NRL Late Mail round 7: Zac Hosking out for at least 10-12 weeks

The Raiders will soon make a call on star recruit Zac Hosking, who is in danger of missing the rest of the NRL season with a shoulder injury.

A decision whether Raiders forward Zac Hosking’s season is over will be determined within the next two weeks.

In a fresh development, it can be revealed that at a minimum the outstanding Canberra recruit will miss the next 10 to 12 weeks of the season.

Hosking has been rocked by a shoulder injury suffered during his side’s win over the Titans last Sunday.

The next fortnight is paramount for Hosking.

After meeting with a surgeon on Tuesday, the 27-year-old has been placed on a strict rehabilitation program in a bid to strengthen the ligaments that were damaged due to the dislocation of his shoulder.

Zac Hosking is out for at least 10-12 weeks. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

If the injury shows signs of progress, Hosking will use the next two to three months strengthening the shoulder in a bid to play again this season.

However, if the rehabilitation program fails to gain the desired traction, he will undergo immediate season-ending surgery.

The Raiders will rely on Simi Sasagi to fill Hosking’s void, beginning against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

—David Riccio

BULLDOGS UNLEASH NEW SUPER SUB

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed Blake Taaffe to come off the bench as Canterbury’s “super sub” against the Knights, with Connor Tracey set to remain in the No.1 jersey following a strong performance against the Storm.

The fullback jersey belonged to Taaffe in the opening five rounds, but he missed the trip to Melbourne after he was concussed in the win over the Roosters when he was on the receiving end of an ugly high tackle by Dom Young that resulted in him being sent off.

Taaffe returns this weekend off the bench for the game against Newcastle, with his coach expecting big things from the versatile recruit who can fill a number of positions if someone gets injured or can come on in the middle and prey on exhausted forwards.

“It’s a nice insurance policy to have Blake on the bench as a backup if we do lose one of our outside backs, which has happened a number of times this year,” Ciraldo said.

“In the modern game with HIAs, it’s probably important that you have someone like that.

Blake Taaffe has dropped back to the bench, but his coach expects him to be just as dangerous. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“I still think he can create something in the last part of the game. He can get on and play that super sub sort of role anywhere, and he’s open to that.

“If you’re a tired defensive line, you wouldn’t want to see Blake Taaffe coming off the bench fresh on the field.”

Canterbury’s back five has chopped and changed this season, but Ciraldo may have found his best combination with Tracey safe under the high ball, Josh Addo-Carr’s speed a nightmare for opponents, Jacob Kiraz making metres for fun, and his centres able to create something out of nothing.

But it was Tracey’s performance in Melbourne that caught Ciraldo’s eye, with the former Shark handling everything the Storm’s representative halves kicked his way.

Connor Tracey was excellent under the high ball against the Storm. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“Every time the ball went up, he just looked comfortable under the high ball,” he said.

“He brings the ball back with plenty of purpose and gets our sets started.

“Blake was doing a good job at the start of the year, but Connor deserves to be in that position this week and moving forward.

“The good thing is that it’s nice for a coach to have headaches like that and selection dilemmas.”

Tracey may have been named on the wing last week, but he knew in advance where he’d be playing at AAMI Park, with fullback nothing new to a man who started plenty of games there last year, including in the finals.

“I played there all last year, so I’m pretty comfortable there,” he said.

“I like wing as well, and I like playing wherever the team needs me.

“It’s no secret that I have a running game, so I’m one of those workrate fullbacks and I’m just working on the other parts of my game as well.

“I like getting involved and helping the team, play off quick play the balls and pop up everywhere.”

—Martin Gabor

FULL ROUND 7 LATE MAIL

DRAGONS v WARRIORS

Friday, 6pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Michael Molo

Reserves: 19. Mathew Feagai 22. Fa’amanu Brown

Players cut: 14. Jesse Marschke 20. Toby Couchman 21. Viliami Fifita

Late Mail: Michael Molo has been elevated from reserves to the bench with Jesse Marschke dropping out. The Dragons are notorious for pulling late changes to their pack and it could happen again this week with Fa’amanu Brown lurking on the extended bench.

Warriors

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

Bench: 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Adam Pompey 21. Ali Leiataua

Reserves: 18. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Paul Roache

Players cut: 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Taine Tuaupiki 22. Edward Kosi

Late Mail: Chanel Harris-Tavita has been ruled out after picking up a leg injury at training, with Ali Leiataua joining the bench. No other changes expected.

EELS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8pm, TIO Stadium, Darwin

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 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. Blaize Talagi

Reserves: 18. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa

Players cut: 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Wiremu Greig 22. Maika Sivo

Late Mail: Blaize Talagi will play as a bench utility this week but coach Brad Arthur says the young gun’s future at the Eels is at fullback.

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Sean O’Sullivan 16. Ray Stone 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 20. Mason Teague

Players cut: 19. Edrick Lee 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. Jeremiah Simbiken

Late Mail: Max Plath (concussion) is back while Kodi Nikorima (calf) has completed all training this week and will play.

PANTHERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 3pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 21. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 19. Maverick Geyer 20. Matt Eisenhuth

Players cut: 4. Taylan May 18. Jack Cole 22. Tyrone Peachey

Late Mail: Taylan May is set to play despite a rogue social media post, while Jarome Luai and Scott Sorensen (both knee) are right to go after an extra week of rest over the bye. Nathan Cleary (hamstring) is expected to return next week.

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 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

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Jake Simpkin 22. Sione Fainu

Late Mail: Samuela Fainu and John Bateman are right to go after concussions, while young gun Lachlan Galvin returns from suspension.

TITANS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Phillip Sami 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Isaac Liu 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Joe Stimson 19. Keano Kini 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tony Francis 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Late Mail: Phillip Sami (ankle) just needs to get through final training to make his return at fullback.

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula. 4. Reuben Garrick. 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Aaron Woods 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jake Arthur 19. Dean Matterson 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Aitasi James

Late Mail: Lachlan Croker (shoulder) and Jason Saab (hamstring) have trained this week and are set to play.

BRONCOS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 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. Tristan Sailor

Reserves: 18. Martin Taupau 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Blake Mozer 22. Josiah Karapani

Late Mail: No injury concerns at this stage but coach Kevin Walters could easily opt for a bigger bench on game day.

Raiders

1. Chevy Stewart 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. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Emre Guler 20. Zac Woolford 21. Nick Cotric 22. Peter Hola

Late Mail: No changes expected. Zac Hosking (shoulder) missed the squad on Tuesday and will miss anywhere from 10 weeks to the season.

BULLDOGS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Chris Patolo 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Toby Sexton 20. Liam Knight 21. Jake Turpin 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Harry Hayes

Late Mail: Blake Taaffe (concussion) is confirmed to return and will play a bench super sub role. This essentially confirms SuperCoach cheapie Bronson Xerri at centre.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Brodie Jones 20. Tyson Gamble 21. David Armstrong 22. Thomas Jenkins

Late Mail: Kalyn Ponga is set to play despite a hip injury but is unlikely to kick goals.

SHARKS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 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. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Kade Dykes 21. Billy Burns 22. Mawene Hiroti

Late Mail: To come

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tomas Chester 5. Semi Valemei 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: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Viliami Vailea

Late Mail: No changes expected.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 7: Zac Hosking out for at least 10-12 weeks