NRL Early Mail Round 19: Predicted team changes
James Tedesco will not play for the Roosters against Cronulla this weekend while stand-in Dragons coach Dean Young will blood another rookie. FULL EARLY MAIL HERE.
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James Tedesco will not play for the Roosters against Cronulla this weekend with Trent Robinson opting to rest the star fullback ahead of the semi-finals.
Tedesco has hit a rich vein of form recently but he’ll be kept on ice for this week as Robinson eyes piloting the Roosters to a third straight premiership.
Joseph Manu will slot in at fullback with Mitch Aubusson to take his place at centre.
Star porp Sio Siua Taukeiaho will also be rested with Lindsay Collins to take his place in the starting side.
Skipper Boyd Cordner will be named after he suffered a head knock against the Knights. Cordner passed his head injury assessment at the time but was held back for the rest of the match as a precaution.
DRAGONS NAME ANOTHER ROOKIE
Dean Young is going down swinging by helping set-up the Dragons future with yet another rookie poised to make his NRL debut.
NSW under-18’s centre Max Feagai’s dream is on the verge of becoming a reality by being named to make his club debut for St George-Illawarra against Newcastle on Sunday.
Feagai will be selected in Young’s 20-man squad to face the Knights when the team’s are released at 4pm – with every chance of being named in the final 17.
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Just one week after two-try winger Cody Ramsey made his debut for the Red-V under Young, Feagai, 19, could be next in-line having joined the club with twin brother Matt through the elite junior system.
Capable of playing wing or centre, Feagai recently extended his future at the club until the end of 2022 after representing both the under-18’s NSW team and Australian Schoolboys.
In other Early Mail news and there’s huge announcements on Lolo, Turbo, The Pap and The Pong.
If you prefer your news in English:
- Jason Taumalolo (chance to return from a calf injury)
- Tom Trbojevic (expected to return from a hamstring injury)
- Ryan Papenhuyzen (will return from an Achilles injury)
- Kalyn Ponga (will return after being rested last week)
RABBITOHS V BULLDOGS
Thursday 17 September, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 7.50pm
Rabbitohs: Will be without Dane Gagai. He took an early guilty plea after being charged with a grade one striking charge for a fight with Luke Brooksand will miss one game, which will see Jaxson Paulo return on the right wing. Steven Marsters left the field and didn’t finish the game with no reports of injury. Hame Sele has returned to full training after recovering from a shoulder injury and could come onto the bench. Tevita Tatola (ankle) and Jack Johns (finger) could also come into contention.
Bulldogs: Coach Steve Georgallis is still searching for that winning combination and could tinker with his line up again. But one player who won’t be there is Matt Doorey who suffered a knee injury whilst scoring a try on the weekend, which forced him from the field and he didn’t return. Josh Jackson will move back to the right edge after playing lock on the weekend with Luke Thompson expected to return after he was a late withdrawal on the weekend due to calf tightness.
COWBOYS V PANTHERS
Friday 18 September, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 6:00pm
Cowboys: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround but could get a big inclusion with Jason Taumalolo a chance to return from a calf injury. He started running last week and would need to pass a final fitness test to be named. Gavin Cooper is expected to be named in the No. 11 jersey but could start on the bench like the previous two weeks with Tom Gilbert starting on left edge. Coen Hess wasn’t named on form last week but could come back into 17.
Panthers: Have Apisai Koroisau and Spencer Leniu in doubt after both were forced from the field on Friday due to HIA. Both failed and they will need to pass required protocols. With a seven-day turnaround they are chances provided they pass each step, but with the Panthers’ position on the table I would expected both to be rested, with Mitch Kenny returning at hooker for Koroisau and Kurt Capewell coming onto the bench for Leniu.
Fantastic from Ryan Matterson, showing care for an opposition player (Koroisau) who was clearly affected by a blow to the head. Such a positive gesture for player safety from a guy who has a complex history with concussion himself. Hope Koroisau is OK pic.twitter.com/Enxll98Qun
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 11, 2020
EELS V BRONCOS
Friday 18 September, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 7:55pm
Eels: Expected to welcome back Reed Mahoney after he missed last week due to a shoulder injury, which will see Ray Stone drop back to the bench and Will Smith the player to make way. Nathan Brown and Jai Field had a head clash during the game but were able to play on and will be fit to be named. Marata Niukore missed the game on the weekend and could return if he can manage to play with pain. Andrew Davey, who will be free to play provided he takes the early guilty plea to a grade one dangerous contact charge, is the player to drop out of the 17.
Broncos: Came through the Titans loss relatively injury free with Alex Glenn (knee) and Xavier Coates (ankle) making successful returns. The only issue to come out of the game is Rhys Kennedy being charged with a grade one crusher tackle for a tackle on Jai Arrow. Provided he takes the early guilty plea he would miss one game with Joe Ofahengaue starting at prop and Jamil Hopoate, who returns from suspension, coming onto the bench. Jake Turpin is a chance to return from a broken hand. If fit he would start at hooker with Isaac Luke dropping to the bench and Corey Paix to make way.
SEA EAGLES V TITANS
Saturday 19 September, Lottoland, Sydney, 3:00pm
Sea Eagles: Will see some of the cavalry return from injury with Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), Reuben Garrick (shoulder) and Dylan Walker (foot) all expected back. Tommy T’s return at fullback should see Abbas Miski miss out with Tevita Funa moving to the left wing. Garrick would come onto the right wing with Albert Hopoate the player to make way, with form seeing Morgan Harper hold the right centre position ahead of Hopoate and Walker playing five-eighth for Cade Cust, whose season is over due to an ankle injury.
Addin Fonua-Blake will likely be ruled out after copping a knock to the same knee he injured earlier in the season, with Morgan Boyle set to come into the 17. Jack Gosiewski is also in some doubt after he passed HIA in the first half but copped another head knock early in the second half and didn’t come back on after failing HIA. If ruled out we could see promising Haumole Olakau’atu or Corey Waddell come onto the left edge. Lachlan Croker started at hooker last week with Danny Levi dropping to the bench, which could happen again this week.
Titans: Will welcome the return of captain Kevin Proctor from suspension. His comeback is timely with Beau Fermor suffering a hamstring injury on the weekend, which is expected to rule him out with Proctor returning on the right edge. Phillip Sami will return after missing the last two games as he manages a knee injury, which could force Treymain Spry out of the 17.
Keegan Hipgrave was a late withdrawal on the weekend due to a leg injury and if fit could come back into the side. Sam Lisone passed gameday HIA and will be monitored but should be fit to play. Jai Arrow stayed down after copping a knock to the shin on the weekend but was able to play on and will fit to be named. Brian Kelly is an outside chance of return if he can recover from ankle injury.
STORM V TIGERS
Saturday 19 September, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast, 5.30pm
Storm: Will welcome the return of Christian Welch (suspension) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (Achilles). Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf), Tui Kamikamica (back) and Tom Eisenhuth (calf) all made successful returns on the weekend and will be fit to play. Jahrome Hughes looked to suffer a calf injury during the game and could be in some doubt, although he was able to play out the game.
Brandon Smith is a chance to return from a broken jaw and could come onto the bench. Ricky Leutele could come into the team at right centre at Brenko Lee’s expense.
Tigers: Come into the clash off a nine-day turnaround and will be without Luke Brooks after he took the early guilty plea to grade one striking for his part in a fight with Dane Gagai, with Josh Reynolds or Jock Madden options to come into the halves to partner Benji Marshall. Moses Mbye (knee) and Joseph Leilua (ankle) were late withdrawals last week due to the short turnaround but should be fit to return.
Marshall suffered an ankle injury during the game but was able to run it out and should be fit to play. Elijah Taylor failed to finish the game with concussion and could be in doubt, with options of Shawn Blore or Alex Seyfarth to come onto the bench.
ROOSTERS V SHARKS
Saturday 19 September, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 7.35pm
Roosters: Have Boyd Cordner in doubt after he failed to finish the Knights game due to concussion. With how the Roosters have dealt with previous concussions with other players I am expecting they will rest Cordner. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was a late omission on the weekend due to injury and could come back into the side if fit.
Sharks: Sharks are expected to name the same 17 with Siosifa Talakai (leg) and Sione Katoa (back) both expected to overcome minor injuries to play. Jackson Ferris has recovered from a knee injury but won’t force his way into the 17.
RAIDERS V WARRIORS
Sunday 20 September, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 2.00pm
Raiders: Veteran Sia Soliola has been cleared to return from a facial injury. Ricky Stuart says he will look to get minutes into Soliola leading into the finals which could see Josh Papalii given a rest to manage a shoulder injury. Curtis Scott could return from an ankle injury at right centre which would see Semi Valemei drop out of the 17 with Jordan Rapana switching back to left wing.
Warriors: The Warriors are hopeful the Eels agree to extend their loan deal another week so both Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings can continue playing for the Warriors, who have limited numbers at present. Kodi Nikorima (bicep), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (calf) and George Jennings (knock) all suffered minor injuries on the weekend but should be right to play. The biggest concern is Peta Hiku, who suffered a heavy hit late in the game and had to go off for HIA. He will need to pass required protocols to play. Patrick Herbert is an outside chance to return from a hamstring injury.
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KNIGHTS V DRAGONS
Sunday 20 September, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 4:05pm
Knights: Will welcome the return of Kalyn Ponga (nose), Mitch Barnett (sternum) and Hymel Hunt (rested) after all missed the Roosters game on the weekend with Tex Hoy, Josh King and Starford To’a expected to drop to the extended bench. Kurt Mann could be missing after being charged with grade one crusher tackle for challenge on Brett Morris. If he takes the early guilty plea he would miss one game, which would see Phoenix Crossland or Chris Randall start at hooker with the other taking a bench role.
Dragons: Have both Billy Brittain and Josh Kerr in doubt after they clashed heads in the Raiders game on the weekend. Both failed gameday HIA and will need to progress through required protocols to play. Jacob Host suffered a calf injury in the warm up and was a late withdrawal, which may keep him out this week. Tariq Sims is an outside chance to return from a shoulder injury.