NRL Early Mail Round 5: Predicted team changes
Wacko’s Early Mail has dropped and KFC SuperCoaches have a huge list of injuries and suspensions to deal with.
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Broncos rookie Tom Dearden is expected to be given another chance in the halfback hotseat for Thursday night’s clash against Souths.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters came under fire for dropping Brodie Croft to the bench for last week’s heavy loss to the Storm, just days after he steered the Broncos to a 24-0 defeat of the Bulldogs.
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While Dearden set up Brisbane’s only try for Xavier Coates, the 20-year-old struggled to stamp his authority as the Storm forwards ran riot in midfield.
But Dearden is tipped to remain in the No.7 jumper for the showdown against Souths at Stadium Australia, the scene of his NRL debut as an 18-year-old two years ago.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have suffered a blow with rookie centre Herbie Farnworth ruled out of the Souths clash due a shoulder injury.
“Herbie experienced some shoulder soreness after last week’s game which has not settled down,” Broncos performance chief Andrew Croll said.
“With a six-day turnaround for the Rabbitohs game, we feel that the best course of action is to give him extra time to recover.”
Farnworth will return to Brisbane from Sydney on Monday to continue treatment and rehab at the Clive Berghofer Centre at Red Hill.
— Peter Badel
BACKLINE RESHUFFLE FOR SHARKS
Jesse Ramien’s return from suspension will force coach John Morris into a reshuffle of his backline. The reliable Connor Tracey is expected to make way for Ramien and drop back to the interchange bench, which will likely force either Billy Magoulias or Jack Williams out of the final 17.
Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) will be given a lighter week at training but is expected to play. Josh Dugan will need to complete concussion protocols before being given final clearance.
— David Riccio
WALKER BAN CREATES SELECTION PUZZLE
South Sydney will be without star players Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi after both took the early plea on charges from last Friday’s win against Canterbury.
Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall is expected to replace Walker in Thursday night’s clash against Brisbane after the five-eighth was charged with striking.
“I suspect Benji will slot right in there, he has been unreal for us, he brings loads of experience. He’s a big game player and brings a lot of leadership qualities,” South Sydney winger Josh Mansour said. “He has been playing off the bench and has fit into any role that has been given to him.”
Walker was charged for making contact with the back of Nick Meaney’s head with his elbow.
Wayne Bennett will also be without boom forward Koloamatangi for two weeks.
Koloamatangi has taken the early plea for a grade two crusher tackle on Bulldogs centre Will Hopoate.
Forward Tom Burgess confirmed Jacob Host will be re-called into the side in Koloamatangi’s absence.
“I think Hosty will come back in there,” forward Tom Burgess said.
“He can play in the middle and in the backrow. We’ll see when the team gets named but it’s looking Hosty will come in.”
The Daily Telegraph spotted Liam Knight watching training from the sidelines. Knight is recovering from delayed concussion symptoms after a head knock during the preseason.
The forward is yet to return to full contact training and is still about 1-2 weeks from being available for selection.
— Fatima Kdouh
FOGARTY SET TO DELAY STAR’S DEBUT
Schoolboys sensation Toby Sexton may have to wait a little longer to make his NRL debut as Gold Coast Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty races to face the Knights.
Fogarty is doing all he can to overcome a badly corked quad in time for Saturday’s clash against Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium.
With regular five-eighth Ash Taylor (broken hand) already sidelined, the Titans are desperate to have Fogarty available for the Knights encounter.
Veteran winger Anthony Don (hip) will sit out the game but is not expected to be sidelined long-term.
Fogarty left the field after 52 minutes in the Gold Coast’s 20-4 loss to Canberra last weekend and has been severely restricted by the injury.
With a week between games, the Titans are hoping he will be on deck to lead the team when they chase their third win of the season.
“I was with Jamal on Monday, he was in the ice bath doing his recovery and physio. He’s giving himself every opportunity to play,” said Titans prop Jarrod Wallace.
“The coach will probably give him right up until game time to make sure he is all right.”
The Titans have high hopes for Sexton, a former Australian Schoolboys playmaker who has been in the club’s development system for a number of years.
However coach Justin Holbrook is reluctant to rush him into the NRL, especially after Sexton’s 2020 season was wiped out by COVID.
A halves combination of Sexton and 17-gamer Tanah Boyd would also be extremely inexperienced, with Holbrook likely to look to utility Tyrone Peachey if Fogarty isn’t fit.
— Travis Meyn
RABBITOHS V BRONCOS
Thursday 8 April, Stadium Australia, 7:50pm
Rabbitohs: Without both Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi due to suspension. Walker is out due to a striking ban with Benji Marshall to fill in at five-eighth. Koloamatangi was charged with a grade two crusher tackle and has copped a two-week suspension with Jacob Host expected to come onto the left edge. Liam Knight is unavailable due to ongoing issues with concussion. Hame Sele is available for selection after recovering from a rib injury after returning to full training this week. Dean Hawkins will make NRL debut from bench.
Broncos: Have their own issues with Patrick Carrigan out for a week due to a grade one crusher tackle. Tevita Pangai will start at lock with John Asiata returning on the bench. Either Tom Dearden or Brodie Croft will start at halfback and it will be interesting to see if Kevvie Walters continues to run with one of them on his bench like he has for the past two weeks. Dearden is expected to score the starting role.
WARRIORS V SEA EAGLES
Friday 9 April, Central Coast Stadium, 6:00pm
Warriors: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround which won’t help Addin Fonua-Blake who left the field against the Roosters after clash of knees and will likely rule him out for his game against old club with Lesson ah Mau to start and Kane Evans coming onto bench. Jazz Tevaga (ankle) and Ben Murdoch-Masila (leg) both copped knocks on weekend but were able to play on and should be fit to play. Bunty Afoa is facing a two-week ban, reduced to one with an early guilty plea.
Sea Eagles: Haven’t had best start to season going 0-4 and their injury curse in 2RF continued on weekend when Morgan Boyle suffered dislocated shoulder which will keep him out for an extended time. But in some good news Tom Trbojevic is a chance to return from a hamstring injury this week but it may not be at fullback but in centres due to volume of running required on fullbacks which could increase risk of re-injuring hamstring. Moses Suli failed to finish Panthers game due to hip/back injury and could be in some doubt which would allow T.Trbojevic to come in at centre. Josh Schuster carried hand injury into game on Thursday and copped a knock to it during game and could be in some doubt. Jorge Taufua is close to returning from an Achilles injury and could replace Jason Saab on wing. Haumole Olakau’atu, who suffered nasty looking elbow injury in NSW Cup a couple of weeks back, is close to returning and could come onto bench if fit with Gosiewski starting in 2RF. Ben Trbojevic could be named on extended bench this week after playing NSW Cup the past two weeks.
PANTHERS V RAIDERS
Friday 9 April, BlueBet Stadium, 7:55pm
Panthers: Purring along nicely with no real issues leading into clash and will likely to have same 17 with Viliame Kikau passing gameday HIA but will be monitored. Stephen Crichton will continue in fullback role despite switching position with Charlie Staines late in Sea Eagles game as Crichton was cramping up due to volume of running required in fullback role.
Raiders: Come into game with no reported injuries. Joseph Tapine (ankle) and Curtis Scott (ribs) are both only outside chances to return with the same 17 likely to be named again this week.
TITANS V KNIGHTS
Saturday 10 April, Cbus Super Stadium, 3:00pm
Titans: Have both Anthony Don (hip) and Jamal Fogarty (quad) in doubt after they failed to finish game on weekend. If both are ruled out Brian Kelly will return from hand injury and come in at centre with Phillip Sami moving to wing. Ash Taylor is still a week or two away from returning from hand injury and if Fogarty doesn’t recover Tyrone Peachey would have to partner Tanah Boyd in halves with either Beau Fermor or Sam McIntyre coming onto bench. Young gun Toby Sexton is another option. Corey Thompson copped knock during game and stayed down for extended time but was able to play out game and should be right to play this week.
Knights: Come out of Dragons game with season hanging in balance after suffering a number of injures. Mitchell Pearce suffered pectoral injury and could miss anywhere from 3-14 weeks depending on scans. Tex Hoy is also missing after suffering hamstring injury with Kurt Mann also likely out due to concussion. Kalyn Ponga is only an outside chance to return after shoulder surgery and if not declared fit you would think Connor Watson would start at fullback. Blake Green was on limited minutes on weekend but with injury to Pearce will start in halves this week. Phoenix Crossland has a knee injury and if he can recover could play five-eighth if Ponga isn’t fit but otherwise we could see Simi Sasagi make NRL debut at five-eighth. David Klemmer was twisted in a tackle on weekend suffering a knee injury but played on due to replacement issues. He will have scans and is in some doubt. Jacob Saifiti is facing a two-week ban, reduced to one with the early guilty plea. Dominic Young suffered an injury in NSW Cup on weekend and isn’t expected to be available for selection. Edrick Lee isn’t expected back from a foot injury and is a week or two away.
BULLDOGS V STORM
Saturday 10 April, Stadium Australia, 5:30pm
Bulldogs: Will welcome the return of some cavalry with Luke Thompson, Josh Jackson and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all back from suspension. Nick Meaney suffered broken ribs on weekend which will see him miss this weekend with Corey Allan moving back to fullback. Watene-Zelezniak returns but may switch to left wing to allow rookie Tui Katoa to stay on his preferred right wing. Jackson will return at lock with Renouf Atoni dropping to bench whilst I am expecting Thompson to start from bench with Joe Stimson and Dean Britt the two players to drop out of 17. Jake Averillo missed Rabbitohs game due to ankle injury with his replacement Lachlan Lewis suffering head knock and failing HIA which I expect will rule him out this week and if Averillo’s ankle injury doesn’t come up we could see Brandon Wakeham come into halves. Corey Waddell could be in some doubt after suffering shoulder injury but had it strapped up at halftime and was able to finish game.
Storm: Will have a big inclusion with Harry Grant taking part in captain’s run before Broncos game on weekend after recovering from knee injury but could be eased back into it from bench. Felise Kaufusi returns on right edge after missing two games due to suspension pushing Tom Eisenhuth back to bench. Dale Finucane is nearing from returning from calf injury but is still week or two away. Brenko Lee is fit to return from hamstring injury but it’s expected he will return in QLD Cup.
ROOSTERS V SHARKS
Saturday 10 April, Sydney Cricket Ground, 7:35pm
Roosters: Sitili Tupouniua failed HIA on Sunday and with only a six-day turnaround will need to show no symptoms and pass required protocols to play. If ruled out Nat Butcher would start, which could see Nat’s brother Egan Butcher, an edge forward, come onto bench. Victor Radley was sucking in seagulls after five minutes of Warriors game on weekend on returning from ACL injury and copped a couple of knocks during game but will be OK to play. Brett Morris looked to suffer a leg injury during game but was able to play on and will need to pull up OK to play with options of Matt Ikuvalu or Joseph Suaalii if ruled out.
Sharks: Just keep suffering injuries but the next man up theory is working for them at moment with Josh Dugan failing HIA on weekend to go along with Ronaldo Mulitalo suffering knee injury which saw them finish game with Toby Rudolf playing on an edge, Teig Wilton playing left centre and Jack Williams playing right centre. Dugan will need to pass required protocols to play but in some good news Jesse Ramian does return from suspension. Nene Macdonald could be an option to come onto wing if Mulitalo is ruled out. Briton Nikora misses his second game due to suspension with Wilton to continue on right edge.
TIGERS V COWBOYS
Sunday 11 April, Leichhardt Oval, 4:05pm
Tigers: Looked to have no injury concerns out of Eels game except for dented pride and will be looking forward to Cowboys clash to get back that winning feeling with no changes expected. Russell Packer suffered knee injury in NSW Cup which could keep him out for a couple of weeks.
Cowboys: Struggling at moment but could receive boost with Jason Taumalolo a chance to return from broken hand. Justin O’Neill and Murray Taulagi both failed HIAs on weekend which saw Coen Hess play left centre and Jake Granville play right centre in second half on weekend. Both will have to pass required protocols to play but with Kyle Feldt returning from suspension Taulagi would be the player to make way anyhow. Reuben Cotter will return after missing game on weekend due to concussion. Michael Morgan did train last week but had rehab bib on and isn’t expected to return due to shoulder injury.
EELS V DRAGONS
Sunday 11 April, Bankwest Stadium, 6:15pm
Eels: Ryan Matterson was a late omission on Monday as Eels took precautionary step to rest him for another week due to concussion and he should return this week with Keegan Hipgrave the player expected to make way with no other changes expected.
Dragons: Welcome back Jack Bird from suspension at left centre after he missed Knights game which will see Brayden Williame returning to bench role and Jackson Ford dropping out of 17.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 5: Predicted team changes
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