NRL Late Mail ahead of round 9: Team changes, SuperCoach news and gossip

MANLY are expected to have a number of changes before facing the defending premiers at Brookvale as injury continues to decimate their ranks.

THE latest in NRL team news...

* The Warriors have dropped Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Konrad Hurrell to NSW Cup for disciplinary issues. Sione Lousi, John Palavi and Matt Allwood have been recalled to top grade, while 21-year-old Toafofoa Sipley is in line to make his NRL debut. Read the full story....

* Manly coach Trent Barrett has confirmed Matt Wright and Matt Parcell will play as the team faces yet another injury crisis.

* Benji Marshall (hamstring) has travelled to New Zealand with the Dragons and is set to be a late inclusion.

* Brock Lamb will be promoted from 18th man to starting five-eighth for the Knights.

Manu Vatuvei is one of six Warriors axed.

Check out our NRL Late Mail ahead of round 9:

PANTHERS v RAIDERS

3pm Saturday at Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers: Centre Dean Whare (knee) is out, with scans expected to confirm he tore his ACL at training, which would rule him out for the season. Whare’s understudy Waqa Blake (hip) is also set to miss a week, with Isaah Yeo expected to play centre and Sam McKendry to come into the 17. James Segeyaro (broken arm) is a confirmed starter.

Raiders: Backrower Joseph Tapine (ankle) will play. He was cleared to return following his injury in last week’s game, but wasn’t risked as the scoreboard blew out. Luke Bateman (illness) missed training early in the week but will be fit. Coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed Blake Austin (hamstring) won’t travel and will return for the Raiders after the representative round. Frank-Paul Nu’uausala will travel as 18th man.

LISTEN TO OUR ROUND 9 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

ROOSTERS v KNIGHTS

5.30pm Saturday at Central Coast Stadium

Roosters: No changes, with Mitchell Pearce (disciplinary) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ACL) cleared to return.

Knights - Updated 1.10pm Friday:Brock Lamb has won the five-eighth spot ahead of Will Pearsall. Sam Mataora (suspension) is out. Jack Stockwell and Mickey Paea were named out of the 17, but expect them to come in, with Jacob Saifiti to be rested. However, Saifiti may yet earn a reprieve, with Jeremy Smith (knee) pulling up sore after training this week, but expected to play.

SEA EAGLES v COWBOYS

7.30pm Saturday at Brookvale

Sea Eagles - Updated 1.10pm Friday:Coach Trent Barrett is certain to make massive changes after including injured players in a totally ridiculous team named on Tuesday. Brett Stewart (hamstring, round 11) and Tom Trobjevic (ankle, round 15) are out. Recruit Matthew Wright is expected to come into the backline. Apisai Koroisau (ribs) is considered 50-50. Matt Parcell (hamstring) will feature somewhere in the 17. Lewis Brown (knee), Brayden Wiliame (leg), Tom Symonds (leg) and Steve Matai (shoulder) are all aiming to be fit.

Cowboys: No injury concerns, with Ben Hannant (concussion/elbow) cleared and John Asiata to travel as 18th man.

WARRIORS v DRAGONS

12pm Sunday at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors - Updated 1.10pm Friday:Coach Andrew McFadden has made some huge changes due to both disciplinary and injury reasons. Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Konrad Hurrell have all been dropped to the NSW Cup for failure to meet team standards.

Full story:Warriors coach Andrew McFadden axes six players

Sione Lousi, John Palavi and Matt Allwood have been recalled to top grade to face St George Illawarra on Sunday at Mount Smart Stadium while 21-year-old Toafofoa Sipley is in line to make his NRL debut. Simon Mannering (facial cut) and Tuimoala Lolohea (knee) will also miss due to injury. McFadden has re-named his squad for the match, with positions to be determined an hour before kick-off.

Warriors squad: Matt Allwood, Blake Ayshford , David Fusitu’a, James Gavet, Charlie Gubb, Ryan Hoffman, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Shaun Lane, Thomas Leuluai, Jacob Lillyman, Sione Lousi, Issac Luke, John Palavi, Toafofoa Sipley, Jazz Tevaga, Jonathan Wright

Dragons - Updated 1.10pm Friday: Halfback Benji Marshall (hamstring) has travelled and is expected to be a late inclusion in place of Josh McCrone. Euan Aitken (hamstring) must prove his fitness, with Taane Milne waiting in the wings. Mitch Rein (concussion/shoulder) is highly unlikely, with Siliva Havili and McCrone in line to share the hooking role. Joel Thompson (suspension) is set to be replaced in the starting side by Will Matthews.

TITANS v STORM

2pm Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Halfback Ashley Taylor is aiming to be a late inclusion after being sidelined last week due to nerve damage in the ribs, with Cameron Cullen the man on the chopping block. “I’m not too sure (whether I’ll be able to play) at this stage, it’s early days so I’m just going to see how it pulls up,’’ Taylor said. “I’m trying to get through training and this week tick the right boxes.” Daniel Mortimer (hamstring) has started light running but won’t be a late inclusion.

Storm: Expect mass changes. Outside backs Marika Koroibete (ankle) and Young Tonumaipea (knee) are both highly unlikely to play. The Storm have been very cagey all week, training behind closed doors and refusing to speculate on replacements. Coach Craig Bellamy joked on Thursday that the Storm don’t have a fit centre at the club. Expect Richie Kennar to switch to the wing, with Tohu Harris, Kenny Bromwich, Ben Hampton and Cheyse Blair in contention to play in the centres. Matt White is in line to come onto the bench to make his Storm debut against his old club.

SHARKS v BRONCOS

4pm Sunday at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks: No changes expected, with Jayson Bukuya (jaw/concussion) cleared. Junior Paulo was not selected in either NRL or NSW Cup, with a decision yet to be made on which team he will play for.

Broncos: With Andrew McCullough (hamstring) ruled out for up to six weeks, Travis Waddell will be promoted to start at hooker with Kodi Nikorima to continue in his bench role. Sam Thaiday moves to prop in place of Adam Blair (suspension). Matt Gillett (knee), Josh McGuire (knee) and Alex Glenn (hip) are all on modified programs this week. Former Canberra Holden Cup gun Tevita Pangai Jr trained at right back row and is set to come into the 17, while Herman Ese’ese is also in contention. Jack Reed missed some training on Thursday but is set to play.