NRL Late Mail Round 12: Predicted team changes
The Melbourne Storm have made mass changes for this afternoon’s clash against the Newcastle Knights Sunshine Coast Stadium.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NRL final teams for Round 12, as they’re announced.
STORM LATE MAIL: Big reshuffle. Kiwi Test forward Jesse Bromwich (knee) is a late inclusion at starting prop with Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropping to the bench and Albert Vete omitted. Tom Eisenhuth has been promoted from bench to centre in place of Justin Olam. Nicho Hynes joins the interchange. Cameron Munster (concussion) has been cleared.
KNIGHTS LATE MAIL: The Knights are 1-17. Phoenix Crossland will play his first game after recovering from osteitis pubis. When he comes on, Kurt Mann will likely move to hooker to allow Chris Randall a rest with Crossland spending time at five-eighth.
Forward Sione Mata’utia (ankle) has joined the growing casualty ward, ruled out for six weeks. Andrew McCullough (hamstring) has undergone surgery and will miss 3-4 months. Connor Watson (Achilles) also had surgery and will miss 5-8 months.
BULLDOGS LATE MAIL: The Bulldogs are 1-17. New signing Tim Lafai plays his first game with the club. His selection could see Jake Averillo switch to right centre to make way for Lafai to play his preferred left centre position.
EELS LATE MAIL: Despite passing all concussion protocols, Eels back-rower Ryan Matterson has been ruled out of the Eels-Bulldogs clash.
Matterson dropped out of the Eels extended squad after suffering a concussion five minutes into Parramatta’s match against the Tigers last week.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said Matterson was expected to play provided he came through unscathed at their captain’s run on Saturday.
But given his history of concussions the Eels have opted against risking him.
“At the moment he has (passed everything),” Arthur said.
“But we won’t be putting anyone at risk of playing if they aren’t right.”
Marate Niukore starts in the back row with Brad Takarangi moving to the bench. Orgeon Kaufusi (broken hand) and Kane Evans (calf) are right to return after missing games due to injury.
— Michael Carayannis