team news, with the full match previews to arrive on Wednesday.

12.43pm AEDT: Last week he didn't make it to the airport, this week Cowboys five-eighth Michael Morgan is on the flight to Melbourne, and one step closer to taking the field for the Cowboys in their grand final rematch against the Melbourne Storm.

He still needs to successfully recover from his side's captain's run on Wednesday, having sustained an abdominal injury which has sidelined him for the first two games of the season.

12.30pm AEDT: Jack Bird has trained at left centre for the Brisbane Broncos on Tuesday and looks set for a possible return to the NRL this weekend.

Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys; AAMI Park; Thursday, March 22

Storm: Felise Kaufusi was a late withdrawal from last Saturday's game due to a hamstring injury but the extent is not yet known. Will he return for the Storm in this crucial clash or will Joe Stimson feature in the back row for a second straight week?

Cowboys: The Cowboys have missed the experience and creativeness of Michael Morgan over the first two weeks with an abdominal strain but he is set for a return on Thursday. Te Maire Martin is likely to keep his spot in the 17-man squad on the bench. Lachlan Coote is returning from a hamstring strain but will he come straight back into fullback or will Ben Hampton retain the fullback jersey?

Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers; ANZ Stadium; Friday, March 23

Bulldogs: The Dogs attack has been inconsistent in 2018 but they have few injury concerns. Only back-up half Josh Cleeland is injured but will Dean Pay make changes for the Bulldogs to freshen things up after their 0-2 start?

Panthers: Dean Whare made his return to the NRL in round two but prop Sam McKendry has suffered a third ACL injury. With reserve prop Tim Browne also suffering a serious injury with a ruptured bowel, who will come onto the bench for Penrith? Moses Leota could get an opportunity on the bench to fill the vacancy left by McKendry. Tyrone Peachey and Viliame Kikau were benched for kick-off on game day last Sunday – will Anthony Griffin keep them there?

Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos; Campbelltown Stadium; Friday March 23

Wests Tigers: Tui Lolohea was a late scratching from last Saturday's game but the Tigers have little to worry about with two wins to start the season. Is there a need for any changes for the Tigers?

Broncos: The news is not as good for the Broncos, who have lost Jordan Kahu for a two months with a jaw injury. Jack Bird has trained at left centre for the Brisbane Broncos on Tuesday and looks set for a possible return to the NRL this weekend, with Tom Opacic the other candidate to fill the position.

Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors; GIO Stadium; Saturday March 24

Raiders: Already coping with the loss of Josh Hodgson and Joseph Tapine, the Green Machine's injury woes deepened when Joey Leilua (ankle) and Charlie Gubb (groin) went down on Sunday night. Elliott Whitehead moved to centre mid-game against Newcastle and performed well in the role; is he the man to fill the void in the backs short-term or will Ricky Stuart look to bring in Michael Oldfield and shift Nick Cotric in from the wing? As for Gubb, his injury could lead to a possible debut for young gun Jack Murchie.

Warriors: The Warriors also had an injury of their own with Isaiah Papali'i leaving the field early with a knee injury, although it looks to be minor. With Simon Mannering's return from injury likely to be round four at the earliest and fellow forward Agnatius Paasi battling a knee injury, Wigan recruit Anthony Gelling be given his first start in Warriors colours on the bench.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles; ANZ Stadium; Saturday March 24

Rabbitohs: Adam Reynolds is a couple of weeks away from his return from a knee operation. Adam Doueihi was solid in his NRL debut last weekend. Tyrell Fuimaono suffered a dislocated toe last weekend so the Bunnies will need a new bench forward. Hymel Hunt, Robbie Farah and Jason Clark would be in contention to get the vacant bench berth. The only other uncertainty is Greg Inglis with concussion and if he is out, Hunt could be straight into the starting side at centre.

Sea Eagles: Fresh off their big win, you would not expect Trent Barrett to make any changes out Manly way. Darcy Lussick is slated for a return but after the performance of some fringe forwards in round two, is he still guaranteed a spot? Dylan Walker will also fit in somewhere when he returns in a couple of weeks but at whose expense?

Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks; ANZ Stadium; Saturday March 24

Eels: After a record-breaking loss in round 2, will Brad Arthur make wholesale changes? Clint Gutherson is still a month away from returning from knee surgery, Cameron King is being monitored after suffering a concussion, so does that open the door for a possible return for Kaysa Pritchard? Brad Takairangi also left the field after a head knock - although initial reports suggest he will be fine. If not, does veteran David Gower come into the side?

Sharks: No one is expected to return for the Sharks in round 3 but are they in need of changes? After two losses, is there anyone that can step up and do a job for them? Is it worth giving an opportunity to young gun Jesse Ramien?

Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons; Clive Berghofer Stadium; Sunday March 25

Titans: Jarrod Wallace's return from suspension will cause some selection headaches. Despite his good form, will Jai Arrow make way? Or will Leilani Latu drop to the bench or out of the side given his slow start? Also, what does it mean for Bryce Cartwright and his role in the rotation?

Dragons: The Dragons sit atop the ladder but are in cruise control so it unlikely Paul McGregor would change a winning combination. Curiously, Hame Sele has been named in the No.17 jersey as the fourth interchange player each week but Jeremy Latimore has been preferred ahead of him each time.

Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights; Allianz Stadium; Sunday March 25

Roosters: With winger Daniel Tupou out until round 13 with a pectoral injury, is this the first time we will see Reece Robinson in Roosters colours?

Knights: Mitch Barnett suffered a head knock in the win over Canberra. If Barnett is out, does a Saifiti brother make the move to lock or will Herman Ese'ese shift to the role he played in round one? Jamie Buhrer missed last weekend's game due to a concussion – Jacob Saifiti replaced him last Sunday on the bench so will he be the one to miss out when the co-captain returns?