NRL teams Round 9: Late Mail, predicted team changes ahead of weekend action

Cronulla will be without one of their most potent attacking forces for the visit of the Warriors on Sunday - but his absence provides a big opportunity for his replacement. FULL LATE MAIL HERE

The Sharks have suffered a blow ahead of their clash with the Warriors with winger Ronaldo Mulitalo ruled out.

Mulitalo’s omission will see the return of Connor Tracey.

Tracey has been sidelined with a groin issue but will come straight back into the side for Mulitalo who has been bed-ridden with the flu.

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ROUND 9 TEAMS

ROOSTERS v TITANS

Saturday, 5.30pm, BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Roosters

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Sam Walker, 7. Luke Keary, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Lam, 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 20. Ben Marschke, 21. Naufahu Whyte, 22. Kevin Naiqama, 23. Billy Smith, 24. Renouf Atoni

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: No changes expected at the Roosters, although Billy Smith is lurking on the extended bench following a lengthy stint on the sidelines. If cleared to return, he’d come into contention for a call up and would likely replace Paul Momirovski in the centres.

Titans

1. AJ Brimson, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Will Smith, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Herman Ese’ese, 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Isaako, 19. Paul Turner, 20. Esan Marsters, 21. Phillip Sami, 22. Jayden Campbell, 23. Sosefo Fifita, 24. Jaimin Jolliffe

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: While a few big names are listed on the extended bench, the only likely change would be if Phillip Sami came into the backline on game day.

COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 7.35pm, 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. Reuben Cotter, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 15. Heilum Luki, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 19. Jake Granville, 20. Kane Bradley, 21. Ben Condon, 22. Emry Pere, 23. Taniela Sadrugu, 24. Brendan Elliot

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: Fortunately Todd Payten has named a more realistic run on side this week, with Reuben Cotter starting and Heilum Luki off the bench as has been the norm in recent weeks.

Game day changes to the pack have become the standard for Payten, so it could change come kick-off, but the side named looks likely. In red-hot form, no changes are expected, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to be injected off the bench again.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Tex Hoy, 7. Phoenix Crossland, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Leo Thompson

Bench: 14. Jack Johns, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Mat Croker, 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Krystian Mapapalangi, 20. Jaron Purcell, 21. Brayden Musgrove, 22. Dylan Phythian, 23. Kobe Rugless, 24. Ben Talty

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: Adam O’Brien shook up his side on Tuesday, meaning changes aren’t expected to the 17 come kick-off. Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland form a new-look halves pairing with the Knights opting to stick with Kalyn Ponga at fullback. The only change I could see is if Simi Sasagi played as the bench utility, with four forwards currently named on the pine.

STORM v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tyran Wishart, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Chris Lewis, 19. Bronson Garlick, 20. Jayden Nikorima, 21. Cooper Johns, 22. Tom Eisenhuth, 23. Dean Ieremia, 24. Alec MacDonald

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Storm, with the only possible movement being if Chris Lewis replaced Jordan Grant on the bench.

Dragons

1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Jack Bird, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. George Burgess, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Josh McGuire, 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Talatau Amone, 15. Blake Lawrie, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Tyrell Fuimaono

Reserves: 18. Jayden Sullivan, 19. Cody Ramsey, 20. Jack Gosiewski, 21. Tyrell Sloan, 22. Josh Kerr, 23. Jackson Ford, 24. Tautau Moga

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: No changes expected at the Dragons coming off three straight wins.

SHARKS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 4.05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Connor Tracey, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aiden Tolman, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Jack Williams, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Wade Graham 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall, 19. Andrew Fifita, 20. Luke Metcalf, 21. Mawene Hiroti, 23. Matt Ikuvalu 24. Franklin Pele

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: There’s a strong chance that Cameron McInnes will start at lock, with Dale Finucane shifting to prop, and Aidan Tolman moving to the bench. Connor Tracey or Braydon Trindall are likely to join the bench as utility options. Expect Wade Graham to regain his starting spot over Teig Wilton in coming weeks.

Warriors

1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Viliami Vailea, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Jack Murchie, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Aaron Pene

Reserves: 18. Bayley Sironen, 20. Taniela Otukolo, 21. Edward Kosi, 22. Junior Ratuva, 23. Pride Petterson-Robati, 24. Jayden Corrigan 25. Valingi Kepu, 25. Jackson Frei

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Warriors, with Bayley Sironen joining the bench the only potential movement from the 17 named.

Originally published as NRL teams Round 9: Late Mail, predicted team changes ahead of weekend action