NRL Late Mail Round 10: Nicho Hynes out for Sharks, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck suffers hamstring injury

The NRL’s Round 10 injury curse has continued, with Sharks star and NSW hopeful Nicho Hynes joining the growing casualty ward. See all the predicted team changes.

Nicho Hynes is a shock withdrawal from Cronulla’s blockbuster clash against the Storm on Saturday night.

The Sharks playmaker has been ruled out with calf tightness.

The injury isn’t considered serious yet it is a shattering blow both to the Sharks hopes of upsetting Melbourne.

It could also have ramifications for NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire.

The Sharks are already without starting half Braydon Trindall, leaving rookie half Daniel Atkinson to steer the side.

Jack Williams and Blayke Brailey are both tipped to spend time in the halves during the match.

—David Riccio

WARRIORS STARS SET FOR STINT ON THE SIDELINES

Tuivasa-Sheck is set for a stint on the sidelines after he injured his hamstring during training in recent days. The Warriors veteran was due to take his place in the side to play the Roosters on Sunday but he will now be missing. Adam Pompey is Tuivasa-Sheck’s likely replacement.

Meanwhile, Kurt Capewell is expected to miss up to four weeks after suffering a calf injury in the Warriors Round 9 loss to the Knights.

His absence has forced a forward pack reshuffle, with Mitch Barnett shifting to an edge and Bunty Afoa called into the starting pack at prop. Jacob Laban is named among the reserves and could be another option.

—Michael Carayannis

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has reportedly suffered a hamstring injury at Warriors training. Picture: Getty Images

BRIMSON SET FOR SWITCH AMID HASLER MIND GAMES

Des Hasler’s mind games are in full swing at the Titans ahead of another spine shake-up.

Hasler has been forced to make more changes to his playmaking set up after Tanah Boyd suffered a dislocated wrist in last week’s loss to Melbourne.

Hasler named hooker Chris Randall at five-eighth for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, but AJ Brimson has trained there during the week with young gun Keano Kini at fullback.

Brimson has been in hot form at fullback and despite the training set up, halfback Kieran Foran said Brimson wasn’t moving to the halves.

“He’s not moving into the halves yet. He’ll be staying at one for us,” he said.

“His form has been sublime. Hopefully he can keep that up for us. If he can keep playing like that we’re going to be in more games than we’re not.

“It’s a position he’s so accustomed to and he’s been our best player the last month. It’d be nice to hold him there.

—Peter Badel and Travis Meyn

AJ Brimson has been training at five-eighth this week. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

STORM CHEAPIE GIVEN ALL CLEAR

Young gun Sua Faalogo (knee) will play despite failing to finish last week.

“It’s exciting for our fans to actually see him here in Melbourne on our home track. While it’s very disappointing to lose [Ryan Papenhuyzen] obviously having Sua wearing the No. 1 and playing here at AAMI Park is going to be exciting for everyone,” said football boss Frank Ponissi said.

Tui Kamikamica (calf) was close last week and will likely come into the 17 after being named on the extended bench.

—Tom Sangster

HAMMER BACK FOR MAGIC ROUND

Dolphins superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is set to return from a hamstring injury in next week’s Magic Round.

“Hammer should be right for next week. He is pretty close,” Hickmans said.

“He could have been a push for this week but it was a short turnaround being a Thursday game (against Manly) so there was no point risking him.

—Peter Badel

JOHNSON EDGES CLOSER TRO FULL FITNESS

Shaun Johnson (Achilles) has trained well this week for the first time in a long time and is edging back to full fitness.

“Last week was the first time he did more than captain’s run. He has been very tough just to get out on the field for us,” coach Andrew Webster said.

“We haven’t had Shaun train this early in the week for, I want to say, the last five weeks.

“It’s good news because at this stage the injury is improving … we’re slowly building him up so hopefully next week or the week after he can do everything.”

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is due back next week. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

WARRIORS’ INJURY BLOW

Kurt Capewell is expected to miss up to 4 weeks after suffering a calf injury in Round 9.

Likely moderate grade strain (partial muscle tear) with that recovery timeframe.

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 9, 2024

NRL ROUND 10 LATE MAIL

STORM v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Cameron Munster 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 19. Jack Howarth 22. Tui Kamikamica

Players cut: 18. Kane Bradley 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis

Late Mail: SuperCoach cheapie Sua Faalogo (knee) will play despite failing to finish last week. Tui Kamikamica (calf) was close last week and will likely come into the 17 after being named on the extended bench. Xavier Coates (hamstring) is set to return next week in Magic Round while Jahrome Hughes (calf) is slated to return in round 12.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 14. Jack Williams 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 21. Kade Dykes 22. Billy Burns

Players cut: 7. Nicho Hynes 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes has been ruled out with a calf injury, with Jack Williams named to start at halfback. However Kade Dykes remains among the resereves and could be a late inclusion. Toby Rudolf (knee) has been ruled out for four weeks with Royce Hunt named in his place on the bench.

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 2pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 14. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May 18. Sandon Smith

Reserves: 19. Egan Butcher 22. Fetalaiga Pauga

Players cut: 9. Brandon Smith 20. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Siua Wong

Late Mail: Brandon Smith has been ruled out for the Roosters, with Connor Watson elevated to the starting side at hooker, with Sandon Smith coming onto the bench. Victor Radley (hamstring), Daniel Tupou (knee) and Brandon Smith (calf) remain the big watches, while Spencer Leniu (suspension) returns.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 17. Adam Pompey 22. Edward Kosi 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 23. Freddy Lussick

Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki

Players cut: 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 21. Zyon Maiu’u

Late Mail: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) is out with injury, while Marcelo Montoya has been dropped. Adam Pompey and Edward Kosi coming into the starting side. Freddy Lussick joins the bench. Shaun Johnson (Achilles) has trained well this week for the first time in a long time and is edging back to full fitness.

TITANS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Chris Randall 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Keano Kini 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia

Players cut: 20. Joe Stimson 21. Jacob Alick-wiencke 22. Aaron Schoupp

Late Mail: AJ Brimson has trained at five-eighth this week with Keano Kini at fullback. The switch would see Chris Randall move to the bench after being named in No.6. Moeaki Fotuaika (concussion) returns.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 10. Griffin Neame 9. Reece Robson 15. Thomas Mikaele 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Heilum Luki 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo 20. Harrison Edwards

Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford

Players cut: 8. Jordan McLean 21. Braidon Burns 22. Jaxon Purdue

Late Mail: Jordan McLean (hamstring) has been ruled out, with Thomax Mikaele named to start in his place and Harrison Edwards joining the bench. Chad Townsend (knee) has been named to return from injury.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 10: Nicho Hynes out for Sharks, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck suffers hamstring injury