NRL Late Mail Round 4: Parramatta Eels confirm Bryce Cartwright out of Easter Monday clash

Parramatta have suffered a late blow ahead of Easter Monday’s clash against the Wests Tigers, with new recruit Kelma Tuilagi promoted to the starting side. Details here.

Parramatta have suffered a late blow ahead of Easter Monday’s clash against the Wests Tigers with in-form backrower Bryce Cartwright officially ruled out.

Cartwright suffered a rib injury against Manly and was initially set to miss up to a month of football.

Coach Brad Arthur named Cartwright in the hope the forward would be able to manage the injury through pain management.

But Arthur confirmed on Sunday morning that Cartwright has been unable to train

“We were hopeful. We gave him every opportunity to play but he’s not right to play,” Arthur said.

“I feel like Carty has earned the right to ... he asked me early in the week to give him every opportunity to play and he’s playing nice and tough now and he has earned the right for that to happen.

“We made the decision on Friday, he wasn’t able to be part of the contract side of it. We have plenty of forwards there that can do that job for us.

But in positive news for the Eels, Arthur doesn’t expect Cartwright to be out long term.

“So we’ll see where he is at next week. We’ll just take it one week at a time with him,” Arthur said.

Despite his best efforts to play, Bryce Cartwright has been ruled out of the Easter Monday clash. NRL Imagery

Arthur also confirmed new recruit Kelma Tuilagi would start on the right edge as Cartwright’s replacement.

“Kelma will get his opportunity to come on and start himself as a starting backrower so it’s up to him now,” Arthur said.

“He’s done a really good job for us coming off the bench, which is different to starting. But he’ll get a chance there.”

Rising playmaker Blaize Talagi will wear the no.6 jumper, with Dylan Brown moving into the halfback role, after Mitchell Moses was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a foot injury.

Moses was spotted on crutches, and a cast on his left foot, as he arrived to Eels training on Sunday for the first time since having surgery last week.

Arthur is hopeful Moses can come back before his scheduled return date.

“I know Mitchell, he’ll be wanting to get back ahead of schedule,” Arthur said.

Carry named to start! Assume the reports earlier today of a fracture were premature - or Carty is going to be playing through some insane pain in Round 4 https://t.co/YCs9j1JQCt

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 26, 2024

“He’s had surgery. He hasn’t been into training yet. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. The pain is starting to ease a little bit. They are talking 8-10 weeks but once we get further on and he starts getting weight on his foot, we’ll see how he goes.

Arthur conceded Talagi has earned a call-up into the halves earlier than what the coach had anticipated but has backed the teenager’s toughness ahead of Monday’s clash.

“Blaize gets an opportunity ahead of when we thought he might in the halves,” Arthur said.

“He typifies what I want this team to be, tough. That was the first thing when I sat down to decide who was going to take that spot, I wanted the toughest person to take that spot.

“I knew he’ll get a couple of things wrong but we’ve seen him get a couple of things wrong against Manly … but he’s able to brush it off and get his job done.

“The longer the game went the better he got. I’m thinking the more time he gets in the no.6 jersey, the better he’ll get. If he runs the football, he front loads his effort and he’s physical, that’s all I ask for this week.”

FIFITA RETURNS

Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler says Maroons star David Fifita will make his NRL return on Saturday against the Dolphins.

Fifita is yet to take the field this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle at training in December, which required surgery.

The reigning Dally M backrower of the year was named on an extended bench for the Cbus Super Stadium showdown with the Dolphins, with Titans CEO Steve Mitchell declaring earlier in the week that Fifita was not ready to return.

David Fifita would be a welcome return for the Titans - if he plays. Picture: Getty Images

However Hasler said Fifita would play after the Titans completed their captain’s run on Good Friday.

“Dave will play,” he said.

“He’ll be used at some stage during the game.

“Both Dave and ‘JC’ (Jayden Campbell) coming back…they’re both welcome additions.

“The potency Dave brings, it’s another opportunity for points that come around him in scoring our points, that’s important,

“He’s an integral part of this team.”

The Titans are looking for their first win of the season following shocking performances against the Dragons (28-4) and Bulldogs (32-0).

ADDO-CARR BACK FOR BULLDOGS

Bulldogs superstar Josh Addo-Carr has been cleared to make his return from a shoulder injury against South Sydney on Friday afternoon.

Addo-Carr is expected to come into the Dogs side in place of Blake Wilson, having missed the past fortnight with a shoulder problem.

His return comes as the Bulldogs attempt to heap more misery on the battling Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.

Josh Addo-Carr is tipped to return for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

HOSKING TO START, WHITEHEAD OUT

Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead has been ruled out of an Easter Sunday clash with Cronulla due to a calf injury.

The experienced backrower’s withdrawal will prompt the return of Raiders front-rower Corey Horsburgh.

It will be Horsburgh’s first NRL game of the season due to a four-game suspension dating back to last year.

Horsburgh is expected to be added from the reserves to the Raiders bench with Zac Hosking promoted into the starting side to cover the loss of Whitehead on the edge.

Zac Hosking will start for the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

GAGAI ‘CONDITION’ RULES HIM OUT

Star Newcastle centre Dane Gagai has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash against the Warriors due to a “medical condition”.

He will be replaced Dylan Lucas, who has been promoted from 18th man.

The club expects Gagai back next week.

SEA EAGLES PULL FORWARD SWITCH

Manly will welcome back Toafofoa Sipley for his first match of the season after being suspended in the pre-season. Sipley missed the opening three games because of a crusher tackle on Roosters flyer Dom Young.

The ban meant Sipley was unavailable for the historic Las Vegas season opener. The prop, who was named as part of the extended squad, will come into Manly’s top 17 to take on the Dragons.

-Michael Carayannis

Toafofoa Sipley will come into the 17. Picture: NRL Imagery

ROUND 4 LATE MAIL

RABBITOHS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 4:05pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Tallis Duncan, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Saliva Havili, 19. Lachlan Ilias,

Players cut: 20. Sean Keppie, 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson

Late Mail: Doubt still surrounds both Cameron Murray and Jack Wighton (both knee) after they failed to finish training this week, although Souths say they will play.

BULLDOGS

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 22. Kitione Kautoga 23. Josh Addo-Carr

Players cut: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin

Late Mail: Josh Addo-Carr is tipped to return at the expense of Blake Wilson.

BRONCOS v COWBOYS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

BRONCOS

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench:

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

Reserves: 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Jock Madden 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Martin Taupau 22. Jordan Pereira

Late Mail: Adam Reynolds (knee) is aiming to return. Reece Walsh (facial fracture) could miss as little as two weeks after avoiding surgery.

COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 4. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

Late Mail: Zac Laybutt (ankle) suffered injury at captain’s run prior to the victory over the Dragons and was ruled as a precaution. He will play this week.

DRAGONS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Jack de Belin 16. Hame Sele 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Christian Tuipulotu 19. Michael Molo 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Matthew Feagai

Late Mail: Jacob Liddle (concussion), Francis Molo (suspension), Hame Sele (hamstring) and Jaydn Su’A (quad) are all back.

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Tommy Talau 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker 22. Toafofoa Sipley

Late Mail: Toafofoa Sipley will come into Manly’s 17 despite being named in jersey 22.

-Michael Carayannis

TITANS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

TITANS

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Keenan Palasia 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Jaimin Jolliffe

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18. David Fifita 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Harley Smith-Shields 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Josiah Pahulu

Late Mail: Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler says Maroons star David Fifita will make his NRL return on Saturday against the Dolphins. Fifita is yet to take the field this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle at training in December, which required surgery. Jayden Campbell (knee) is also back after returning through reserves last weekend.

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

Late Mail: Ray Stone and Kodi Nikorima (both concussion) are back in action after the bye.

WARRIORS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 19. Jazz Tevaga 21. Chanel Harris-Tevita 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Ali Leiataua

Late Mail: Wayde Egan (elbow), Marata Niukore (foot) and Dylan Walker (ankle) are all expected to be right to go.

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mat Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Thomas Cant 21. Will Pryce 22. Jackson Hastings

Late Mail: Dylan Lucas is set to replace centre Dane Gagai, who is out due to a “medical condition”.

SHARKS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:15pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Billy Burns 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Blake Hosking 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Max Bradbury

Late Mail: The Sharks have confirmed time frames on their injured forwards – Dale Finucane (eye socket fracture, 2-4 weeks), Toby Rudolf (syndesmosis, 3-6 weeks) and Royce Hunt (calf strain, 4 weeks).

RAIDERS

1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Zac Hosking 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Trey Mooney 19. Corey Horsburgh 20. Kaeo Weekes 21. Trey Mooney 21. Nick Cotric

Late Mail: Sebastian Kris (concussion) is back. Albert Hopoate (arm) is set to miss only one week. Elliott Whitehead is to be replaced by Zac Hosking in the starting side with Corey Horsburgh joining the interchange.

EELS v TIGERS

Monday, 4pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagai 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Bailey Simonsson

Late Mail: Blaize Talagai is the big player to watch for SuperCoaches after being named to replace Mitchell Moses in the halves. He’ll be the buy of the round next week if he goes half decent. Bailey Simonsson (concussion) and Maika Sivo (suspension) return.

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Asu Kepaoa 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Latu Fainu 20. Alex Lobb 21. Brent Naden 22. Tallyn Da Silva

Late Mail: To come

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 4: Parramatta Eels confirm Bryce Cartwright out of Easter Monday clash