NRL Late Mail Round 25: Team changes and gossip

Get all the updated NRL team changes heading into the final week of the NRL SuperCoach season with grand final glory up for grabs.

• ROUND 25: NRL SuperCoach teams analysis

• REVIEW: What we learned from Round 24

Get all the updated NRL team changes heading into the final week of the NRL SuperCoach season with grand final glory up for grabs.

Check back throughout the week for our updated NRL Round 25 Late Mail.

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EELS v SEA EAGLES

Friday 6th September, Bankwest Stadium, 6pm

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Marata Niukore

Interchange: 14. Brad Takairangi 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Ray Stone 17. Tepai Moeroa

Reserves: 18. David Gower 21. Josh Hoffman

Players cut: 19. Will Smith 20. Peni Terepo

Late mail: Eels full squad trained during the week with no injury concerns leading into the game. They will be 1-17 with Ray Stone coming onto the bench and expected to see time at hooker when Mahoney has a break. Daniel Alvaro may start at lock as he did last week with Marata Niukore dropping to the bench. Will Smith and Peni Terepo were omitted 24 hours before kick off with David Gower and Josh Hoffman remaining in 19.

Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Corey Waddell 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Croker 21.Haumole Olakau’atu

Players cut: 19. Tevita Funa 20. Cade Cust

Late mail: Sea Eagles have been hit hard by injury but are expected to be 1-17 with rookie middle forward Sean Keppie set to make his NRL debut after being named on the bench. Tevita Funa and Cade Cust were omitted 24 hours before kick-off with Haumole Olakau’atu and Lachlan Croker remaining in the 19.

Teams are in for Round 25 and there’s big news on Shaun Johnson, Cameron Munster and John Bateman. Get the lowdown with Tim Williams and Huw Bonello.

STORM v COWBOYS

Friday 6th September, AAMI Park, 7.55pm

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Sandor Earl 6. Brodie Croft 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Max King 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tino Faasuamaleaui 19. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 20. Billy Walters 21. Harry Grant

Players cut: 17. Tom Eisenhuth 18. Curtis Scott

Late mail: Kenny Bromwich (knee) and Tui Kamikamica (arm) are both in some doubt, and will have to prove their fitness at Thursday’s captain’s run. Joe Stimson is on standby for Bromwich and rookie Harry Grant is a chance to come on to the bench should Kamikamica be ruled out. Tom Eisenhuth and Curtis Scott were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Tom Opacic 5. Murray Taulagi 6. John Asiata 7. Michael Morgan 8. Scott Bolton 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Josh McGuire 15. Coen Hess 16. Peter Hola 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Jensen 19. Reuben Cotter

Players cut: 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Jake Clifford

Late mail: The only concern is Jason Taumalolo who is managing a foot injury which kept him out a couple of weeks ago. He looked to be carrying it towards the end of the match last weekend, but is expected to play. Jake Clifford was named on the extended bench but isn’t expected to play with Reuben Cotter set to travel as 18th man. Tom Gilbert and Jake Clifford were both omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Bailey Simonsson starts at fullback for the Raiders. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

RAIDERS v WARRIORS

Saturday 7th September, GIO Stadium, 3pm

Raiders: 1. Bailey Simonsson 2. Michael Oldfield 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 5. Sebastian Kris 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. JJ Collins

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Joseph Tapine 20. Jordan Rapana 21. Tom Starling

Players cut:

Late mail: Have rested several big guns with Ricky Stuart not naming John Bateman, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Sio Soliola, while Jordan Rapana has been named on extended bench and also will be rested. Ricky Stuart confirmed on Friday morning that Joseph Tapine not expected to play due to ongoing managing of rib injury which has kept him out for the last couple of weeks.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Adam Pompey 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Ligi Sao 17. Adam Keighran

Reserves: 18. Josh Curran 20. Taane Milne 21. Hayze Perham 22. Leivaha Pulu

Players cut:

Late mail: Lock Jazz Tevaga (ankle) is expected to play along with Isaac Luke who has passed the required concussion protocols.

BULLDOGS v BRONCOS

Saturday 7th September, ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Nick Meaney 3. Morgan Harper 4. Reimis Smith 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Renouf Toomaga 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Chris Smith

Reserves: 19. Danny Fualalo 20. Isaiah Tass 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22 Ofahiki Ogden

Players cut:

Late mail: Look set to be 1-17 with Chris Smith (concussion) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (knee) both set to play after training during the week. Morgan Harper will make his NRL debut after being named at centre.

Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Darius Boyd 7. Jake Turpin 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. James Segeyaro 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Izaia Perese 17. Rhys Kennedy

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Shaun Fensom

Players cut: 21. Joe Ofahengaue (three more to come)

Late mail: Coach Anthony Seibold has opted against risking Joe Ofahenguae, who was named on the extended bench. The Maroons forward is battling a calf injury but was ruled out on Friday morning.

TITANS v DRAGONS

Saturday 7th September, Cbus Super Stadium, 7.35pm

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Alexander Brimson 14. Tanah Boyd 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jai Arrow 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Nathan Peats

Interchange: 7. Ryley Jacks 15. Jai Whitbread 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Jack Stockwell

Reserves: 18. Will Matthew 19. Kallum Watkins 20. Ashley Taylor 21. Anthony Don

Players cut:

Late mail: Jack Stockwell hasn’t played since Round 20 due to a wrist injury and would need to prove fitness at the captain’s run with Will Matthews on standby should he be ruled out. Titans will have 1 minor change with rookie Tanah Boyd set to make his starting debut at halfback with Ryley Jacks dropping to the bench.

Dragons: 1. Corey Norman 2. Tristan Sailor 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jonus Pearson 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Reece Robson 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Jackson Ford 13. Blake Lawrie

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Korbin Sims 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Patrick Kaufusi 19. Zac Lomax 20. Matt Dufty 21. Jacob Host

Players cut:

Late mail: Look set to be 1-17 with James Graham (concussion) and Corey Norman (groin) both expected to play. Zac Lomax isn’t expected to be a late inclusion after suffering concussion last weekend. Jeremy Latimore returns to play his final NRL game after being rested last weekend.

Moses Mbye, Robbie Farah and Shaun Johnson must past fitness tests to play.

TIGERS v SHARKS

Sunday 8th September, Leichhardt Oval, 2pm

Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Robert Jennings 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Josh Reynolds 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Ryan Matterson

Interchange: 14. Matthew Eisenhuth 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Alex Twal 17. Michael Chee-Kam

Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 19. Chris McQueen 20. Moses Mbye 21. Robbie Farah

Players cut:

Late mail: Robbie Farah is expected to prove his fitness and start with Josh Reynolds dropping to bench. Chris Lawrence is in some doubt due to concussion and either he or Elijah Taylor will make way. In a huge blow, Queensland rep Moses Mbye is out with injury.

Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell 15. Jack Williams 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Blayke Brailey 20. Kyle Flanagan 21. Matt Moylan

Players cut:

Late mail: Have their own fitness concerns with doubts around Shaun Johnson (quad), Matt Moylan (hamstring), Sosaia Feki (quad), Jack Williams (ankle) and Josh Dugan (soreness). All will have to prove their fitness at the captain’s run on Saturday but with the season on the line all are likely to play. This means Moylan starting at fullback with Dugan moving to the wing and Ronaldo Mulitalo dropping out of the 17. Kyle Flanagan will remain on standby for Johnson who was a late withdrawal last weekend.

PANTHERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday 8th September, Panthers Stadium, 4.05pm

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To’o 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Wayde Egan 10. Moses Leota 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14. Jarome Luai 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Billy Burns 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Reserves: 18. Sione Katoa 19. Hame Sele 20. Josh Mansour 21. Kaide Ellis

Players cut:

Late mail: The Panthers only potential change could be the same as previous weeks with Ivan Cleary dropping Jarome Luai out of the 17 making way for Sione Katoa to start at hooker with Wayde Egan dropping to the bench. Viliame Kikau is a confirmed starter after passing required concussion protocols after training with the squad during the week. Josh Mansour could be late inclusion if he can prove his fitness and would replace Stephen Crichton on the wing.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Bradman Best 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Hymel Hunt TBA 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Josh King 17. Aidan Guerra

Reserves: 18. Jacob Saifiti 19. Jamie Buhrer 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Starford Toa

Players cut:

Late mail: Veteran winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been ruled out with a knee injury. His replacement remains unclear.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 25: Team changes and gossip