NRL Early Mail Round 13 2021: Predicted teams for first bye week
Changes galore this week due to Origin — not to mention the bye — but there are also plenty of positives for KFC SuperCoaches.
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Blake Ferguson has been axed from the Parramatta side to play Newcastle on Sunday.
After only just missing out on NSW Origin selection to Penrith’s Brian To’o, Ferguson has been cut from the side to face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Marata Niukore will start in the centres alongside Tom Opacic, casting doubt over Waqa Blake’s place in the squad.
Off-contract Ferguson has paid the price after heavy defeats to Manly and Souths.
— Michael Carayannis
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PANTHERS CONFIRM HALVES PAIRING
Heavily-impacted by State of Origin, the Panthers are smiling with deep cover in the absence of their biggest names.
Tyrone May and Matt Burton can be revealed as the Panthers halves-pairing and replacements Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary, who have been chosen to steer the Blues.
Mitch Kenny will be named at hooker and in a timely boost, Dylan Edwards (hamstring) will also be named to play the Tigers.
There is also mail that the Panthers will blood some new faces in the absence of Origin players Kurt Capewell, Isaah Yeo, Apisai Koroisau, Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Luai and Cleary.
Moses Leota will also miss Friday’s clash through suspension.
Koroisau told The Daily Telegraph coach Cleary could be looking at blooding a number of debutants including prop Lindsay Smith and handing forward Eddie Blacker his club debut.
May’s younger brother, Talyan, is also in line to debut in the outside backs with Cleary looking to replace Blues winger Brian To’o. Fullback Dylan Edwards is scheduled to make a return from injury easing Cleary’s selection headache in the backs.
Rising backrower is Izack Tago is also in the frame after Kurt Capewell was named for the Maroons.
— David Riccio and Fatima Kdouh
Meanwhile, in big KFC SuperCoach news:
* Popular cheapies Shawn Blore and Stefano Utoikamanu are set for big boosts this week due to Origin and suspension issues at the Tigers.
* The big KFC SuperCoach winners from Origin selections are Tevita Pangai, Ryan Matterson, Clint Gutherson and Matt Burton — who were all in contention but missed out.
* Unfortunately for KFC SuperCoaches, these fringe selections made Origin squads — Brian To’o, Reed Mahoney, Joe Ofahengaue, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Payne Haas.
* The following popular KFC SuperCoach players were named for Origin as expected — Nathan Cleary, Kurt Capewell, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Kalyn Ponga and Christian Welch.
DRAGONS V BRONCOS
Thursday 3 June, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7:50pm
Dragons (Dharawal & Yuin): Missing just one player to Origin with Tariq Sims the only player selected with Ben Hunt and Josh Kerr both set to miss the Queensland squad and therefore available for the Dragons. Kerr is back from suspension and would start on the right edge for Sims with Billy Burns staying on left edge. Matt Dufty is a chance to recover from a shoulder injury but will need to be tracking in the right direction to be named. Mikaele Ravalawa returns from suspension on the right wing. He would either replace Brayden Wiliame in a straight swap with Gerard Beale holding his position at right centre, or Wiliame could move to centre with Beale dropping out. Jack de Belin will be rushed back to the NRL after returning in NSW Cup on the weekend.
Broncos (Yuggera & Turrbal): Without both Payne Haas and Xavier Coates due to State of Origin. Alex Glenn is hopeful of returning from a calf injury after missing a number of weeks. Jordan Riki returns from suspension and depending on the fitness of Glenn could start in 2RF. Matt Lodge and Tyson Gamble also return from suspension with Anthony Milford to make way for Gamble’s return. Richie Kennar, Dale Copley and Corey Oates are all options to replace Coates on the right wing but it wouldn’t surprise me if we see an NRL debut from Selwyn Cobbo. Rhys Kennedy missed the Storm game due to a leg infection and will need to prove his fitness to be selected. I am expecting TC Robati to hold a bench position after impressing on debut. Kotoni Staggs is still a week or two away from returning from an ACL injury after having a setback with a hamstring injury.
WESTS TIGERS V PANTHERS
Friday 4 June, Leichhardt Oval, 7:55pm
Wests Tigers (Dharawal & Eora): Without Joe Ofahengaue due to Origin and could be missing Luciano Leilua after he was charged with a grade one shoulder charge for a hit on Blake Lawrie, which could see him miss one week. Expect Shawn Blore to start and Stefano Utoikamanu to come onto the bench. Jacob Liddle passed game day HIA after a knee from Tariq Sims and will be monitored which could open the door for the return of Jake Simpkin to the 17. Joseph Leilua is fit to return from concussion and could replace Tommy Talau which would see David Nofoaluma continue on left wing and James Roberts on right wing.
Panthers (Dharug): Missing a number of players due to State of Origin in Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Api Koroisau and Kurt Capewell. Dylan Edwards is hopeful of returning from a hamstring injury but has only completed rehab running and hasn’t returned to full squad training yet. I am expecting he won’t be fit which will see Stephen Crichton continue in the fullback role. Moses Leota is expected to be missing after being charged with a grade three careless high tackle on Jake Averillo and with an early guilty plea is looking at a one-week suspension. Matt Burton is expected to partner Tyrone May in the halves with Mitch Kenny coming in at hooker and Brendan Hands on the bench as cover, Spencer Leniu and Matt Eisenhuth in middle, Izack Tago on right edge, Taylan May at left centre, Robert Jennings on left wing. Jaeman Salmon, Eddie Blacker, Lindsay Smith and J’maine Hopgood, if he can recover from an ankle injury, are options to come onto the bench. Crichton will likely be handed goal kicking duties.
STORM V TITANS
Saturday 5 June, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7:35pm
Storm (Wurundjeri): Without a number of players due to Origin and injury with Josh Addo-Carr, Christian Welch, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster all heading into Origin camp. Storm are also hoping Felise Kaufusi will join them provided he is found not guilty at the judiciary on Tuesday night after being charged with grade one tripping. Tom Eisenhuth failed game day HIA on weekend and will need to pass required protocols to play with Chris Lewis the option to start if ruled out. Brandon Smith passed game day HIA after going off early on weekend but should be right to play. Kenny Bromwich has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury but is hopeful of returning with Trent Loiero to start if both Eisenhuth and K Bromwich are unavailable for selection. Dean Ieremia will come onto the right wing to replace Josh Addo-Carr. Cooper Johns could continue in halves with Ryley Jacks another option if fit after concussion.
Titans (Yugambeh): Missing four players due to Origin with David Fifita, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all selected for Queensland. Jayden Campbell is tipped to make his NRL debut with Brimson in Origin but he may not be at preferred fullback position but on wing with Phillip Sami likely moved to No.1. Tyrone Peachey returns after missing two games due to suspension and will start at lock. Patrick Herbert and Jaimin Jolliffe both passed game day HIAs and will be monitored. Beau Fermor left the field due to a hamstring injury on weekend and could be in some doubt with Sam McIntrye to start on edge if Fermor is ruled out. Sam Stone and Jai Whitbread could be options to come into the 17. Mitch Rein was placed on report but copped a fine and is free to play.
KNIGHTS V EELS
Sunday 6 June, McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm
Knights (Awabakal): Will rush new signing Jake Clifford into the halves to partner Phoenix Crossland after Kurt Mann missed the game on weekend due to a leg injury and is expected to be missing again. Tyson Frizell is out after suffering an ankle injury late in the Sea Eagles game on Sunday. Tex Hoy and Lachlan Fitzgibbon both left the field late due to HIAs and both could be in doubt. If fit Hoy will continue to deputise at fullback with Kalyn Ponga in Origin camp. Brodie Jones could start on an edge with another option of starting Mitch Barnett on edge with Connor Watson starting at lock. Jacob Saifiti will start at prop for brother Daniel who is in Origin camp which could see Jack Johns come onto the bench to make his club debut. Good to see some of the Knights young players return from injury in NSW Cup with Dominic Young (knee), Bailey Hodgson (knee) and Jirah Momoisea (Achilles).
Eels (Burramattagal): Only missing two players to Origin with Junior Paulo selected on the bench for NSW and Reed Mahoney selected for Queensland. Joey Lussick comes in at hooker and with Ray Stone out due to an ankle injury it’s hoped Will Smith will recover from a thumb injury to take up a bench utility role. Dylan Brown returns at five-eighth replacing Jakob Arthur to shore up leaky right side defence with Waqa Blake switched to left centre and Tom Opacic moving to right centre on weekend. Eels have the option of bringing Marata Niukore back in at right centre after he impressed earlier in the season when Blake was out injured. Reagan Campbell-Gillard returns from suspension with Oregon Kaufusi expected to partner him in front row.
ON THE BYE: Roosters, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders, Sharks, Warriors
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 13 2021: Predicted teams for first bye week
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