NRL Round 7: late mail and updated team lists
This is the news that 35% of KFC SuperCoaches don’t want to hear – James Tedesco is out for the Roosters-Dragons clash this week. And there’s more bad news for Storm and Warriors fans. LATEST TEAM NEWS INSIDE.
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James Tedesco has been ruled out of Friday night’s NRL clash with St George Illawarra as part of a double blow for the Sydney Roosters.
Tedesco has failed to recover from a concussion to play in the match, while centre Josh Morris has also been ruled out with a minor calf issue. Tedesco suffered a heavy knock when Maika Sivo flattened him in the Roosters’ win over Parramatta last week.
The star fullback did not train in the club’s captain’s run on Thursday, before being ruled out of the game later that night.
The reigning premiers have already shown they have the ability to perform without the Dally M Medallist this year.
Just three weeks ago they flogged Brisbane 59-0 at Suncorp Stadium without the NSW and Australian representative.
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Tom Dearden’s 384-day absence from the NRL is over with Broncos coach Anthony Seibold to unleash the Brisbane young gun in Saturday night’s derby against the Titans.
The Courier-Mail reports Dearden has been pitchforked into Brisbane’s 17-man squad with the 19-year-old to be named on the bench as a back-up playmaker for underfire halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft.
Seibold has tried to keep Dearden’s return a secret, naming him 18th man with Jamayne Isaako in the No. 14 jumper, but Isaako will be culled to open the door for the playmaker’s comeback.
LATE MAIL
Storm: TheStorm’s Jahrome Hughes (broken hand) is a confirmed starter after he successfully navigated the Captain’s run, but winger Brenko Lee suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out. Paul Momirovski will replace him, making his club debut at right centre. Dale Finucane (finger), Josh Addo-Carr (personal leave) and Christian Welch (knock) are all good to go - as is the game’s smallest prop ,Brandon Smith, who starts up front and Welch dropping to the bench.
Warriors: Both Lachlan Burr and David Fusitu’a have been ruled out with concussion. Poasa Faamausili joins the starting front row, with Josh Curran recovering from a hamstring injury to join the bench. Ken Maumalo (hamstring) also returns, with Gerard Beale promoted to replace Fusitu’a. Patrick Herbert will shift out to the right wing, with Beale taking the centre role. Chanel Harris-Tavita is named on the bench and could spend time at hooker during the game. Adam Pompey and Leivaha Pulu remain in the 19.
LATE MAIL
Roosters: The Roosters have ruled out superstar James Tedesco (concussion) and veteran Josh Morris. Morris suffered a calf injury at training and was omitted from the squad on Thursday. Going off the captain’s run, expect Ryan Hall to come onto the wing, with Joseph Manu moving to fullback, and Brett Morris and Mitchell Aubusson to play in the centres. Daniel Tupou (cork), Jake Friend (shoulder), Angus Crichton (shoulder), Manu (knock) and Victor Radley (HIA) should all be fit to play after overcoming minor injuries. Lindsay Collins also will be checked at the captain’s run after being a late withdrawal last week thanks to a heavy hit from Radley in training. Sitili Tupounuia and Lachlan Lam remain a part of the 19 man squad.
Dragons: The Dragons have Adam Clune in doubt after he failed his gameday HIA last week. Clune will need to take part in the captain’s run on Thursday to play with Tristan Sailor on standby should Clune be ruled out. Ben Hunt’s modelling career may be over after he suffered a broken nose last week but he should be right to play. Tim Lafai and Billy Brittain were both omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
LATE MAIL
Cowboys: The Cowboys have Jordan McLean as an outside chance to return from his calf injury. McLean has to pass his final fitness test at the captain’s run on Friday, if fit he would start with Francis Molo dropping to the bench and either Reuben Cotter or Ben Hampton dropping out of the 17. Jake Granville could replace Reece Robson at hooker after Robson had a disappointing game in the loss to the Tigers last weekend. Connelly Lemuelu trained earlier in the week and will play after suffering a burner to his shoulder last weekend. Kyle Feldt is also expected to play after passing required concussion protocols.
Knights: The Knights have no major concerns leading into the game with Lachlan Fitzgibbon expected to play after passing his game day HIA last weekend with the only potential change to the 17 being Herman Ese’ese starting at lock and Tim Glasby dropping back to the bench.. Mitch Barnett is expected to return in the coming weeks after failing to get clearance from the club doctor to return from his back injury.
LATE MAIL
Broncos: Young half Tom Dearden will be named on the bench as a back-up playmaker for underfire halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft. Dearden was originally named 18th man with Jamayne Isaako in the No. 14 jumper, but Isaako will be culled to open the door for the playmaker’s comeback. Corey Oates will overcome a minor groin injury to play. Kotoni Staggs has resumed running and could return as early as next week. Herbie Farnworth will continue with goalkicking duties.
Titans: Several players are in doubt - Corey Thompson (HIA), Anthony Don (knock), Dale Copley (ankle), Sam Lisone (knock) and Phillip Sami (cork) will need to be checked at the captain’s run on Friday. Copley passed a fitness test earlier in the week and just has to get through the captain’s run to play. Tyronne Roberts (ankle) is slowly working back to full fitness and could be thrown in underdone if players cannot recover from their injuries.
LATE MAIL
Eels: Lock Nathan Brown is out after copping a two-game ban at the NRL judiciary. Marata Nuikore will start at lock with Daniel Alvaro coming onto the bench. Waqa Blake and Shaun Lane both passed game day HIA, have trained with the squad and will play. Kane Evans (calf) was ruled out before teams were named. Parramatta are the only team in the NRL that have had the same starting backline for every game so far this season and after their strong start to the year coach Brad Arthur has the luxury of rotating the team’s fringe forwards to get minutes into players in the squad.
Raiders: Expected to be 1-17 with only Jarrod Croker having to pass required HIA protocols after leaving the field late in the Sea Eagles game.
LATE MAIL
Sea Eagles: Manly hope to have Martin Taupau (dislocated thumb) back. Providing he gets through the captain’s run he will play. Brad Parker (concussion) is in some doubt after and if ruled out would be replaced by Abbas Miski, with Reuben Garrick moving to centre. Brendan Elliott and Lachlan Croker both copped knocks last weekend but should be fit to play.
Sharks: Cronulla’s only concern is with Matt Moylan (concussion). He didn’t train earlier in the week and Will Kennedy is on standby. Josh Dugan also didn’t train earlier in the week but that would just be load management and he should be right to play. The only likely change is same as last week with Hamlin-Uele starting and Andrew Fifita dropping back to the bench.
LATE MAIL
Bulldogs: Expected to have one or two changes with Aiden Tolman only having to pass his third and final Covid-19 test on Friday to be cleared to play. If cleared he would start at prop with Renouf To’omaga dropping to the bench and Ofahiki Ogden omitted. Another change could be Nick Meaney (hip flexor) returning. If fit he would come on to the wing with Reimis Smith moving to centre, Kerrod Holland dropping to the bench and Jack Cogger out of the 17. Jake Averillo is expected to retain goalkicking duties.
Wests Tigers: Michael Maguire’s team has been hit hard by injuries with Alex Twal (knee, four weeks), Zane Musgrove (foot, 10-12 weeks) and Robert Jennings (hamstring, indefinite) all ruled out. I am not expecting any major changes, except maybe Thomas Mikaele starting at prop with Oliver Clark dropping back to the bench. Joey Leilua (knee) and Tommy Talau (hamstring) should both be fit to play after recovering from minor injuries. Talau trained with the squad this week with a guard on his right thigh and will play. Chris Lawrence is on standby should Joey Leilua be ruled out.