NRL Late Mail Round 14: Predicted team changes for upcoming round

The Panthers have suffered another post-Origin blow while Manly have lost skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for the clash against Wests Tigers. FULL LATE MAIL

Ivan Cleary will miss another match at the helm after the Penrith coach succumbed to ongoing knee issues on Sunday.

Cleary won’t be in the coach’s box when his side take on the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium this afternoon.

It’s the third game Cleary has been unable to attend this season.

The premiership winning coach will be in contact with assistants Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster during the match.

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Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary (R) will miss his third game of the season. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cleary first missed round nine’s clash against Parramatta and then the Magic Round game against Melbourne after a knee infection forced the coach to go under the knife twice over a two week period.

“Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will miss today’s match against Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium due to medical reasons,” a statement said.

“Following medical advice, Cleary will not be in attendance this afternoon, however the head coach will be in communication with the team throughout the match.

“The football staff have ensured the team is well prepared for the round 14 clash.”

Co-captain Isaah Yeo has been ruled out, while the club’s other five NSW Blues players including Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Liam Martin are expected to take on the Knights.

Sharks update Talakai status

Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai has been cleared to play on Sunday against the Warriors.

Talakai was caught up in a legal matter on Friday which threatened to force the powerhouse three-quarter to miss the important clash.

Talakai was kept in Sydney until the matter was resolved, with the rest of the playing squad flying to Brisbane on an earlier flight.

Siosifa Talakai will play for the Sharks. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

He eventually arrived at the team hotel at 7pm on Friday night and took part in Saturday morning’s captain’s run.

Sharks officials confirmed the NSW hopeful will take his place in the starting line-up at Redcliffe.

He’ll re-appear in court in late June, where he faces a fine.

In further positive news for the Sharks, captain Wade Graham is also on track to be a late inclusion. Graham missed the Sharks loss to the Sydney Roosters due to a foot injury, but also completed in their final training session.

QUAD STRAIN RULES CHERRY-EVANS OUT

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out of Sunday’s NRL clash against the Wests Tigers with a quad injury.

However the issue isn’t believed to be serious and the Queensland star is expected to be available to play against North Queensland next Friday.

The Maroons team for State of Origin II will be named the following Monday.

Sea Eagles young gun Josh Schuster is expected to move into the halves alongside Kieran Foran, having performed strongly together in last week’s thrashing of the Warriors.

The versatile Ben Trbojevic has joined the bench to face the Tigers.

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out of the clash against the Wests Tigers. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

ORIGIN BLOW RULES YEO OUT

Penrith have confirmed Isaah Yeo will not play on Sunday but it is not because of concussion.

Instead the Panthers have opted to rest their star lock despite passing his concussion protocols.

The NSW Origin forward has been the focus of a controversial moment during Wednesday night’s series opener when he stumbled back into defensive line after making a tackle.

Yeo was allowed to play-on despite many believing he should have come from the field for a HIA assessment.

Penrith board director and NSW Origin Adviser Greg Alexander confirmed Yeo “won’t play” for Penrith against the Knights on SEN radio on Friday.

The rest of the Panthers Origin contingent will be assessed when they join training today.

Isaah Yeo will be rested for the Panthers’ clash against the Knights. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

RETURN DATE SET FOR PAPENHUYZEN

— Phil Rothfield

Melbourne Storm’s superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is a week away from making a comeback in Round 15 against the Broncos in a massive boost for the NSW Blues.

His return will come two days before Brad Fittler and his NSW selection Adviser Greg Alexander name the Blues outfit for the second game of the series in Perth.

Papenhuyzen has been sidelined since Round 9 with a hamstring injury.

“He has resumed full training this week,” said Storm’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi.

The Blues are in desperate need of an X-factor off the bench for a game they must win to keep the series alive.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is due back in Round 15 (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

ROUND 14 LATE MAIL

TIGERS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jock Madden, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Kelma Tuilagi, 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Fa’amanu Brown, 21. Junior Tupou

Players cut: 19. Fonua Pole, 20. Jake Simpkin, 22. Austin Dias

Late Mail: Jackson Hastings is battling a nerve problem in his foot that is causing plenty of discomfort, but he plans to play through the pain for the struggling Tigers. This will put question marks on his goalkicking, but it’s likely he palms off the duties to Luke Brooks. No changes are expected elsewhere. Adam Doueihi (knee) is set to miss at least another month.

Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Morgan Harper, 4. Tolutau Koula, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 15. Josh Schuster, 6. Kieran Foran, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Toafofoa Sipley, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 16. Martin Taupau, 17. Sean Keppie, 24. Ben Trbojevic

Reserves: 18. Taniela Paseka, 20. Kaeo Weekes

Players cut: 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 19. Ethan Bullemor, 21. Kurt De Luis, 22. Jorge Taufua

Late Mail: Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out with a quad injury. Josh Schuster will start at five-eighth with Kieran Foran shifting to halfback. Ben Trbojevic has been added to the bench.

KNIGHTS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Mitch Barnett

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Simi Sasagi, 16. Leo Thompson, 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo, 20. Tex Hoy

Players cut: 19. Jirah Momoisea, 21. Jack Johns, 22. Phoenix Crossland

Late Mail: Kalyn Ponga is expected to back up for the Knights who are expected to run out as named. Kurt Mann returns from injury on the bench and will be eased back into his starting lock role.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Taylan May, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 16. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 17. Jaeman Salmon, 22. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 19. Chris Smith

Players cut: 13. Isaah Yeo, 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 21. J’Maine Hopgood,, 23. Charlie Staines, 24. Kurt Falls

Late Mail: Matt Eisenhuth will replace Isaah Yeo at lock for the Panthers. Spencer Leniu has been added to the bench. Origin stars Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton are expected to back up in Newcastle with the benefit of a four-day turnaround.

The Warriors have a big decision to make on Shaun Johnson (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

WARRIORS v SHARKS

Sunday, 6.15pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jazz Tevaga, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jack Murchie

Bench: 14. Josh Curran, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Bayley Sironen

Reserves: 21. Eliesa Katoa, 22. Jesse Arthars

Players cut: 18. Freddy Lussick, 20. Aaron Pene, 23. Ronald Volkman

Late Mail: I expect Tohu Harris to start at lock, with Jack Murchie on the edge. Josh Curran returns from a lengthy injury lay-off on the bench and is likely to be eased back into his starting role. While there’s no major changes expected, interim coach Stacey Jones may have a few new ideas leading into his first game in charge.

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 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, 19. Wade Graham, 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 12. Teig Wilton, 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Braydon Trindall, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey, 21. Jesse Colquhoun

Players cut: 16. Thomas Hazelton, 20. Lachlan Miller, 22. Mawene Hiroti

Late Mail: Wade Graham will start in the back row, with Teig Wilton dropping to the bench.

BULLDOGS v EELS

Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Corey Allan, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Max King

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Chris Patolo

Reserves: 19. Matt Dufty, 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 21. Kurtis Morrin, 22. Isaac Lumelume, 23. Tevita Pangai Junior

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: Tevita Pangai Jnr has been named on the extended bench and is firming to return for the clash with the Eels in what is the only expected change.

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Tom Opacic, 19. Jake Arthur, 20. Mitch Rein, 21. Bryce Cartwright, 22. Ky Rodwell, 23. Sean Russell

Players cut: TBC

Late Mail: Aided by the lengthy five day turnaround from Origin, Parramatta’s trio of Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson are all expected to back up having played 30, 36 and 36 minutes respectively. The only changes to the 17 would be if coach Brad Arthur opted to start either of Paulo or Campbell-Gillard off the bench with a wealth of high quality starting options available, including former NSW forward Nathan Brown.