NRL Early Mail round 21: Doubts over Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster

Titans forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster are among a number of top players in doubt this week. Full predicted team changes

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster are among a number of top players in doubt this week.

Meanwhile, Keaon Koloamatangi has been ruled out for the season due to an ankle injury.

Full predicted team changes below.

HAUMOLE DUE BACK FOR SEA EAGLES

Manly coach Anthony Seibold is set to receive a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s clash against Canterbury with rampaging forward Haumole Olakau’atu to return from a shoulder injury.

Olakau’atu hasn’t played since dislocating his shoulder back in Round 15 against Gold Coast.

The injection of Olakau’atu will be a shot in the arm to the Sea Eagles on their finals charge on the back of three-straight wins, secured with a narrow victory over title favourites Melbourne last weekend.

The seventh-placed Sea Eagles also lodged a challenge with the NRL on Monday in a bid to clear hooker Jake Simpkin for the Bulldogs clash at Allianz Stadium.

Simpkin was deemed to have suffered a category one concussion by the NRL’s independent doctor after a copping an elbow to the face from Melbourne big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Manly medical staff believe Simpkin was not concussed as a result of the contact and have asked the NRL to review the bunker’s category one assessment of the incident.

If the appeal is rejected, Simpkin will enter the 11-day stand down protocols, ruling him out of Sunday’s showdown against the Bulldogs.

“He copped a fair elbow from Nelson, and he stayed down because of that but he wasn’t concussed,” Seibold said.

“We don’t believe it was category one.

“The doctor assessed it was considered a category two (in the sheds)

“We might put a case to appeal that it was category two and not category one.”

-Fatima Kdouh

Haumole Olakau'atu is due back from a shoulder injury. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

ROUND 21 EARLY MAIL

ROOSTERS v STORM

Thursday, 7:50pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters:

Hugo Savala is expected to push hard for a return after his side’s disappointing loss to the Cronulla Sharks. Should he miss another week, Sandon Smith could replace Chad Townsend in the halves.

Billy Smith will be unavailable after suffering a concussion. Ethan King is expected to play his third NRL game as a direct replacement at left centre.

Victor Radley has been sent for scans after picking up a shoulder injury in Round 20 and is expected to be unavailable. Blake Steep or Egan Butcher could replace him at lock.

Storm:

Cameron Munster is expected to miss this week’s game to attend the funeral of his father, Steven, in Queensland.

Tyran Wishart is most likely to step into the starting lineup in his absence.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is likely to return this week having missed the last three games with a calf strain. Whether or not he kicks goals remains to be seen with Nick Meaney having filled in well.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona picked up a suspension for foul play and won’t be available again until Round 23.

Grant Anderson will be monitored this week having copped a few knocks in Round 20. Kane Bradley will be on standby should he become unavailable.

Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is in doubt. Picture: Zain Mohammed / NRL Imagery

COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Friday, 6:00pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys:

Murray Taulagi is facing a month on the sideline after injuring his hamstring and failing to finish the game in Round 20.

Robert Derby, who was dropped back to Queensland Cup for Jaxson Paulo, could return in his absence with Braidon Burns and Paulo to hold their spots in the back five.

The club are yet to confirm a timeframe on the injury to Jake Clifford, with Jaxon Purdue likely to continue in the halves until his return. Should Clifford be fit this week, Purdue would shift back to the centres and Burns to the left wing in place of Taulagi.

Thomas Mikaele suffered a MCL injury and is unlikely to be available.

John Bateman will push for a return from a groin injury this week which would see Reuben Cotter moved from second row to lock and Jeremiah Nanai back over to the left edge.

Dragons:

Origin centre Val Holmes is gone for the season after surgery to repair a rotator cuff. Winger Sione Finau dislocated his shoulder and could join him for an extended absence on the pine.

Mat Feagai is in line to get first crack at the now vacant left wing spot with Corey Allan at left centre in place of Holmes. Christian Tuipulotu is also nearing a return from a hamstring strain and could be named.

The rest of the side is expected to be named 1-13.

BRONCOS v EELS

Friday, 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:

Payne Haas will be named to return by the Broncos after a two week rest post Origin. Corey Jensen could also be named having missed the last few weeks with deep vein thrombosis.

Jesse Arthars will also push for a return this week having missed the Broncos last game as he manages a rib cartilage injury.

Brendan Piakura is available for selection having served his 11-day standown for a concussion over the Broncos bye round.

The rest of the side will be named 1-13.

Eels:

Mitch Moses is expected to be named to return for the Eels having not been available since injuring his calf in NSW Origin camp ahead of Game 2.

The star halfback will return in place of Dean Hawkins and form a new halves pairing with Joash Papali’i. Dylan Brown is not expected to be named in the halves again as the Eels look to the future.

Will Penisini is available for selection this week after serving a two week suspension. His return will see one of Bailey Simonsson or Sean Russell dropped to NSW Cup.

Second rower Kelma Tuilagi is still suspended for a further week with Charlie Guymer and Jack Williams expected to be named on the edges for another week. Kitione Kautoga is gone for the season after needing surgery to repair an ankle injury.

WARRIORS v TITANS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Go Media Stadium

Warriors:

The Warriors are in good health after a buzzer beating victory against the Newcastle Knights.

Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will push for a return from a knee injury which would come at the expense of Taine Tuaupiki.

The rest of the side will be named 1-13.

Titans:

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is in serious doubt after a knee injury picked up in Round 20. The skipper only got through 24 minutes of action at Leichhardt Oval and will be sent for scans.

Jaimin Jolliffe is likely to start at lock in his absence.

After another loss, coach Des Hasler could again shuffle the cards in the back five.

Quick score check post game 😂🔥#SuperCoach#NRLpic.twitter.com/tax8Ey27Jx

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) July 20, 2025

PANTHERS v WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers:

After a well-earned rest last week, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are expected to be named this week as the Panthers aim to consolidate their spot in the Top 8.

Liam Martin could also return from a hand injury picked up in Origin Game 3. Izack Tago is also available to return from suspension.

Brian To’o is expected to be fit despite leaving the field early in Round 20 as he battles an on-going knee issue. Paul Alamoti will be on standby for him.

Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali’i and Luke Garner are expected to move to the bench and Paul Alamoti out of the side.

Wests Tigers:

After victory on Sunday against the Titans, Benji Marshall is expected to name the same 17.

Adam Doueihi will stay at lock with Taylan May at left centre. Tony Sukkar and Alex Seyfarth will again be named in the second row with Samuela Fainu expected to be sidelined for a month with a knee injury.

Jahream Bula will push for a return from a hamstring injury and if named would push Charlie Staines back to the reserves.

Insane 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wc89JwMpvw

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) July 18, 2025

RABBITOHS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Rabbitohs:

Keaon Koloamatangi will miss the rest of the year after suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 20. The forward will require surgery.

Latrell Mitchell is also facing at least a month on the sidelines having suffered a quad injury during training. The fullback is targeting Round 24 as his estimated return date.

Alex Johnston will play fullback in Latrell’s absence until the return of Jye Gray. Gray has been unavailable since Round 15 with a broken finger and will push to comeback either this week or next.

Campbell Graham is nursing a back injury and is a week to week proposition.

Cody Walker and Davvy Moale are also out for the rest of the season.

Sharks:

Briton Nikora will miss this round having failed a HIA in his side’s victory over the Roosters. Billy Burns will start in his absence.

Jesse Ramien is also racing the clock to be fit having been ruled out of the Sharks last match with hamstring tightness. Chris Vea’ila earned his debut in Ramien’s absence and will be named if required.

The rest of the side will be named 1-13.

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

The Raiders are in form and fit. The side is expected to be named 1-17 with English second-rower Matty Nicholson targeting Round 23 for a comeback.

Knights:

The Knights are expecting to welcome back Brodie Jones this week after the second-rower was withdrawn from Round 20 with illness.

Only five members of the squad were able to complete captain’s run last week after illness swept through the side.

Dane Gagai is expected to be fit after picking up a corked leg. The side is expected to be named 1-13.

🚨 KEAON OUT

The popular SuperCoach pick will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a high-grade syndesmosis injury.#SuperCoach#NRLpic.twitter.com/jJCdmAaCOr

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) July 20, 2025

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Bulldogs:

After his heroics in Round 20, Lachlan Galvin has seemingly secured the halfback jersey for the rest of the year.

Bronson Xerri is also expected to return this week in the centres, with Enari Tuala or Jethro Rinakama to make way.

Sitili Tupouniua re-injured his hamstring and is expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks.

Sea Eagles:

On a three game win streak, Anthony Siebold isn’t expected to shift Tom Trbojevic from the centres anytime soon.

The side could also be boosted by the return of Haumole Olakau’atu from a shoulder injury. Should he be fit, Corey Waddell would move back to the bench to allow him to start.

Jake Simpkin is hoping to have a category one concussion downgraded. Lachlan Croker could be named in his absence to provide depth at hooker.

Daly Cherry-Evans picked up a cork in his side’s win over Melbourne but is expected to play.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 21: Doubts over Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster