NRL Round 11 Late Mail: Siosifa Talakai, Oregon Kaufusi ruled out for Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla have suffered a massive blow ahead of their Manly clash, with two of their biggest stars ruled out. See the latest Round 11 late mail.

Jordan Riki, Jesse Arthars and Herbie Farnworth pictured at the Brisbane Broncos training in Red Hill, Brisbane May 1st 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

The Sharks have suffered a double blow ahead of their road trip to Manly with power centre Siosifa Talakai and prop Oregon Kaufusi ruled out.

Two of Cronulla’s strongest performers this season, Talakai and Kaufusi have been withdrawn following the club’s final training session on Saturday.

Talakai has a minor neck complaint while Kaufusi has picked up an infection that requires a course of medication.

The Sharks have suffered a major blow, with Siosifa Talakai and Oregon Kaufusi set to miss their Round 11 clash against Manly. Picture: NRL Photos

Connor Tracey will replace Talakai in the centres with Braydon Trindall added to the Sharks bench for Kaufusi.

Meanwhile, Manly have confirmed Josh Schuster will be held back a further week after originally being named in the 21-man squad on Tuesday.

SCHUSTER’S ROUND 11 RETURN STATUS CONFIRMED

Manly has put Josh Schuster’s comeback on hold for another week.

Schuster has dropped off an extended bench for the match against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.

He is expected to return at five-eighth against Canberra next weekend.

Josh Schuster has dropped a mammoth 4.5kg as he aims to return from an ongoing quadriceps injury.

Schuster trained with the full Manly squad for the first time on Tuesday where he took part in a skills and reconditioning session.

He got through training relatively pain-free but felt a slight issue with the quadriceps injury which has sidelined him in recent weeks.

The Sea Eagles put Schuster through his paces again on Thursday but coach Anthony Seibold will resist rushing the $800,000 young gun.

Schuster’s training has seen him shed a stack of weight. He has played just three matches this year and returned prematurely from injury against the Tigers in round eight.

Cooper Johns is likely to partner Daly Cherry-Evans again in the halves.

Josh Schuster is unlikely to play against Cronulla. Picture: NRL

ROUND 11 LATE MAIL

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COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves: 21. Brendan Elliot

Players cut: 18. Riley Price 19. Ben Hampton 20. Zac Laybutt 22. Marly Bitungane

Late Mail: No changes expected, SuperCoaches will be hoping the experiment where Jake Granville starts in Reben Cotter’s place is well and truly over.

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 14. Jayden Sullivan 8. Jack de Belin 7. Ben Hunt 10. Blake Lawrie 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 15. Michael Molo

Bench: 9. Moses Mbye 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr 18. Toby Couchman

Reserves: 11. Billy Burns

Players cut: 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Jacob Liddle 21. Zane Musgrove 22. Viliami Fifita

Late Mail: Ben Hunt has moved to hooker for his 300th game, with Moses Mbye reverting back to the bench and Jayden Sullivan starting at half-back. Billy Burns has also dropped back to the reserves, with Jack Bird moving to an edge and Michael Molo starting at lock.

RAIDERS v EELS

Saturday, 7:35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

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

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Xavier Savage 22. Hohepa Puru

Players cut: 19. Harley Smith-Shields 20. Corey Harawira-Naera 21. Trey Mooney

Late Mail: Albert Hopoate returns to the side after missing last week due to family commitments. This sees last season’s starting fullback, Xavier Savage, dropped to the reserves.

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Sean Russell 19. Ofahiki Ogden

Players cut: 20. Matt Doorey 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Ky Rodwell

Late Mail: Mitch Moses (concussion) is replaced at halfback by Jake Arthur. Clint Gutherson should take the coalkicking duties in Moses’ absence.

KNIGHTS v TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

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

Bench: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Adam Elliott 17. Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 21. Dylan Lucas

Players cut: 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 22. Simi Sasagi

Late Mail: Adam Elliott’s keenly awaited return happens this week via the bench.

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

Players cut: 19. Aaron Schoupp 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Sam McIntyre

Late Mail: No late changes expected. Aaron Schoupp is in the reserves and the former centre is somewhat reinventing himself as an edge forward - watch this space.

SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Manly

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Aaron Woods

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 21. Samuela Fainu

Players cut: 19. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 20. Morgan Harper 22. Josh Schuster

Late Mail: Josh Schuster will not return this week despite initially being named among the reserves.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 19. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 10. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 14. Cameron McInnes 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall

Reserves: 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti

Players cut: 4. Siosifa Talakai 8. Oregon Kaufusi 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: The Sharks have been forced to reshuffle their pack, with star centre Siosifa Talakai and front-row enforcer Oregon Kaufusi both rules out. Talakai has a minor neck complaint, while Kaufusi has picked up an infection that requires a course of medication.

Connor Tracey replaces Talakai at centre, while Cameron McInnes joins at front row and Braydon Trindall is the new face on the bench. Expect Dale Finucane and McInnes to swap roles during the game.

Originally published as NRL Round 11 Late Mail: Siosifa Talakai, Oregon Kaufusi ruled out for Cronulla Sharks