NRL Late Mail round 20: Valentine Holmes out for Dragons, David Fifita in doubt for Titans

The Dragons have revealed Valentine Holmes replacement after he was ruled out for the season, and a Bulldogs star is back from injury, while David Fifita’s wretched season has taken another turn. See the full round 20 late mail.

David Fifita’s wretched season has taken a turn after the Titans star was floored by a virus this week.

Fifita is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval due to illness, just a week after making his return to the NRL.

Fifita spent two months on the sidelines after being dropped to reserve grade by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler and then undergoing knee surgery.

David Fifita is in doubt. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

He came off the bench in last week’s loss to the Broncos in his return but is now in doubt for the Tigers game.

The Titans flew to Sydney on Friday afternoon without Fifita, who was expected to travel separately and hopes to prove his fitness at Saturday’s captain’s run.

“The only one that’s been doubtful is Dave Fifita this week,” Hasler said.

“He’s been suffering from a virus and has been in isolation.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay.”

Fifita has only managed seven NRL appearances this season in what has been the most challenging season of his career.

He has found himself on the outer with Hasler and only scored one try so far, his worst return since debuting in 2018.

The Titans are anchored to last spot on the NRL ladder and facing the prospect of collecting a third wooden spoon.

Hasler is also fighting for his coaching future.

“We’ve got to put a string of wins together,” Hasler said.

-Travis Meyn 

HOLMES REPLACED

Corey Allan will replace Valentine Holmes after Holmes’ season-ending injury.

Mat Feagai was named on the extended bench having made his return to NSW Cup last week. However, it is understood the Dragons believe he needs an extra week in reserve grade before he can push for a first grade spot.

-Michael Carayannis

FULL EXTENT OF PAPENHUYZEN’S ‘ANNOYING’ INJURY

Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen says his lingering calf issue will likely need to be managed for the rest of the season.

Papenhuyzen will miss his third game in a row this weekend due to an injury initially referred to by the Storm as “calf tightness”.

Although the man himself says the injury is a “calf strain”.

Papenhuyzen told his 167Podcast: “I just got a little calf strain.

“I did it in the Souths game a few weeks ago.

“I played the Sharks game and just felt it again and then I tried to get up for the Cowboys but it wasn’t quite right.

“Then we just shut it down for the week against the Knights because I knew I wasn’t playing then.

“And then this week, I’m trying to run tomorrow so it’s probably a bit too late to be named in the squad, to then be pulled out.

“(We have a) short turnaround into the Roosters as well. If I played this week I probably wouldn’t have played against the Roosters …

“I hate how they (the Storm) put out there as ‘calf tightness’ and I’m like ‘tell them it’s a strain.’

“A strain and tightness, they are not too different, it’s not like I’ve ruptured it.

“When you say calf tightness for three weeks, I think people who can read between the lines can see that it’s more.

Papenhuyzen earlier confirmed on 2GB that he’ll need to manage the injury for the rest of the year.

ROUND 20 LATE MAIL

RAIDERS v EELS

Saturday, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Chevy Stewart 21. Danny Levi

Players cut: 19. Trey Mooney 20. Noah Martin 22. Ethan Sanders

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Origin player Hudson Young is carrying osteitis pubis and was rested last match for the Raiders, but will take the field this weekend.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Bailey Simonsson 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Jordan Samrani 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Dylan Brown 19. Dan Keir

Players cut: 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Haze Dunster

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Ryley Smith slots straight back into the starting side on his return from suspension, but will now share the hooking role with recruit Tallyn Da Silva.

The Eels have confirmed Kitione Kautoga (ankle) will miss the rest of the season.

Star halfback Mitch Moses (calf) is hoping to play next week or the week after.

BULLDOGS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 16. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Sitili Tupouniua

Reserves: 22. Kurtis Morrin 20. Blake Wilson

Players cut: 10. Samuel Hughes 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 23. Toby Sexton

Late Mail: The Bulldogs have made a change in the 24-hour team update, with Samuel Hughes out of the side, with Josh Curran moving to the starting side and Sitili Tupouniua the new face on the bench as he returns from a hamstring injury.

The Bulldogs’ depth in the run to the finals has suffered a blow with attacking weapon Blake Taaffe ruled out for up to six weeks. The utility fullback, centre or half has suffered a significant hamstring injury, which has forced him to the sidelines.

Featuring from the Bulldogs bench in four games this season, Taaffe’s injury blow has emerged as the Dogs also deal with a groin injury to centre Bronson Xerri and neck surgery for winger Marcelo Montoya.

As per Tuesday’s team, Lachlan Galvin will play halfback with Toby Sexton out of the 17.

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 18. Corey Allan 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Nicholas Tsougranis

Players cut: 4. Valentine Holmes

Late Mail: Just one change for the Dragons in the 24-hour team update, with Valentine Holmes ruled out with a season ending shoulder injury. His injury sees Corey Allan come into the starting side at centre.

STORM v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 4. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 18. Joe Chan 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 10. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 15. Tui Kamikamica 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 14. Tyran Wishart 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ativalu Lisati

Reserves: 2. Kane Bradley 19. Bronson Garlick

Players cut: 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Late Mail: Melbourne have made some changes in the 24-hour team update. Winger Kane Bradley drops back to the reserves, with Grant Anderson moving to an edge and Joe Chan coming in at centre. Stefano Utoikamanu drops back to the bench, with Tui Kamikamica starting in the front-row.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is aiming to return next week from a calf injury.

Cameron Munster is facing a mad dash to make it to his father’s funeral in Rockhampton next week due to the NRL draw.

Steven Munster’s funeral will be held at midday in Rockhampton on Friday next week, July 25, after Munster’s Storm face the Roosters in Sydney on the Thursday night.

If Munster plays against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium he will have to get the first flight out of Sydney on Friday morning and change planes in Brisbane to make it to Rockhampton in time for the funeral.

Full story here

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 20. Caleb Navale

Players cut: 19. Clayton Faulalo 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Late Mail: No changes at this stage.

The Sea Eagles are hopeful Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) will return next week.

WESTS TIGERS v TITANS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Taylan May will make his Tigers debut after a long absence from the NRL.

Adam Doueihi’s clash with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui at lock will be an interesting one. Could you get two more contrasting 13s?

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Arama Hau 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Sam Verrills (concussion) has been cleared after passing his HIA post-match against the Broncos.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui return to the starting side after playing from the bench post-Origin.

Keano Kini (neck) has officially been ruled out for the season.

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Three of the Knights top stars are out for the season – Kalyn Ponga (foot), Fletcher Sharpe (spleen/kidney) and Dylan Lucas (foot).

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Kurt Capewell returns from an Origin resting at centre in place of Rocco Berry (shoulder), who is out for six weeks.

The Warriors are hopeful Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) will return next week.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 20: Valentine Holmes out for Dragons, David Fifita in doubt for Titans