NRL Early Mail Round 4: Predicted NRL team changes, Katoa in doubt, Rabbitohs’ crisis
A popular SuperCoach cheapie is in doubt while a crisis at the Rabbitohs creates opportunity for another. Full predicted team changes.
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Maligned Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford has been placed on standby for Friday night’s blockbuster derby against former club the Broncos.
Milford trained at five-eighth on Tuesday morning as rookie No. 6 Isaiya Katoa rested due to an elbow injury.
Katoa is hoping to play in the inaugural Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, but must pass a fitness test on Thursday.
Milford has spent the past fortnight playing in the Hostplus Cup for the CQ Capras, after being pipped for the Dolphins’ No. 6 jersey by Katoa.
The NRL veteran played a matchwinning role in the Capras’ round 1 win and featured again in last weekend’s win against Townsville.
Milford, 28, played 151 games for the Broncos from 2015-21 before joining Newcastle in the back end of last season.
He became a foundation Dolphins player and was set to be starting five-eighth, before poor pre-season form and the rise of Katoa saw Bennett hand the duties to the Penrith junior.
The Dolphins are also sweating on the availability of hit-man Felise Kaufusi, who will head to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
RABBITOHS LOOKING THIN IN THE MIDDLE
The Rabbitohs have a $2.5 million injury crisis with another major casualty going down ahead of a huge clash with the Sea Eagles.
Rated the club’s best player last season, Tongan international Junior Tatola has suffered an MCL knee injury and will miss the next three to four rounds.
Tatola suffered the injury in the Bunnies loss to rivals the Roosters last weekend.
Tatola’s omission is a massive blow for the Rabbitohs who are fast running out of forward stocks. Tatola is one of six starting forwards on the sidelines.
Hame Sele (concussion), Liam Knight (knee), Shaq Mitchell (foot), Siliva Havili (foot) and Jai Arrow (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection.
South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou will almost certainly need to debut one of his younger forwards while Jacob Host and Daniel Suluka-Fifita will be recalled to the final 17 to face Manly on Saturday night at Accor Stadium.
—David Riccio
YOUNG’S FUTURE IN DOUBT AS AXE HOVERS
Dom Young’s immediate future at Newcastle is set to come under scrutiny amid talk the English winger is fighting to retain his place in the Knights side to play Canberra on Sunday.
Young, who has already announced he will join the Sydney Roosters next season, has had an unhappy start to the year on the wing for the Knights.
He now looks set to pay the price as he struggles to hold onto his spot to play the Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Former Gold Coast winger Greg Marzhew is believed to be in contention to force his way into the side at Young’s expense.
—Brent Read
DESPERATE STORM TO NAME MUNSTER
Cameron Munster is expected to be named in the Melbourne side on Tuesday but his return from a finger injury will hinge on a meeting with his specialist this week.
Munster has missed the Storm’s past two games – two successive defeats – after undergoing surgery for a compound fracture to his finger sustained during Melbourne’s win over Parramatta in round one.
The Storm desperately need their star five-eighth back given halfback Jahrome Hughes is facing a ban for a late contact on Titans half Tahan Boyd at the weekend.
Youngster Jonah Pezet filled in for Munster at the weekend and he is likely to fill the No. 7 jersey this weekend if Hughes is sidelined by the judiciary.
—Brent Read
BAD BREAK: RAIDER TO MISS 10 WEEKS
Canberra will be forced to go without Danny Levi for up to 10 weeks with the hooker to go under the knife on Tuesday to repair his broken jaw.
The hit was so brutal Levi lost teeth in the collision, with NRL officials unable to find the missing teeth when they went looking for them during the halftime break.
A hamstring injury will keep Nick Cotric sidelined for between 4-6 weeks with James Schiller set to continue in his role on the wing as Cotric’s replacement.
Josh Papalii’i is racing the clock to be cleared for the Knights clash after the forward was again ruled out against the Sharks with a calf injury.
—Fatima Kdouh
Danny Levi will undergo surgery after fracturing his jaw last night. The Raiders expect him to miss 8-10 weeks pic.twitter.com/SRsAwJQRBa
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 20, 2023
FULL EARLY MAIL, BY TIM WILLIAMS
EELS v PANTHERS
Thursday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Ryan Matterson returns from suspension for his first game of the season, replacing the injured Matt Doorey in the 17.
The question is whether he comes back on the edge where they’re short, or off the bench as a middle forward as per last year.
Jack Murchie is also in doubt having failed a HIA in the loss to Manly.
Panthers: Fresh off the bye, the only expected change is Scott Sorensen (concussion) who will likely replace Matt Eisenhuth on the bench.
STORM v TIGERS
Friday, 6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Jahrome Hughes faces a one to two week suspension for a dangerous contact charge.
Cameron Munster is a chance to return from a finger injury, but if unavailable Tyran Wishart would partner rookie Jonah Pezet in the halves.
George Jennings is a chance to return from illness and may replace Will Warbrick on the wing.
Tepai Moeroa is also expected back from injury over the next fortnight.
Tigers: Tim Sheens is tipped to make a huge positional change and hand control of the battling Wests Tigers to bargain buy recruit Brandon Wakeham.
That will allow Luke Brooks to shift to the running five-eighth role and Adam Doueihi moving from the halves to fullback.
Isaiah Papali’i returns from suspension on the edge, with Asu Kepaoa to move to the bench.
Ken Maumalo is also nearing a return from a knee injury, he would likely push Junior Tupou out of the side, although David Nofoaluma is also a chance to drop out.
Full story on Wests Tigers’ reshuffle here.
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DOLPHINS v BRONCOS
Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Felise Kaufusi is facing three to four weeks out for a dangerous contact charge, although he’s seeking a downgrade in the hope of playing the Battle of Brisbane.
Named on the edge, Kenny Bromwich actually started at lock, so he’d return to the edge.
Jarrod Wallace may return having missed the win over the Knights due to personal reasons.
Herman Ese’ese is likely to return from injury on the bench, while Edrick Lee is due back from injury but will struggle to crack the backline due to the form of the back five.
With Jeremy Marshall-King still suspended, rookie Kurt Donoghoe was the preferred starting hooker, with Kodi Nikorima deputising off the bench.
Broncos: No changes expected at the Broncos. Tom Flegler was a game day starter in place of Corey Jensen who played off the bench.
COWBOYS v TITANS
Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: No changes expected at the Cowboys despite the shock loss to the Warriors.
Heilum Luki made a successful return from injury off the bench.
Titans: No major changes expected at the Titans.
Luckless hooker Sam Verrills is set to miss one to two months with a collarbone injury.
RABBITOHS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: More injury concerns for the Rabbitohs pack with Hame Sele (concussion), Shaq Mitchell (foot) and Tevita Tatola (knee) ruled out.
Jacob Host is pushing to return and would join the bench.
Sea Eagles: No changes expected at the unbeaten Sea Eagles, only a close watch on Josh Schuster who looked to be struggling with cramps in the win over the Eels.
Provided there’s no aggravation of a prior calf injury he’ll be good to go.
WARRIORS v BULLDOGS
Sunday, 2pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Mitch Barnett has been cleared of a serious shoulder injury and is a chance to play in Round 4.
Wayde Egan suffered a HIA in the win over North Queensland and is likely to be subject of the new 11-day stand down concussion policy.
This would likely see Jazz Tevaga start at hooker. He made a successful return from injury in Round 3, while Freddy Lussick is another option.
Jackson Ford is due back from a concussion and will likely start on the edge, pushing Barnett back to prop if he’s cleared to play.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also due back from a concussion-enforced break at fullback, pushing last week’s debutant Taine Tuaupiki out of the side.
Bulldogs: Tevita Pangai Jnr is pushing to return from a calf injury, but may require one more week.
Franklin Pele is likely to return, although if Pangai Jnr is cleared he’d likely keep Pele out of the 17, along with Jayden Tanner.
Fantastic news with Mitch Barnett cleared of serious damage after experiencing nerve pain associated with a neck injury. Was able to travel home with the team & will be monitored during the week. Thankfully sounding like “just†a nasty burner/stinger pic.twitter.com/5IOFqrbAK1
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 19, 2023
KNIGHTS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Dom Young is set to be dropped and replaced on the wing by Greg Marzhew.
Jayden Brailey is due back from a concussion at hooker, pushing Phoenix Crossland to the bench and Ryan Rivett out of the team.
Jack Johns is pushing to return from a knee injury which would see Thomas Cant drop out of the 17.
There hasn’t been a lot of word on Kalyn Ponga’s return from concussion, but he’s unlikely for Round 4.
Daniel Saifiti suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to the Dolphins and is expected to miss the clash with Canberra, while Tyson Frizell is a chance to return on the edge from an ankle injury.
Raiders: Danny Levi suffered a broken jaw in the win over the Sharks and will miss up to 10 weeks.
This is likely to see Zac Woolford promoted into the starting team, with Tom Starling playing off the bench.
Nick Cotric (hamstring) will miss 4-6 weeks with James Schiller to continue on the wing.
Josh Papalii’i (calf) is nearing a return for his first game of the season.
DRAGONS v SHARKS
Sunday, 6:15pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: No major changes expected at the Dragons, with Jack de Belin pushing to return from a calf injury.
Toby Couchman is also due back from a concussion, but if de Belin is cleared he’d come back into the side instead.
Sharks:Nicho Hynes is expected to return for his first game of the season in the halves, replacing the in-form Braydon Trindall.
Whether Trindall retains a spot in the 17 on the bench remains to be seen.
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 4: Predicted NRL team changes, Katoa in doubt, Rabbitohs’ crisis
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