NRL Late Mail round 18: Team changes, injuries, gossip and SuperCoach tips

JORDAN Rankin has been cleared of an ankle injury and is ready to step into the massive fullback void left by James Tedesco at the Wests Tigers.

JORDAN Rankin has been cleared of an ankle injury and is ready to step into the massive fullback void left by James Tedesco at the Wests Tigers.

Rankin rolled his ankle at training during the week and was sent for scans, but coach Jason Taylor says he will be fit to take on the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

“He’s looking good,” Taylor said. “He’s going to train this morning. He should be fine.”

“He’s done it a couple of times already (fill in at fullback for Tedesco).

“He played fullback against the Knights for us, he played fullback against the Broncos, and we had a couple of good wins in those games.

“We are confident in his ability.”

Jordan Rankin has overcome an ankle injury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

In other Late Mail:

* Boyd Cordner (foot) is set to be a late inclusion for the Roosters, who have also cleared Latrell Mitchell (ankle);

* Origin-bound Matt Moylan is set to be replaced at fullback by Will Smith for the Panthers;

* Valentine Holmes (hamstring) has been cleared for the Sharks;

* Shannon Boyd (knee) and Jordan Rapana (shoulder) are in doubt for the Raiders, with Jarrad Kennedy and Zac Santo on standby.

Boyd Cordner is set to return from a foot injury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

ROOSTERS V EELS

Friday 7:50pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters - Updated 2.30pm Friday: Backrower Boyd Cordner (foot) is set to be a late inclusion on the left fringe. Expect Sio Siua Taukeiaho to switch to lock, with Isaac Liu moving to the bench and Chris Smith dropping out.“Boyd’s pretty close,” said coach Trent Robinson. “I’m hoping that he’ll get across the line. I don’t know about the weather conditions, but he’s pretty close. It’s a delicate one with the foot and the risk — the risk isn’t a week, the risk is surgery, so we’ve got to make sure we get that call right. He had his first session with us on Wednesday. The risk versus reward is the question more so than ‘is he ready’?” Teenage sensation Latrell Mitchell (knee) will also play despite a scare last week. “He’s good,” Robinson said. “I just saw him then. He’s still getting treatment, but he’ll be right.”

Eels: No changes, with Brad Takairangi (hamstring) and Tim Mannah (hamstring) both right to return. Jeff Robson has been named to start in the halves after his mid-season switch to the club.

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BULLDOGS V TIGERS

Saturday 7:30pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: No changes, with Greg Eastwood (knee) a certain starter after two false starts and Tim Browne (knee) also cleared to return.

Tigers - Updated 2.30pm Friday: Fullback Jordan Rankin (ankle) has been cleared and will fill the fullback void left by James Tedesco (Origin).

PANTHERS V SHARKS

Sunday 4pm at Pepper Stadium

Panthers: Fullback Matt Moylan has been called into the Origin squad and will be replaced by Will Smith or Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Sam McKendry (ACL, season) is replaced by Leilani Latu at starting prop, with Suaia Matagi returning on the bench.

Sharks: Winger Valentine Holmes (hamstring) is right to return after missing last week as a precaution. Ricky Leutele (ankle) has been cleared of serious damage and the club is hopeful he will play. Paul Gallen, Jack Bird, James Maloney, Wade Graham and Andrew Fifita are on Origin duty.

RAIDERS V COWBOYS

Monday 7pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Prop Shannon Boyd (knee) is fighting an uphill battle to play, with Jarrad Kennedy the likely replacement. Jordan Rapana (shoulder) trained on Wednesday and is set to play. Zac Santo is on standby. Jack Wighton (sternum) will play through the pain. Sia Soliola (ribs) is right to return. Josh Papalii (knee/hip) and Edrick Lee (hamstring) are aiming to make comebacks after next week’s bye.

Cowboys: No injury concerns within the 17 named. Michael Morgan (knee) started running this week and is aiming to return after next week’s bye, as is Kane Linnett (calf).