NRL Late Mail round 13: Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell cleared to back up from Origin

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has made a call on Latrell Mitchell’s fitness after State of Origin, while the Roosters have made a late change. See all the Round 13 late mail.

Wayne Bennett has confirmed Latrell Mitchell as a certain starter despite suggestions he was in doubt.

The Rabbitohs coach played down any injury concerns and said there was nothing wrong with Mitchell after playing for NSW on Wednesday night.

Bennett also indicated that Jack Wighton should return next week.

PANTHERS EXPECTED TO BACK-UP AFTER ORIGIN

Penrith’s Blues contingent of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin will report to training on Friday.

All five stars were named in Penrith’s starting side to take on arch rivals Parramatta and are expected to back-up on Sunday.

The only concern for Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will be To’o, who was spotted with ice strapped to his ribs on Wednesday night.

Brian To’o will be assessed by Penrith medical staff. Picture: Rohan Kelly

To’o will be assessed by medical staff on Friday.

If he is ruled out, Paul Alamoti, who was named in the reserves for the Eels clash, will likely be elevated into the starting side as To’o’s replacement on the wing.

-Fatima Kdouh, Tyson Jackson

SHARK FACING MONTHS ON SIDELINES

Cronulla have suffered a major injury blow with influential prop-forward Tom Hazelton ruled out for three months.

The hugely popular fan favourite joins an increasing Sharks casualty ward after undergoing surgery to repair a sternoclavicular joint injury, also known as a collarbone joint injury.

In an indication of his bravery, Hazelton played-on with the injury to complete the match against Manly three weeks ago.

The Sharks held several meetings with specialists before determining a path of recovery via surgery which the 26-year-old underwent this week.

Hazelton will aim to return two weeks before the final series.

The hulking prop joins teammates Toby Rudolf (ankle), Sione Katoa (shoulder), Teig Wilton (shoulder), Sam Stonestreet (ankle), Liam Ison (knee), Kade Dykes (knee) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (suspended) on the sidelines.

-David Riccio

Thomas Hazelton is set for a long spell on the sidelines. Picture: NRL Photos

ROUND 13 LATE MAIL

RABBITOHS V WARRIORS

Sunday June 1, 2pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers

Players dropped: 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Lewis Dodd 22. Jacob Host

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Wayne Bennett has confirmed Latrell Mitchell as a certain starter despite suggestions he was in doubt.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Leka Halasima 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 21. Tanah Boyd

Players dropped: 20. Samuel Healey 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith 23. Taine Tuaupiki

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.

PANTHERS V EELS

Sunday June 1, 4.05pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Harrison Hassett

Reserves: 21. Daine Laurie 20. Preston Riki

Players dropped: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Riley Wake 22. Jack Cole 23. Paul Alamoti 24. Austin Dias

Late Mail: Coach Ivan Cleary expects his Origin representatives to play against the Eels. Daine Laurie and Preston Riki remain on among the reserves in the 24-hour team update, so there is a chance Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Liam Martin or Isaiah Yeo could still be rested.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Sean Russell 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Joash Papalii

Reserves: 18. Matt Doorey 21. Dean Hawkins

Players dropped: 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 22. Samuel Loizou

Late Mail: Zac Lomax and Mitch Moses are expected to back up from Origin, but if ruled out expect Joash Papalii or Dean Hawkins to come into the starting side.

ROOSTERS V RAIDERS

Sunday June 1, 6.15pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 20. Benaiah Ioelu

Reserves: 18. Dominic Young 23. Ethan King

Players dropped: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Taylor Losalu 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Xavier Va’a 24. Chad Townsend

Late Mail: The Roosters have made one change in the 24-hour team update, with Zac Dockar-Clay dropping out of the side and Benaiah Ioelu the new face on the bench.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 22. Ethan Sanders

Players dropped: 19. Trey Mooney 20. Jed Stuart 21. Pasami Saulo

Late Mail: Hudson Young played just 26 minutes in State of Origin I and is expected to back up. There is some speculation Jamal Fogarty could be a late out for the Raiders, with Ethan Sanders the obvious replacement if that is the case.

BYES: Sharks, Bulldogs, Dolphins

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 13: Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell cleared to back up from Origin