NRL Late Mail round 17: Team changes and gossip

RYAN James has left NSW camp and is expected to play for the Titans against the Broncos, while Josh Morris is likely to make a surprise return from injury against the Raiders.

A FEW mixed messages have come out of NSW camp regarding the fitness of captain Boyd Cordner.

The skipper was still unable to train with the side on Friday, however Ryan James has been sent back to the Gold Coast for the clash with the Broncos on Sunday.

This would suggest Blues staff are expecting Cordner to play on Wednesday night in Origin III.

Ryan James has left camp Coogee and is on route back to @GCTitans. He will rejoin @NSWRL Blues upon their arrival in Brisbane on Monday afternoon. @telegraph_sport

— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) 6 July 2018

In other news:

- Josh Morris is expecting to make an early return from injury against the Raiders on Saturday night.

- Viliame Kikau (knee) has survived the first cull for the Panthers, while Ryan James is in danger of missing out for the Titans, with the Origin availability of Boyd Cordner (calf) still up in the air.

Meanwhile, Joseph Tapine (concussion) is right to go for the Raiders after completing Friday’s captain’s run.

PANTHERS V WARRIORS

Friday 6 July, Panthers Stadium, 7.55pm

Panthers: 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 Tyrone May, 7 Jarome Luai, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo (c), 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota

Reserves: 18 Caleb Aekins, 19 Kaide Ellis,

Players cut: 20 Liam Martin, 21 Corey Waddell

Late mail: Waqa Blake (ankle) is right to return after a long lay-off. Viliame Kikau (knee) and Corey Harawira-Naera (groin) are set to play after surviving Thursday’s squad cull, with Liam Martin and Corey Waddell dropping out. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jarome Luai are vying for the kicking duties, with James Maloney and Nathan Cleary on Origin duty.

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Ligi Sao, 17 Gerard Beale

Reserves: 18 Joseph Vuna, 20 Karl Lawton, 21 Sam Lisone, 22 Mason Lino

Players cut: To come

Late mail: To come

Viliame Kikau picked up a knee injury last week.

BULLDOGS V RAIDERS

Saturday 7 July, Belmore Sports Ground, 7.35pm

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Kerrod Holland, 4 Marcelo Montoya, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 Danny Fualalo, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Clay Priest, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Greg Eastwood

Reserves: 18 Asipeli Fine, 19 Matthew Frawley, 20 Francis Tualau, 21 Josh Morris

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Josh Morris is expected to come into the side likely at the expense of Marcelo Montoya, however Reimis Smith and Kerrod Holland could also make way for the star centre.

Raiders: 1 Brad Abbey, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Michael Oldfield, 6 Sam Williams, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Siliva Havili

Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Liam Knight, 17 Iosia Soliola

Reserves: 18 Jack Murchie, 19 Charlie Gubb, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Craig Garvey

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No late changes expected with Joe Tapine (concussion) to play.

TITANS V BRONCOS

Sunday 8 July, Cbus Super Stadium, 4.10pm

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jack Stockwell, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Will Matthews, 13 Keegan Hipgrave

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Morgan Boyle, 16 Konrad Hurrell, 17 Moeaki Fotuaika

Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Kane Elgey, 20 Ryan Simpkins, 21 Brendan Elliott

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Ryan James is expected to play after flying back to the Gold Coast on Friday. Jack Stockwell and Will Matthews (both shoulder) are in doubt.

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Jonus Pearson, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Jake Turpin, 10 Sam Thaiday, 17 Alex Glenn, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange: 14 Patrick Mago, 15 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Kotoni Staggs

Reserves: 18 Patrick Carrigan, 19 David Fifita, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Sam Scarlett

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Matt Gillett’s nightmare season has continued with the Broncos back-rower racing the clock to be fit for the finals after tearing his calf muscle. Scans have shown grade-two calf damage for Gillett, who faces six weeks on the sidelines in his latest injury blow after fracturing his neck in April.

The Queensland Origin ace has been progressing well with his neck on a modified program in the past month, but suffered a fresh setback on Monday when he heard a popping sound in his calf as he warmed-up with Broncos teammates at training. Broncos medicos expect Gillett to recover from his calf injury for a round 22 derby against the Cowboys, but there is no guarantee he will also get the green light on his delicate neck injury.

Tevita Panagi Jnr (rib cartilage) and Joe Ofahengaue (virus) are set to play after missing last week.

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