NRL 2021 Late Mail: All the latest team news and updates for round 21

The Titans could receive a massive boost ahead of their must win game against the Cowboys. FULL WACKO’S WHISPERS

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has revealed the Panthers will be without halfback Nathan Cleary and new recruit Tevita Pangai Jnr when they face the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking on Friday, coach Cleary confirmed his son would not return from an ongoing shoulder problem against the Tricolours, while Brisbane signing Pangai Jnr is also out, with the club releasing a statement saying he and partner Anna are dealing with a “deeply personal and sensitive matter”.

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Asked about son Nathan facing the Roosters, Cleary said: “He’s good.

“He won’t play tomorrow but he has had another very good week at training and is very close.

“He was more likely not to play than play this week.

“We don’t have an exact timeline. It’s a matter of going through the processes, ticking boxes and getting him as confident in as many areas as we can which we’ve done again this week.

“He’s just not quite ready.

“He’s tracking well and we’re going on with the process we always had in mind.”

Nathan Cleary (R) has not recovered from his shoulder injury and will miss the game against the Roosters. Picture: Toby Zerna

STORM STILL HOPING ON HUGHES

Melbourne won’t make a decision on Jahrome Hughes’ fitness until game day as the Storm halfback attempts to overcome a calf injury ahea of Saturday’s clash with Manly.

Hughes pulled up lame after last week’s thumping win over Penrith and has done limited training this week, but got through the majority of Friday’s captain’s run.

“He hasn’t done all of our training this week but he did most of today so we’re reasonably confident that he’ll play,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

“We’ll just see how he pulls up tonight and tomorrow morning, we won’t take any risks because we have a five-day turnaround after this. We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow morning and go from there but it was fairly promising signs today.”

If Hughes is ruled out, Nicho Hynes could switch to the halves with Ryan Papenhuyzen to start at fullback.

Cooper Johns is another option for the scrumbase.

“Cooper has played plenty of games in the halves this year, on both sides as well,” Bellamy said. “We could take that option or we could have Nicho in the halves and put Paps in there. But we don’t make those decisions until we have to.”

Hynes has been passed fit to play after he shook off an ankle injury.

- Nick Campton

MOYLAN A FURTHER FORTNIGHT AWAY

Sharks coach Josh Hannay has revealed that Matt Moylan will miss at least another two clashes. Named on an extended bench and tipped to play, Hannay said the star playmaker would not be available until at least round 23. Braydon Trindall and Connor Tracy are expected to play as the makeshift halves as named.

- James Phelps

ROUND 21 LATE MAIL

SEA EAGLES V STORM

Saturday 7 August, Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm

SEA EAGLES: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Josh Schuster, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Josh Aloiai, 17. Toaofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli, , 21. Kurt De Luis

Players cut: 19. Cade Cust, 20. Curtis Sironen

Late mail: The Sea Eagles head into the game with no injury concerns and are expected to be 1-17 with Josh Aloiai returning after missing Sharks game due to suspension.

STORM: 1. Nicho Hynes, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Chris Lewis, 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Tom Eisenhuth, 16. Jordan Grant, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Trent Loiero, 19. Tepai Moeroa,

Players cut: 20. Isaac Lumelume, 21. Cooper Johns

Late mail: Storm has Kenny Bromwich in doubt as he undergoes NRL protocols for concussion after failing a gameday HIA on the weekend and I am expecting him to be ruled out which will see Tom Eisenhuth start in 2RF with Trent Loiero coming onto the bench. Jahrome Hughes has been managing a calf injury and he didn’t train during the week with Cooper Johns named as cover with Hughes needing to take part in the captain’s run on Friday afternoon.

BULLDOGS V TIGERS

Sunday 8 August, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 1:50pm

BULLDOGS: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Aaron Schoupp, 5. Falakiko Manu, 6. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Jack Hetherington, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Adam Elliott, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Dylan Napa, 16. Chris Patolo, 17. Matt Doorey

Reserves: 20. Joe Stimson, 23. Watson Heleta

Players cut: 19. Tuipulotu Katoa, 21. Kyle Flanagan, 22. Jackson Topine

Late mail: TheBulldogs look set to be 1-17 with Adam Elliott (knock), Ava Semanufangi (concussion) and Sione Katoa (concussion) all set to play after they trained with the squad this week.

TIGERS: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Michael Chee Kam, 4. Tommy Talau, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. James Tamou, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 14. Alex Twal, 15. Zac Cini, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Tukimihia Simpkins, 21. Jake Simpkin

Players cut: 19. Tom Amone, 20. Jock Madden

Late mail: The Tigers welcome back James Tamou after he missed last week’s game due to a foot injury and will be 1-17 with Thomas Mikaele returning at lock after he missed last week’s game due to knee injury as Tigers manage him through to end of season. Michael Chee-Kam passed his gameday HIA last weekend and trained with the squad this week and will line up at right centre with Tommy Talau switching to left centre. Zac Cini has been named on the bench which is cover for Jacob Liddle with Cini to spend time at fullback with Mbye moving to hooker if Liddle needs a rest during the game.

TITANS V COWBOYS

Sunday 8 August, Cbus Super Stadium, 4:05pm

TITANS: 1. Alexander Brimson, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Erin Clark, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Beau Fermor, 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters, 21. Jamal Fogarty

Players cut: 19. Sam McIntyre, 20. Anthony Don

Late mail: The Titans have found winning combinations in the last two weeks which should see the same switch up with David Fifita starting from the bench and Beau Fermor starting on the left edge in his place. Jamal Fogarty should be fit to return from finger injury but with the form of Toby Sexton coach Justin Holbrook will need to make the call as to if he drops Sexton or even Ash Taylor to make way for Fogarty’s return with no other late changes expected.

COWBOYS: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Connelly Lemuelu, 4. Ben Hampton, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Jason Taumalolo, 12. Heilum Luki, 13. Coen Hess

Bench: 14. Mitchell Dunn, 15. Ben Condon, 16. Lachlan Burr, 17. Jake Granville

Reserves: 19. Daejarn Asi, 21. Shane Wright

Players cut: 18. Francis Molo, 20. Peter Hola

Late mail: Cowboys coach Todd Payten shook things up on Teamlist Tuesday, dumping both second rowers and Origin player and prop Francis Molo and naming Jason Taumalolo and Heilum Luki on the edges and Tom Gilbert at prop. However, I am expecting Taumalolo will spend some time in the middle during the game. Valentine Holmes returns from a shoulder injury at fullback. Holmes trained with the squad this week in a rehab vest and just needs to pass the final fitness test at the captain’s run to be a confirmed starter.