NRL Late Mail Round 16: Predicted team changes

Cronulla Sharks have lost their key playmaker in the warm-up. See how they line up in NRL late mail.

The Sharks will be without Matt Moylan for thier clash against the Broncos after the playmaker succumbed to a calf injury in the warm-up at Suncorp Stadium.

Braydon Trindall comes into the halves.

In better news, Cronulla welcome back their 2020 leading try scorer Sione Katoa following the omission of veteran Will Chambers.

Chambers has been ruled out of Cronulla’s 19-man squad to face the Broncos on Sunday after returning to Melbourne last weekend for the birth of his child.

Katoa scored 16 tries in 19 matches last year.

He hasn’t played since round three this season after succumbing to a knee injury.

Katoa has trained the entire week on the wing in readiness for the Broncos with Connor Tracey shifting from his wing into the centres.

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Sione Katoa had to be assisted from the field after injuring his knee against the Eels in round three. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The Broncos have also made changes with middle-forwards Thomas Flegler (concussion) and Matt Lodge (released) omitted from the 19-man squad.

Flegler was involved in a collision with teammate TC Robati on Thursday and has been scrubbed from the Sharks game.

Flegler would not have been able to pass the head injury protocols in time for the Suncorp Stadium clash.

Flegler and Lodge have been replaced in the team by Rhys Kennedy and Ethan Bullemor with little-known Norths Devils forward Xavier Willison added to the reserves.

ROUND 16 LATE MAIL

BRONCOS V SHARKS

Sunday 4 July, Suncorp Stadium, 2:00pm

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Herbie Farnworth, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. TC Robati, 19. Rhys Kennedy

Bench: 14. Cory Paix, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Keenan Palasia, 17. Jesse Arthars

Reserves: 18. Jordan Riki,, 20. David Mead, 21. Anthony Milford, 22. Ethan Bullemor

Players cut: 13. Thomas Flegler

Late Mail: The Broncos have suffered another training injury after prop Tom Flegler was ruled out of Sunday’s game against Cronulla following a head knock. Flegler was involved in a collision with teammate TC Robati on Thursday and has been scrubbed from the Sharks game. He has been replaced in the team by Rhys Kennedy, with Ethan Bullemor added to Brisbane’s 21-man squad. Brisbane’s only Origin representative named is Payne Haas who has the benefit of a seven-day turnaround. Jamayne Issako returns on the right wing and will probably be handed goalkicking duties ahead of Kotoni Staggs who is playing his first game for the season after recovering from an ACL injury. TC Robati starts on the right edge next to Brodie Croft who also returns from a knee injury. I would expect Jordan Riki to come onto the bench for Jesse Arthars. Matt Lodge won’t play for the Broncos after agreeing to a new deal with the Warriors. Lodge was named to start at prop against the Sharks but will instead play against the Sharks in round 17 as a Warrior.

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Connor Tracey, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Siosifa Talakai, 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. TBC, 15. Teig Wilton, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Sione Katoa, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Mawene Hiroti

Late Mail: Lose Moylan in warm-up. One change could be Siosifa Talakai dropping to the bench with Teig Wilton starting on the left edge. Look for a massive game from Ronaldo Mulitalo after his Origin dream was shattered due to eligibility rules.

TIGERS V RABBITOHS

Sunday 4 July, Leichhardt Oval, 4:05pm

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Moses Mbye, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Seyfarth

Bench: 14. Stefano Utoikamanu, 15. Shawn Blore, 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Joe Ofahengaue

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 19. Tom Amone, 20. Junior Pauga 21. Jake Simpkin

Late Mail: Back-rower Shawn Blore (ankle) is in doubt — if ruled out it could result in Jake Simpkin coming onto the bench to provide some cover for Jacob Liddle at hooker. Thomas Mikaele returns from a knee injury to take up a bench role. Adam Doueihi returns from concussion at right centre which pushes James Roberts back to left centre.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Mark Nicholls, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Hame Sele, 11. Keon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Liam Knight, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Jaydn Su’A, 20. Blake Taaffe, 21. Josh Mansour, 22. Tautau Moga, 23. Patrick Mago

Late Mail: Origin players Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Dane Gagai and Jai Arrow were all given a light training week and all are expected to play.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 16: Predicted team changes