NRL Round 25 Late Mail: Jayden Brailey ruled out for Knights

Just when you thought Newcastle’s horror injury run was over, the Knights have been dealt a final-round blow. Get all the Round 25 mail here.

Newcastle’s horror injury run has taken another turn with skipper Jayden Brailey ruled out of the club’s final match of the season.

Brailey will miss the match with a sore heel - a precautionary measure given he ruptured his Achilles on the same leg during the pre-season.

His absence is not just a cruel blow to a struggling Knights outfit but also to Brailey who would have squared off against younger brother Blayke.

Chris Randall is expected to start at dummy-half. Youngster Krystian Mapapalangi will play Jersey Flegg to qualify for finals after being named in the top grade. Enari Tuala will replace him

The Knights will now be without millions of dollars of their salary cap to tackle a Cronulla side who are pushing for a top two finish.

Brailey aside, the Knights will also be without Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett, Bradman Best, Jake Clifford, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Kurt Mann, Anthony Milford and Leo Thompson.

The Knights spine will consist of Randall, Tex Hoy, Phoenix Crossland and Adam Clune.

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Jayden Brailey is out of Newcastle’s final round clash.

DESPERATE PANTHERS RECALL KATOA

He was shunned by the Panthers after signing with the Dolphins for next year, but Australia’s No. 1 ranked high school player Isaiya Katoa will finally make his NSW Cup debut for Penrith at halfback.

The 18-year-old Australian Schoolboys representative has been hyped for the past few years, but after a stellar season with Penrith’s SG Ball team, the young gun was dropped and reports suggested he would not feature again in Panthers colours.

However, the Barker College Year 12 student has been given the prized No. 7 jersey to lead the Panthers through their first week of the NSW Cup finals.

Katoa can show Dolphins fans why coach Wayne Bennett was so keen to sign him. The teenager was surprised Bennett had come calling.

“I knew there was a new club coming into the competition, but I didn’t expect them to come after me,” Katoa told the Next Big Thing podcast. “I knew that I had to choose what was right for myself. You know there’s no better coach to get coached by than Wayne.”

ROUND 25 LATE MAIL

Warriors v Titans

Saturday, 3pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Jesse Arthars, 24. Viliami Vailea, 22. Edward Kosi, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 20. Daejarn Asi, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tohu Harris, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Josh Curran, 13. Bunty Afoa

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie, 25. Taniela Otukolo

Players cut: 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 7. Shaun Johnson, 21. Adam Pompey, Jackson Frei

Late Mail: Shaun Johnson is with a calf injury. Daejarn Asi moves into the halves to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, who will farewell Mt Smart Stadium this weekend. Reece Walsh may take up the goal-kicking duties regardless of Johnson’s availability.

Jack Murchie is a chance to be promoted off the extended bench into the 17.

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. Phillip Sami, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam McIntyre, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Paul Turner, 15. Herman Ese’ese, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Jarrod Wallace, 19. Tony Francis

Players cut: 20. Toby Sexton, 21. Jamayne Isaako, 22. Sam Lisone

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Titans, although Jarrod Wallace could be a game day inclusion on the bench.

Tyson Gamble will replace Ezra Mam in the starting side for the Broncos. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Dragons v Broncos

Saturday, 5.30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey, 2. Tyrell Sloan, 3. Mathew Feagai, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Tautau Moga, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Jack De Belin, 9. Jayden Sullivan, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Josh McGuire, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Tyrell Fuimaono, 15. Jaiyden Hunt, 16. Jackson Ford, 17. Aaron Woods

Reserves: 18. Jack Gosiewski, 19. Andrew McCullough,

Players cut: 20. Poasa Faamausili, 21. Joshua Coric, 22. Josh Kerr

Late Mail: Andrew McCullough is pushing to return from injury for the final game of the season, if cleared he’d come in at hooker, with Jayden Sullivan moving to the bench. Aaron Woods must pass concussion protocols to take his place on the bench against Brisbane.

Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Delouise Hoeter, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 17. Zac Hosking, 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Keenan Palasia, 22. Rhys Kennedy, 23. Brendan Piakura

Reserves: 18. Tesi Niu, 19. Jordan Pereira

Players cut: 12. Jordan Riki, 16. Corey Jensen, 20. Cory Paix, 21. Ezra Mam

Late Mail: Adam Reynolds must pass concussion protocols to take his place against the Dragons.

He’s aided by the nine-day turnaround between games and is expected to play.

If ruled out, Ezra Mam would earn a reprieve in the halves.

If this did occur, Kotoni Staggs would take over the goal-kicking duties.

Zac Hosking is a chance to start on the edge in place of Jordan Riki.

Cowboys v Panthers

Saturday, 7,35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Reuben Cotter, 11. Luciano Leilua, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Tom Gilbert, 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot, 21. Tom Dearden

Players cut: 19. Riley Price, 20. Connelly Lemuelu, 22. Ben Condon

Late Mail: Tom Dearden is the big watch at the Cowboys having been named on the extended bench on return from injury.

If cleared, he’d come into the halves, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moving to the bench and Jake Granville likely dropping out of the 17.

Reuben Cotter moved to the bench last week in final teams, but he’s expected to start against Penrith.

Panthers: 1. Charlie Staines, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Robert Jennings, 4. Thomas Jenkins, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. Kurt Falls, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Lindsay Smith, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Matt Eisenhuth, 11. Chris Smith, 12. Scott Sorenson, 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Soni Luke, 15. Eddie Blacker, 16. Liam Henry, 17. Jake Cole

Reserves: 18. Mavrik Geyer, 19. Preston Riki

Players cut: 20. Ativalu Lisati, 21. Liam Martin, 22. Jaeman Salmon

Late Mail: No major changes expected to Penrith’s NSW Cup side for this clash. Kurt Falls is expected to kick goals in the absence of Stephen Crichton.

Knights v Sharks

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Krystian Mapapalangi, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Phoenix Crossland, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Mat Croker

Bench: 14. Chris Randall, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Jack Johns

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Ben Talty, 20. Enari Tuala, 21. Jirah Momoisea, 22. Hymel Hunt

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Knights, although Jacob Saifiti may start at prop, with twin brother Daniel shifting to the bench as per last week’s move.

Sharks: 1. Lachlan Miller, 2. Matt Ikuvalu, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Royce Hunt, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Teig Wilton, 15. Braydon Trindall, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Luke Metcalf, 19. Jesse Colquhoun, 20. Mawene Hiroti, 21. Kayal Iro, 22. Dale Finucane

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: In the unlikely event that Penrith upset the Cowboys, Cronulla may opt to rest a number of stars with second place locked in.

Dale Finucane is a chance to come into the side at lock, with Cameron McInnes to move to the bench.

Tigers v Raiders

Sunday, 4.05pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Luke Garner, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Jock Madden, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Tom Freebairn, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Fa’amanu Brown

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole, 15. Zane Musgrove, 16. Tyrone Peachey, 17. Austin Dias

Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle, 19. Junior Pauga, 20. James Roberts, 21. Henry O’Kane, 22. Brandon Mansfield

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: Ken Maumalo must receive final clearance to return from a groin injury, but he’s expected to play. If ruled out, Junior Pauga would come into the backline.

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guller, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate, 19. Ata Mariota, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Peter Hola, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: If the Dragons knock off Brisbane on Saturday, Canberra’s outlook on this game changes entirely as they’ll be locked into eighth spot.

With the Saturday result coming after the 24 hour cut off mark for teams, mass changes won’t be possible, but some are likely.

If Brisbane win, expect Canberra to run out as named. If the Dragons win, the likes of Joseph Tapine, Adam Elliott, Hudson Young, Elliott Whitehead, Josh Papali’i and Jack Wighton are all chances at a rest, if not fewer minutes.

Originally published as NRL Round 25 Late Mail: Jayden Brailey ruled out for Knights