NRL Early Mail round 3: Predicted team changes, Jackson Hastings axed by Knights
Fresh from Lachlan Ilias copping the chop at the Rabbitohs, Jackson Hastings is the latest halfback to be axed this week. Full predicted team changes
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The halves killing season has continued with Jackson Hastings the latest No.7 axed.
It is understood Jack Cogger will partner Tyson Gamble following the Knights’ winless start to the season. Jayden Brailey is also in line to make his return off the bench.
-Michael Carayannis
HAAS SET TO PLAY
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has declared superstar prop Payne Haas an almost certain starter in a boost for the Broncos ahead of Thursday night’s clash against the Panthers.
There were fears Haas could join skipper Adam Reynolds (knee) on the sidelines after Brisbane’s chief enforcer failed to train on Sunday with a knee complaint that flared during Brisbane’s round 2 defeat of South Sydney.
But Walters remains confident Haas will be on deck for the grand-final replay. The NSW Origin enforcer will be named in the starting side and will get the green light if he trains well at Brisbane’s captain’s run on Wednesday.
“We will make a final decision on tomorrow but at this stage Payne is going to play,” Walters said.
“It’s not a serious issue.
“He ran by himself the other day with the rehab group, but as it stands Payne will be playing.
“We’ll see how he pulls up after the captain’s run but unless there’s a major change Payne will be there.”
The Broncos were sweating on Haas’ availability after another key top-liner, champion halfback Reynolds, was ruled out with grade-one MCL damage.
In the absence of Reynolds, understudy Jock Madden will be handed the No.7 jumper in a huge test for the former Wests Tigers playmaker, who faces a daunting scrumbase showdown with Panthers maestro Nathan Cleary.
Madden has won two of five games at the Broncos scrumbase and showed his promise last year when he filled in for Reynolds, playing a starring role in Brisbane’s 30-14 rout of the Cowboys in Townsville.
Rookie prop Xavier Willison is pressing for selection in the top 17 but Walters is expected to retain the bench quartet that did the job against the Bunnies in Tyson Smoothy, Fletcher Baker, Kobe Hetherington and Martin Taupau.
-Peter Badel
FITZGIBBON CALLS ON DEBUTANT
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is set to hand off-season recruit Billy Burns his club debut following the suspension of backrower Briton Nikora.
Royce Hunt is also set to be named in the Sharks line-up to face the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
Burns was signed by the Sharks after previous stints with the Dragons and Panthers. He impressed in the Sharks two pre-season trials.
Nikora will miss the Sharks next two matches after pleading guilty to a late hit on Viliame Kikau.
Fitzgibbon also has the option of using Jack Williams in the back row against the Tigers and using Burns as a middle forward.
It’s unclear whether Burns or Williams will start the match.
Hunt missed the Sharks win over the Bulldogs due to a virus, but will return in place of hulking forward Tuku Hau Tapuha.
-David Riccio
FIFITA IN FOR DRAGONS
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will make at least one change to his line-up to face the Cowboys with powerful prop Viliame Fifita set to be named.
Fifita will add size and power to the Dragons bench following the suspension of Francis Molo.
Flanagan is leaning towards sticking with the majority of his side that were heavily beaten by the Dolphins in round two as opposed to making wholesale changes.
-David Riccio
BULLDOGS BOOSTED
Star Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr is expected to be named for Saturday’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
The speedster missed last week’s game with a soft tissue shoulder injury.
It’s expected Addo-Carr will be named in the squad but will need to get the all clear for medical staff during the week before taking the field at Belmore Oval.
The club had initially said Addo-Carr could be out for up to two weeks.
-Fatima Kdouh, David Riccio
STAR ROOSTER SIDELINED FOR SOUTHS STOUSH
Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary has been officially scratched from Friday night’s blockbuster against South Sydney under the game’s mandatory concussion guidelines.
Keary was forced from the field in the dying embers of Sunday afternoon’s game at 4 Pines Park and it was initially unclear whether he had failed a head injury assessment.
However, the Roosters released a statement late on Monday confirming he had been assessed by medical staff and would be sidelined under the game’s mandatory 11-day stand down rules.
Keary has had issues with head knocks in the past and the Roosters have previously shown a reluctance to take any chances with players who have a history of concussion.
Sandon Smith is next in line to partner Sam Walker in the halves, although Roosters coach Trent Robinson has the option of moving Joey Manu to five-eighth and recalling centre Billy Smith, who is expected to make his return from a hamstring injury.
-Brent Read
ILIAS AXED FOR RABBITS
Souths skipper Cameron Murray says axed halfback Lachlan Ilias is not to blame for the club’s winless start to the season after he was dropped in favour of local junior Dean Hawkins for Friday’s clash with the Roosters.
On Monday, Ilias was training with the reserve grade side after Jason Demetriou swung the axe in response to a poor start to the season after missing the finals in 2023.
The move has put everyone on notice, including five-eighth Cody Walker, but Murray says it’s not the last of Ilias in the NRL.
“No, not at all,” Murray said.
“He’s a competitor like Jack (Wighton), he fights hard and he tries hard so I know he’ll be doing everything right on and off the field to be back in the team and that’s that. I know he’s not going to kick stones. He’s happy for Deano and all he wants is for us to win.
“It’s not so much that he’s been dropped, I think Deano has earned his opportunity, if anyone is familiar with what he’s been doing over the past 12 to 18 months, he’s been knocking at the door for a long time.
“This hasn’t just been an overnight thing.”
-Brent Read, Dean Ritchie, Pamela Whaley
HUGHES TAKES EARLY GUILTY PLEA
Jahrome Hughes has taken an early guilty plea after being charged with pushing match official Chris Butler in Melbourne’s win over New Zealand.
The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the blockbuster match, with Hughes shoving Butler out of the way in an attempt to stop Rocco Berry from crossing for the Warriors.
The halfback has been charged with grade two contrary conduct and is set to serve a one match ban.
This potentially leaves the Storm without both their first choice halves for their round three clash with the Knights, with question marks over Cameron Munster’s fitness following a groin injury.
TIGER OUT FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS
Wests Tigers centre Starford To’a needs surgery to repair an injured ankle and faces an extended stint on the sideline.
To’a suffered a syndesmosis injury which will keep him out of action for at least the next two months.
Justin Olam is expected to be fit to make his club debut to take on the Sharks.
-Michael Carayannis
FULL EARLY MAIL BY TIM WILLIAMS
BRONCOS V PANTHERS
Thursday, 8pm, Bluebet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: James Fisher-Harris has been cleared of a serious shoulder injury, but is expected to spend time on the sidelines.
This will likely see Lindsay Smith or Liam Henry elevated to the starting team to face Brisbane.
Broncos: While cleared of a serious MCL injury, Adam Reynolds will miss a few weeks of action.
The loss could be compounded with halves partner Ezra Mam also in doubt with a shoulder injury.
Jock Madden will come into the halves, while it remains to be seen who would partner him if Mam is unavailable.
Tristan Sailor could play in the halves, while they could opt to shift Cory Paix into a new role.
With Reynolds out, Reece Walsh is likely to kick goals for Brisbane.
Payne Haas is expected to play despite a minor knee injury.
WARRIORS V RAIDERS
Friday, 6pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Warriors: Wayde Egan is a chance to return from an elbow injury at hooker, which would push Freddy Lussick to the bench.
Marata Niukore is a chance to return from a foot injury on the bench.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is set to miss another week or two as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Raiders: Seb Kris failed a HIA in the win over the Tigers, putting him in doubt to face the Warriors.
If he fails concussion protocols, Albert Hopoate will shift to centre with Nic Cotric returning on the wing.
Jordan Rapana had a late HIA in the win and will also need to pass protocols to take his place at fullback, however the incident did look minor.
ROOSTERS V RABBITOHS
Friday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Luke Keary failed a HIA and will miss the clash with the Rabbitohs.
This could see Sandon Smith shift to the halves, opening a door for Connor Watson’s return as the bench utility.
Rabbitohs: Lachlan Ilias has been axed with Dean Hawkins to play halfback.
Jack Wighton will play his first NRL game for South Sydney at centre, likely pushing Richie Kennar out of the team.
Jai Arrow is set to miss four to six weeks with a rotator cuff injury.
BULLDOGS V TITANS
Saturday, 3pm, Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Bulldogs: Poasa Faamausili failed a HIA in the loss to Cronulla and will miss the clash with the Titans.
This is likely to see Samuel Hughes or Josh Curran start in his place.
Josh Addo-Carr is expected to return from a shoulder injury on the wing.
Whether this will be at the expense of Connor Tracey or Blake Wilson remains to be seen.
Titans: Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell and David Fifita are all chances to return from injury to face the Bulldogs.
Foran is most likely and would replace Tom Weaver in the halves.
Fifita would replace Klese Haas on the edge, potentially pushing Beau Fermor to the right edge.
Campbell would replace Keano Kini at fullback.
DRAGONS V COWBOYS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Hame Sele is closing in on a return from injury and will join the bench if cleared.
Francis Molo is facing a two-week stint on the sideline for a high tackle.
Luciano Leilua may start against his former club after coming off the bench against the Dolphins.
If in the middle, this would likely see Jack de Belin play prop, and Raymond Faitala-Mariner drop to the bench.
If preferred on the edge, Tom Eisenhuth could shift to lock or the bench.
Cowboys: Heilum Luki is set to miss around six weeks with an ankle injury, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki likely to start on the edge.
Jordan McLean suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Knights.
This will likely see Thomas Mikaele and Jack Gosiewski join the bench.
TIGERS V SHARKS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: Starford Toa suffered an ankle injury in the loss to the Raiders and will miss at least eight weeks.
Justin Olam is set to come in and make his club debut.
Sharks: Briton Nikora faces a two week suspension for a high shot in the win over the Bulldogs.
This is likely to see recruit Billy Burns start on the edge in his absence.
Royce Hunt will likely return after missing the round 2 clash due to illness, although debutant Tuku Hau Tapuha impressed off the bench which will give coach Craig Fitzgibbon a selection headache.
EELS V SEA EAGLES
Sunday, 4:05pm, Commbank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Bailey Simonsson failed a HIA in the loss to Penrith and will miss the clash with Manly.
This is likely to see Haze Dunster start on the wing in his place.
Kelma Tuilagi suffered a shoulder injury in that clash and is in doubt, with Wiremu Greig likely to join the bench.
Sea Eagles: Tommy Talau suffered an ankle injury in the win over the Roosters putting him in major doubt to face the Eels.
If unavailable, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega is likely to come in on the wing.
Josh Schuster struggled on his return via NSW Cup and may need another week or two before joining the NRL side.
KNIGHTS V STORM
Sunday, 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Halfback Jackson Hastings has been dropped for Jack Cogger.
Jayden Brailey returns from a hamstring niggle and could play off the bench against the Storm.
Dylan Lucas returns from a head knock, which will see Kai Pearce-Paul drop to the bench.
Jack Hetherington suffered a minor ankle injury and is in doubt to take his place.
Storm: Jahrome Hughes is suspended for one week for contact with a referee, while Cameron Munster will likely miss at least another week with a groin injury.
This will see Jonah Pezet continue on in the halves, with Tyran Wishart likely to come in at five-eighth.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a chance to return on the bench, although with a bye next week they may opt to give him another week.
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