NRL Late Mail Round 19: Latest team news and Wacko’s Whispers

The Dragons have copped a brace of hamstring injuries ahead of their Sunday afternoon showdown against the Knights. FULL WACKO’S WHISPERS.

St George Illawarra will be without Euan Aitken and Adam Clune with hamstring injuries.

Ben Hunt will revert to the halfback position with Brayden Wiliame replacing Aitken.

– Michael Carayannis

Newcastle have suffered a blow ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Dragons after rookie five-eighth Tex Hoy was ruled out.

Hoy was supposed to partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves for the first time but he twinged his hamstring in the captain’s run and was forced out. His place in the halves will be taken by Mason Lino.

– Nick Campion

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RAIDERS V WARRIORS

Sunday 20 September, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 2:00pm

RAIDERS: 1. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad, 2. Sami Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Matthew Timoko

Players cut: 18. Sam Williams, 21. Sia Soliola

Late mail: TheRaiders are pushing hard for that a top-four position and are expected to be 1-17 with Sia Soliola cut from the squad 24 hours prior to kick-off.

WARRIORS: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C), 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Hayze Perham, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Lachlan Burr, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Isaiah Papali’i, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Adam Blair, 17. Tom Ale, 18. Josh Curran,

Reserves: 20. Paul Turner, 21. Gerard Beale

Players cut: 16. Eliesa Katoa, 22. Rocco Berry

Late mail: Just the one change for the Warriors at this stage with Eliesa Katoa given another week to recover after having surgery on his hand. Jazz Tevaga will play after passing a game day HIA last week and training during the week.

KNIGHTS V DRAGONS

Sunday 20 September, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 4:05pm

KNIGHTS: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 22. Gehamat Shibasaki, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Hymel Hunt, 5. Starford To’a, 20. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce (C), 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Mitchell Barnett

Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Herman Ese’ese, 17. Sione Mata’utia

Reserves: 18. Josh King, 21. Tautau Moga

Players cut: 2. Edrick Lee, 6. Tex Hoy, 19. Pasami Saulo,

Late mail:

Newcastle have suffered a blow ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Dragons after rookie five-eighth Tex Hoy was ruled out.

Hoy was supposed to partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves for the first time but he twinged his hamstring in the captain’s run and was forced out. His place in the halves will be taken by Mason Lino. Big Edrick Lee is another withdrawal from the team named on Tuesday and he is replaced on the wing by Gehamat Shibasaki.

– Nick Campion

DRAGONS: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 4. Zac Lomax, 20. Brayden Williame 5. Cody Ramsey, 6. Corey Norman, 9. Ben Hunt, 8. Kaide Ellis, 13. Cameron McInnes (C) 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 14. Tariq Sims, 12. Jackson Ford.

Interchange: 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Max Feagai 19. Tyrell Fuimaono

Reserves: 18. Eddie Blacker, 21. Jayden Sullivan

Players cut: 3. Euan Aitken, 7. Adam Clune

Late mail: St George Illawarra will be without Euan Aitken and Adam Clune with hamstring injuries.

Ben Hunt will revert to the halfback position with Brayden Wiliame replacing Aitken. Cameron McInnes moves from lock to hooker, Jackson ford from an edge to lock and Tariq Sims from the bench to an edge.