NRL Late Mail Round 8

Both Newcastle and the Warriors have lost key backline players ahead of their clash across the Tasman, while the Tigers and Roosters are also without vital men. LATE MAIL

Dylan Napa will be a late inclusion for the Bulldogs against Manly on Saturday night but Kieran Foran will be given another week off.

Queensland representative Napa has missed three weeks with an ankle injury but proved his fitness at training this week.

Foran also came very close but Canterbury medicos have decided on a cautious approach.

— Phil Rothfield

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Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers

Saturday, May 4th, SCG, 7:30pm

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 17. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Joseph Manu 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Sitili Tupouniua, 18. Lindsay Collins

Players cut: 5. Matt Ikuvalu 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Sam Verrills

Late Mail: Matt Ikuvalu has been ruled out due to a knee injury. Mitchell Aubusson will likely start at centre with Joseph Manu shifting to the wing.

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 11. Ryan Matterson 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ben Matulino 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 14. Elijah Taylor 12. Chris McQueen 13. Josh Aloiai

Interchange: 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 19. Jacob Liddle

Players cut: 6. Benji Marshall 18. Paul Momirovski 20. David Nofoaluma 21. Russell Packer

Late Mail: Benji Marshall has been ruled out due to hamstring tightness. Ryan Matterson will start in the halves, Elijah Taylor in the second-row, with Jacob Liddle joining the bench.

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights

Sunday, May 5th, Mt Smart Stadium, 2:00pm

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 17 Gerard Beale 3 Peta Hiku 4 Patrick Herbert 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita 7 Blake Green 8 Agnatius Paasi 9 Issac Luke 10 Leeson Ah Mau 11 Isaiah Papali’i 12 Tohu Harris 13 Lachlan Burr

Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Adam Blair 16 Bunty Afoa TBC

Reserves: 18 Hayze Perham 20 Solomone Kata 21 Ligi Sato 22 Chris Satae

Players cut: 2 David Fusitu’a

Late Mail: The Warriors are expected to welcome the return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and Blake Green (groin) from injury. Both players have to get through the captain’s run to be cleared, while winger David Fusitua (ribs) has been ruled out. Gerard Beale is expected to start on the wing with Solomone Kata or Chris Satae coming on to the bench. However, Jazz Tevaga (leg) misses out after playing just 14 minutes against Melbourne. Patrick Herbert has been retained at centre following his impressive debut.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 14. Sione Mata’utia 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10.Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby

Interchange: 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. James Gavet 17. Josh King 19. Kurt Mann

Reserves: 18. Mason Lino 20. Jamie Buhrer 21. Pasami Saulo

Players cut: 4. Jesse Ramien

Late Mail: Centre Jesse Ramien is out due to a shoulder injury. Sione Mata’utia comes in to centre to replace him. Kurt Mann joins the Newcastle bench.

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Sunday, May 5th, Bankwest Stadium, 4:00pm

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson (c) 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa

Interchange: 14. Peni Terepo 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Manu Ma’u 18. Ray Stone

Reserves: 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. George Jennings

Players cut: 15. Tim Mannah

Late Mail: Prop Tim Mannah (ankle) is out with Ray Stone set to come on to bench. Daniel Alvaro returns after missing last week’s game due to concussion. The only other possible change could be Peni Terepo starting with Tepai Moeroa dropping to the bench.

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Zac Lomax 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Euan Aitken 16. Jacob Host 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Mitchell Allgood 19. Jai Field 20. Lachlan Timm 21. Jonas Pearson

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: The Dragons’ only concern is Ben Hunt after he suffered a shoulder injury on Anzac Day but with the 10-day turn around it’s hoped he will be right to play. If ruled out there could be a re-shuffle with Euan Aitken starting and Jai Field coming on to the bench.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 8