NRL Early Mail round 22: Predicted team changes, Ronaldo Mulitalo sidelined with knee injury, Isaiah Iongi eyes Penrith fullback spot, Jackson Hastings dropped
Knights halfback Jackson Hastings is on the verge of being dropped for the club’s game against Penrith, plus Cronulla’s top four chances have been dealt a blow with star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo expected to be ruled out for a month.
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Knights halfback Jackson Hastings is facing the selection axe for Sunday’s match against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium.
Hastings and his Knights teammates have lost two successive games with head coach Adam O’Brien ready to shake-up his first grade team.
The demise of Hastings remains unconfirmed but likely when Newcastle releases its side for the Panthers game at 4pm on Tuesday.
This masthead has been told Phoenix Crossland has been training at halfback this week.
O’Brien is also considering naming Fletcher Sharpe on the wing.
It would be the second time this year Hastings has been dropped.
In a season of promise, Newcastle has now slipped to 11th position on the competition ladder with eight wins from 18 games.
Cronulla’s top 4 chances take big blow
Cronulla’s top four chances have been dealt a further blow with star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo expected to be sidelined for a month with a knee injury.
Mulitalo – in competition to be the NRL’s leading tryscorer – will miss the match against South Sydney after picking up the injury in Cronulla’s loss to North Queensland.
-Michael Carayannis
Rookie eyes Penrith fullback spot
Highly regarded Penrith rookie Isaiah Iongi is in line to earn a long-awaited NRL debut after coach Ivan Cleary was left searching for yet another fullback this weekend.
Daine Laurie is unavailable for selection after entering return to play protocols following a head clash in last weekend’s win over St George Illawarra.
Laurie had replaced NSW Blues fullback Dylan Edwards, who suffered a PCL injury during the State of Origin series decider and has been sidelined since.
Edwards isn’t due back until at least round 24. The unavailability of Laurie and Edwards could see Iongi blooded into the NRL side.
Iongi, who was named 18th man in round 20, was impressive in the NSW Cup last week against the Dragons, setting up one try and running for 185 metres.
The other option is to move winger Sunia Turuva to fullback, leaving Cleary in search of a replacement from already thin outside back stocks.
Both Jesse McLean (collarbone) and Paul Alamoti (broken arm) are unavailable through injury.
Boom rookie Casey McLean could cover for Turuva on the wing, allowing Cleary to call-up either Tyrone Peachey or Asu Kepaoa at centre.
Powerhouse forward James Fisher-Harris is unlikely to take the field against the Knights after suffering an adductor injury in a tackle by Dragons forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
Fisher-Harris was sent for scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, which is expected to rule him out at least for round 22.
–Fatima Kdouh
Manu eyes timely return for Roosters
Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed Joey Manu is expected to return from a broken hand this Friday against the Dolphins in Perth.
“He’s still got to get through training this week but the plan is for him to play which is very exciting for him and us as a club,” Holbrook said on SEN.
The Roosters’ outside back stocks are thin having lost Michael Jennings to suspension while Junior Pauga, who was due back from a high tackle ban this week, was spotted watching last Saturday night’s win over Manly wearing a knee brace.
–Tyson Jackson and Fatima Kdouh
FULL EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS
TIGERS v COWBOYS
Thursday, 7:50pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: Luke Laulilii is likely to be unavailable due to a head knock, while Starford Toa will miss out with a hamstring injury.
Adam Doueihi will return at centre, while Solomon Alaimalo will likely come in on the wing.
Lachlan Galvin and Isaiah Papali’i both failed to finish the clash with the Warriors and are in doubt for round 22.
If Galvin is unavailable, Latu Fainu would likely partner Api Koroisau in the halves.
David Klemmer is a chance to return from an ankle injury.
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in the win over Cronulla.
Reuben Cotter will be unavailable after suffering a head knock.
Heilum Luki will push to return from a hamstring injury but remains in doubt.
WARRIORS v EELS
Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki (concussion) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) are both chances to be made available for selection against the Eels.
Nicoll-Klokstad would be the first choice fullback, while Tuaupiki would be next up and would push Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back to the outside backs.
Marcelo Montoya is a chance to return in the backline, but may struggle to crack the back five pending availabilities elsewhere.
Moala Graham-Taufa and Edward Kosi are likely to drop out of the team.
Shaun Johnson is closing in on a return from an Achilles injury and is likely to push Chanel Harris-Tavita to the bench when available.
Jackson Ford is in doubt with a knee injury.
Eels: Kelma Tuilagi is a chance to return from a thumb injury, while Maika Sivo is likely to need another week to return from a hamstring injury.
DOLPHINS v ROOSTERS
Friday, 8pm, HBF Park, Perth
Dolphins: Kurt Donoghoe returns from suspension in the only likely change for the Dolphins.
Roosters: Joey Manu is a chance to return from a hand injury in place of the suspended Michael Jennings.
TITANS v BRONCOS
Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Mystery largely surrounds AJ Brimson’s ongoing groin injury, he’ll continue his push to return.
If cleared to return he’d likely come in at fullback, pushing Keano Kini to the bench.
Jaimin Joliffe is nearing a return from a pec injury.
Broncos: Deine Mariner is in doubt with a knee injury, although it isn’t believed to be serious.
If unavailable, Corey Oates would come into the team on the wing, pushing Selwyn Cobbo to centre.
Brendan Piakura is a chance to return from a groin injury on the edge, pushing Kobe Hetherington to the bench.
Fletcher Baker is a chance to be available for selection for a bench role as he bids to return from a knee injury.
STORM v DRAGONS
Saturday, 5:30pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Cameron Munster made a successful return from injury against the Eels.
He’s likely to start at five-eighth, pushing Tyran Wishart to the bench and Sua Faalogo potentially out of the 17 entirely.
Christian Welch is a chance to return from a back injury.
Dragons: Mat Feagai failed a HIA in the loss to the Panthers and is likely to miss round 22.
Jack Bird or Mikaele Ravalawa both played NSW Cup on the weekend, with either player set to return to the top grade to face Melbourne.
SHARKS v RABBITOHS
Saturday, 7:35pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: Will Kennedy returns from suspension in place of Liam Ison at fullback.
Royce Hunt is likely to return on the bench after missing the trip to Townsville due to illness.
Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston suffered an Achilles injury and will be unavailable to face Cronulla.
Cody Walker came off late with a hip flexor injury.
Richie Kennar returns from a concussion and will replace him in the backline.
Cameron Murray returns from suspension on the edge, pushing either Tallis Duncan or Jacob Host to the bench.
PANTHERS v KNIGHTS
Sunday, 2pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Daine Laurie failed a HIA and is unlikely to face the Knights, with either Isaiah Longi or Sunia Turuva to replace him at fullback.
James Fisher-Harris failed to finish the clash with the Dragons due to a groin injury and is likely to spend multiple weeks on the sideline.
Luke Garner is expected to return from a hamstring injury off the bench.
Knights: Bradman Best is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, which may see Dylan Lucas shift to centre.
Adam Elliott is a chance to return at lock from a calf injury, while Brodie Jones will return from a concussion on the bench.
BULLDOGS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Bulldogs: Stephen Crichton is considered a week-to-week prospect as he deals with an ongoing neck injury.
If cleared to return, Jacob Kiraz would shift to the wing and Jeral Skelton would drop out of the team.
Josh Curran is in doubt with a minor knee concern.
Josh Addo-Carr is expected to return from a hamstring injury over the next fortnight.
Raiders: No changes expected at the Raiders after back-to-back wins.
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