NRL Late Mail Round 12: Josh-Addo Carr cleared for return, Titans drop Alofiana Khan-Pereira

The Bulldogs and NSW Blues have received a massive boost, with a Canterbury star shaking off injury concerns and cleared to make his NRL return. See the latest Round 12 team news.

NSW Origin hopeful Josh Addo-Carr cleared a fitness test on Friday afternoon and is expected to line up for the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Canterbury were sweating on Addo-Carr getting through the session on Friday and provided the winger pulls up without any issue he will take the field for the Bulldogs.

Now Addo-Carr has rocketed into Origin calculations, needing only to be solid for the Bulldogs to book himself an Origin recall.

Addo-Carr was a late scratching last week because of his ankle complaint.

Josh Addo-Carr has been cleared to make his Bulldogs return from an ankle injury. Picture: Getty Images.

TITANS DROP TRYSCORING MACHINE

—Travis Meyn

The Gold Coast Titans have dropped flying winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira following a blistering start to his debut NRL season.

Despite scoring 12 tries in 10 games, Khan-Pereira will be rested by coach Justin Holbrook for Sunday afternoon’s showdown with Canterbury at Accor Stadium.

A SuperCoach sensation, Khan-Pereira will be replaced by Aaron Schoupp, who returns to the centres to face his former club the Bulldogs.

Khan-Pereira’s axing comes as somewhat of a surprise following a deadly start to his rookie NRL season, which has seen him score five doubles.

He bagged a try in last week’s 46-26 loss to the Knights in Newcastle, but had some defensive lapses.

After being named in the starting side on Tuesday, Khan-Pereira broke the news of his relegation himself at a scheduled media appearance on Wednesday morning.

He said he would be replaced in the starting side by Schoupp.

Khan-Pereira will avoid a showdown with Test and Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr, who returns from an ankle injury for the Bulldogs.

In-form Phil Sami will shift wings to face-off against Addo-Carr, with Jojo Fifita moving to the right wing next to Schoupp.

The Titans’ right side was cut apart by Knights star Kalyn Ponga last Sunday and Holbrook is looking to shore it up.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira won’t play this weekend. Picture: Getty

FULL LATE MAIL

BULLDOGS v TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs (Dharug, Bidjigal/Bediagal)

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Samuel Hughes 23. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jackson Topine

Players cut: 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Kyle Flanagan

Late Mail: Josh Addo-Carr (ankle) returns in a huge boost for the Bulldogs. A return date is yet to be set for Luke Thompson (foot). Raymond Faitala-Mariner will miss the match with illness, with Kurtis Morrin replacing him on the interchange bench.

Luke Thompson is indefinite at this stage. No clear timeline on his return to play. Nasty injury. Viliame Kikau probably round 23. It’s a long recovery. Bailey Biondi-Odo has worked very hard and is expected back well ahead of anticipated. Maybe another month. https://t.co/NWEXBj8ZPk

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 17, 2023

Titans (Yugambeh)

1. Jayden Campbell 5. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 18. Aaron Schoupp 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna

Reserves: 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 21. Keano Kini

Players cut: 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Ken Maumalo

Late Mail: Despite originally being named, Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been dropped to the reserves, with Phillip Sami moving from right to left wing, and Aaron Schoupp into the starting side.

LISTEN TO OUR SUPERCOACH PODCAST!

RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders (Ngunnawal, Ngambiri & Wiradjuri)

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Hohepa Puru

Players cut: 20. Brad Schneider 21. Corey Harawira-Naera 22. Nick Cotric

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.

Sea Eagles (Cammeraygal / Gayamaygal & Garigal)

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Samuela Fainu 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 21. Morgan Boyle

Players cut: 19. Morgan Harper 20. Cooper Johns 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.