NRL Early Mail Round 11: Predicted team changes
Check out our predicted team changes for Round 11 of the NRL, via the best mail man in the business Wacko’s Whispers.
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Check out our predicted team changes for Round 11 of the NRL, via the best mail man in the business Wacko’s Whispers.
In notable news:
– Star cheapie Tesi Niu’s season may be over with Anthony Milford to play fullback for the Broncos
– Popular KFC SuperCoach buy Angus Crichton ruled out for the Roosters and therefore a popular sell.
– Five injured Eels to be named including KFC SuperCoach gun Ryan Matterson and key playmaker Mitchell Moses.
– South Sydney veterans James Roberts (pectoral) and Ethan Lowe (neck) ruled out for season.
EELS V TIGERS
Thurs 23 July, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 7.50pm
Eels: Come into this game off a 5-day turnaround and will be sweating on fitness of both Nathan Brown (hip) and Maiko Sivo (knee) after both failed to finish. Ryan Matterson will return after missing the game on weekend due to thumb injury while Blake Ferguson had fluid drained from knee last week and will come back onto wing. Mitchell Moses is expected to recover from calf injury and will replace Jai Field at halfback. If Sivo is ruled out we could see either George Jennings play left wing, or Jordan Rankin, who has been training on left wing in Renegades team at training.
Tigers: Coming off a big win over Broncos and are expected to welcome back Alex Twal from knee injury. Thomas Mikaele (knock), Luciano Leilua (knee) and Matt Eisenhuth (head knock) should all be right to go. Robert Jennings is close to recovering from a hamstring injury and could come onto wing for Tommy Talau.
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COWBOYS V SEA EAGLES
Fri 24 July, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 6pm
Cowboys: Come into clash off a 5-day turnaround. Rookie Daejarn Asi was solid on debut and I expect him to retain the five-eighth role with Scott Drinkwater out injured. Jordan McLean (calf) and Josh Asista (knee) are closing in on returns and could be named on the extended bench.
Sea Eagles: Could have Addin Fonua-Blake return after suspension, although at present he won’t play due to refusing to have the flu vaccine. Manly are hopeful he will change his stance and become available for selection. Moses Suli suffered a sternum injury on the weekend which required him to leave the field. He came back on but was hampered. Reuben Garrick left the field late in the game due to concussion but also copped a knock to the shoulder with Tevita Funa or new signing Morgan Harper options to come into the team should either Suli or Garrick be ruled out. Taniela Paseka and Lachlan Croker both passed gameday HIAs but will be monitored, while Corey Waddell could be in some doubt after suffering a knock to the shoulder which he injured earlier in season and kept him out for a number of games.
BRONCOS V STORM
Fri 24 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.55pm
Broncos: Brisbane will be without Corey Oates after he suffered a nasty leg injury on Friday night against the Tigers. Isaac Luke was charged with a Grade 1 dangerous throw for a tackle on Chris Lawrence. He would need to go to judiciary and be found not guilty to play. This could be offset with Jake Turpin a chance to return after recovering from a leg injury. He returned to skills training last week but needs to see contact work and pass a fitness test to play.
Herbie Farnworth should return after missing the game last week due to injury and could replace Jamayne Isaako, who had an off night against the Tigers, or Richie Kennar. With the Oates injury we could see Tevita Pangai move to the edge with the option being starting Jamil Hopoate on the edge with Ethan Bullemor or Rhys Kennedy coming into 17. Coach Seibold will change some things up in the team after a disappointing performance against Tigers with Thomas Dearden coming in at half, Brodie Croft moving to five-eighth and Anthony Milford moving to fullback, with rookie Tesi Niu (wrist) facing an extended stint on the sidelines following surgery. Kotoni Staggs (hamstring), Matt Lodge (knee), David Fifita (knee) and Jesse Arthurs (leg) are all unavailable.
What a massive relief, with Corey Oates cleared of a compound fracture to his femur. After being rushed to hospital he was diagnosed with a large haematoma (bruise/bleeding) and deep gash/laceration to his thigh. Expected return in 3 weeks. Such good news
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 18, 2020
Storm: Came through the Titans game with no major injury concerns with both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Justin Olam getting an earlier shower. The only potential change to the 17 is Suliasi Vunivalu returning from a hamstring injury on the right wing with Paul Momirovski to make way.
WARRIORS V ROOSTERS
Sat 25 July, Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast, 3pm
Warriors: Patrick Herbert is in doubt after he failed gameday HIA. He will need to pass required protocols to play with Gerard Beale set to return should Herbert be ruled out. Jack Hetherington and Wayde Egan will both be monitored after passing gameday HIA. Agnatius Paasi, David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo will all play their last game before returning home for personal reasons.
Roosters: Expected to be without Angus Crichton after he suffered a knee injury in Raiders game last Thursday with ever-reliable Mitch Aubusson to start on right edge. Nat Butcher is expected to return after being an late omission last week after suffering knock to ribs. Brett Morris has been cleared of a jaw injury.
Confirmation from the Roosters of a moderate grade MCL sprain for Angus Crichton. Moderate grade usually signifies grade 2 sprain (partial tear), expected return to play of 3-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/puWVci1yIM
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 17, 2020
SHARKS V DRAGONS
Sat 25 July, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 5.35pm
Sharks: Expected to be without Scott Sorensen after he suffered a knee injury in Warriors game on weekend which will see Jack Williams recalled after being 18th man. Will Kennedy should see another week at fullback after having a solid game on weekend with Josh Dugan remaining at left centre. Ronaldo Mulitalo returned from a knee injury on the weekend on left wing with Sione Katoa staying on his preferred right wing. Matt Moylan is expected to return from a hamstring injury next weekend against the Broncos.
Dragons: Likely to be without Tariq Sims after he was charged with Grade 1 dangerous contact for a tackle on Kieran Foran. He would need to go to the judiciary and be found not guilty to play, with Tyrell Fuimaono to start on left edge and Jacob Host to return from a hamstring injury on the bench. Brayden Wiliame is closing in on returning from a calf injury and should be fit next round for Rabbitohs game.
RAIDERS V RABBITOHS
Sat 25 July, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7.35pm
Raiders: Come into this game off a 9-day turnaround but are expected to be without Michael Oldfield after he suffered a hamstring injury against Roosters. Curtis Scott, who was a late omission last week due to an arm infection, would come back in at right centre with Semi Valemei set to retain a bench role.
Rabbitohs: Will be without both James Roberts and Ethan Lowe for rest for the season. Roberts suffered a pectoral injury in the final minutes on weekend, while Lowe will have neck surgery. Campbell Graham will return from a facial fracture which forced him to miss the game on weekend at left centre which will allow Dane Gagai to move to his preferred right centre position.
Bailey Sironen will start in 2RF for Lowe with Jack Johns coming onto the bench for his NRL debut. Junior Tatola will need to be checked after he left the field early due to a shoulder injury. Hame Sele (knock) will be right to play. Latrell Mitchell remains suspended for another week with Alex Johnston to hold the fullback position.
KNIGHTS V BULLDOGS
Sun 26 July, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 2pm
Knights: Came through Rabbitohs game on weekend with no major injuries and expected to name the same 17.
Bulldogs: Kieran Foran is in doubt after he suffered a toe injury on weekend. Scans cleared him of any serious injury. He is expected to be named but will need to prove fitness later in week with Brandon Wakeham to come back into 17 if Foran is ruled out.
TITANS V PANTHERS
Sun 26 July, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 4.05pm
Titans: Likely without Jamal Fogarty after he suffered a knee injury on weekend which forced him from the field. Tyrone Roberts and Tanah Boyd are the options at halfback. Jai Arrow suffered a knock to the ankle in Storm game but played on and should be right to play. Keegan Hipgrave continues to play but on his performance on weekend he is playing busted. He could be dropped after missing numerous tackles on weekend. Kevin Proctor would need to prove fitness to play after missing the last few games due to bicep injury. Dale Copley (ankle) and Young Tonumaipea (knee) are outside chances to be named.
Panthers: Expected to be without both Dylan Edwards (hamstring) and Dean Whare (groin) after both suffered injuries in the Cowboys game on Sunday. Coach Ivan Cleary has options in moving Stephen Crichton back to fullback, or Caleb Aekins, or even Charlie Staines if available after COVID-19 breach. Billy Burns could continue at right centre role after having a solid game on weekend after replacing injured Dean Whare, which could see Mitch Kenny come onto bench. Zane Tetevano continues his rehab from a back injury and is still a week or two away.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 11: Predicted team changes