NRL teams round 6 2022: Late Mail, predicted team changes ahead of weekend action

Five-eighth won’t be the only new position under siege Wests Tiger Luke Brooks will play against the Eels. All the Easter Monday mail.

Wests Tigers half Luke Brooks is expected to spend time at hooker against Parramatta after training in the position in the lead-up to Monday afternoon’s game at Commbank Stadium.

Brooks has been moved to five-eighth for the Easter Monday game but News Corp understands he has also trained at dummy half and there is every chance he will slip into hooker if and when Jock Madden takes the field.

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The winless Tigers are under immense pressure heading into a game against the high-flying Eels. Coach Michael Maguire aside, no-one has been under the microscope more than Brooks, who has been moved to five-eighth to ease some of the burden on his shoulders.

Halfback Jackson Hastings has been charged with organising the team, leaving Brooks to focus on his running game as they look to break their drought against Parramatta.

The Eels have been among the most impressive sides this season and will head into the game as short-priced favourites. Most pundits expect the Eels to cruise to victory.

Luke Brooks is expected to spend time at hooker against the Eels. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

A heavy defeat will only heap more pressure on the Tigers and Maguire, whose tenure is under threat given the way his side has started the season.

Maguire has also re-called two of his captains into the side to take on Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium on Easter Monday.

Winger Ken Maumalo is set to start on the wing after being named in the extended reserves on Tuesday.

Star To’a, who was initially named on the wing, has shifted into the centres at the expense of Luke Garner. Garner has dropped out of the 17 but was part of the 19-man squad on Sunday night.

Fellow co-captain Tyrone Peachey has also earned a reprieve for Monday’s must win clash.

Ken Maumalo returns. Picture: Richard Dobson

Peachey has been promoted to the bench after the utility was named in the reserves. Forward Alex Seyfarth has dropped from the bench to be the 18th man.

Winless after five rounds and anchored on the bottom of the ladder, Maguire made a number of team changes in round six.

Brad Arthur’s Parramatta side is unchanged.

TIGER GETS ALL CLEAR

Kelma Tuilagi has been given the green light to take his place for the Tigers despite suffering a low-grade AC shoulder joint problem.

Tuilagi has been on restricted duties but said he is in no doubt to take on the Eels on Monday. The Tigers have also been boosted by James Roberts returning to training on Friday.

He had been segregated from the group after presenting with Covid-19 symptoms but has been given the all clear.

Kelma Tuilagi has been cleared to play against the Eels. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

EELS v TIGERS

Monday, 4pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Will Penisini, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Marata Niukore, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Oregon Kaufusi, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Hayze Perham, 17. Mitch Rein

Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright, 19. Jake Arthur

Players cut: 20. Wiremu Greig, 21. Ky Rodwell, 22. Samuel Loizou, 23. Elie El-Zakhem, 24. Zac Cini

Late mail: Bryce Cartwright will again be considered as a game day inclusion as the bench utility. Marata Niukore returns for his first game of the season at centre.

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 5. Starford To’a, 21. Ken Maumalo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue. Bench: 4. Luke Garner, 14. Jock Madden, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Thomas Mikaele

Reserves: 17. Alex Seyfarth, 18. Tyrone Peachey

Players cut: 19. Jacob Liddle, 20. Oliver Gildart, 22. Tukimihia Simpkins, 23. Junior Tupou, 24. Austin Dias

Late mail: Kelma Tuilagi has been given the green light to take his place for the Tigers despite suffering a low-grade AC shoulder joint problem. Tuilagi has been on restricted duties but said he is in no doubt to take on the Eels on Monday. The Tigers have also been boosted by James Roberts returning to training on Friday. He had been segregated from the group after presenting with Covid-19 symptoms but has been given the all clear. Daine Laurie has been named to return a day after he ends his Covid isolation. He’ll need to be cleared to play, but should be fine to take his part. Ken Maumalo comes into the starting side on the wing, with Star To’a moving to centre and Luke Garner to the bench. Luke Brooks trained at hooker this week, watch this space ….

Originally published as NRL teams round 6 2022: Late Mail, predicted team changes ahead of weekend action