NRL Early Mail Round 20: Predicted team changes

The Knights have absolutely carved up their side for the upcoming round. Get the full teams lowdown here.

Predicted NRL team changes heading into Round 20.

TIGERS V COWBOYS

Thursday 1st August, Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

Tigers: Michael Chee Kam (concussion) is set to sit out due to a heavy head knock sustained late against the Knights.

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Michael Chee Kam suffered a serious concussion.

Cowboys: North Queensland captain Michael Morgan will make his NRL return. Morgan has been sidelined for the past three Cowboys’ fixtures after being concussed for the second time in as many matches in the State of Origin decider earlier this month. The Queensland representative says he’s had no further complications and is itching to get back into action against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. Kyle Feldt (concussion) will also be named.

Michael Morgan is back from concussion.

WARRIORS V RAIDERS

Friday 2nd August, Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm

Warriors: Isaac Luke (dangerous throw) is facing a three week suspension, reduced to two if he takes the early guilty plea. Expect Karl Lawton (shoulder) to return from injury in his place. Patrick Herbert and David Fusitu’a (both hamstring) are set to return in the backline for Gerard Beale and Blake Ayshford.

Raiders: No changes expected following a big win over the Panthers. Joey Leilua (neck) is expected to return this season despite originally being ruled out for the year, but it won’t be this week.

NRL CASUALTY WARD: All the weekend injuries

BRONCOS V STORM

Friday 2nd August, Suncorp Stadium, 7.55pm

Broncos: Brisbane is confident Matt Gillett’s brains will overcome the loss of Tevita Pangai Jr’s brawnas they aim to bring down ladder leaders Melbourne on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. Pangai Jr has taken an early guilty plea for a careless high tackle charge he received for a high shot on Titans winger Phillip Sami last weekend and faces a week-long suspension as a result.

Broncos veteran Gillett will make his timely return to the side this week after sitting on the sideline with a groin injury and lower back complaint since Origin III camp earlier this month.

Gillett is expected to be named in the starting side in place of Pangai Jr while Thomas Flegler returns from suspension on the bench.

Full story by Chris Honnery here

Storm: The return of Suliasi Vunivalu (suspension) will see Sandor Earl drop off the wing in the only change. Christian Welch (concussion) and Jesse Bromwich (sternum) are expected to be named, but both are in doubt.

Sam Burgess is set return from a shoulder injury.

SEA EAGLES V KNIGHTS

Saturday 3rd August, Lottoland, 3pm

Sea Eagles: No changes expected following a great win over competition frontrunners Melbourne. Jake Trbojevic (dangerous throw) is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea. Api Koroisau (ankle) and Jack Gosiewski (groin) are a few weeks away.

Knights: Coach Nathan Brown will sensationally axe star centre Jesse Ramien along with hooker Danny Levi and interchange forward Herman Ese’ese when he names his Newcastle team to take on Manly this Saturday. With the Knights fighting to save their season after last round’s shock loss to Wests Tigers saw them drop out of the top eight, Brown will also make a stack of positional changes for the crucial clash against the Sea Eagles at Lottoland.

Jesse Ramien’s spot in under threat.

Connor Watson will be promoted from the interchange bench to take Levi’s place at hooker while Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from injury with Sione Mata’utia expected to be relegated to the bench. Mason Lino will also come into the starting team at five-eighth with Kurt Mann moving to the wing, allowing Hymel Hunt to take Ramien’s centre spot. Jacob Saifiti and veteran Aidan Guerra will also be included on the bench.

Full story by Paul Crawley here

Jesse Ramien will be dropped.

BULLDOGS V PANTHERS

Saturday 3rd August, Bankwest Stadium, 5.30pm

Bulldogs: Playmaker Kieran Foran (hamstring) is expected to return, according to coach Dean Pay. He would come in for Jack Cogger or Lachlan Lewis. Dylan Napa (dangerous contact) is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea.

Panthers: No injury concerns out of Sunday’s match and expected to be unchanged. Viliame Kikau (suspension) is due back next week.

SHARKS V RABBITOHS

Saturday 3rd August, PointsBet Stadium, 7.35pm

Sharks: Star prop Andrew Fifita (suspension) returns. Expect Matt Prior or Aaron Woods to move to the bench with Billy Magoulias dropping out. Matt Moylan and Wade Graham (both hamstring) are more likely for next week.

Rabbitohs: Sam Burgess will be named in the South Sydney team to take on Cronulla on Saturday night. Burgess has not played since undergoing shoulder surgery after the Round 13 loss to Newcastle. Although the surgery went well, Burgess discovered an infection which has had him on a drip and delayed his return.

— Paul Crawley

ROOSTERS V TITANS

Sunday 4th August, SCG, 2pm

Roosters: Key forwards Boyd Cordner and Siosiua Taukeiaho are almost certainly out with calf injuries sustained against the Bulldogs, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has copped a one-game ban. Expect Nat Butcher to come back into contention after sitting out last week with broken ribs, which he had played with for the previous month. Forwards Poasa Faamausili and Lindsay Collins are other likely inclusions. Ryan Hall (knee cap) is no chance after being ruled out for 2-3 weeks following a training mishap.

Siosiua Taukeiaho has a calf injury.

Titans: Winger Phillip Sami (concussion) and centre Dale Copley (knee) are set to be named. Don’t be surprised to see Jai Arrow (ankle) on an extended bench, although he’s more likely for next week.

DRAGONS V EELS

Sunday 4th August, Jubilee Oval, 4pm

Dragons: Prop Jeremy Latimore (knee) is set to return for Josh Kerr in the only change.

Eels: To come ...