NRL Round 20 late mail: Predicted team changes, who will and won’t back up from Origin
The Cowboys have received a massive boost for their clash against Canterbury, with their entire Origin contingent cleared to return. See all the Round 20 predicted team changes.
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The Cowboys have received a massive boost ahead of their clash against the Bulldogs, with all of their Origin stars cleared to back-up.
Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson come straight into the starting side at the expense of Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford and Jake Granville, while Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai will come off the bench. Granville and Purdue remain in the squad among the reserves.
The Bulldogs have made one change, with Chris Patolo joining the bench at the expense of Lipoi Hopoi.
In some other team news for Sunday, Luke Garner is out for Penrith, with Liam Henry joining the starting side and Mavrik Geyer the new face on the bench. Origin stars Brian To’o,
Jarome Luai and Liam Martin will not back up, while Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards were always set to be rested after not being named in the initial squad.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold confirmed that Origin captains Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans would backup for the Sea Eagles, while Ben Trbojevic has been confirmed as the replacement for Haumole Olakau’atu after he accepted a two-match suspension ban for his role in the Origin III melee.
For the Titans, Prop Moeaki Fotuaika is set to back up from Origin Three, while AJ Brimson dropped out of the squad on Saturday after initially being named 18th man.
BRONCOS CONFIRM REYNOLDS RETURN IN BID TO SAVE SEASON
A bullish Kevin Walters has warned the NRL to “look out” after champion playmaker Adam Reynolds was cleared to return from injury for Saturday night’s crucial showdown with the Knights.
Reynolds’ 79-day absence due to biceps surgery is over with the star skipper back to save Brisbane’s season as the besieged Broncos look to snap a six-game losing streak against the Knights in Newcastle.
And in another massive boost for the struggling Broncos, big guns Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh will back up from the Origin decider in a desperate bid to keep Brisbane’s finals hopes alive.
The only scratching is Queensland Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo, who trained away from the main squad on Friday.
The sight of Reynolds completing Brisbane’s captain’s run on Friday, albeit with heavy black strapping around his left biceps, has given Walters fresh hope of a late-season premiership charge.
Reynolds hasn’t played since tearing his biceps in round 9 against the Roosters and his shock early return – he was targeting round 22 – can resurrect Brisbane’s title campaign.
“Adam will play, yes,” a beaming Walters said.
“Medically he has been cleared and we wouldn’t go against any medical advice.
“We have great trust in our people here and they say ‘Reyno’ is right to go.”
WHICH ORIGIN STARS WILL BACK-UP?
The brutal Origin decider has taken a big toll on NRL teams with seven players already confirmed out this weekend and many more to come.
Scroll down for injury and judiciary news out of the interstate blockbuster.
This story will be constantly updated as we chase lines throughout the weekend, so keep refreshing for the latest.
* Dylan Edwards won man-of-the-match while carrying a PCL injury that will sideline him for 2-4 weeks on early estimations. He wasn’t named for the Panthers this week.
* Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu, who wasn’t even playing on Wednesday night, will miss two games after taking the early guilty plea after becoming involved in a sideline brawl while wearing his suit and blazer. Ben Trbojevic will come into the Sea Eagles’ starting side.
* South Sydney captain Cameron Murray, who raced off the interchange bench to become involved in the brawl, was also slugged with a grade three contrary conduct charge and will miss two weeks with an early guilty plea.
* Origin players Matt Burton, Payne Haas, Brian To’o, Kurt Capewell, Jeremiah Nanai, Kurt Capewell, Felise Kaufusi, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reuben Cotter all escaped with fines.
* Maroons ironman lock Pat Carrigan will back-up for the Broncos despite injuring his ankle in the 10th minute of Origin. He went on to make a staggering 58 tackles and 164 metres
* Reece Walsh will play despite copping a heavy battering at fullback. Walsh had bruising on his ribs, hips and thighs and had ice strapped to him in the Maroons’ sheds, but will back-up. However, Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is not expected to play for the Broncos after training away from the squad on Friday. NSW prop Payne Haas, riding an Origin high, is expected to play.
* Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds is confirmed to return for the Broncos.
* Mitchell Moses is out for the season. “The bicep’s gone, so I’ll need surgery on that, I’ll be gone,” Moses said post-match. “It’s been a tough for the Eels but I’ll have to get this sorted and look at it next year.” Coach Trent Barrett must now dig deep into his halves stocks to replace Moses. Barrett has options in the likes of Daejarn Asi or young gun Ethan Sanders.
The other option is to play fullback Clint Gutherson in the halves at five-eighth alongside Dylan Brown in the No.7 jumper. That opens the door for boom rookie Blaize Talagi to deputise in the fullback role, ahead of what is likely to be his long-term position if the teenager opts to stay at the club.
* Isaah Yeo is confirmed to be rested for the Panthers after missing the squad on Tuesday.
* Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga has declared he will back up for the Knights following his frustrating Origin cameo. “Definitely, I’ve pulled up pretty good,” Ponga said. Try-scoring NSW centre Bradman Best finished with six stitches to his lip, but has told Knights officials he is physically sound to back-up. Newcastle will assess Best’s hamstring, which was showing tightness in the lead-up to Origin III, when he returns from Brisbane on Thursday. Dane Gagai is also expected to play.
* Reuben Cotter said after the game that all Cowboys should back up, including Valentine Holmes and Tom Dearden.
* Harry Grant (sternum) went into Origin camp under an injury cloud. He played 56 minutes and made 40 tackles and is likely in some doubt. That said, coach Craig Bellamy hasn’t named a recognised back-up hooker in the squad.
* Angus Crichton suffered a category two HIA but returned to the field to claim the Wally Lewis Medal. Coach Trent Robinson says all his Origin players should back up.
* Ben Hunt suffered a category two HIA and head laceration but the Dragons have the bye this week.
NRL ROUND 20 TEAMS
Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero
Bench: 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 17. Alec MacDonald 19. Joe Chan 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Reserves: 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis
Players cut: 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Reimis Smith
Late Mail: Harry Grant (sternum) went into Origin camp under an injury cloud. He played 56 minutes and made 40 tackles and is likely in some doubt. That said, coach Craig Bellamy hasn’t named a recognised back-up hooker on the extended bench. Christian Welch has been ruled out of the Storm’s game against the Roosters with a back complaint and will be replaced by Lazarus Vaalepu.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Terrell May 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson
Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte
Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong
Players cut: 20. Blake Steep 21. Jake Elliott 22. Salesi Foketi 23. Michael Jennings 24. Zach Dockar-Clay
Late Mail: Roosters coach Trent Robinson says all his Origin contingent should back up – Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins. Joseph Suaali’i returns from suspension.
Sunday, 2pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Brad Schneider 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 13. Matt Eisenhuth
Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 17. Luron Patea 19. Mavrik Geyer
Reserves: 18. Isaiah Iongi 21. Tyrone Peachey
Players cut: 12. Luke Garner 20. Soni Luke 22. Jarome Luai 23. Brian To’o 24. Liam Martin
Late Mail: Luke Garner has been ruled out, with Liam Henry elevated to the starting side and Marvik Geyer joining the bench. Nathan Cleary is back after a long absence due to a hamstring injury. Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Liam Martin took part in the Origin decider and have been rested. Fellow Origin stars Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards weren’t named in the Penrith squad on Tuesday and will be rested. Edwards picked up a knee injury in Origin that will sideline him for 2-4 weeks.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich
Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Trai Fuller
Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Oryn Keeley
Players cut: 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague
Late Mail: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi took part in Origin and will be assessed.
Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 12. Karl Lawton 15. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Taniela Paseka
Reserves: 20. Jamie Humphreys 21. Corey Waddell
Players cut: 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo
Late Mail: Haumole Olakau’atu is out after taking an early guilty plea after he was charged with grade three contrary conduct for his role in the Origin brawl and he is replaced by Ben Trbojevic, with Taniela Paseka the new face on the bench. Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans took part in the Origin decider. Reuben Garrick will play after making it through only 63 minutes last week due to illness. Ben Trbojevic returns from a concussion.
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall
Bench: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu
Reserves: 20. Tanah Boyd 19. Joe Stimson
Players cut: 18. AJ Brimson 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Jaylan De Groot
Late Mail: Expect a repeat of last week’s late change which saw AJ Brimson come into the 17 at fullback and Keano Kini drop to the bench. Moeaki Fotuaika is aiming to back up from Origin.
Sunday, 6:15pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 20. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 21. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 23. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre
Bench: 14. Harrison Edwards 17. Griffin Neame 22. Jeremiah Nanai 24. Reuben Cotter
Reserves: 3. Jaxon Purdue 9. Jake Granville
Players cut: 6. Jake Clifford 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Jamal Shibasaki 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei
Late Mail: All North Queensland Origin stars will back up – with Valentine Holmes replacing Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden replacing Jakce Clifford, and Reece Robson starting over Jake Granville. Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai will play via the bench, with Thomas Mikaele and Jamal Shibasaki dropping out of the side.
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann
Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin 23. Chris Patolo
Reserves: 22. Jeral Skelton 19. Harry Hayes
Players cut: 17. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Hayze Perham 25. Kitione Kautoga
Late Mail: Just one change for the Bulldogs, with Lipoi Hopoi replaced by Chris Patolo. NSW 18th man Matt Burton escaped with a fine for his role in the sideline Origin brawl. Stephen Crichton is set to back up. Jacob Preston is slated to return from a foot injury.
On bye: Dragons, Eels, Sharks
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Originally published as NRL Round 20 late mail: Predicted team changes, who will and won’t back up from Origin
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