NRL Early Mail Round 17: Predicted team changes via Wacko’s Whispers
The final bye round of 2021 is here and while Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is ready to ring the changes, he’s also dealing with another injury setbacl.
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Wacko’s Whispers reveals his predicted NRL team changes for Round 17, the final bye of the 2021 season.
RICKY’S RAIDERS COP ANOTHER BLOW
By David Riccio
The Raiders have suffered another blow with fullback Bailey Simonsson set to miss four to six weeks of action, after injuring his toe in the Raider’s loss to the Titans in round 16.
The Raiders have confirmed Simonsson will not require surgery but will have to undergo rehab before returning to the field.
Rookie flyer Xavier Savage will play fullback in Simonsson’s absence.
Elliott Whitehead is also set to miss one match with a minor shoulder injury sustained in round 16.
Whitehead also suffered a cut to his forehead which required stitches and needs time to heal.
The Raiders will also boast a new halves combination with Jack Wighton unavailable due to NSW Origin commitments.
Rookie half Matt Frawley will play just his second NRL match alongside Sam Williams.
Ironically, the pair have won the only game they have played together, last year in the final round of the season against Cronulla.
With Josh Papalii also out due to Origin, the Raiders squad will also include the return of Hudson Young and Ryan James.
New Warriors recruit Chad Townsend is unlikely to face his former club, the Sharks on Sunday.
Townsend is facing one to two weeks on the sideline after suffering a shoulder injury in his first game back in Warriors colours last week.
Backrower Ellie Katoa (ankle) is rated a 50-50 chance of playing.
SEA EAGLES V RAIDERS
Thursday 8 July, 4 Pines Park, 7:50pm
Sea Eagles: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround and will be without Origin pair Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans. Cade Cust is set to replace DCE at half with Dylan Walker to continue as an impact player off the bench as a ball playing middle forward. Reuben Garrick will move to fullback with Moses Suli coming in at centre and Brad Parker moving to wing. Jake Trbojevic could be selected after not being named for NSW. Jack Gosiewski has recovered from a foot injury and could come onto the bench. Josh Schuster (calf) and Curtis Sironen (knee/hamstring) remain on the injury list.
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Raiders: Also come into the game off a five-day turnaround after a disappointing loss to the Titans at home. Coach Ricky Stuart has suggested there will be plenty of changes. Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii are unavailable due to Origin. Matt Frawley is set to replace Wighton at five-eighth with Sam Williams’ position in the team under question after not having the best game against the Titans. Bailey Simonsson (toe) is out with Caleb Aekins an option to play fullback. But I am expecting Stuart to look to the future and play rookie Xavier Savage after he got a taste of NRL against the Dragons, coming onto the field as 18th man and later being removed due to an interchange error. Elliott Whitehead suffered a shoulder injury on the weekend but was able to play on. Hudson Young, Ryan James, Matt Timoko and Siliva Havili could all be options to come into the team if there are changes.
RABBITOHS V COWBOYS
Friday 9 July, Stadium Australia, 7:55pm
Rabbitohs: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround and will be without Origin players Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Jai Arrow and Dane Gagai. But they trained in preparation for this game earlier last week without their Origin players so should be prepared. Blake Taaffe will play fullback with Benji Marshall at hooker and Peter Mamouzelos coming onto the bench to play his second NRL game. Braidon Burns replaces Gagai in the centres with Jacob Host starting on left edge for Arrow. Liam Knight starts at lock for Murray with Jaydn Su’A and Patrick Mago or Jed Cartwright coming onto the bench.
Cowboys: Without Origin players Valentine Holmes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Francis Molo but Coen Hess and Kyle Feldt are available after not being selected for the Maroons. Justin O’Neill or Connelly Lemuelu are expected to replace Tabuai-Fidow at centre while Corey Jensen comes onto the bench for Molo. There are a number of options to replace Holmes at fullback but more than likely Scott Drinkwater moves to No.1 with Daejarn Asi coming into the halves to partner Tom Dearden.
BULLDOGS V ROOSTERS
Saturday 10 July, Bankwest Stadium, 7:35pm
Bulldogs: Bubble breakers Dylan Napa, Aaron Schoupp, Brandon Wakeham, Corey Waddell and Sione Katoa are all expected to be unavailable due to isolation which is due to end on gameday. The Bulldogs have also been dealt another massive blow after the 66-0 loss to the Sea Eagles with Jeremy Marshall-King looking at a two-week suspension with an early guilty plea after being charged with grade one crusher tackle, while Ava Semanufagai is looking at a one-week suspension with an early guilty plea after being charged with grade one dangerous contact. Matt Doorey was forced from the field late in the game due to HIA and will need to pass required protocols. All three debutants from the weekend in Manu, Bailey-Odo and Patolo should hold positions in the 17. Jayden Okunbor is close to returning from an ACL injury.
Roosters: Without Origin pair James Tedesco and Angus Crichton which will see Joey Manu play fullback, Joseph Suaalii move to right centre after playing right wing against Storm and Matt Ikuvalu returning to right wing. Sam Walker was battered and bruised in the Storm game which could see him rested this week with options of Drew Hutchison or Adam Keighran in the halves, with Freddy Lussick or Ben Marschke coming onto the bench. Nat Butcher is close to returning from an ankle injury and will need to pass a fitness test to be named. Daniel Suluka-Fifita was charged with grade one dangerous contact and is looking at a one-week suspension. Victor Radley returns from suspension at lock with Issac Liu moving to 2RF to cover for Crichton. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is free to play, only receiving a fine after being charged out of the Storm game.
SHARKS V WARRIORS
Sunday 11 July, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 4:05pm
Sharks: Likely without Matt Moylan after he was a late withdrawal on the weekend due to a calf injury with Braydon Trindall set to fill in provided he is not charged after being placed on report on Sunday. Will Chambers should play after missing the game on the weekend with Connor Tracey moving back to the wing and Sione Katoa set to drop back to a bench utility role. Royce Hunt has returned to full training after recovering from a knee injury and could come into contention but would probably need some match fitness which isn’t available currently due to NSW Cup being cancelled because of Covid.
Warriors: Hit hard this week with Tohu Harris (HIA/shoulder), Chad Townsend (shoulder) and Eliesa Katoa (shoulder) all set to be ruled out. Reece Walsh has started running after suffering a hamstring strain in captain’s run for Origin 2 but he still has a few boxes to tick before being named. Kodi Nikorima was ruled out on weekend due to an ankle injury but it’s hoped he will come back into the halves to partner Sean O’Sullivan, who will retain his position with Townsend out injured. New signing Matt Lodge will make his club debut partnering Addin Fonua-Blake at prop with Jazz Tevaga at lock, Bayley Sironen in 2RF with Taniela Otukolo and Jack Murchie likely to come onto the bench. Roger Tuivasa-Scheck copped a knock whilst trying to make a tackle in second half on weekend but was able to play out the game and should be fit to be named.
ON THE BYE: Eels, Tigers, Dragons, Storm, Panthers, Broncos, Titans, Knights
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 17: Predicted team changes via Wacko’s Whispers
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