NRL Late Mail round 4: Jack Williams suffers knee injury, Jeral Skelton in doubt

Parramatta’s Jack Williams is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines while a Tigers star has been ruled out. SEE THE LATEST TEAM NEWS HERE.

Eels coach Jason Ryles has confirmed NSW under-19’s prop Sam Tuivati will cover the loss of injured forward Jack Williams against Manly on Sunday.

The decision to promote the promising Tuivati onto the bench over proven NRL forwards Ryan Matterson, Bryce Cartwright and Kelma Tuilagi sheds light on the new direction that Ryles is attempting to take the club.

Boasting 423 NRL-games combined, Matterson, Cartwright and Tuilagi will all line-up for the Eels NSW Cup team on Sunday.

The loss to injury of Williams is a blow for the Eels as they attempt to secure their first win of the season - and the first NRL win for rookie coach Ryles.

Williams has been ruled out for up to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery for a meniscus injury.

New recruit Jack Williams is facing 4-6 weeks on the sidelines. Picture: Getty Images

“Jack injured his knee last week in the game against the Dogs, but unfortunately it’s a meniscus tear that he’s had tidied up,’’ Ryles said.

“So he’ll be out for a month to six weeks and then Sam Tuivati comes back onto the bench.’’

“It’s a little bit frustrating but it’s all part of it.

“Another player gets an opportunity which is obviously good for them and it also helps strengthen our squad going forward.’’

Ryles said his focus for Parramatta was continual improvement following a 16-8 loss to the Bulldogs las weekend.

“It’s going to take a little time, there’ll be some bumps, but its one of those things where we’ll be constantly chasing performances last week,’’ Ryles said.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress which is good for the group and also us as coaches as well.’’

MANLY CLEAR TURBO FOR TAKE OFF

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has labelled Tom Trbojevic a certain starter as he makes his return from a hamstring strain.

Seibold has no hesitation in picking Trbojevic to play Parramatta on Sunday after he missed their last start win against the Raiders.

“Tommy is good to go,” Seibold said. “He has trained all week. He trained all of last week but we needed to be conservative.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back there. We’ve looked after his load. We’ve made sure he has had the right load during the week.”

SKELTON IN DOUBT FOR TIGERS

Tigers winger Jeral Skelton is racing the clock for Sunday’s clash against the Warriors at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Skelton picked up a minor hamstring injury in last week’s win over the Dolphins.

Solomona Faataape has trained in Skelton’s place and is the likely replacement.

ROUND 4 LATE MAIL

SEA EAGLES V EELS

4:05pm, Sunday March 30, 4Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 20. Toafofoa Sipley

Cut: 19. Jakob Arthur 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Dean Matterson

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Tom Trbojevic returns after being rested last week due to hamstring soreness.

The Sea Eagles hope Taniela Paseka (Achilles) will return for the final few rounds of the regular season.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 10. Junior Paulo 9. Joey Lussick 16. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Ryley Smith 17. Dan Keir 18. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Charlie Guymer

Reserves: 20. Joash Papali’i 22. Jordan Samrani

Cut: 8. Jack Williams 15. Matt Doorey 21. Ronald Volkman

Late Mail: The Eels forward stocks have suffered a massive blow with key recruit Jack Williams ruled out for up to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

The power forward suffered a knee injury during last week’s loss to the Bulldogs. His withdrawal sees Joe Ofahengaue elevated to starting prop. Matt Doorey also drops off the bench. Sam Tuivaiti and Charlie Guymer have been elevated to the interchange.

WESTS TIGERS V WARRIORS

6:15pm, Sunday March 30, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 22. Solomona Faataape 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Latu Fainu 21. Tony Sukkar

Cut: 5. Jeral Skelton 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii

Late Mail: Jeral Skelton (hamstring) is has been ruled out, with Solomona Faataape replacing him on the wing.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 23. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 22. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Te Maire Martin 21. Samuel Healey

Cut: 5. Adam Pompey 14. Dylan Walker 20. Jacob Laban

Late Mail: The Warriors have made two late changes, with winger Adam Pompey replaced by Edward Kosi, while Dylan Walker drops off the bench after signing with the Eels. Bunty Afoa is the new face on the bench.

Horror news for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) with the star winger ruled out for eight weeks.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 4: Jack Williams suffers knee injury, Jeral Skelton in doubt