NRL Late Mail round 23: Warriors star Shaun Johnson ruled out

Just days after announcing his retirement at the end of the season, Warriors star Shaun Johnson has suffered an injury setback. UPDATED LATE MAIL HERE

The Warriors have suffered a massive blow, with star halfback Shaun Johnson ruled out of their clash against the Dolphins with a quadriceps injury.

His withdrawal comes just days after announcing his his retirement from rugby league at the end of the season.

Te Maire Martin will start at halfback in his place, with Leka Halasima dropping off the bench and Demitric Sifakula the new face in the starting 17.

Meanwhile the Knights have lost Dylan Lucas to a hamstring injury in the 24-hour team update, with Krystian Mapapalangi coming into the starting side at centre.

MAM’S SEASON OVER, HOPE FOR HAAS

—Travis Meyn

Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam’s season is over but Payne Haas could play again in 2024.

Mam has undergone surgery on an ankle injury suffered in last week’s dreadful 46-18 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.

Haas suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot but has escaped surgery and will take a conservative route with his rehabilitation.

Haas will miss Saturday’s derby with the Cowboys in Townsville but is a chance of featuring in the latter rounds if Brisbane’s finals hopes are still alive.

“Payne isn’t having surgery so he’s more than likely (to play again),” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

“Ezra is possibly done.

“Miracles happen.”

Walters said the Broncos would likely be 1-17 for the Cowboys game, with Tristan Sailor to come off the bench as a utility.

(L-R) Ezra Mam and Payne Haas.

LUCAS A LATE OUT FOR KNIGHTS

Newcastle’s backline stocks have been further dented with centre Dylan Lucas ruled out of their must-win game against the Tigers with a hamstring complaint. Krystian Mapapalangi is his likely replacement.

LUKI CLEARED FOR COWBOYS

Cowboys backrower Heilum Luki has overcome hamstring tightness to resume his place in the starting side for Saturday’s derby clash with the Broncos.

Todd Payten indicated North Queensland was expected to enter the game 1-17 with Reuben Cotter recovering well from a head knock sustained against the Sharks.

“He (Cotter) is good. To be fair to the kid he was pretty sparky after the game, when he got concussed he didn’t have any symptoms in the days after that which has led to him getting passed easily by the independent specialist,” Payten said.

“He’s super excited, he knows and has experienced what these games mean to our club.”

Luki left the field on a free interchange after collecting a high shot from Justin Olam that saw the Tiger sent off, but club officials confirmed it was not for a HIA and he did not have to complete concussion protocols after the match.

Heilum Luki has been cleared to play for the Cowboys this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

ISAAKO, PANGAI SET TO PLAY

Dolphins flyer Jamayne Isaako and prop Tevita Pangai Jr are on track to play in Sunday’s must-win clash against the Shaun Johnson-inspired Warriors.

Isaako and Pangai Jr will undergo a final fitness test on Saturday in the hope of running out at Suncorp Stadium to help the Dolphins salvage their season.

If the Dolphins can remain in the finals hunt, they are set to be further boosted by the return of star hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (foot) in the latter rounds.

Marshall-King is on track to return in the last two rounds of the regular season and will be primed for the finals if the Dolphins can qualify.

–Travis Meyn

Jamayne Isaako down with an ankle injury last week.

ROUND 23 TEAMS

COWBOYS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. Heilum Luki 24. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jaxon Purdue 21. Semi Valemei

Players cut: 19. Jake Clifford 20. Tomas Chester 22. Marly Bitungane

Late Mail: Reuben Cotter returns from concussion. Heilum Luki is good to go.

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Tristan Sailor 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Cory Paix 19. Benjamin Te Kura

Players cut: 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Corey Oates 22. Vaa Semu

Late Mail: Expect Reece Walsh to spend at least some time at five-eighth. He has spent time training there during the week.

DRAGONS V BULLDOGS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Netsrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Hame Sele 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Blake Lawrie

Reserves: 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Michael Molo

Players cut: 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Jack Bird 22. Connor Muhleisen

Late Mail: Ben Murdoch-Masila is out for the season with a Lisfranc injury.

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes

Reserves: 23. Drew Hutchison 20. Jack Underhill

Players cut: 19. Jeral Skelton 21. Blake Wilson 22. Poasa Faamausili

Late Mail: Josh Curran is in doubt with an AC joint injury. He missed training on Monday.

DOLPHINS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14. Oryn Keeley 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O’Sullivan

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Tesi Niu

Players cut: 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Trai Fuller

Late Mail: Jamayne Isaako (ankle) and Tevita Pangai Jr (hamstring) are on track to play. They will be checked on Saturday.

Kodi Nikorima (illness) will return.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 18. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 20. Demitric Sifakula

Reserves: 21. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bunty Afoa

Players cut: 7. Shaun Johnson 22. Moala Graham-Taufa 17. Leka Halasima

Late Mail: Dylan Walker must pass concussion protocols.

Marcelo Montana (groin) is aiming for next week. Adam Pompey (knee) and Jackson Ford (knee) are aiming for the week after.

KNIGHTS v TIGERS

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

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 22. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 21. Will Pryce

Players cut: 4. Dylan Lucas 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings

Late Mail: Newcastle’s backline stocks have been further dented with centre Dylan Lucas ruled out of their must-win game against the Tigers with a hamstring complaint. Krystian Mapapalangi is his likely replacement.

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomon Alaimalo 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal

Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Tim Johannssen

Players cut: 20. Josh Feledy 21. Declan Casey 22. Tony Sukkar

Late Mail: No changes at this stage with Fonua Pole (ribs) and Aidan Sezer (suspension) set to return.