NRL Round Five Update: Broncos Reinstate Payne Haas; Teen Sensation Poised for Debut and Bronson Xerri on Track for Comeback

Brisbane’s Payne Haas is set to make his comeback for the Broncos following a spell on the sidelines due to injury. Meanwhile, teenager Antonio Verhoeven may be poised to make his first-grade debut after recently signing a three-year contract.

Verhoeven’s name emerged in discussion for a potential swap involving Mitch Barnett and the Warriors, but the Broncos have squashed that speculation, naming him on the extended bench just 15 minutes after announcing his new deal.

The 19-year-old made his debut in the Queensland Cup this season, impressively scoring four tries in three appearances.

In further developments, Bronson Xerri may also make his return, having been named on the extended bench for the Bulldogs.

Xerri was dropped following the first round in Las Vegas and is yet to work his way back into a starting position, but he has a chance to play against the Rabbitohs.

Wide World of Sports has compiled all the player lists in anticipation of round five.

THURSDAY

Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles, Redcliffe Stadium (8pm)

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ray Stone 17. Francis Molo 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Trai Fuller 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu

ANALYSIS: Kurt Donoghoe makes his return to the extended bench after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained last year.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Paul Bryan 19. Josh Feledy 20. Joey Walsh 21. Jackson Shereb 22. Blake Wilson

ANALYSIS: Clayton Faulalo comes in to replace the suspended Jason Saab. Ethan Bullemor is back on the bench after a late withdrawal last week.

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FRIDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Accor Stadium (4.05pm)

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Siegwalt

ANALYSIS: Campbell Graham returns from a shoulder injury, while Moala Graham-Taufa moves to the six-man bench.

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. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Jake Turpin 22. Logan Spinks 23. Jonathan Sua

ANALYSIS: Sam Hughes and Harry Hayes are back, while Josh Curran is ruled out due to a rib injury. Bronson Xerri joins the extended bench after his recent exclusion from the team.

Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm, CommBank Stadium (8pm)

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. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Kalani Going 20. Tom Ale 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole

ANALYSIS: Freddy Lussick joins the squad in place of the suspended Mitch Kenny, while Jack Cogger comes back from concussion protocols. Izack Tago is slated for the extended bench after being dropped earlier in the season.

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

ANALYSIS: Nick Meaney returns from injury, while Moses Leo is out due to delayed concussion symptoms. Lazarus Vaalepu joins the lineup in place of Tui Kamikamica, who experienced a medical issue on Monday.

SATURDAY

St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys, Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. David Fale 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Hame Sele 18. Josh Kerr 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 21. Kade Reed 22. Setu Tu

ANALYSIS: Lyhkan King-Togia steps in following Kyle Flanagan’s concussion protocol. Moses Suli and Toby Couchman also return, while David Fale makes his Dragons debut on the wing.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby

ANALYSIS: Tom Chester returns from suspension with Zac Laybutt on the extended bench.

Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos, Cbus Super Stadium (7.35pm)

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Klese Haas 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Oliver Pascoe 18. Max Feagai 19. Jett Liu 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jenson Taumoepeau

ANALYSIS: Josh Hannay continues to back a winning team.

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

ANALYSIS: Payne Haas returns from injury, with Xavier Willison on the bench. Jesse Arthars joins the squad following Grant Anderson’s knee injury, and Gehamat Shibasaki is back in the starting side.

SUNDAY

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors, Shark Park (2pm)

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Briton Nikora

ANALYSIS: Briton Nikora is on the reserves following a broken nose. Mawene Hiroti has been included on the bench after overcoming a knee injury.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 23. Ali Leiataua

ANALYSIS: Mitch Barnett is ruled out with a broken thumb, leading to Demitric Vaimauga’s inclusion on the bench.

Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders, McDonald Jones Stadium (4.05pm)

Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Wilson De Courcey 20. Cody Hopwood 21. Francis Manuleleua 22. James Schiller

ANALYSIS: Trey Mooney returns from a suspension, leading to Pasami Saulo taking his place on the bench.

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. Chevy Stewart 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jed Stuart 22. Daine Laurie

ANALYSIS: Morgan Smithies returns to the bench as Josh Papalii is back from suspension.

MONDAY

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)

Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Apa Twidle 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Teancum Brown 22. Araz Nanva

ANALYSIS: Joash Papalii steps in as the fullback following Isaiah Iongi’s ankle injury. Charlie Guymer has been included on the bench as a result of Matt Doorey’s ACL injury.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Faaletino Tavana 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Bunty Afoa 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Patrick Herbert

ANALYSIS: Benji Marshall maintains the same 17 from the victory over the Warriors.