NRL Late Mail round 26: Nicho Hynes back for Sharks, Payne Haas returns for Broncos, Dolphins set for mass changes

The Sharks welcome back star halfback Nicho Hynes eight weeks after a freak training mishap, while the Broncos and Dolphins are set for mass change. See all the Round 26 predicted team changes.

Nicho Hynes is back for the Sharks.

The former Dally M winner has been catapulted directly into the Cronulla starting side to tackle the Warriors at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.

Eight weeks after suffering a broken foot and syndesmosis injury during a training mishap, Hynes has been elevated from the reserves to join Braydon Trindall in the halves.

Nicho Hynes is back! Picture: Getty Images

Craig Fitzgibbon’s recent declaration that outstanding halves deputy Daniel Atkinson can play almost any position in the backline has been underlined by his shuffle from the halves and into the centres against the Warriors.

Atkinson will replace the injured Siosifa Talakai (calf) who has been withdrawn from the match.

—David Riccio

HAAS SET FOR RETURN AS BRONCOS

A bullish Kevin Walters has declared the Broncos will make the finals and kill off Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins after star prop Payne Haas was cleared for a stunning comeback for Saturday night’s Battle of Brisbane.

The teetering Broncos have received a massive boost with Haas – their No.1 enforcer – officially given the green light from doctors to return from a foot injury initially expected to end his season.

The fourth edition of the Battle of Brisbane is set for fireworks on the night of Riverfire with the Broncos and Dolphins fighting for their seasons before a 50,000 sellout at Suncorp Stadium.

Haas was originally given little hope of playing in this round 26 clash after the NSW Origin bookend suffered a Lisfranc injury in Brisbane’s heavy 46-18 loss to the Titans in round 22.

Payne Haas returns from a foot injury. Picture: NRL Photos

But the 24-year-old is back in business after taking part in the entire captain’s run session on Friday, rubberstamping his promotion from the extended bench for the death-or-glory Dolphins derby.

The fierce expansion rivals are both locked on 26 competition points – ninth-placed Brisbane (+2) are ahead of the Dolphins (-27) on percentages – and the inclusion of Haas could prove decisive.

Broncos coach Walters will have no hesitation unleashing Haas on the Dolphins from the opening minutes, with rookie prop Xavier Willison set to return to the bench to accommodate their $1 million prop.

“Payne is fine,” Walters said.

“He got through training really well (on Friday) morning.

“He’s a real pro … to get himself back in that short period and to be fit and ready to go really does show the class and the professionalism of Payne.

“He’s playing.”

Jake Averillo will play in the halves for the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

BENNETT MAKES MASS CHANGES

Wayne Bennett has made mass changes to the Dolphins in a final roll of the dice to beat the Broncos and keep the Redcliffe club’s play-offs dreams alive.

Bennett will unveil a new-look Dolphins team for Saturday night’s Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (foot) will make his long-awaited return from injury while Tevita Pangai Jr has overcome a hamstring problem and will face his former club.

Halfback Isaiya Katoa has been dumped to the bench, with Bennett to field a new halves pairing in Sean O’Sullivan and regular centre Jake Averillo.

That will see Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shift from fullback to centre, allowing excitement machine Trai Fuller to return to the team at the back.

The winner of the Brisbane derby will remain in the hunt for the top eight while the loser’s season will be over.

OTHER NEWS

Elsewhere,

* St George Illawarra have been dealt a blow with in-form winger Christian Tuipulotu set to miss the match against Parramatta with a hamstring injury. It is understood Tuipulotu suffered the injury at training.

Full predicted team changes below.

NRL ROUND 26 TEAMS

EELS VS DRAGONS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 18. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir

Reserves: 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden

Cut: 5. Sean Russell 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders

Late Mail: Sean Russell has been ruled out, with Jake Tago replacing him on the wing. Luca Moretti is set to make his return from a quad injury and has been named on the bench.

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Toby Couchman 15. Ryan Couchman 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Lyhkan King-Togia

Reserves: 16. Blake Lawrie 21. Connor Muhleisen

Cut: 5. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Michael Molo 22. Moses Suli

Late Mail: Christian Tuipulotu has been ruled out, with Mikaele Ravalawa replacing him on the wing, while Blake Lawrie has been dropped to the reserves, with Lyhkan King-Togia the new face on the bench.

Moses Suli was aiming to return early from a knee injury after being named on the extended bench, but was cut from the side in the 24-hour team update.

DOLPHINS VS BRONCOS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Kenny Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 15. Oryn Keeley 19. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Trai Fuller 22. Jeremy Marshall-King

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Hubner 21. Anthony Milford

Cut: 14. Mason Teague 16. Tesi Niu 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Late Mail: The Dolphins have made several changes in the 24-hour team update, with Tevita Pangai Junior, Trai Fuller and Jeremy Marshall King joining the bench at the expense of Mason Teague, Tesi Niu and Kurt Donoghoe.

Wayne Bennett is expected to make MORE late changes, with Isaiya Katoa set to be benched, Sean O’Sullivan moving to halfback, Jake Averillo moving to five-eighth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moving to centre, and Trai Fuller moving to fullback.

TPJ and Marshall-King could move into the starting side before kick-off, in a move which would likely see Mark Nicholls and Ray Stone move to the bench, and Max Plath shift to lock.

Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 20. Corey Oates 22. Payne Haas

Cut: 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Fletcher Baker 21. Cory Paix

Late Mail: Payne Haas is edging closer to a shock return.

Haas trained on Wednesday for the first time in three weeks after injuring his foot.

Haas was expected to be sidelined until week one of the finals – if Brisbane get that far – but Broncos coach Kevin Walters is prepared to roll the dice in a desperate bid to keep his side’s slim finals hopes alive.

Full story by Peter Badel

SHARKS VS WARRIORS

Saturday, 7.35pm, PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 4. Kayal Iro 6. Daniel Atkinson 5. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Nicho Hynes 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Chris Veaila 21. Billy Burns

Cut: 3. Siosifa Talakai 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes has been cleared to make his NRL return, while Siosifa Talakai (calf) has dropped out of the squad, with Daniel Atkinson moving in to centre.

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula

Reserves: 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Leka Halasima

Cut: 21. Edward Kosi 22. Paul Roache 23. Jacob Laban

Late Mail: Shaun Johnson will play his last game in the NRL. No changes in the 24-hour team update.

KNIGHTS VS TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Will Pryce 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. David Armstrong 22. Thomas Jenkins

Cut: To come

Late Mail: Bradman Best is on track to return from a hamstring injury. Kai Pearce-Paul (leg laceration) is due back next week.

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall

Interchange: 14. Josiah Pahulu 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot

Cut: To come

Late Mail: No changes at this stage. AJ Brimson has been sent for groin surgery and is out for the season.

ROOSTERS VS RAIDERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Robert Toia 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase

Cut: To come

Late Mail: Dummy-half duo Brandon Smith (calf) and Connor Watson (concussion) are expected to take their spots on game day.

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi

Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Adam Cook 22. Trey Mooney

Cut: To come

Late Mail: No changes expected. Ricky Stuart has named the same 17 players from last week’s win over the Panthers.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 26: Nicho Hynes back for Sharks, Payne Haas returns for Broncos, Dolphins set for mass changes