NRL Early Mail round 5: Predicted team changes, SuperCoach implications
The Wests Tigers will replace one suspended playmaking phenom with another exciting young rookie, while the Knights are set for yet another halves reshuffle. READ THE LATEST TEAM NEWS
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Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall will blood another rookie with highly rated Latu Fainu to be handed an NRL debut this weekend.
Fainu is likely to come into the side alongside Aidan Sezer in the halves to replace another of Benji’s teen dynamos in Lachlan Galvin.
But Marshall also has the option to bring in Jayden Sullivan, who did not get any game time off the bench in the Tigers’ nail biting victory against Parramatta on Monday.
Galvin’s standout performance on Monday was soured by an ugly looking hip drop tackle on Kelma Tuilagi.
Galvin will accept a two-game suspension for the tackle ruling him out of Saturday’s clash against the Dolphins and the St George Illawarra Dragons.
GALVIN, PLATH TAKE THE TWO
Wests Tigers youngster Lachlin Galvin and Dolphins utility Max Plath have pled guilty to their respective hip drop charges and will miss two weeks. It’s a similar ban for Bulldogs utility Kurtis Morrin who will miss the nest two matches for his dangerous tackle on Cameron Murray.
KNIGHTS TO GAMBLE ON JACKSON
Jackson Hastings is set to return to the NRL after spending the past two games in NSW Cup.
Hastings is expected to partner Jack Cogger in the halves for Newcastle against St George Illawarra on Friday night.
His inclusion will come at the expense of Tyson Gamble
CRICHTON TIPPED FOR STARTING ROLE AT ROOSTERS
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is expected to promote Angus Crichton into the starting side for Friday’s clash against Canterbury.
Crichton earned a call-up into the NRL side back in round two but has been used off the bench.
Robinson is expected to elevate Crichton onto the left edge with Sitili Tupouniua the one likely to come out of the starting 13.
Prop forward Lindsay Collins is back running after picking up a minor hamstring injury against South Sydney but is unlikely to be rushed back onto the field.
DOGS TURN TO KAUTOGA
The Bulldogs will respond to their decreasing forward stocks by blooding talented backrower Kitione Kautoga.
The Fijian International and former Wests Tigers forward will make his Canterbury debut against the Roosters at Accor Stadium on Friday night.
A powerful tackle breaker, the 21-year-old played his junior football at the same club as head coach Cameron Ciraldo, St Josephs, in the Sutherland Shire.
Kautoga was handed his NRL debut in 2022 from the bench for the Wests Tigers.
He joined the Bulldogs in 2023 before going on to represent Fiji in two Test matches last year.
Kautoga will come into a Bulldogs side that will be without Jacob Preson (broken jaw), Kurtis Morrin (suspension) and Josh Addo-Carr (HIA).
Impressive before being left out of the side last week, Blake Wilson will replace Addo-Carr on the wing. – David Riccio
MUNSTER MYSTERY SOLVED
Melbourne star five-eighth Cameron Munster is expected to be named on Tuesday in a huge boost for the Storm ahead of Thursday’s clash against Brisbane.
Munster hasn’t played a game this year after picking up a groin injury during the club’s pre-season trip to Fiji.
The star playmaker got through Monday’s training session unscathed and his fitness will be assessed on Tuesday to determine how well he has recovered overnight.
Coach Craig Bellamy is likely to give Munster until the captain’s run on Wednesday before making the final call.
Munster’s return into the line-up will likely see youngster Jonah Pezet drop out of the side.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes will also return from suspension to take his place in the halves.
Tyran Wishart, who replaced Hughes, is expected to return to his role on the bench in the No. 14 jumper.
Veteran prop Christian Welch will also be available for selection after overcoming a head knock. – Fatima Kdouh
NRL EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS
STORM v BRONCOS
Thursday, 8pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: A host of Storm stars are set to return following their week off with the bye.
Jahrome Hughes returns from suspension, while Cameron Munster is likely to return from a groin injury.
They come into the halves, with Tyrone Wishart likely dropping to the bench, and Jonah Pezet out of the team.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is likely to return from a hamstring issue, while Joe Chan will return after missing round 3 with a hand infection. Christian Welch returns from a concussion.
Broncos: No changes expected at the Broncos after their big win over the Cowboys.
BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS
Friday, 6pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr is expected to miss the clash due to a concussion, which will see Blake Wilson come onto the wing.
Jacob Preston will miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, with Josh Curran an option to start on the edge.
Kurtis Morrin is facing a two to three week suspension for a dangerous throw charge.
Poasa Faamausili is available for selection and will likely be included in the 17.
Roosters: Lindsay Collins is an outside chance to return from a hamstring injury at
prop.
KNIGHTS v DRAGONS
Friday, 8pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Dane Gagai is likely to return at centre in place of Dylan Lucas after missing round 4 due to a medical condition. Leo Thompson returns from suspension.
Dragons: No changes expected at the Dragons following their big win over the Sea
Eagles.
RABBITOHS v WARRIORS
Saturday, 3pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston is set to miss around six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Either Izaac Thompson or Jacob Gagai are likely to replace him on the wing.
Shaq Mitchell is likely to miss the Warriors clash due to a concussion.
Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki is due back from a concussion, while Charnze Nicoll- Klokstad is also likely to return from a hamstring injury.
This is likely to see Nicoll-Klokstad play fullback, and Tuaupiki in NSW Cup, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returning to centre in place of Adam Pompey.
Luke Metcalf suffered a potential leg fracture and is likely to miss an extended period, with Chanel Harris-Tavita likely to edge Te Maire Martin for the five-eighth role.
Dylan Walker is a strong chance to return on the bench from an ankle injury.
SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS
Saturday, 5:30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Sea Eagles: No changes expected at the Sea Eagles.
Panthers: Nathan Cleary won’t return until round 7 after Penrith’s bye, which will see Brad Schneider continue in the halves.
Scott Sorensen is also set to miss out due to injury.
DOLPHINS v TIGERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Max Plath is facing a two to three week suspension for a dangerous contact charge, with Ray Stone likely to start at lock. Connelly Lemuelu is likely another week away from returning from injury.
Tigers: Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall will blood another rookie with highly rated Latu Fainu to be handed an NRL debut this weekend.
Fainu is likely to come into the side alongside Aidan Sezer in the halves to replace another of Benji’s teen dynamos in Lachlan Galvin.
COWBOYS v TITANS
Sunday, 4:05pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: No changes expected at the Cowboys.
Titans: David Fifita made a successful return from injury against the Dolphins and is likely to start in round 5, with Beau Fermor shifting to the right edge and Klese Haas dropping out.
Keenan Palasia is a chance to return from a quad injury.
RAIDERS v EELS
Sunday, 6:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Elliott Whitehead is unlikely to play due to a calf injury, while Zac Hosking failed a HIA against the Sharks and will also miss out.
This is likely to see Corey Horsburgh play on the edge, while Simi Sasagi could also be promoted to the NRL side.
Eels: To come…
BYE: Sharks
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 5: Predicted team changes, SuperCoach implications
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