NRL Round 3 Team Lists & Early Mail: Broncos’ Shock Shibasaki Call & More

Maguire Defends Shibasaki Benching as Broncos Prepare for Storm Clash

Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has defended his decision to drop incumbent Origin and Test star Gehamat Shibasaki to the bench for Friday night’s grand final rematch against the Melbourne Storm. The move sees club debutant Grant Anderson take Shibasaki’s place on the wing, a decision Maguire attributes to a need to improve the team’s overall defensive performance.

“Unfortunately for ‘Gem’ (Shibasaki) I’ve got depth,” Maguire told The Daily Telegraph. “We haven’t quite hit the mark at this present moment and with the depth we have, I’m willing to hunt with my players and with staff to get to our expectations. Defensively, as a whole team, we need to be better. The changes I’ve made are a part of us hunting to get our best defensive team.”

The decision to bench Shibasaki, a key player for the Broncos, comes as a surprise given his representative honors. However, Maguire’s emphasis on defensive improvements suggests a strategic shift ahead of the crucial match against the Storm. Anderson’s debut provides a fresh opportunity to assess the team’s options on the wing.

Further compounding the Broncos’ changes, captain Adam Reynolds has been ruled out of the contest due to a rib injury. Bench utility Ben Hunt is expected to fill the void at halfback, with Blake Mozer likely to take Hunt’s spot on the bench.

Round 3 Team News and Other NRL Developments

The Broncos’ preparations are just one piece of the puzzle as Round 3 of the NRL Premiership approaches. Several other teams have announced team lists and changes, including the Parramatta Eels, who have demoted Jack De Belin for their clash against his former team, the St. George Illawarra Dragons. The reason for De Belin’s demotion, according to Code Sports, stems from coach Jason Ryles’ preference for Sam Tuivaiti and Matt Doorey, who are expected to see increased playing time.

Elsewhere, the Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors will face off on Saturday, while the Cronulla Sharks will host the Gold Coast Titans. The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the Wests Tigers, and the Sunday slate features a match between the Parramatta Eels and the St. George Illawarra Dragons, followed by a contest between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans. The Manly Sea Eagles have a bye this week.

The Cowboys are also considering a potential shake-up in their spine, with Jaxon Purdue potentially shifting to fullback. This move is reportedly linked to the club’s efforts to retain the young gun, as Purdue reportedly prefers playing in the fullback position. “Late last year we picked up mail that Scott Drinkwater was being shopped. Nothing eventuated but clearly there’s an appetite to play Purdue at fullback,” Dave Riccio said on NRL360.

Thursday, March 19

Canberra Raiders vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at GIO Stadium, 8:00 PM AEDT

Raiders Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Simi Sasagi, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Noah Martin, 13. Corey Horsburgh, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Zac Hosking, 16. Ata Mariota, 17. Morgan Smithies, 18. Daine Laurie, 20. Owen Pattie, 22. Jed Stuart. Player Cuts: 19. Matthew Timoko, 21. Joseph Roddy.

Bulldogs Team: 1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Lachlan Galvin, 8. Max King, 9. Bailey Hayward, 10. Samuel Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon, 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 16. Harry Hayes, 17. Josh Curran, 19. Sean O’Sullivan, 20. Jake Turpin, 21. Jonathan Sua. Player Cuts: 22. Lipoi Hopoi, 23. Fletcher Baker.

Friday, March 20

Sydney Roosters vs. Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium, 6:00 PM AEDT
Melbourne Storm vs. Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park, 8:00 PM AEDT

Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Fetalaiga Pauga, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Egan Butcher, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Blake Steep, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Salesi Foketi, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Benaiah Ioelu, 20. Toby Rodwell, 21. Tom Rodwell, 22. Taylor Losalu.

Panthers Team: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Thomas Jenkins, 3. Paul Alamoti, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Billy Phillips, 16. Scott Sorensen, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Izack Tago, 19. Kalani Going, 20. Tom Ale, 21. Jack Cole, 22. Jesse McLean.

Storm Team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo, 2. William Warbrick, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Moses Leo, 5. Nick Meaney, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Joe Chan, 12. Ativalu Lisati, 13. Tui Kamikamica, 14. Tyran Wishart, 15. Trent Loiero, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Cooper Clarke, 18. Alec MacDonald, 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, 20. Jack Hetherington, 21. Preston Conn, 22. Trent Toelau.

Broncos Team: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Grant Anderson, 6. Ezra Mam, 14. Ben Hunt, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Xavier Willison, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 15. Ben Talty, 16. Aublix Tawha, 17. Gehamat Shibasaki, 18. Brendan Piakura, 19. Jaiyden Hunt, 20. Blake Mozer, 21. Jesse Arthars, 22. Thomas Duffy. Player Cuts: 7. Adam Reynolds.

Saturday, March 21

Newcastle Knights vs. New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3:00 PM AEDT
Cronula Sharks vs. Dolphins at Ocean Protect Stadium, 5:30 PM AEDT
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Wests Tigers at Polytec Stadium, 7:35 PM AEDT

Sunday, March 22

Parramatta Eels vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, 4:05 PM AEDT
NQ Cowboys vs. Gold Coast Titans at QLD Country Bank Stadium, 6:15 PM AEDT