NRL Early Mail Round 3 2021: Predicted team changes
Benji Marshall has revealed the unlikely reason why Latrell Mitchell failed to finish a South Sydney training session.
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Penrith will name Nathan Cleary at halfback for their grand final rematch against Penrith, but will leave a decision on whether he will play until the last minute.
It will be a case of ducks and drakes from the Panthers to annoy the Storm up until an hour before kick-off, when they must finalise their 17-man squad.
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Cleary suffered a head knock following a swinging arm by Canterbury winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak last Saturday, leaving the Panthers No.7 with a short turnaround to be declared fit for the Thursday night clash.
Although Cleary will be named in the No.7 jersey, rookie Matt Burton will be included in the 21-man squad and is expected to come into the side if Penrith’s co-captain is ruled out.
— David Riccio
LATRELL FAILS TO FINISH
Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall has revealed the unlikely reason why superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell failed to finish a South Sydney training session in the wet on Tuesday morning.
Mitchell, who has made a successful return from a serious hamstring injury, was given an early mark after the side spent the morning training in the driving rain at Redfern Oval.
In a huge relief for Rabbitohs fans ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster against arch rivals the Sydney Roosters, Marshall confirmed Mitchell was not in doubt for the clash.
“That guy has got Wayne wrapped around his little finger. I’m 36 and I can’t even get an early mark. Seriously, Wayne told him to go off and have a rest,” Marshall said with a laugh.
“He’s fine.”
In another boost for the Rabbitohs, Marshall has backed Adam Reynolds to take the field after the halfback was in serious doubt following a head knock in last weekend’s 26-12 win over the Sea Eagles.
But Marshall, who trained in Reynolds’ place on Tuesday morning, confirmed the playmaker should pass all concussion protocols ahead of Friday’s match.
“I won’t be [starting], he’s fine. He’s all good. I think he could have come back onto the field on the weekend. He’s a tough a guy. Out of all the halves in the competition he’s the best defender and one of the toughest,” Marshall said.
New recruit Josh Mansour has also been recalled into Wayne Bennett’s side for Friday night’s clash.
Rising back Jaxon Paulo has been ruled out of the blockbuster clash between the arch rivals after he suffered a second head knock in the space of seven days.
Mansour will be tasked with the job of stopping Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou.
“He’ll be back to what he does best. Run hard for us out of yardage and get good metres. He’s a quality experienced player and he’s very excited to get the opportunity this week and he will take it with both hands because he has been training really well,” centre Campbell Graham said.
— Fatima Kdouh
PANTHERS V STORM
Thursday 25 March, Panthers Stadium, 8:05pm
Panthers: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround which could potentially see Nathan Cleary ruled out after he left the field late in game after a high shot from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. In good news he did pass gameday HIA but will need to show no symptoms of concussion to play. If ruled out Matt Burton would come into the side. Api Koroisau was ruled out of the game on the weekend due to a wrist injury and will be out for 4-6 weeks, which will see Mitch Kenny continue at hooker and Tyrone May providing cover off the bench. Viliame Kikau passed gameday HIA and returned to the field and should be OK to play. Brian To’o and Kurt Capewell both copped knocks during the game and with a short turnaround could be in some doubt. New signing Scott Sorensen could come into contention for a bench spot after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Storm: Expected to be without Felise Kaufusi after he was charged with grade two dangerous contact (head/neck) and with an early guilty plea he would miss two weeks. This will see Tom Eisenhuth or Chris Lewis starting on the right edge and Darryn Schonig coming onto the bench. Ryan Papenhuyzen (knock), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (sternum) and Brandon Smith (knock) all suffered minor injuries but should be right to play. Christian Welch is free to play after only receiving a fine for a tackle on Isaiah Papali’i. George Jennings’ position could come into question but I expect Bellamy will give the new combination of Jennings and Reimis Smith a few more weeks as they look to build a combination in defence.
DRAGONS V SEA EAGLES
Friday 26 March, WIN Stadium, 6:00pm
Dragons: Come off a good away win in Townsville with Trent Merrin in doubt after he left the field for a second HIA late in the game. If ruled out either Kaide Ellis or Jackson Ford would come onto the bench. Mikaele Ravalawa (chest), Matt Dufty (ribs) and Daniel Alvaro (ankle) are all expected to overcome minor bumps and bruises to play.
Sea Eagles: Hit hard by injury again with Andrew Davey awaiting scans to confirm an ACL injury which would see him ruled out for the season. And with Curtis Sironen ruled out pre game with a knee injury for 4-6 weeks, plus an elbow injury to Haumole Olakau’atu, Manly’s backrower stocks are depleted which could see Josh Schuster have to fill in on the left edge like he did on the weekend. Cade Cust failed HIA and will need clearance to play. Jack Gosiewski (wrist) and Brad Parker (hand) were able to play out the game on weekend despite carrying injuries and could be in some doubt. Martin Taupau will be fit to play despite having to go to hospital after nasty head cut. It’s hoped Morgan Boyle, who missed the game on weekend due to a foot injury, will be fit for selection. The Dylan Walker experiment at fullback has to be questioned.
RABBITOHS V ROOSTERS
Friday 26 March, Stadium Australia, 8:05pm
Rabbitohs: South Sydney will recall veteran winger Josh Mansour for Friday night’s clash with the Sydney Roosters. Mansour was axed following the opening-round loss to the Melbourne Storm, forced to watch on as the Rabbitohs beat Manly. But, teammate Jaxson Paulo has been stood down after suffering a second straight concussion, offering Mansour the chance at a quick redemption. Mansour hasn’t played since the 26-18 loss to the Storm, with Souths’ reserve grade clash with Manly postponed last weekend. Mansour will be tasked with the job of stopping Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou. The Rabbitohs are also sweating on the health of halfback Adam Reynolds. Reynolds is also in doubt with a concussion. Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall is the man likely to replace Reynolds in the number seven jumper.
— Michael Carayannis and Fatima Kdouh
Adam Reynolds failed HIA and will need to pass new protocols to play but they do have a ready made replacement in Benji Marshall should Reynolds be ruled out. Liam Knight (concussion) and Hame Sele (ribs) could come into contention for bench spots.
Roosters: Come into the game on a five-day turnaround after a win over the Tigers with the only issue being Isaac Liu who was placed on report and could be on the charge sheet come Monday morning. Victor Radley is ready to return after serving a suspension and will come into the 17 for Fletcher Baker or Drew Hutchison. Sam Verrills is close to returning but is probably a week or two away and I am not expecting Jake Friend to return after he missed the Tigers game due to concussion. Angus Crichton returns after missing the Tigers game due to suspension.
RAIDERS V WARRIORS
Saturday 27 March, GIO Stadium, 3:00pm
Raiders: Will receive a massive boost with co-captain Jarrod Croker set to return after missing the opening two games due to off-season shoulder surgery. He could replace either Sebastian Kris or Curtis Scott. With Kris’s great form it’s hard to see him being dropped, while Hudson Young (knee) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (cork) are racing the clock after picking up injuries in the Sharks game.
Warriors: The New Zealand Warriors will be without halfback Chanel Harris-Tevita for three months after he suffered a left foot fracture in last week’s 20-16 loss to Newcastle. The 22-year-old will undergo surgery on Tuesday after scans revealed a stress fracture. It’s a blow for the Warriors, who are also without centre recruit Euan Aitken with an ankle injury for at least eight weeks.
— Michael Carayannis
Sean O’Sullivan set to make his club debut. in place of CHT. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is looking at three weeks providing he takes an early guilty plea after being charged for crusher tackle on Hymel Hunt, which will see Lesson Ah Mau start at prop and either Jack Murchie or Kane Evans come onto the bench. Bayley Sironen suffered a shoulder injury during the game. He was seen with his arm in a sling over the weekend but that was more precautionary than anything. Addin Fonua-Balke played limited minutes on the weekend after copping studs to the shin but will be right to be named.
BRONCOS V BULLDOGS
Saturday 27 March, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm
Broncos: Still searching for that winning combination after losing opening two games and have no injury concerns coming out of the loss to the Titans, with Corey Paix, Tom Dearden, Corey Oates, Dale Copley, Jesse Arthars and Richie Kennar all options after they played Queensland Cup on the weekend should new coach Kevin Walters decide to switch things up. Matt Lodge is only considered an outside chance of returning from a hamstring injury.
Bulldogs: Likely to be without Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after he was charged with a grade two careless high tackle for a hit on Nathan Cleary and with the early guilty plea he’s looking at missing two weeks, with Tui Katoa set to come onto the wing. Raymond Faitala-Mariner didn’t come back on after halftime due to a foot injury. If ruled out Corey Waddell would start on the right edge with Chris Smith coming onto the bench. Jeremy Marshall-King made a successful return from a foot injury and could start with Sione Katoa dropping to the bench. Renouf Atoni passed gameday HIA and returned to the field but will be monitored.
EELS V SHARKS
Saturday 27 March, Bankwest Stadium, 7:35pm
Eels: Expected to be without Ryan Matterson after he failed to finish the Storm game due to concussion. If Matterson is ruled out Isaiah Papali’i would start on the left edge with Ray Stone coming onto the bench. Waqa Blake suffered a calf injury at training in the lead up to the Storm game and has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks which will see Marata Niukore retaining the right centre position after being solid against the Storm. Some of the Eels’ fringe first grade players could be lacking match fitness should any be called on after having the bye in NSW Cup in Round 1, then the Round 2 game being washed out.
Sharks: Mawene Hiroti didn’t have the best game and was pulled from the field with Connor Tracey playing right centre in the second half. Teig Wilton is an option to replace Hiroti if dropped. Siosifa Talakai (shoulder) and Royce Hunt (knee) are close to returning from injury and could come into contention for bench positions.
KNIGHTS V TIGERS
Sunday 28 March, McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm
Knights: Will be without Phoenix Crossland after he was charged with a grade two crusher tackle on David Fusitu’a in the opening minutes. With the early guilty plea he would miss two weeks. Kurt Mann will need to prove his fitness after missing the game on the weekend due to a knee injury. He could return with another option being Blake Green who has returned to full training after recovering from an ACL injury and is outside chance. The more likely option if Mann isn’t fit is to play Connor Watson at five-eighth.
Tigers: Struggling to find form and that winning combination with the only change to the 17 being James Roberts, who missed last week due to a shoulder issue, returning to centre which will see Tommy Talau dropping to the bench with Michael Chee-Kam dropping out.
COWBOYS V TITANS
Sunday 28 March, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6:15pm
Cowboys: Kyle Feldt has been charged with a grade two dangerous throw for a tackle on Jack Bird and with early guilty plea, which he has taken, is looking at a two week suspension with Murray Taulagi the logical option to come onto the wing. Another option is bringing in Justin O’Neill at centre and moving Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the wing. Jason Taumalolo will again be on the sideline after suffering a broken hand at training last Thursday with Reuben Cotter to continue at lock with Lachlan Burr on the bench.
Titans: Playmaker Ash Taylor is battling a hand injury ahead of Sunday’s clash against North Queensland in Townsville. Taylor reported soreness in his hand/wrist after the Gold Coast’s derby defeat of Brisbane last Friday night, his 100th game for the Titans. Taylor underwent wrist surgery during the off-season and the Titans could not provide an update on his fitness when asked on Tuesday morning. Back-up playmakers Tanah Boyd and Toby Sexton will be on standby if Taylor is ruled out of the Cowboys clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Boyd was named in the No. 14 jersey for Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup on the weekend but was elevated to the starting side following Taylor’s injury. Sexton started in the halves for Tweed Heads in their win against Central Capras.
— Travis Meyn
Coen Hess suffered a shoulder injury on landing and is in doubt. If out either Peter Hola or Shane Wright would come into the squad. Titans come into the clash off a nine-day turnaround and after a good win in the derby against now little brother the Broncos.
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