Eels v Bulldogs
CommBank Stadium, Sydney,4.05pm
One of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries is set to reignite as the Eels take on the Bulldogs in a Sunday afternoon showdown at CommBank Stadium.
The two teams enter the match in contrasting form—Canterbury is riding high with two wins from two games, while Parramatta is still searching for its first victory of the season.
The Eels have conceded a total of 88 points in their first two matches, making defense a major focus this week. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs put 40 points on the Titans last round and will be looking to unleash another attacking onslaught at CommBank Stadium.
Parramatta will once again be without their captain and playmaker, Mitchell Moses, meaning Dylan Brown will be tasked with leading the team’s attack.
The five-eighth struggled to find his best form last week, but as he enters his final season in blue and gold, he is determined to step up and deliver.
Up front, Junior Paulo and the forward pack are eager to make a statement, proving that Parramatta won’t be backing down this season as they look to impose their physicality in the battle up front.
Eels.
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani, 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo , 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood Bench: 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey, 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dan Keir 21. Josh Addo-Carr 22. Joey Lussick
With Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau sidelined due to MCL injuries suffered in their previous victory, Canterbury will have to take on this match without two of their key players.
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Kurtis Morrin Reserves: 19. Joseph O’Neill 20. Jack Todd 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith, 23. Jonathan Sua
Referee. Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Gerard Sutton
The Bulldogs secured a convincing win over the Titans, but their defense showed some vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, the Eels suffered their second loss of the season, conceding multiple tries to the Tigers.
As they prepare for this traditional rivalry, the Eels will undoubtedly step up their game. However, while the Bulldogs have started the season with two straight wins, their defense has yet to reach its ideal level. Even so, predicting an Eels victory in this matchup would be a bold call.
- The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past 16 games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Eels have conceded 88 points in their opening two games.
- Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton will make his 50th NRL appearance.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in six games against the Bulldogs.
Manly v Raiders
4 Pines Park, Manly, 6.15pm
The Sea Eagles are aiming for a strong homecoming as they take on a red-hot Raiders side at 4 Pines Park on Sunday night.
Last weekend, Manly suffered a surprising defeat to the Warriors in Auckland, a match that also saw Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic pick up injuries.
Scans cleared both players of serious damage, but only Cherry-Evans will take the field this week, with Trbojevic set to sit out for another round. As a result, Lehi Hopoate is expected to step in at fullback, while either Clayton Faulalo or Tommy Talau is likely to take up a spot on the wing. Additionally, young centre Tolu Koula (thigh) and prop Siua Taukeiaho (knee) will return to the lineup.
Meanwhile, veteran forward Jazz Tevaga has been fined $1,800 for an incident in the final moments of the Warriors clash. He was penalized for throwing two water bottles at former teammate Demitric Vaimauga while the Warriors celebrated their final try.
Manly
1. TBA 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. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Nathan Brown , 22. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega
Canberra heads into enemy territory with confidence after a dominant victory over the Broncos at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders’ forward pack controlled the contest last week, and they’ll be looking to impose themselves once again this weekend.
Playing at 4 Pines Park won’t faze Canberra, as they were one of the few teams to defeat Manly at the venue last season.
Fullback Xavier Savage returns from suspension and is set to make his comeback in this match. However, captain Joseph Tapine still has one game left on his suspension and will be available next round.
Savage will slot in on the wing, replacing Albert Hopoate. In the forward pack, Zac Hosking is sidelined with a hand injury, with Morgan Smithies stepping into the starting lineup. Trey Mooney also joins the bench. Meanwhile, Englishman Matthew Nicholson, who had a dream debut against the Broncos with two tries, retains his spot in the starting side.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage , 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh , 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi, 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota Reserves: 18. Danny Levi 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Pasami Saulo, 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders
Referee. Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, David Munro, Matt Noyen ,Bunker, Ashley Klein
Last week, the Sea Eagles were completely dismantled by the Warriors, suffering a heavy defeat while also losing Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans to injury. Meanwhile, the Raiders continued their run of upsets, stunning the Broncos at home with relentless defense and a powerful running game. On Thursday, it was confirmed that Trbojevic would be sidelined, further boosting Canberra’s chances of securing their third straight win.
The last time these two teams met in Manly, the game seemed headed for both a washout and a blowout, with Manly racing to an early 20-0 lead. However, in a stunning turn of events, Canberra mounted a remarkable comeback, sealing a 26-24 victory with a late try from Hudson Young. That said, Manly got their revenge in Round 23 last season, thrashing the Raiders 46-24 in Canberra.
This game features two key matchups worth watching. The first is Kaeo Weekes versus Tom Trbojevic—though this battle depends on Trbojevic’s availability. Weekes was let go by Manly, and while his start to the 2025 season has been relatively quiet, he looks poised for a career resurgence in Canberra. There’s no better stage for him to make a statement than against his former club, proving wrong those who doubted him. On the other hand, when fit, Trbojevic is arguably the best player in the competition. His dominance against Canberra is undeniable, having scored 15 tries in his last 12 matches against the Green Machine.
The second key battle is the clash of the halfbacks—Daly Cherry-Evans versus Jamal Fogarty. Both players boast elite kicking games and exceptional game management, and their respective teams struggle significantly when they’re absent. Who will come out on top in this pivotal showdown? The answer will be revealed on Sunday night when Round 3 wraps up in Manly.
- The Sea Eagles have won seven of their past 10 games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have won their last two games at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored 15 tries in 12 games against the Raiders.
- Raiders prop Josh Papalii will move to outright second on the club’s all-time appearance list behind Jason Croker.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored a try in his last five games at 4 Pines Park
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