NRL Late Mail round 13: Late team changes, gossip and SuperCoach tips

THE Roosters have copped a double blow ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Tigers, with Mitchell Pearce joining Boyd Cordner in the casualty ward.

THE Roosters have copped a double blow ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Tigers, with Mitchell Pearce joining Boyd Cordner in the casualty ward.

Pearce injured his calf at training, with Jackson Hastings the likely replacement.

Cordner was earlier ruled out for 4-6 weeks due to a foot injury sustained in Origin game one.

The injury is similar to one the currently keeping teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall on the sideline.

In other recent updates to Late Mail:

* Junior Paulo’s contract has finally been registered by the NRL and he is likely to find his way into the Canberra 17;

* Titans recruit Konrad Hurrell has trained away from his new teammates this week doing fitness work and is unlikely to be a late inclusion;

* North Queensland will not risk playmaker Michael Morgan (concussion) following a head knock sustained in Origin, with Ray Thompson his replacement;

* Travis Waddell (leg) missed Brisbane’s trip to New Zealand. He is replaced by Kodi Nikorima at starting hooker, with Josh McGuire to also spend time at dummy half if Nikorima needs a rest. Herman Ese’ese comes onto the bench. McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Darius Boyd are all set to back up, but Corey Oates and Matt Gillett weren’t named and will be rested;

* Penrith young gun Nathan Cleary, the son of former Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, is tipped to make his NRL debut;

* Tim Simona (knee) is out for the Tigers and set to be replaced by Michael Chee-Kam.

* Paul Gallen (cork) has a hip issue but is set to play.

Steve Matai is battling an ongoing neck issue.

Raiders v Sea Eagles

7.50pm Friday at GIO Stadium

Raiders - Updated 3.45pm Friday: The contract of Junior Paulo has finally been registered and he is set to come into the 17. Queensland forward Josh Papalii drove home from Sydney to Canberra straight after Origin and took part in Thursday morning’s captain’s run. A final decision is yet to be made, but he is not suffering any after affects from a concussion during Origin, which he returned from. If Papalii is ruled out, he will be replaced by Sia Soliola on the edge. Shaun Fensom also looms as a likely inclusion after completing captain’s run.

Sea Eagles: Centre Steve Matai (neck) is in doubt. Dylan Walker is certain to back up from Origin after playing just 10 minutes. Nate Myles is also a chance, although a decision won’t be made until game day. Apisai Koroisau (ribs) will return, but Jorge Taufua (broken collarbone) is no chance after going for a fresh round of surgery.

Warriors v Broncos

3.00pm Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: No changes expected, with Manu Vatuvei (medical leave) and Solomone Kata (suspension) confirmed to return. The Warriors have no players backing up from Origin, with Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman both missing selection.

Broncos - Updated 3.45pm Friday: Hooker Travis Waddell (leg) is out, replaced by Kodi Nikorima in the starting side. Josh McGuire will also spend time at dummy half if Nikorima needs a rest. Herman Ese’ese comes onto the bench. McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Darius Boyd all travelled and are set to back up. But Corey Oates and Matt Gillett travelled straight back to Brisbane following Origin and will be rested.

LISTEN TO OUR ROUND 13 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

Cowboys v Knights

5.30pm Saturday at 1300 Smiles Stadium

Cowboys - Updated 3.45pm Friday: Five-eighth Michael Morgan (concussion) is out, replaced by Ray Thompson. “He (Morgan) is feeling good ... but it’s a five-day protocol and we play in three days,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said. With Morgan out, Johnathan Thurston is set to play. Decisions are yet to be made on Justin O’Neill, Matt Scott and James Tamou. O’Neill picked up a minor concussion in Origin, which could open the door for Javid Bowen.

Knights: Playmaker Jaelen Feeney (ankle) didn’t travel and has been ruled out. Tyler Randall will play five-eighth. David Bhana comes onto the bench and will share the hooking duties with Danny Levi (concussion), who has been cleared. Jeremy Smith (bicep) is yet to do contact but will play.

Storm v Panthers

Saturday 7:30pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Queensland stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk both pulled up well from Origin and will be fit to play if coach Craig Bellamy decides to use them. More will be known after Melbourne’s open training session on Friday, but both are good chances to play. Cronk (ankle) experienced no extra swelling on the injury that almost kept him out of Origin. For the first time in months, Bellamy has decisions to make in the outside backs. Young Tonumaipea (knee), Richie Kennar (foot) and Curtis Scott (calf) are all available. The spots of Cheyse Blair and Ryan Morgan may therefore be in jeopardy. Cameron Munster (elbow) has trained all week and is a certain starter.

Panthers - Updated 3.45pm Friday:Blues players Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour got through Origin without major issue. They will travel to Melbourne with the side and are set to play. Bryce Cartwright (thumb) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (broken nose) are certain starters. Nathan Cleary is tipped to make his NRL debut.

Roosters v Tigers

Sunday 4pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters - Updated 3.45pm Friday:Blues forward Boyd Cordner (foot) is out for 4-6 weeks. Mitchell Pearce (calf) picked up an injury at training this week and will be replaced by Jackson Hastings. Origin representatives Aidan Guerra and Blake Ferguson got through without issue and are aiming to play. Dale Copley (pectoral) is certain to return weeks ahead of schedule. But Shaun Kenny-Dowall (foot) is no chance of being a late inclusion.

Tigers - Updated 3.45pm Friday: Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah got through Origin unscathed and are set to play. James Tedesco (shoulder) will return. Tim Simona (knee) is out and will be replaced by Michael Chee-Kam at centre.

Rabbitohs v Titans

Sunday 6:30pm at NIB Stadium

Rabbitohs: No changes expected. George Burgess (groin) is out for up to eight weeks, while Aaron Gray (knee) is aiming to return next round.

Titans - Updated 3.45pm Friday: Coach Neil Henry will take 20 players to Perth. Greg Bird pulled up well from Origin, while Tryone Roberts (cork) and David Shillington (shoulder) are set to take their spots. Star signing Konrad Hurrell hasn’t trained with the main group this week and is unlikely to be a late inclusion.

Bulldogs v Sharks

Monday 7:00pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: Origin players David Klemmer, Josh Morris and Josh Jackson survived injury and are expected to play. Sam Kasiano (hamstring) will be given every chance to play. He completed light duties on Thursday. Danny Faulalo looms as his likely replacement.

Sharks - Updated 3.45pm Friday: Blues skipper Paul Gallen (cork) picked up a hip issue, but says he will play. Fellow Origin players James Maloney and Andrew Fifita are also set to play. Wade Graham (ankle) rested up over the bye and has completed full training this week. David Fifita has been granted personal leave and is scheduled back at training for round 16.