NRL Early Mail Round 8: Team changes and gossip

Brisbane drops a bombshell — and Kodi Nikorima — by selecting young gun at halfback while Cronulla gets some welcome news after their injury crisis.

Get the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 8 edition of NRL Early Mail.

RABBITOHS v BRONCOS

7.50pm Thursday at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: No changes expected to the side that beat the Panthers. Braidon Burns (hamstring) is aiming for Round 11.

Broncos: Teen halfback Tom Dearden will make his NRL debut, with Kodi Nikorima out as he weighs up a potential move to the Warriors.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said in a statement that while Nikorima has struggled with a calf injury for the past two weeks the halfback also “has some decisions to ponder about his future’’.

— Paul Malone

READ THE FULL STORY ON TOM DEARDEN’S BRONCOS DEBUT

There is also strong mail that James Roberts’ appearance for the Broncos against the Rabbitohs on Thursday night will be his last in a Brisbane jersey, writes Phil Rothfield. He is expected to follow Wayne Bennett to South Sydney the week after.

Tom Dearden will make his NRL debut for the Broncos. Picture: AAP

INJURIES: Full NRL casualty ward Round 7

COWBOYS v TITANS

6pm Friday at 1300Smiles Stadium

Cowboys: Star forward Jason Taumalolo will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness as he eyes an early return from a knee injury.

Taumalolo was named in the extended squad for the clash with the Bulldogs, and while he trained with the squad in the captain’s run last Thursday, he was left out of the final 17.

Green suggested the lock forward, who put in a machine-like performance in the Cowboys Round 1 win over the Dragons, had come up just short of where he needed to be and having a full week on the training paddock would give him more chance for Friday’s clash.

“We will see how he trains in the early part of the week. We have a full week ahead of us so that will give us a pretty clear indication come Tuesday,” Green said.

— Matthew Elkerton

Read more on Jason Taumalolo’s hopes of a Cowboys return.

Jason Taumalolo is set to return. Picture: Evan Morgan

Titans: Winger Dale Copley (quad) lasted just eight minutes on the weekend and is expected to be ruled out. Philip Sami will join the starting side after filling in for Copley against the Tigers, with the bench utility spot wide open.

Jarrod Wallace (suspension) returns, likely pushing Moeaki Fotuaika to the bench. Keegan Hipgrave (back) and AJ Brimson (thumb) could come into contention.

SHARKS v STORM

7.55pm Friday at Shark Park

Sharks: After his late withdrawl during the warm-up last week, Josh Dugan trained on Tuesday morning and is expected to play. He only has to get through the captain’s run but is expected to play.

Matt Moylan trained strongly as he eyes a return from a hamstring injury but is still two weeks away, and is aiming for the Round 10 clash against Manly.

— David Riccio

Earlier, the Sharks confirmed star playmaker Shaun Johnson will miss up to four weeks of NRL football with a hamstring injury. Coach John Morris is also sweating on the fitness of

Halfback Kyle Flanagan and outside backs Sione Katoa and Aaron Gray are all in the frame for first-grade call-ups.

In good news for the Sharks, young gun Briton Nikora returns from suspension.

Storm: Centre Curtis Scott was dropped last week due to defensive lapses. It’s unclear if he would unseat Marion Seve at centre this week.

RAIDERS v PANTHERS

3pm Saturday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Canberra is hopeful Jordan Rapana won’t spend time on the sidelines with a rib injury, with coach Ricky Stuart confident his star winger hasn’t suffered a break.

After already having been forced to fight back from a bad shoulder injury over the off-season, Rapana left the field early in Canberra’s loss to Manly on Sunday.

The Kiwi winger appeared in significant pain as he struggled to get up from his next hit up after suffering the injury.

He will head for scans on Monday, but Stuart was hopeful the blow wasn’t too serious ahead of next Saturday’s clash with Penrith.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” Stuart said.

“I think it’s cartilage. If it is cartilage he will be okay. Hopefully it’s okay.”

If Rapana was sidelined, young gun Bailey Simonsson could be in line for a recall after starring in reserves for Mounties.

Jordan Rapana struggles with a rib injury.

Panthers: No changes expected despite the loss to South Sydney.

SEA EAGLES v BULLDOGS

5.30pm Saturday at Lottoland

Sea Eagles: Coach Des Hasler has a host of injury concerns, headlined by skipper Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle), who has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks. Hasler only called in Lachlan Croker to replace Kane Elgey on Sunday, but it now appears likely they could both be in the halves. Veteran Trent Hodkinson is also a contender, especially given his goalkicking credentials.

Hooker Api Koroisau and winger Jorge Taufua both picked up calf injuries and could also be sidelined, although their injuries are not considered serious. Rising star Manase Fainu would start at hooker if Koroisau is out, but the Sea Eagles’ backline depth is already stretched and a replacement for Taufua is unclear. Addin Fonua-Blake returns from a two-match suspension.

Bulldogs: Kieran Foran (ankle) is well ahead of schedule. He is hopeful of playing this week but will likely be held back by medical staff.

ROOSTERS v TIGERS

7.35pm Saturday at SCG

Roosters: Jake Friend (biceps) is out for up to four months, with Victor Radley to play hooker. Luke Keary (concussion) is set to return which would likely push Lachlan Lam out of the side.

Tigers: Veteran Benji Marshall will be named in a timely return following the injury to Josh Reynolds. Reynolds will miss up to four weeks with a knee injury but the Tigers have a ready-made replacement in Marshall who has battled a hamstring injury. Luke Garner (concussion) is gunning for a return.

— Michael Carayannis

Josh Reynolds down with a knee injury.

WARRIORS v KNIGHTS

2pm Sunday at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: Coach Stephen Kearney is hopeful of being back to full strength after losing star skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and halfback Blake Green (groin) to injury, while centre Solomone Kata dropped out of the side on compassionate grounds.

Kearney said Green could have played if their match was later in the round, and he feels he is on track for a Round 8 start. Kata’s replacement, Patrick Herbert, impressed on debut. David Fusitu’a (ribs) could also be in contention for a recall.

Knights: Centre Jesse Ramien (shoulder) will be sent for scans. If out, the door could open for Sione Mata’utia to return to the starting side at right centre after a late inclusion last week.

EELS v DRAGONS

4.05pm Sunday at Bankwest Stadium

Eels: Daniel Alvaro (concussion) is aiming to return which would likely push Peni Terepo to the bench and Ray Stone out of the side.

Dragons: Halfback Ben Hunt suffered a shoulder injury in the Anzac Day clash that was later diagnosed as a cork. He is expected to be fit the coming round, with the aid of a long turnaround.