NRL Late Mail round 13: Origin injury updates, Jason Saab ruled out, Nathan Lawson Dragons debut

Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have returned to the Broncos unscathed, but the Sea Eagles have added another star to their injured list as they prepare to face them. Plus, Latrell Mitchell’s knee injury and a Dragons debut. See Round 13 Late Mail

The teetering Broncos have received a boost with Haas and Carrigan both cleared to back-up from Origin duty and travel to Sydney for Brisbane’s must-win clash against the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.

Carrigan was heroic for Queensland, amassing 110 metres and 45 tackles, while Haas walked away with man-of-the-match honours after 58 minutes of destruction in NSW’s 18-6 win on Wednesday night.

Now Maguire is banking on his Origin big guns to kickstart Brisbane’s charge to the finals as the Broncos approach the back half of the 2025 season under pressure with a mediocre 5-6 record.

The Sea Eagles will leapfrog eighth-placed Brisbane into the top eight with victory at Brookvale, but Maguire backed the Haas-Carrigan alliance to lift the Broncos, who face Manly fresh from a bye weekend.

Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas. Picture: Liam Kidston

“They pulled up well (from Origin),” Maguire said of Haas and Carrigan.

“One is happy and one is not feeling the same but they have been really good.

“They came in (on Thursday) and we had a good chat around their Origin experience but also how much passion they have about coming back here.

“It’s the first time I have been through this at the Broncos with the boys coming back to clubland after an Origin game.

“They are well and truly keen to get back with the boys.”

Asked if Haas and Carrigan will get reduced minutes after a typically torrid Origin opener, Maguire said: “I will wait and see how they are tracking.

“Payne played a lot of time and so did Patty.

“The amount of work they did was exceptional so I will see how the game goes.”

SAAB RULED OUT

Manly have suffered another injury blow with winger Jason Saab ruled out of the club’s home clash with the Broncos.

The Sea Eagles have confirmed Saab will miss the Saturday night clash due to illness.

Saab joins the likes of Tom Trbojevic (cork), Jake Trbojevic (concussion) Sio Siua Taukeiaho (calf) and Taniela Paseka (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Latrell in doubt

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell wasted no time getting out of enemy territory after NSW’s victory in the Origin series opener, jumping on a red-eye flight to be with club teammates first thing on Thursday morning.

It is believed the Rabbitohs fullback was out of the Blues’ Brisbane hotel around 4am this morning, before arriving at Souths training less than 24-hours after his Origin encounter.

Mitchell’s Sydney-based Blues teammates did not arrive home until after midday, but the origin hero was already down to business at Heffron Park ahead of the Rabbitohs’ clash against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.

Mitchell, who has been elevated to club captain in the absence of Cameron Murray and Cody Walker, was all smiles as he chatted with teammates, keeping a close eye on training at South Sydney’s base in Maroubra.

It is understood, however, that the fullback is racing the clock to back-up this weekend.

Mitchell was spotted with ice strapped to his left knee in the Blues sheds on Wednesday night as he celebrated NSW’s 18-6 win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

Latrell Mitchell was back at Rabbitohs training on Thursday morning but is racing the clock to take the field on Sunday. Picture: South Sydney Rabbitohs

Latrell Mitchell was spotted with an ice pack on his left knee after the Origin opener on Wednesday night

The knee injury isn’t believed to be a serious one but the 27-year old reported to Heffron Park first thing on Thursday morning to receive treatment on the minor complaint.

It’s believed he is rated a 50-50 chance to take the field against the Warriors at Accor Stadium.

Rabbitohs medical staff won’t make a call on Mitchell’s fitness until Saturday’s captain’s run.

Livewire back Jye Gray, who deputised for Mitchell in the no. 1 jumper in the opening rounds of the season, is a ready made replacement for Mitchell at fullback if he is ultimately ruled out.

Mitchell’s centre partner Stephen Crichton relived many Bulldogs fans upon arrival back to Sydney, revealing his elbow looks to be in better shape than first expected.

Crichton was see carrying his elbow by his side during last nights clash which left question marks over his fitness for the upcoming weeks.

Stephen Crichton gave Bulldogs fans a positive update with his injury news. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It’s all good, it’s all good,” Crichton said.

“I think I just twisted it a bit in one of the tackles, it’s good that our bulldogs team is going into a bye. So I get a long turnaround to look after it, and get the body right for Parramatta.”

Penrith’s Blues contingent of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin will report to training on Friday.

All five stars were named in Penrith’s starting side to take on arch rivals Parramatta and are expected to back-up on Sunday.

The only concern for Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will be To’o, who was spotted with ice strapped to his ribs on Wednesday night.

Brian To’o will be assessed by Penrith medical staff. Picture: Rohan Kelly

To’o will be assessed by medical staff on Friday.

If he is ruled out, Paul Alamoti, who was named in the reserves for the Eels clash, will likely be elevated into the starting side as To’o’s replacement on the wing.

-Fatima Kdouh, Tyson Jackson

RUGBY CONVERT TO DEBUT

Rugby Sevens convert Nathan Lawson will make his NRL debut against the Knights at Jubilee Oval on Friday night.

The 25-year-old will start in first grade on the wing with originally-named winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) unable to prove his fitness in time for the match.

Lawson represented Australia at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics before signing a contract with the Dragons last December.

A powerful and elusive ballrunner, Lawson scored 69-tries in 25 Sevens tournaments.

He has been elevated to the NRL after featuring on the wing and t centre in NSW Cup where he has scored five tries in eight NSW Cup appearances.

-David Riccio

Nathan Lawson will make his NRL debut for the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

SHARK FACING MONTHS ON SIDELINES

Cronulla have suffered a major injury blow with influential prop-forward Tom Hazelton ruled out for three months.

The hugely popular fan favourite joins an increasing Sharks casualty ward after undergoing surgery to repair a sternoclavicular joint injury, also known as a collarbone joint injury.

In an indication of his bravery, Hazelton played-on with the injury to complete the match against Manly three weeks ago.

The Sharks held several meetings with specialists before determining a path of recovery via surgery which the 26-year-old underwent this week.

Hazelton will aim to return two weeks before the final series.

The hulking prop joins teammates Toby Rudolf (ankle), Sione Katoa (shoulder), Teig Wilton (shoulder), Sam Stonestreet (ankle), Liam Ison (knee), Kade Dykes (knee) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (suspended) on the sidelines.

-David Riccio

Thomas Hazelton is set for a long spell on the sidelines. Picture: NRL Photos

TINO IN DOUBT

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is in doubt for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne after sustaining a badly bruised and cut face in Queensland’s Origin loss to the Blues.

Fa’asuamaleaui was looking worse for wear in the Maroons’ dressing room following the 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

He had a badly swollen and black left eye, which was also cut, and may require scans on Thursday.

Titans teammates Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor were cleared to back-up against the Storm at Cbus Super Stadium and Fa’asuamaleaui was adamant he’d join them.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was battered and bruised after Origin I. Picture: Getty Images

“I will back up for sure,” he said.

“I will be sore but that’s football, I want to do the Titans proud also and back up and represent them too.”

Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster and hooker Harry Grant were determined to play for the Storm.

“My body is fine – all I did was make tackles,” Munster said.

Cowboys players Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson were cleared of major injury and are expected to face Wests Tigers on Saturday.

-Travis Meyn

IVAN CONFIDENT PENRITH’S BLUES WILL BACK-UP

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is counting on his five Origin representatives to bring some buzz back to the team ahead of their must-win Western Sydney derby on Sunday.

And in a major boost for SuperCoaches, Cleary said, barring injury, the likelihood of players including his superstar son Nathan, backing up was increased given the Panthers had a bye before the players went into Origin camp.

“I can only imagine there’d be nothing like it (Origin), just the energy and the build up, it would be pretty cool.

“I definitely hope there’s a flow-on effect for us after that.”

Nathan Cleary is expected to back up for the Panthers after Origin I. Picture: Getty Images

Cleary also knows with just three wins and a draw from 11 games, there’s not the same opportunities as in previous seasons for him to rest his Origin stars over the next month.

“There’s different circumstances, we had a bye before Origin so all those boys had a rest which we haven’t had before,” Cleary said.

Elsewhere no State of Origin players reported significant injuries after the match. Payne Haas was under an injury cloud heading into the game but managed to deliver a man of the match performance for the Blues.

HOLMES CLEARED FOR DRAGONS

Valentine Holmes will back-up for the Dragons from Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener. In a major boost for St George-Illawarra, Holmes has been cleared to face the Knights at Jubilee Oval on Friday night – just 48-hours after the Maroons were soundly beaten by NSW.

ROUND 13 LATE MAIL

DRAGONS V KNIGHTS

Friday May 30, 8pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 21. Nathan Lawson 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lykhan King-Tongia 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie

Reserves: 22. Hame Sele 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Players dropped: 5. Christian Tuipulotu 18. Emre Guler 20. Lachlan Ilias

Late Mail: Valentine Holmes will back-up for the Dragons from Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener. Christian Tuipulotu’s return from injury has been delayed by at least a week, with Nathan Lawson set to make his NRL debut on the wing.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen

Players dropped: 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Elijah Leaumoana

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Jack Cogger remains among the reserves and could come into the starting side if the Knights opt to rest Kalyn Ponga.

TITANS V STORM

Saturday May 31, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 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. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Klese Haas 17. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Josh Patston 21. Tom Weaver 22. Sean Mullany 23. Allan Fitzgibbon

Players dropped:

Late Mail: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is in doubt for Saturday’s clash, but the Gold Coast skipper has said he hopes to play.

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick

Reserves: 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Kane Bradley 22. Lazarus Vaalepu 23. Marion Seve 24. Ativalu Lisati

Players dropped:

Late Mail: Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are expected to back-up after the Maroons loss on Wednseday night.

COWBOYS V TIGERS

Saturday May 31, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Karl Lawton 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Braidon Burns 23. Kaiden Lahrs, 24. Jamal Shibasaki

Players dropped:

Late Mail: Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson were cleared of major injury and are expected to play.

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Brent Naden 15. Jack Bird 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar

Reserves: 18. Tristan Hope 19. Luke Laulilii 20. Charlie Murray 21. Kit Laililii 22. Tallyn Da Silva

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

SEA EAGLES V BRONCOS

Saturday May 31, 7.35pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles

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

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Jake Arthur 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Caleb Navale

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

Broncos

1. Jesse Arthars 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Ben Te Kura

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Fletcher Baker 23. Va’a Semu

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

RABBITOHS V WARRIORS

Sunday June 1, 2pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Lewis Dodd 22. Jacob Host

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Leka Halasima 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith 23. Taine Tuaupiki

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

PANTHERS V EELS

Sunday June 1, 4.05pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Harrison Hassett

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Riley Wake 20. Preston Riki 21. Daine Laurie 22. Jack Cole 23. Paul Alamoti 24. Austin Dias

Players dropped:

Late Mail: Coach Ivan Cleary expects his Origin representatives to play against the Eels.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Sean Russell 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Joash Papalii

Reserves: 18. Matt Doorey 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

ROOSTERS V RAIDERS

Sunday June 1, 6.15pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Dominic Young 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Xavier Va’a 23. Ethan King 24. Chad Townsend

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Jed Stuart 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Ethan Sanders

Players dropped:

Late Mail: To Come

BYES: Sharks, Bulldogs, Dolphins

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 13: Origin injury updates, Jason Saab ruled out, Nathan Lawson Dragons debut