NRL Late Mail Round 22: Team changes and gossip

Zac Lomax is a late inclusion for the Dragons’ clash against the Sharks, while the Roosters will be without Boyd Cordner for their game against the Warriors.

Follow all the NRL Round 22 late mail here.

Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors

Sunday, August 18th, 2:00pm, SCG

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joey Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitch Aubusson 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Poasa Faamausili17. Sitili Tupouniua

Players cut: 19. Billy Smith 21. Boyd Cordner 18. Lindsay Collins 20. Lachlan Lam

Late Mail: Roosters are 1-17. In a major blow skipper Boyd Cordner hasn’t made the cut. He is aiming to return next week and will be fit and firing for the finals. Hooker Sam Verrills (thigh) has been cleared.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Adam Pompey 3. Peta Hiku 4. Gerard Beale 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Lachlan Burr

Interchange: 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Ligi Sao 18. Kodi Nikorima

Players cut: 14. Adam Keighran 20. Blake Ayshford 21. Leivaha Pulu 22. Hayze Perham

Late Mail: Warriors have one change with Kodi Nikorima returning after missing a game due to an ankle injury. He comes onto the bench for Adam Keighran and will likely spend time at hooker, with no other late changes expected. “At this stage I would look at him (Nikorima) coming off the bench for us. I would anticipate him coming on at dummy half,” coach Stephen Kearney said earlier in the week.

Kodi Nikorima is set to come off the bench.

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Sunday, August 18th, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Dugan 5. Josh Morris 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell 15. Jack Williams 16. Billy Magoulias 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Jayson Bukuya 21. Kyle Flanagan

Players cut: 19. Blayke Brailey 20. Ronaldo Mulitalo

Late Mail: Prop Matt Prior is in doubt with a rib injury, adding to the loss of Andrew Fifita. If Prior is out, Paul Gallen would push into the front row with Jack Williams to start at lock. Matt Moylan is also confirmed to return after missing last week due to concussion, with no other late changes expected.

Zac Lomax returns for the Dragons.

Dragons: 1. Corey Norman 21. Zac Lomax 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Patrick Kaufusi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Korbin Sims 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Josh Kerr

Players cut: 2. Jason Saab 20. Reece Robson

Late Mail: Winger Jason Saab has been ruled out with foot soreness. He is replaced on the wing by Zac Lomax, who returns from a hamstring injury. Korbin Sims (concussion) and Patrick Kaufusi (ankle) both remain in the squad despite battling injuries during the week, although Josh Kerr remains on the extended bench as cover. Blake Lawrie returns after missing last week due to concussion.