NRL Round Two Team Updates: Cowboys’ Jeremiah Nanai Dropped After Round One Display; Wayne Bennett Decides on Halfback Pairing

Jeremiah Nanai has been dropped by the Cowboys after just one match in the NRL season.

The skilled State of Origin back-rower will feature in reserve grade this weekend, as coach Todd Payten made a significant decision following their disappointing round one loss against Manly.

Despite being one of the most formidable players at the club, Nanai’s defensive performance has raised concerns.

“Jeremiah is a top-tier attacking player but he must enhance certain defensive aspects of his game. He’ll have an opportunity in Q Cup to work on that,” said the coach.

“Making this choice wasn’t straightforward, but I believed it was pivotal for the team.”

In other news, teams that participated in Las Vegas are back for duty, whilst the Titans will kick off their 2025 season after enjoying a first-round bye.

Here’s how your team will look for round two:

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THURSDAY

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins, McDonald Jones Stadium (8pm)

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Thomas Cant

Knights team news: Adam Elliott joins the bench, taking the place of Brodie Jones in the only alteration following the round one victory.

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Harrison Graham 22. Aublix Tawha

Dolphins team news: Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls are back after missing the season opener due to Cyclone Alfred’s effects. Oryn Keeley steps into the back-row due to injuries suffered by Kulikefi Finefeuiaki and Connelly Lemuelu.

FRIDAY

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles, Go Media Stadium (6pm)

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi

Warriors team news: There are no changes to the side that suffered a heavy defeat in Las Vegas.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Tommy Talau 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Dean Matterson

Sea Eagles team news: Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee) is out, replaced at prop by Josh Aloiai, which is the only change following a strong performance in round one.

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters, CommBank Stadium (8pm)

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Liam Henry 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins

Panthers team news: Brian To’o (hamstring) returns after sitting out the Las Vegas fixture, moving Paul Alamoti back to the centres and Luke Garner to the bench. Casey McLean (head knock) is fit for the match and remains in his wing position.

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Ethan King 21. Max McCathie 22. Billy Smith

Roosters team news: Salesi Foketi, who debuted last week, is now in the starting lineup, with Victor Radley unavailable due to concussion. Makahesi Makatoa is set to make his club debut from the bench.

SATURDAY

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, WIN Stadium (3pm)

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Dragons team news: Blake Lawrie returns from injury, compensating for Ryan Couchman, who will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his ACL.

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani

Rabbitohs team news: Jamie Humphreys retains the halfback position, as English recruit Lewis Dodd misses out. Fletcher Myers will join the backline alongside debutant Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, with both Jack Wighton (suspension) and Tyrone Munro (collarbone) unavailable.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks, QCB Stadium (5.30pm)

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo

Cowboys team news: Jeremiah Nanai has been omitted, with Kai O’Donnell taking up the back-row position. Jason Taumalolo (foot) is back in the extended squad as he continues his recovery from injury, with no other changes following the round one defeat.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

Sharks team news: No alterations from the team that narrowly lost in Las Vegas.

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos, GIO Stadium (7.35pm)

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matt Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Michael Asomua 22. Ethan Sanders

Raiders team news: Albert Hopoate steps in for the suspended Xavier Savage on the wing, while Matt Nicholson joins the bench as Joseph Tapine also serves a two-game ban.

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden

Broncos team news: No changes to the line-up that defeated the Roosters in the opening round.

SUNDAY

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

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Joey Lussick 22. Charlie Guymer

Eels team news: Shaun Lane returns from injury, but Ryan Matterson is still absent. Jordan Samrani makes his NRL debut on the wing, and back-rower Kitione Kautaga will don the Eels jersey for the first time. Sam Tuivaiti is also on the bench.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Charlie Staines 19. Latu Fainu 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape

Tigers team news: Jahream Bula (shoulder) and Apisai Koroisau (suspension) are both back in the starting line-up after missing round one. Starford To’a has been named to play at centre.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans, Belmore Oval (6.15pm)

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Harry Hayes 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Bulldogs team news: Josh Curran (suspension) comes onto the bench in place of Harry Hayes, the only change from last week’s victory over the Dragons.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis

Titans team news: David Fifita is set to start on the bench, with Klese Haas given the nod at back-row. AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will form a fresh halves combination while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui starts at lock. Brock Gray is making his NRL debut from the bench after competing in over 120 reserve grade matches with South Sydney.