NRL Early Mail Round 3: Predicted team changes

Rabbitohs skipper racing the clock, Cronulla young gun takes a step closer to an NRL debut, while Newcastle sweats on fullback’s fitness — check out all the news ahead of the team announcements.

South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis is in doubt for the Rabbitohs clash against the Titans on Sunday due to a shoulder injury.

Inglis — who will be named for the Rabbitohs in Tuesday afternoon’s team announcements — hurt his shoulder during South Sydney’s win against St George Illawarra last Thursday and said he was racing the clock to be fit.

“The body is pretty good,” Inglis said.

“Modified training this week. Will see how I go late this week.

“We’ll make the decision on Thursday or Saturday to have some clarity.”

Should Inglis fail to be passed fit to face the Titans, young gun Corey Allan is likely to come into Wayne Bennett’s 17.

— Michael Carayannis

Cronulla’s backline has taken on a new look for their first training run of the week — including young gun Bronson Xerri.

Fullback Matt Moylan copped a knock to his knee in last Saturday’s win over the Titans, and was absent during an opposed session against the Sharks reserve grade side.

Instead Josh Dugan trained at fullback, forcing a complete reshuffle in the outside backs.

Rookie Xerri took Dugan’s place at right centre alongside winger Sione Katoa. On the left, both Josh Morris and Sosai Feki were absent, with Kurt Capewell and Aaron Gray filling their spots.

Feki was believed to be in the biggest doubt after failing to finish Saturday’s match with a knee injury.

The Sharks say Moylan’s absence was only precautionary and Feki will also be named to face the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday.

Hooker Jayden Brailey has so far passed his concussion tests.

— Fatima Kdouh, David Riccio

The Knights are sweating on the fitness of fullback Connor Watson (knee).

Watson is confident he’ll be available for Friday night’s clash with Canberra, but has undergone scans for a potential MCL injury.

While Kalyn Ponga could conceivably shift to fullback, the Knights are committed to his development as a five-eighth and Kurt Mann looms as a the likely No.1 replacement.

— Fiona Bollen

Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk is poised to return from a hamstring injury for Friday night’s big clash against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.

Cronk and co-captain Jake Friend (shoulder) missed last weekend’s 26-18 win over Manly at Brookvale.

Rested and recovered, the pair is ready to tackle the unbeaten Eels in the game of the round.

— Dean Ritchie

Jason Taumalolo’s injury is far worse than first thought with the Cowboys superstar ruled out for 6-10 weeks due to a grade three MCL issue.

Manly’s Reuben Garrick, St George Illawarra’s Mikaele Ravalawa and Parramatta’s Maika Sivo also loom as losers from Tuesday’s impending team announcements.

Maika Sivo of the Eels.

BRONCOS V DRAGONS

Thurs, 28 Mar, Suncorp Stadium, 8.05pm

Broncos: Expect an unchanged line-up following a big win over the Cowboys. Matt Lodge (suspension) will miss another week while Payne Haas (disciplinary) is due back the week after.

Dragons: Coach Paul McGregor welcomes recruit Korbin Sims (suspension) into the fold. Josh Kerr is the player most likely to drop out. Mikaele Ravalawa’s spot will come under scrutiny following a poor performance, with Zac Lomax waiting in the wings.

Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Taumalolo and Bronson Xerri.

RAIDERS V KNIGHTS

Fri, 29 Mar, GIO Stadium, 6pm

Raiders: Second rower Joseph Tapine (suspected broken thumb) is in doubt. Coach Ricky Stuart has a host of replacement options. John Bateman could switch to the edge, with Josh Papalii moving to lock and Sia Soliola starting at prop. Soliola is also capable of playing edge, which would leave English star Bateman in the middle, where he has starred in his first two games in the NRL. Stuart could also parachute young gun Jack Murchie into the starting edge role in a straight swap with Tapine.

Knights: Second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon (calf) is the only injury concern out of a tight loss to the Panthers, although he’s expected to play with the Knights to be unchanged.

EELS V ROOSTERS

Fri, 29 Mar, ANZ Stadium, 8.05pm

Eels: Parramatta have no injury concerns out of the big win over the Bulldogs. However, Michael Jennings (suspension) is due back and expected to push Josh Hoffman out of the side at left centre. George Jennings (knee) is also set for a return, which could spell the end of Maika Sivo’s stint in first grade.

Roosters: Cooper Cronk (hamstring) and Jake Friend (shoulder) were late withdrawals last week but are set to be cleared. Cronk’s return would mean Latrell Mitchell reverts to centre after playing in the halves against the Sea Eagles, with Lachlan Lam to drop off the bench despite his stirring debut. Friend’s return would push Victor Radley back to lock. Brett Morris (knee) is expected to miss two weeks. Lower grade gun Matt Ikuvalu will come into contention for a backline spot, although Robinson has the luxury of utility Mitchell Aubusson being able to fill almost every position on the field. Lindsay Collins (concussion) must pass protocol. Luke Keary returned from his own concussion test.

Lachlan Lam had a blinder on debut.

SEA EAGLES V WARRIORS

Sat, 30 Mar, Christchurch Stadium, 3pm

Sea Eagles: Expect mass changes. Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is a “strong chance” according to coach Des Hasler. Brendan Elliot will relinquish the fullback spot, although he could still score a wing spot in place of Reuben Garrick. An injury to Moses Suli (leg) adds another level of intrigue to the make-up of Hasler’s backline, although Suli managed to return against the Roosters. Also expect a vastly different forward pack with Curtis Sironen (concussion) in doubt, while Addin Fonua-Blake (suspension) and Taniela Paseka (knee) are due to return.

Warriors: No injury concerns out of the loss to the Tigers. However, the Warriors have a decision to make on Nathaniel Roache (calf), who was rested from the Campbelltown clash. He may push for a bench spot, even with Issac Luke (shoulder) returning against the Tigers.

COWBOYS V SHARKS

Sat, 30 Mar, 1300SMILES Stadium, 5.30pm

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo (knee) is out for 6-10 weeks. Expect Coen Hess to earn promotion to the starting side. Nene Macdonald and John Asiata (both concussion) must pass protocol but will be named. Coach Paul Green has shrugged off concerns over Michael Morgan (shoulder), who finished the game against the Broncos but was hampered at times.

Jason Taumalolo has a knee issue. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Sharks: Matt Moylan (knee) and Sosai Feki (knee) were absent from training on Tuesday but are expected to be named. Young gun Bronson Xerri trained at centre as Josh Dugan filled in for Moylan at fullback. Hooker Jayden Brailey (concussion) has passed his tests so far. Brother Blayke is the obvious replacement in the starting side. James Segeyaro is not available for selection after being dropped from Cronulla’s 30-man squad, which could open a bench spot for Kyle Flanagan or Billy Magoulias, who spent time training at dummy half during pre-season.

PANTHERS V STORM

Sat, 30 Mar, Carrington Park, 7.35pm

Panthers: Josh Mansour (shoulder) was a late withdrawal against the Knights with a “minor” AC joint injury. If back, he’d replace Malakai Watene-Zelezniak on the wing. Boom forward Viliame Kikau (knee) is closing in on a return.

Storm: Joe Stimson (back) is pushing for a return.

TIGERS V BULLDOGS

Sun, 31 Mar, Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm

Tigers: David Nofoaluma (shoulder) is pushing for a return, which would likely push Mahe Fonua out of the side.

Bulldogs: Fan favourite Rhyse Martin is pushing for a recall after scoring two tries in reserve grade over the weekend.

RABBITOHS V TITANS

Sun, 31 Mar, ANZ Stadium, 6.10pm

Rabbitohs: Skipper Greg Inglis (shoulder) is in doubt. He will be named in the Rabboths side but is racing the clock to be fit. Young gun Corey Allan is likely to come into Wayne Bennett’s 17 if Inglis is ruled out. John Sutton (chest) made it through just 26 minutes against the Dragons. Wayne Bennett said post-match the injury was not serious. Ethan Lowe is the obvious replacement in the starting side after he filled in against the Dragons. Liam Knight is facing a 1-2 week suspension which could open a bench spot for Rhys Kennedy.

Titans: Ash Taylor (quad) is considered a week-to-week prospect. With the long turnaround, he is a chance of facing the Rabbitohs. His return would see Ryley Jacks drop out of the side.