NRL Late Mail Round 1 2023: Team news and updates

The Titans have revealed who will replace the injured Beau Fermor, with KFC SuperCoaches robbed of a potential cheapie, while a Dolphins star has succumbed to injury.

Queensland Origin hopeful Beau Fermor has been dealt a crushing blow after suffering a likely season-ending knee injury.

Fermor is set to miss the entire 2023 NRL season after rupturing his ACL at a Gold Coast Titans training session this week.

Fermor, 24, was in tremendous shape and primed for a big season, recently revealing he had a goal of playing State of Origin this year.

Fermor was part of Queensland’s extended squads last year and had been earmarked by Maroons coach Billy Slater as an Origin player of the future.

Beau Fermor’s 2023 season may be over before it begins. Picture: Getty Images

But his dream is likely to be put on hold until next year as he awaits a specialist’s opinion after scans confirmed the ACL rupture, which generally has a 9-12 month recovery following surgery.

It’s Fermor’s second ACL injury after he suffered a similar injury in 2019 while with the Newcastle Knights.

Fermor has been ruled out of Sunday night’s NRL season-opener against the Wests Tigers, with Joe Stimson elevated to the starting line up, with Sam McIntyre joining the bench.

KFC SuperCoaches were hopeful cheapie Klese Haas would get a call up, but he has missed out.

THE YOUNG DOG PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING ON

From the loss of Luke Thompson (foot) emerges the story of a rookie Bulldog who Canterbury officials have high hopes for. 

Jayden Tanner, a 22-year-old prop, is a SuperCoach cheapie that the Bulldogs coaching staff believe could develop into a 100-game NRL player. 

He will make his NRL debut against Manly on Saturday. 

Tanner, who has progressed through the lower grades of the Sharks and the Panthers’ NSW Cup team before joining the Dogs, has a junior representative resume that suggests a bright future. 

Tough and hardworking, Tanner won the coaches award for the Sharks 2018 SG Ball season. 

It was in the same year that the former Patrician Brothers Blacktown talent was chosen in the Australian Schoolboys squad that included NRL players Stephen Crichton, Tom Dearden, Jason Saab, Tommy Talau, Bronson Xerri, Tesi Niu, Bradman Best and Matt Doorey.

Jayden Tanner in action for the Bulldogs during the pre-season.

Meanwhile, officials are hopeful Thompson will avoid surgery after fears the star Canterbury prop would miss the season.

Thompson could now be sidelined for just two months after scans revealed the Englishman may not have to undergo an operation to repair his injured foot.

If the injury heals as hoped, Thompson may now only be sidelined for the opening six to eight matches.

The news has huge implications for KFC SuperCoaches, who have loaded up on Franklin Pele at 25 per cent ownership on the assumption Thompson was out long-term.

Stay tuned for full Late Mail at lunchtime Thursday.

Luke Thompson. Picture: NRL

Luke Thompson is carried from the field.

DOLPHINS V ROOSTERS

Sunday 5 March, Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Connelly Lemuelu

Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 22. Robert Jennings

Players cut: 14. Herman Ese’ese 20. Mason Teague 21. Anthony Milford

Late Mail: Bench forward Herman Ese’ese was ruled out for the Dolphins 24-hours before kick-off, with Connelly Lemuelu set to replace him on the interchange. Mason Teague and Anthony Milford were also cut from the reserves 24-hours before kick-off.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Jake Turpin 22. Junior Pauga

Players cut: 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong

Late Mail: Jaxson Paulo is expected to run out at centre despite being named on the wing, with Corey Allan shifting to the wing.

Jake Turpin is a chance to replace Drew Hutchinson on the bench.

Luke Keary is in some doubt after another pre-season head knock, however he is expected to face the Dolphins, lining up on the left edge as per the late change last season.

LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!

TIGERS V TITANS

Sunday 5 March, Leichhardt Oval, 6:15pm

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’I 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Fonua Pole 17. Asu Kepaoa

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth, 19. Starford Toa

Players cut: 20. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Justin Matamua, 22. Junior Tupou

Late Mail: Jake Simpkin is expected to deputise for Api Koroisau early in the season. Asu Kepaoa has been named as the backline utility, but may also spend time as a roaming forward when injected into the game.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. JoJo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (C) 11. David Fifita 17. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 19. Keano Kini, 20. Chris Randall

Players cut: 12. Beau Fermor 21. Klese Haas, 22. Treymain Spry

Late Mail: Beau Fermor suffered an ACL injury this week, likely bringing an end to his 2023 campaign before it begun. This is likely to open up an edge role for Klese Haas, while Alex Seyfarth is another option if Justin Holbrook opts for more experience.

BYE: Dragons