SuperCoach NRL Round 21 late mail: Predicted team changes, injury news

As if Newcastle and South Sydney needed any more injury concerns, a Knights backline star is set to miss their Raiders clash, while a Rabbitohs forward is in doubt. See all the Round 21 team news.

The Knights major injury drama continues with strike centre Bradman Best ruled out for the club’s road trip to Canberra.

Best has succumbed to a knee complaint, which while isn’t deemed severe, is enough for the NSW Origin centre to be ruled out of the match against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle have a bye next week, allowing Best time to recover for their round 24 clash with the Cowboys.

Bradman Best has been ruled out of the Knights’ Canberra clash. Picture: Getty Images

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has the option of using extended squad players James Schiller or Kyle McCarthy to replace Best.

Best joins the club’s attacking players on the sidelines with Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas and Adam Elliott all unavailable.

—David Riccio

SOUTHS STAR IN DOUBT

—Michael Carayannis

South Sydney’s injury woes have continued with forward Jai Arrow the latest to be struck down.

Arrow is in doubt for the Rabbitohs clash against Cronulla after struggling with a foot injury.

Coach Wayne Bennett said the injury seems “manageable” and he is hopeful Arrow will play.

“Foot problem in the back of his foot when he puts his boot on,” Bennett said. “A bit of nerve (problem).”

Jai Arrow against the Panthers last round. Picture: NRL Imagery

INJURY BLOW FOR TITANS AHEAD OF HASLER’S 500TH

- Travis Meyn

Des Hasler has lost a member of the Titans spine for his 500th NRL game after hooker Sam Verrills withdrew from Saturday’s clash with the Warriors.

Verrills remained on the Gold Coast this week to await the birth of his first child.

He was named in the No. 9 jersey for the game, but has not made the trip to New Zealand.

Verrills is expected to be replaced by Sean Mullany at dummy-half for what will be his third NRL game of the season.

Sam Verrills is a late withdrawal from the Titans’ side to play the Warriors. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The last-placed Titans are looking to snap a four-game losing streak against a Warriors team trying to consolidate their place in the NRL’s top four.

The game will be Hasler’s 500th as head coach of an NRL club.

MANLY SWEAT ON STAR’S FITNESS

—Brent Read

Manly coach Anthony Seibold insists that Luke Brooks will be fit to take on the Bulldogs despite missing a large chunk of Thursday’s training session with a hip flexor problem.

Young half Joey Walsh spent most of Thursday’s session training alongside captain Daly Cherry-Evans after Brooks was given an early mark.

Seibold remains confident that Brooks will be fit to face the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Luke Brooks is battling a hip flexor injury but is expected to play against the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

“He got a little bit tight through his hip flexor,” Seibold said.

“He has done plenty of work over the last four or five weeks so we gave Joey Walsh some reps in the halves.

“Joey’s developing really well … but Brookesy will be right. Our physio said it was more precaution.

“He started the session and felt a bit tight. We just felt as though he didn’t need to finish the session – we would rather be cautious with him.”

BRONCOS BLOW AS FORWARD SUFFERS SETBACK

The Broncos have suffered a blow with prop Ben Te Kura fracturing his foot in the run to the finals.

Te Kura injured his foot playing for feeder club Souths Logan last weekend with scans confirming a minor fracture.

The 205cm prop – the tallest man in NRL history – was putting pressure on the top 17 for a first grade call-up but faces an extended stint on the sidelines.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire is hopeful it’s not a season-ending injury.

“Big Benny’s unfortunately hurt his foot again. He’s had a really tough run, the big fella,” Maguire said.

Broncos forward Ben Te Kura has suffered a foot injury. Picture: Getty Images

“He got caught and he’s got a bit of a slight fracture in one of his bones in his feet.

“Unfortunately, he’s been in and out. But like all players, they have their moments with that, so they’ve just got to work their way through it.”

Te Kura had a bumper pre-season but has been restricted to just two NRL appearances this year.

“We’ve just got to get him on the park on a regular basis,” Maguire said.

“A big fella like that has just got to play footy.

“Unfortunately, he’s just been disrupted because of the body.

“He should be back for two or three games at the back end, we’re hoping.”

—Peter Badel

ROUND 21 TEAMS

BRONCOS v EELS

Friday, 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy

Players cut: 19 Deine Mariner 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Ben Talty 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Late mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Payne Haas (back), Corey Jensen (calf) and Jesse Arthars (ribs) will all return after resting up over the bye.

Eels

1. Joash Papalii 2. Zac Lomax 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 19. Jordan Samrani

Players cut: 18. Dan Keir 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown

Late mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Mitchell Moses (calf) returns in a huge boost for the Eels, while Will Penisini (suspension) is also back.

Isaiah Iongi (fractured hand) will miss a month.

WARRIORS v TITANS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Go Media Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey

Players cut: 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Eddie Ieremia

Late mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) is back for his first game since round 17.

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 19. Sean Mullany 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 20. Tom Weaver

Players cut: 9. Sam Verrills 21. Ryan Foran 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 

Late mail: Sam Verrills is out for the birth of his child, with Sean Mullany coming into the starting side. David Fifita’s shocking 2025 season has taken another turn after the Gold Coast Titans star was sidelined again for Des Hasler’s 500th NRL game.

His season is all but over following this latest ankle setback.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee) is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.

Full story by Travis Meyn 

PANTHERS v WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, 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 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Paul Alamoti, 19. Liam Martin

Players cut: 20. Daine Laurie 21. Maverick Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton

Late mail: Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo return after being rested.

Liam Martin (wrist) may also be back on deck after an injury sustained in the State of Origin decider.

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Izaac Tu’itupou 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Jack Bird 16. Fonua Pole 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Players cut: 19. Charlie Murray 20. Charlie Staines 21. Luke Laulilii

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

RABBITOHS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward

Reserves: 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Shaquai Mitchell

Players cut: 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Ammaron Gudgeon

Late mail: Jai Arrow (foot) is reportedly in some doubt. If he is ruled out, expect Jacob Host to come into the starting side,

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru

Players cut: 18. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru

Late mail: Mawene Hiroti has been named to return from injury in NSW Cup this week.

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Simi Sasagi 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Trey Mooney 20. Joseph Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Players cut: To come.

Late mail: No changes expected. Seb Kris (concussion) missed the squad but is due back next week, with Simi Sasagi to play centre.

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Brodie Jones 22. Kyle McCarthy

Players cut: To come.

Late mail: Bradman Best (knee) has been ruled out, with James Schiller or Kyle McCarthy in line to replace him. Brodie Jones (illness) is aiming to be a late inclusion.

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Reserves: 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Players cut: To come.

Late mail: Bronson Xerri is the big watch after being named to return from a groin injury. If he is a late scratching, expect Enari Tuala to move to centre and Jethro Rinakama or Blake Wilson to move to the wing.

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Players cut: To come.

Late mail: Luke Brooks (hip flexor) is expected to play, but Joey Walsh could be in line to make his NRL debut if the star five-eighth is ruled out.

Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) returns.

BYE: Dolphins

Originally published as SuperCoach NRL Round 21 late mail: Predicted team changes, injury news