NRL Late Mail Round 20: Predicted team changes, Luke Brooks calf injury

The career of maligned Wests Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks hangs in the balance after going down injured at training. Predicted team changes here.

Luke Brooks may have played his last game for the Wests Tigers. Brooks is expected to miss up to six weeks with a calf injury, meaning he is unlikely to pull on a Tigers jersey again this season.

The bigger question is whether he has made his last appearance for the club as Tigers officials prepare to sit down with the embattled half to determine whether he wants to be part of the future under incoming coach Tim Sheens and his assistants Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

Brooks has been linked with Newcastle and it is believed they retain an interest in signing the former Dally M halfback of the year, provided it is at the right price.

It is understood Brooks’ contract soars north of $1 million next season, meaning any move by the Knights would be contingent on the Tigers contributing a portion of his salary.

Brooks’ injury woes are likely to mean that Jackson Hastings reverts to halfback for the remainder of the season, starting with Saturday night’s game against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

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Luke Brooks has a calf injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

ST GEORGE ASSISTANT OUT WITH COVID

Dragons assistant coach Peter Gentle began the week by being told his services would no longer be required.

Now the experienced coach has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash against the Cowboys with Covid.

Gentle and fellow St George-Illawarra assistant Matt Head were blindsided on Monday when they were informed by head coach Anthony Griffin that their contracts wouldn’t be extended beyond this season.

Gentle tested positive to Covid prior to training on Thursday.

Gentle and Head are committed to seeing the season out with the Dragons still within a finals chance.

TITANS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Jojo Fifita, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Patrick Herbert, 6. Tanah Boyd, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Aaron Booth, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell, 15. Herman Ese’ese, 16. Isaac Liu, 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre, 19. Corey Thompson

Players cut: 20. Greg Marzhew, 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 22. Paul Turner

Late mail: While likely to run out as named, Justin Holbrook may opt to start Jayden Campbell at fullback after an impressive return from injury off the bench in the loss to the Bulldogs. If he does decide to pull the trigger, it’d create substantial movement with AJ Brimson moving to five-eighth and Tanah Boyd to the bench.

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Albert Hopoate, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Emre Guler, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Matt Frawley, 19. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Players cut: 20. Ata Mariota, 21. Semi Valemei, 22. Peter Hola

Late mail: No changes expected at the in-form Raiders.

SHARKS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 5.30pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Connor Tracey, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Royce Hunt, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 15. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Teig Wilton, 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 17. Andrew Fifita, 19. Aiden Tolman

Reserves: 18. Kade Dykes, 21. Jesse Colquhoun

Players cut: 13. Dale Finucane, 20. Braydon Trindall, 22. Matt Ikuvalu

Late mail: Dale Finucane copped a two-match ban for a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night. This will see Cameron McInnes start at lock, which likely sees Aiden Tolman come onto the bench.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Jed Cartwright, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Davvy Moale, 16. Siliva Havili, 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 20. Taane Milne, 21. Zane Bijorac

Players cut: 18. Blake Taaffe, 19. Josh Mansour, 22. Shaq Mitchell

Late mail: No changes expected at the in-form Rabbitohs, with the only possible movement being if Tom Burgess starts the game at prop, with Roosters recruit Daniel Suluka-Fifita reverting to the bench. However, coach Jason Demetriou has preferred Burgess in an impact bench role of late, so the change is unlikely.

BRONCOS v TIGERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Delouise Hoeter, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Te Maire Martin, 19. Zac Hosking, 20. Jake Turpin, 21. Brenko Lee, 22. Xavier Willison

Players cut: TBC

Late mail: The only likely change to the team will be if Corey Jensen starts at prop, with Thomas Flegler moving to the bench.

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Asu Kepaoa, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 18. Jock Madden, 8. James Tamou, 9. Fa’amanu Brown, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Alex Seyfarth, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Jackson Hastings

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole, 15. Zane Musgrove, 16. Austin Dias, 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 19. Junior Tupou, 22. Thomas Freebairn

Players cut: 7. Luke Brooks, 20. Brandon Tumeth, 21. James Roberts

Late mail: Luke Brooks has been ruled out with a calf injury that may end his season. At this stage, Jock Madden is expected to come into the halves, with Jackson Hastings remaining in his new lock role.

Deine Mariner will start in the centres for the Broncos against Wests Tigers.

KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dan Gagai, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Brodie Jones

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Jack Johns, 20. Jake Clifford, 21. Dom Young, 22. Kurt Mann

Players cut: TBC

Late mail: A few potential changes loom at the struggling Knights, with Dominic Young and Kurt Mann named on the extended bench.

Young is a strong chance to return on the wing, which would see Hymel Hunt drop out of the team.

If cleared to return, Mann would come in at lock, pushing Brodie Jones to the bench.

Even if Mann doesn’t take the field, Jones is expected to shift to the edge, with Mitch Barnett at lock.

Tex Hoy is likely to take up the goal-kicking duties in the absence of Kalyn Ponga, while Anthony Milford is another option.

Jake Clifford is also a chance to come into the game day side in the halves and would kick goals above both Hoy and Milford.

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Jackson Topine, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Tevita Pangai Jr, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Chris Patolo

Reserves: 19. Declan Casey, 20. Kurtis Morrin, 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 22. Harrison Edwards, 23. Tuipulotu Katoa

Players cut: TBC

Late mail: Corey Waddell was handed a five match ban for an eye gouge in the win over the Titans.

Tevita Pangai Jnr is expected to start on the edge in his place, although with a preference to play him in the middle of late, interim coach Mick Potter may start Joe Stimson.

Kurtis Morrin is expected to come onto the bench.

DRAGONS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Tautau Moga, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Jack De Belin, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Tariq Sims

Bench: 14. Tyrell Sloan, 15. Aaron Woods, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Josh McGuire

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo, 19. Max Feagai, 20. Jaiyden Hunt, 21. Tyrell Fuimaono, 22. Jackson Ford

Players cut: TBC

Late mail: No changed expected at the Dragons.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Luciano Leilua, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 15. Jake Granville, 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Connelly Lemuelu, 19. Ben Hampton, 20. Reuben Cotter, 21. Brendan Elliot, 22. Ben Condon

Players cut: TBC

Late mail: Reuben Cotter is a strong chance to come onto the bench for his first NRL game since Round 12.

This will likely see Jake Granville drop off the bench, with Cotter playing limited minutes on return from his hamstring injury.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is expected to start at prop, with Luciano Leilua to play off the bench in an impact role.