NRL Late Mail round 25: Panthers rest three stars, Cameron Munster set to play

The Panthers are set to rest a host of stars, while the Tigers have been forced into a spine reshuffle and a Dragons star has been ruled out late.. See all the late Round 25 team changes.

The battle for the minor premiership may be neck and neck, but that hasn't stopped the Panthers from springing some late changes for their Titans clash, with a host of stars rested.

Brain To’o, Scott Sorensen and Matt Eisenhuth have all dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour team update, and will be replaced by Tom Jenkins, Zac Hosking and Spencer Leniu respectively.

While the Panthers may resist the urge to rest any more players, Jack Cogger and Luke Garner remain among the reserves should Ivan Cleary choose to rest the likes of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin or Isaah Yeo.

Brian To'o is one of several Penrith stars who will miss the Panthers-Titans clash. Picture: Getty Images.

RUGBY CONVERT TO MAKE NRL DEBUT

Former Waratahs outside back Triston Reilly will make his NRL debut for the Tigers on Saturday.

Reilly, who played six games for the Warathas and also represented the Australian rugby 7s team before switching codes, is expected to start in the backline for the Tigers on Saturday.

Reilly is set to start in place of Starford To’a. He joined the Tigers midway through last season and is signed until the end of next year.

Tigers debutant Triston Reilly.Picture: NRL Imagery

Reilly has scored 14 tries in 19 games for the Magpies in NSW Cup.

In another change from Concord Api Koroisau is set to play in the halves after Luke Brooks was ruled out with a calf injury.

Assistant coach Benji Marshall confirmed Brooks was sidelined on Friday morning, prompting the reshuffle.

Koroisau has played in the halves before for the Tigers. The injury is a devastating blow for Brooks, who was set to play his final home game in Wests tigers jersey on Saturday.

Brooks will join Manly next season.

Apisai Koroisau will slot into the halves in place of Brooks. Picture: Getty Images

Luke Brooks is a late ‘out’ for the Tigers. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

DOUBLE BUNNY BOOST FOR MUST-WIN CLASH

The Rabbitohs could have an unexpected double boost for Sunday’s must-win clash against the Knights.

Tevita Tatola is an outside chance of making his return from a knee injury as South Sydney teeter in eighth spot.

The Rabbitohs are confident at least one of Tatola or Hame Sele will return from injuries but there is a slight chance both could play.

Tatola trained on Thursday after minor knee surgery.

His return will depend on how he pulls up after training.

Both were named on the extended bench on Tuesday but could come into the 17.

Hame Sele is set to return despite being named on the extended bench. Picture: Getty

MUNSTER IN DOUBT DUE TO BIRTH OF BABY

—Dean Ritchie and Phil Rothfield

Melbourne superstar Cam Munster could miss this weekend’s NRL game due to the impending birth of his second child.

Munster plans to travel to Sydney on Friday for Saturday night’s match against St George Illawarra but could withdraw if his fiance, Bianca McMahon, goes into labour.

McMahon is due to give birth early next week.

Melbourne Storm have discussed contingency plans should Munster pull out of the match in Wollongong.

Storm general manager of football, Frank Ponissi, said on Wednesday that Munster was still due to play but the club was “monitoring the situation with his partner.”

“We are planning for Cameron to play but also understand if things change then we will be ready,” Ponissi said.

Melbourne is likely to promote Jonah Pezet into the starting halves should Munster withdraw. However, given Pezet dropped out of the side in the 24-hour team update, Munster is expected to take his place in the lineup for the Dragons clash.

Cameron Munster’s partner is due to give birth. Picture: Getty

NRL LATE MAIL ROUND 25

TIGERS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 4. Asu Kepaoa 20. Triston Reilly 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 9. Apisai Koroisau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 14. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Shawn Blore 18. Justin Matamua

Reserves: 19. Aitasi James 21. Josh Feledy

Plyers cut: 3. Starford To’a, 7. Luke Brooks 22. Kit Laulilii

Late Mail: Api Koroisau is set to play in the halves for the Wests Tigers on Saturday after Luke Brooks was ruled out with a calf injury. Assistant coach Benji Marshall confirmed Brooks was sidelined on Friday morning, prompting the reshuffle. Koroisau has played in the halves before for the Tigers. The injury is a devastating blow for Brooks, who was set to play his final home game in Wests tigers jersey on Saturday.

Brooks will join Manly next season.

Dolphins

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Robert Jennings 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. JJ Collins 15. Josh Kerr 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Trai Fuller

Reserves: 19. Max Plath 22. Valynce Te Whare

Players cut: 16. Anthony Milford 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Mason Teague

Late Mail: The Dolphins have a massive seven players in the casualty ward right now, the most of any team, including losing five players in the past week.

But don’t expect many, if any, game day changes with Euan Aitken set to return from a knee injury as named and Felise Kaufusi expected to play despite a minor hamstring issue.

Anthony Milford was cut 24 hours prior to match start with exciting fullback Trai Fuller added to the interchange.

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TITANS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. AJ Brimson

Players cut: 20. Tony Francis 21. Jo Vuna 22. Josiah Pahulu

Late Mail: Np changes in the 24-hour team updates. AJ Brimson (ribs) is on an extended bench and may yet come into the 17.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 21. Thomas Jenkins 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 20. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 17. Jaeman Salmon 22. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner

Players cut: 5. Brian To’o 11. Scott Sorensen 16. Matt Eisenhuth

Late Mail: The Panthers have sprung some late changes, with Brian To’o, Scott Sorenson dropping out of the starting side, while Matt Eisenhuth drops off the interchange bench. Thomas Jenkins and Zac Hosking come into the starting side for To’o and Sorensen, while Spencer Leniu joins the bench. No further chanegs are expected, but Jack Cogger and Luke Garner remain among the reserves should Ivan Cleary wish the rest the likes of Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin or Isaah Yeo. Mitch Kenny (rested), Luai (illness) and Tyron Peachey (suspension) are all set to return, while Izack Tago (leg) is aiming for next week.

DRAGONS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 22. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo

Interchange: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 21. Paul Turner

Players cut: 4. Zac Lomax 19. Sione Finau 20. Jaiyden Hunt

Late Mail: Zac Lomax has been ruled out for the Dragons in the 24-hour team update, with Max Feagai coming into the starting side.

Paul Turner has been named on the extended bench and shapes as a potential replacement should Amone be a late scratching.

Zac Lomax (suspension) and Francis Molo (concussion) are both back in action.

Junior Amone has been named at five-eighth but fronts court on assault charges on Thursday.

Amone is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday to face charges emanating from an incident late last year, which resulted in him being charged with reckless grievous bodily harm, and destroying property and intimidation.

He was initially stood down under the game’s no-fault stand down rule but was subsequently cleared to play when the matter was moved to the local court.

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. Reimis Smith 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. William Warbrick

Players cut: 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

Late Mail: While there were fears Cameron Munster could miss this game due to the impending birth of his second child, the five-eighth is set to take his place, after Jonah Pezet dropped out of the side in the 24-hour team update. William Warbrick is gunning for a late inclusion. He missed last week with neck soreness and would replace Reimis Smith on the wing.

KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Jack Johns

Late Mail: Jackson Hastings is rated a 50-50 chance and will be given until Friday to prove his fitness.

Daniel Saifiti (quad), Bradman Best (groin) and Adam Clune (calf) are aiming to return from injury.

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Tallis Duncan 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Siliva Havili 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Hame Sele 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Tevita Tatola 22. Dean Hawkins

Late Mail: The Rabbitohs have been struggling in the middle of late but could have two huge inclusions in Hame Sele and Tevita Tatola, who have both been named on the extended bench. Sele is considered a decent chance to play, Tatola is an outside chance.

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. James Schiller 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Trey Mooney 19. Matt Frawley 20. Ethan Strange 21. Brad Morkos 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Late Mail: Jarrod Croker (hamstring) will return provided there are no last-minute setbacks.

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Ryan Sutton

Interchange: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves: 19. Harrison Edwards 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Hayze Perham 23. Reece Hoffman

Late Mail: Ryan Sutton (neck) is back from injury in the only expected change.

BYE: Broncos

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 25: Panthers rest three stars, Cameron Munster set to play