NRL Late Mail round 14: Team changes, gossip and SuperCoach tips
SYDNEY Roosters fullback Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of Saturday’s NRL clash against Melbourne with an ankle injury.
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SYDNEY Roosters fullback Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of Saturday’s NRL clash against Melbourne with an ankle injury.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed the 18-year-old rookie would miss at least a week after picking up the injury in the side’s last-start win over the Wests Tigers. Centre Blake Ferguson or Connor Watson will fill Mitchell’s spot against the Storm at Allianz Stadium. At the Bulldogs, backrower Tony Williams could be a shock inclusion after Adam Elliot (hamstring) went down at training and was sent for scans.
TIGERS v RABBITOHS
7.50pm at ANZ Stadium
Tigers: Expect Robbie Farah to play from the bench, with Dene Halatau spending the bulk of his time at No.9 during training this week. Elijah Taylor is also a hooker contender. Tim Grant (rib) is right to return after missing last week.
Rabbitohs: Utility Luke Keary was in a moon boot as late as Wednesday. He faces a final fitness test but the club expects him to play.
KNIGHTS v WARRIORS
3pm Saturday at Hunter Stadium
Knights: Mid-week recruit Brendan Elliott is set to play centre in place of Nathan Ross (calf). Also expect fellow new face Mitch Barnett to find his way into the 17. Danny Levi (concussion) will need to pass final testing but is set to play. Jacob Saifiti (wrist) is fit to return, while Korbin Sims (suspension) also comes back into the side. Robbie Rochow (broken arm) is aiming to return after next week’s bye.
Warriors: No changes expected, with five-eighth Thomas Leuluai (ankle/knee) pulling up well following a late scare last week.
EELS v TITANS
5.30pm Saturday at TIO Stadium, Darwin
Eels: No changes. Tim Mannah (fractured shoulder) was aiming to return this week but fell just short. He will come into contention next week.
Titans: Neil Henry’s men travelled straight from Perth to Darwin on Tuesday. Konrad Hurrell (calf) has shaken off the injury that saw him miss out last week. He has trained and will come into contention for the right centre spot, where he would unseat Nathan Davis. Nathan Peats (elbow) and Ashley Taylor (groin) will also play after training on Wednesday.
NRL SUPERCOACH PODCAST FOR ROUND 14
ROOSTERS v STORM
7.30pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters — Updated 9.40am Friday: Young gun Latrell Mitchell (ankle) is out. He will be replaced at fullback by Connor Watson or Blake Ferguson. Dylan Napa (suspension) lost at the judiciary and is set to be replaced at starting prop by Sam Moa. Mitchell Pearce (calf) and Isaac Liu (ankle) weren’t named and are aiming for next week — as is Shaun Kenny-Dowall (foot).
Storm: Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith both had the entire week off to refresh after Origin, although Cronk did come into club HQ for some treatment on his ankle. They will take part in Friday’s captain’s run before travelling with the side. Marika Koroibete (concussion) is right to go. Don’t be surprised if Suliasi Vunivalu is given a breather over the coming weeks, replaced by Young Tonumaipea.
SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS
4pm Sunday at Broovkale Oval
Sea Eagles: No changes expected, with Jorge Taufua (broken collarbone) to return and Jamie Buhrer (concussion) and Lewis Brown (hamstring) to play despite picking up injuries last week. The Sea Eagles have received horror injury news this week, with Steve Matai (neck) and Brenton Lawrence (pectoral) both out for the season, and Jamie Lyon (hamstring, round 16) and Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle, round 19) also sidelined.
Panthers: Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (shoulder) is in doubt. He was forced to go for scans following a huge hit from Marika Koroibete last week. No other injury concerns.
DRAGONS v BULLDOGS
4pm Monday at ANZ Stadium
Dragons: Lock Jack De Belin (shoulder) trained almost the full session on Wednesday and is a chance to be a late inclusion two weeks ahead of schedule. D-Day comes on Friday, when he must get through a full contact session.
Bulldogs - Updated 12.45pm Friday:Backrower Tony Williams could be a shock inclusion after Adam Elliot (hamstring) went down at training and was sent for scans. Michael Lichaa (hamstring tightness) has only completed light duties so far. He will ramp up his training in the final two sessions and is expected to take his spot.
SHARKS v COWBOYS
7pm Monday at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Winger Sosaia Feki (groin) is the only doubt for the Sharks after he came off and didn’t return on the weekend. He will be monitored during the week but the club is confident he will play given the game is on Monday night.
Cowboys: No changes. Paul Green’s Origin contingent were given a few days off at the start of the week, but will return for the final few sessions before travelling to Sydney. Michael Morgan (concussion) is right to go. Fringe first grader Ray Thompson (knee) will miss a month.
Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 14: Team changes, gossip and SuperCoach tips
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