NRL Late Mail Round 2: Melbourne’s Xavier Coates, Rooster Victor Radley ruled out

Melbourne and the Roosters have been forced into late changes as injuries mount at the premiership heavyweights. Keep up with all the latest Round 2 team news

Melbourne flyer Xavier Coates has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash against the Bulldogs with a shoulder injury.

Grant Anderson replaces Coates on the wing.

Aaron Pene also drops out of the Storm squad with ex-Cowboy Kane Bradley named as his replacement on the bench.

Xavier Coates has succumbed to a shoulder injury and won’t face the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty

STAR ROOSTER RULED OUT

The Roosters have ruled out Victor Radley after he suffered a head knock on in their last start loss to the Dolphins.

Naufahu Whyte has been named to replace Radley at lock with Ben Thomas called onto the bench.

Brandon Smith and Joey Manu have been cleared to play.

Victor Radley won’t play the Warriors. Picture: Getty Images

SIMONSSON IN FOR PARRAMATTA

The Eels have made a late change ahead of their clash with Cronulla on Friday night by recalling grand final winger Bailey Simonsson.

Simonsson will play his first game since injuring his shoulder in the Eels grand final loss last year to Penrith.

Sean Russell was originally named on the wing but has been relegated to make way for Simonsson’s first game in five months.

Bailey Simonsson is back for the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

WHY AMONE HAS TO WAIT AT THE DRAGONS

– David Riccio

Dragons captain Ben Hunt has lifted the lid on why star five-eighth Junior Amone will be rested for the club’s much-anticipated opening game of the season on Sunday.

The St George-Illawarra leader has also reaffirmed his backing of head coach Anthony Griffin.

Amone was cleared to resume his playing career by the NRL on Tuesday after originally being stood down by the governing body’s No Fault Stand Down policy.

Initially Amone was facing up to 14 years in jail if a grievous bodily harm charge was dealt with in the district court.

Now that the case is being prosecuted in a Local Court, Amone is instead looking at a maximum sentence of five years if he is convicted of all charges.

Talatau Amone of the Dragons won’t be rushed straight into the side. Picture: Getty Images

It means he no longer reaches the threshold for the No Fault Stand Down policy which relates to offences carrying a maximum of 11 years or more.

Widely-regarded as the brightest young talent within the Dragons squad, Amone, 20, was named in the reserves list ahead of the club’s clash with the Titans.

However, Hunt said Amone wouldn’t be rushed back to play due to the quality of training that he and his halves partner Jayden Sullivan had produced ever since the club’s poor showing in the Charity Shield against South Sydney three weeks ago.

“The last three weeks have probably been our most consistent pre-season with our spine together,’’ Hunt said.

“I’m over the moon that he’s (Amone) free to play.

“But he’s not playing Sunday. Our spine has been training really well together with Sully (Sullivan) there.’’

HYNES RETURN DATE UP IN AIR

—David Riccio

Nicho Hynes is back running and will “have a shot” at returning from a calf injury in round three next week.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has provided a telling update on his star playmaker who is sidelined from his team’s clash against Parramatta on Friday night.

Fitzgibbon revealed Hynes is progressing in his recovery, but won’t be pressured to return until he’s 100 per cent fit.

“It’s not a big injury, it’s just in a really delicate position in his calf,’’ Fitzgibbon said on Thursday. “He’s back running. It’s almost day by day, week by week, sort of stuff.

“You need to train to an appropriate level that he would be put through a game, so once we get back up around that, then we can start making a call on exact times.

“We’ll have a shot next week, but whether he gets there I’m not sure.”

Nicho Hynes has a calf injury. Picture: Getty

LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS

3pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 16. Naufahu Whyte

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May 19. Ben Thomas

Reserves: 18. Corey Allan 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem

Players cut: 13. Victor Radley

Late mail: After failing a HIA last week, Victor Radley is OUT replaced at lock by Naufahu Whyte. Ben Thomas comes on to the bench. Joey Manu returns from injury at centre, where he’ll line up on the right edge outside Sam Walker.

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No changes are expected to the Warriors line-up to face the Roosters. Jazz Tevaga has been named to return from injury in NSW Cup and is likely to rejoin the NRL team in coming weeks as he builds match fitness. Keep this in mind when considering Jackson Ford for SuperCoach sides.

DOLPHINS v RAIDERS

5.30pm Saturday at Kayo Stadium

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. JJ Collins 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Jesse Bromwich went down with an elbow injury at training but is expected to face the Raiders. Felise Kaufusi didn’t train on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but he’s also expected to be cleared to play.

RAIDERS

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Matt Frawley 20. Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No changes at the Raiders, with Albert Hopoate on deck to replace the suspended Jordan Rapana.

STORM v BULLDOGS

7.35pm Saturday at AAMI Park

STORM

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 18. Grant Anderson, 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 17. Jordan Grant 21. Kane Bradley

Reserves: 16. Aaron Pene 22. Jonah Pezet

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Xavier Coates has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, with Grant Anderson coming into the side on the wing.

With Cameron Munster out, Tyran Wishart has been named to start in the halves.

While Wishart is likely to get first crack, promising rookie Jonah Pezet has been named in the extended reserves.

BULLDOGS

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown

Bench: 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Okunbor

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No changes to the Bulldogs’ 17 despite the heavy loss to Manly in the season opener.

WESTS TIGERS v KNIGHTS

4.05pm Sunday at Leichhardt Oval

TIGERS

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Asu Kepaoa 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Alex Twal

Reserves: 18. Starford To’a 19. Junior Tupou 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brandon Tumeth

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Shawn Blore is in major doubt after failing a HIA last round. If he fails to pass concussion protocols, Alex Seyfarth would start on the right edge for the Tigers outside Adam Doueihi.

Jake Simpkin was the preferred starter at hooker last week, with Api Koroisau reverting to the bench on game day.

While Alex Twal started at lock, with Joe Ofahengaue shifting to the bench. There may be more switches come Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval.

KNIGHTS

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Johns 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Leo Thompson

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Enari Tuala 21. Greg Marzhew 22. Dylan Lucas

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Tyson Frizell failed a HIA in the loss to the Warriors and must pass concussion protocols to take part.

He’s aided by a nine day turnaround, but if he fails testing Jack Johns or Brodie Jones would start on the right edge.

Greg Marzhew has been named on the extended bench and may come into the side in place of Hymel Hunt on the left wing.

Dane Gagai needs clearance to return from a hamstring injury, with Enari Tuala on standby if he misses out.

Adam Elliott aggravated a groin injury and will miss up to a month.

DRAGONS v TITANS

6.15pm Sunday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 18. Josh Kerr 19. Billy Burns 20. Max Feagai 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Talatau Amone has been made available by the NRL for selection and will be considered for round 1 in place of Jayden Sullivan, however the latter is expected to play at this stage. Jack Bird has overcome a knee injury to take his place in the side at lock, deputising for Jack de Belin who is out with a calf injury.

TITANS

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Erin Clark 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Chris Randall 19. Treymain Spry 20. Klese Haas 21. Keano Kini 22. Toby Sexton

Players cut: To come

Late mail: After initial concerns of a PCL injury, Kieran Foran is believed to have only suffered a cork in the win over the Tigers. He’s firming to play on Sunday evening in a boost for David Fifita’s SuperCoach credentials having lined-up outside the former Manly playmaker, replacing the injured Beau Fermor. Foran didn’t train on Thursday but will be given up until captain’s run.

BYE: Sea Eagles

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 2: Melbourne’s Xavier Coates, Rooster Victor Radley ruled out