NRL Early Mail round 6: Chevy Stewart debut for Raiders, Rabbitohs bench Damien Cook
Ricky Stuart will hand a debut to talented teenager Chevy Stewart to cover Jordan Rapana at fullback, while Damien Cook is set to pay the price for South Sydney’s form slump. FULL ROUND 6 EARLY MAIL
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Boom Canberra fullback Chevy Stewart is set to earn a long-awaited NRL debut this weekend with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to blood the youngster on Sunday afternoon.
Stewart will be handed the No.1 jumper to replace veteran Jordan Rapana, who suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s win against Parramatta.
Medical staff are sweating on the results of scans to determine the extent of Rapana’s injury that could require surgery and sideline him in the medium term.
Stewart was in a fullback duel during the pre-season but coach Stuart opted to switch Rapana from the wing into the no.1 jumper.
Albert Hopoate will miss another week after sustaining serious burns to his arm after an oil can exploded at the home of teammate Corey Harawira-Naera in a freak accident.
Forward Zac Hosking will be available for selection after overcoming a head knock, while Corey Horsburgh is in doubt with a groin injury.
Cook dropped to bench, prodigy’s debut
- David Riccio
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou will inject “flair” into his team by making a trio of changes including starting rookie hooker Peter Mamouzelos over Damien Cook in must-win game against Cronulla on Saturday night.
Demetriou has the option of sticking with Cook on his bench or going with Siliva Havili.
Havili has an appeal as a bench option as he can play as both a back-up dummy-half and as a middle forward.
Jack Wighton has backed the promotion of energetic fullback Jye Gray, flying winger Tyrone Munro and the crafty Mamouzelos.
All three rookies trained in the Rabbitohs starting line-up on Tuesday with Gray taking over from the suspended Latrell Mitchell.
Munro is back from a shoulder injury for his first game of the year while Cook ran with the ‘second team’ and is likely to enter the match from the interchange bench.
“We know we’re going to have that flair and young energy out there, they’ve got the young fresh legs and it’s exciting,” Wighton said.
Broncos boost as Walsh, Mam firm for derby clash
-Peter Badel and Travis Meyn
The Broncos have received a huge boost with star duo Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam set to be cleared for Friday night’s Dolphins derby at Suncorp Stadium.
Mam has been cleared of a corked thigh, while Walsh is on track for an early return from the facial fracture he suffered against the Panthers three weeks ago.
Walsh was originally expected to miss four to six weeks but he ramped up his comeback plans on Tuesday, running in pink headgear at Broncos training.
Mam, meanwhile, also took part and ran without an issue after throwing a minor scare through the Broncos on Monday when he failed to finish training after copping a blow to his leg.
The return of Walsh would be a massive fillip for the Broncos, who have already lost champion halfback Adam Reynolds (hamstring) for the derby clash with Bennett’s Dolphins.
Jock Madden will step up for Reynolds at halfback, while Walsh is primed for a thrilling backfield duel with Dolphins speed demon Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The Broncos will nominate their 22-man squad on Tuesday afternoon and coach Kevin Walters is increasingly confident Walsh will be on deck ahead of schedule.
Munro ready to return for Souths
-Brent Read, David Riccio
South Sydney flyer Tyrone Munro is set to make a welcome return for the embattled Rabbitohs this weekend as they look to kickstart their season.
Munro trained with the first grade squad on Tuesday morning and is expected to be rushed straight back into the side to face Cronulla at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
The youngster was poised to start the season in first grade but suffered a shoulder injury, forcing him to bide his time on the sidelines until he returned to full health.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou will also hand a first grade debut to young fullback Jye Gray this weekend in the absence of Latrell Mitchell, who was suspended.
LOMAX REWARDED
– Phil Rothfield
Zac Lomax, the $800,000-a-year winger who wants to quit St George Illawarra, is expected to be named at fullback for the Dragons against the Wests Tigers next weekend.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan switched Lomax to fullback and sent Tyrell Sloan to the wing early in the second half of the Dragons’ 30-10 defeat to Newcastle last Friday, citing his disappointment with the young No.1’s lack of commitment at the back.
“The three tries [conceded]. It just wasn’t good enough,” Flanagan said.
“He [Sloan] is a young kid and he needs to learn it’s a tough game and you need to put your head where people are going to put their boots and there’s going to be collisions. It didn’t happen in the first three tries so I knew I needed to make a change and I’m not afraid to do those type of things.
DOUBLE BLOW FOR TIGERS
– Brent Read and Fatima Kdouh
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall will turn to rising lock Justin Matamua after losing two key forwards to concussion this weekend.
John Bateman and Samuela Fainu will both go under the 11-day concussion stand down period ruling them out of Sunday’s clash against St George Illawarra.
Matamua is expected to be named on Tuesday, in what will be his first NRL game of 2024 after playing seven games since making his debut in 2022.
Benji is also sweating on the fitness of hooker Api Koroisau (hamstring) and Latu Fainu (hamstring).
Fainu has been sent for scans to determine the extent of the injury but isn’t expected to be sidelined long term.
The likes of Jake Simpkin are in contention to come onto the bench.
NAS CLEARED FOR NRL
— Dean Ritchie
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is now a shock contender to make his highly anticipated return to the NRL after the Melbourne behemoth escaped any punishment by the NSWRL judiciary.
Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned and placed on report twice playing for the North Sydney Bears on Sunday afternoon.
The NSWRL match review committee deliberated on Monday morning and have cleared the Storm forward of any wrongdoing.
It has opened the door for Asofa-Solomona, who hasn’t played a first grade game in 2024, to earn a re-call into the NRL side to stake on Canterbury on Friday night at AAMI Park.
The first incident that landed Asofa-Solomona came in the opening exchanges where he was placed on report for a cannonball tackle.
Then, with nine minutes remaining, he was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm on Wests player and former NRL star Brent Naden.
The giant prop has been playing NSW Cup while trying to secure some much-needed fitness for the rigours of NRL.
Asofa-Solomona was Norths’ starting prop in jumper number 23 and, despite the moments of ill-discipline, he played strongly and scored a try in Norths’ 42-16 thrashing of Wests at North Sydney Oval.
ROUND 6 EARLY MAIL
— Tim Williams
KNIGHTS v ROOSTERS
Thursday, 7.50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Tyson Frizell won’t return from a hamstring injury, which will see Dylan Lucas stay on the right edge.
Greg Marzhew is a chance to return from a wrist injury, this would see Tom Jenkins drop out of the team and Enari Tuala shift to the right wing.
Roosters: Dominic Young is facing a two to three match ban for a careless high tackle. This will likely see Junior Pauga start on the wing in his place.
James Tedesco is unavailable due to a head knock, which will see Joey Manu or Joseph Suaalii shift to fullback and Michael Jennings come into the team at centre.
Sam Walker is also unavailable due to a failed HIA against the Bulldogs.
The Roosters have a few options to replace Walker, Manu could make the switch to five-eighth, Zach Dockar-Clay may be promoted from NSW Cup, or Connor Watson could shift into the halves.
STORM v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Joe Chan may return to the top squad after dealing with a hand infection in recent weeks. Nelson Asofa-Solomona could make a shock NRL return after being cleared by the NSWRL judiciary for two sin bin offences while playing for North Sydney.
Bulldogs: Blake Taaffe will miss the clash due to a head knock, which may see Stephen Crichton shift to fullback.
Connor Tracey will be unavailable due to a calf injury.
Josh Addo-Carr will return from a concussion on the wing, Blake Wilson returns from an illness on the wing and Jacob Kiraz will shift to centre.
Chris Patolo (shoulder), Harrison Edwards (neck) and Max King (hand) are likely all to be unavailable for the clash with the Storm, while Viliame Kikau is also under an injury cloud.
BRONCOS v DOLPHINS
Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Reece Walsh is a chance to return from a facial fracture, which would push Tristan Sailor out of the team.
Adam Reynolds will miss out due to a hamstring injury, with Jock Madden to come into the halves.
Deine Mariner suffered a back injury, which will likely see Corey Oates shift to the wing.
Xavier Willison is likely to return from a head knock on the bench.
Dolphins: Kurt Donoghoe is facing a two to three match suspension for a careless high tackle.
Herbie Farnworth suffered an AC joint injury and will spend some time on the sidelines, with Tesi Niu likely to come into the team at centre.
Felise Kaufusi suffered a hamstring injury, with Kenny Bromwich likely to shift to the edge, or Connelly Lemuelu could return from injury in his place.
Tom Flegler suffered a suspected AC joint injury and is likely to spend time on the sidelines pending scan results.
WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 3pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is likely to return from a hamstring injury on the wing, pushing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back to centre and Adam Pompey out of the team.
Bunty Afoa will miss a few weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Dylan Walker is a strong chance to return from an ankle injury, while Marata Niukore will miss an extended period with a foot injury.
Sea Eagles: Reuben Garrick failed a HIA in the win over Penrith and will miss the Warriors clash.
Jaxson Paulo or Tommy Talau could shift to centre, opening a spot for Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega on the wing.
Ben Trbojevic is also an option to shift to centre.
EELS v COWBOYS
Saturday, 5.30pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: No forced changes expected at the Eels.
Cowboys: Zac Laybutt suffered a suspected ACL injury in the win over the Titans.
This is likely to see Viliame Vailea come into the side at centre.
RABBITOHS v SHARKS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell is facing a three to four week suspension for a dangerous contact charge.
This will see exciting rookie Jye Gray make his NRL debut at fullback.
Shaq Mitchell will be available for selection after missing last week with a head knock.
Tyrone Munro is closing in on a return from injury.
Lachlan Ilias suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup and will be out long-term.
Sharks: Dale Finucane is a strong chance to return from a facial injury, while Braden Hamlin-Uele is closing in on his first game of the season after dealing with a knee injury.
Briton Nikora returns from suspension on the edge, which is likely to see Siosifa Talakai shift to centre and Kayal Iro drop out of the team.
WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Wests Tigers: John Bateman and Samuela Fainu will both be unavailable due to failed HIAs against the Dolphins.
This is likely to see Asu Kepaoa come into the team on the edge, while Alex Seyfarth could also make the move to the edge.
Latu Fainu suffered a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature against the Dragons.
Dragons: Jack Bird is in doubt to face the Tigers due to a knee injury.
If unavailable, Savelio Tamale or Max Feagai would likely come into the team at centre.
RAIDERS v TITANS
Sunday, 6.15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Zac Hosking is set to return from a head knock on the edge, pushing Ata Mariota to the bench.
Albert Hopoate is likely to return from a burn on his arm, although Ricky Stuart may opt to stick with the in-form James Schiller on the wing.
Corey Horsburgh is in doubt with an abdominal strain.
Titans: Kieran Foran is in doubt with an ankle injury, which would likely see Tom Weaver come into the halves.
AJ Brimson is also an option to switch to five-eighth.
Isaac Liu is likely to come back into the team after missing the Cowboys clash due to a head knock.
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