NRL Late Mail round 24: Triple boost for Broncos, Jarome Luai and Mitch Kenny ruled out for Penrith Panthers

Brisbane has received a major boost while the Panthers have been hit hard by injuries. Keep up with all the NRL Late Mail

The Broncos have received a triple boost with a star trio cleared to play in Friday night’s clash against the Eels at the Gabba.

Coach Kevin Walters welcomed the availability of key players Adam Reynolds (groin), Jordan Riki (foot) and Herbie Farnworth (knee) as equal ladder leaders Brisbane (16-5) look to clinch a top-two berth — and a crucial home semi-final — by disposing of the Eels.

“Reyno is right to go which is great news for us and Jordan will be back on the right edge, he has earnt that right,” he said.

“I don’t mind what other teams think about us, it’s more about us and what we think about ourselves and how we go about our work.

“We are 23 rounds in and we have played some good football. But we all recognise that there is some more to go in us and when we get to that point, we will let the competition know then.”

Adam Reynolds has been cleared to return for the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston

PENRITH SHOCK AS SPINE STARS RULED OUT

By David Riccio

The Panthers will be without two of their key spine members for their clash with Manly after star five-eighth Jarome Luai and hooker Mitch Kenny were ruled out.

The Panthers have successfully applied for an exemption from the NRL to add hooker Luke Sommerton to the squad to face Manly on Thursday night.

Sommerton’s inclusion comes in the wake of the young talent recently re-signing with the club for 2024.

The Panthers confirmed the late changes.

“Kenny drops out of the squad after failing to complete captain’s run on Wednesday morning, while Luai has been ruled out by the medical staff due to illness,’’ a club statement reads.

The Panthers will update the squad to 19 players 24 hours prior to kick-off.

Jarome Luai is out with illness. Picture: Getty

ROUND 24 NRL TEAMS

SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dean Matterson 15. Aaron Woods 16. Kelma Tuilagi 17. Ethan Bullemor

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19 Ben Condon

Late Mail: Sean Keppie has been cleared after back spasms last week and has been named in the starting prop spot of Matt Lodge (ACL).

Kaeo Weekes, Morgan Harper and Gordon Chan Kum Tong were cut 24 hours before kick-off.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Zac Hosking 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 18. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 23. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 21. Tom Jenkins 22. Liam Henry

Late Mail: Jarome Luai (illness) and Mitch Kenny (injury) are out.

Jack Cogger will replace Luai at five-eighth.

Penrith have been granted an exemption to welcome young gun hooker Luke Sommerton into the squad to make his NRL debut at hooker in place of Kenny.

Soni Luke remains on the bench.

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o and Liam Martin got through captain’s run despite injury issues and will play.

SHARKS v TITANS

Friday, 6pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jesse Colquhoun 17. Matt Moylan

Reseves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: Ronaldo Mulitalo has overcome the effects of a head knock suffered at training two weeks ago.

Matt Moylan is again on the bench despite seeing no game time last week.

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Klese Haas 17. Keano Kini

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Thomas Weaver 20. Jacob Alick 21. Jo Vuna 22. Tony Francis

Late Mail: Two huge inclusions for the Titans in Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (suspension) and Jaimin Jolliffe (hand). AJ Brimson will again sit out due to a rib injury with Jayden Campbell to play fullback.

BRONCOS v EELS

Friday, 8pm, The Gabba, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Corey Jensen 19. Xavier Willison 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Jock Madden 22. Jordan Pereira

Late Mail: Adam Reynolds (groin), Herbie Farnworth (knee), Kobe Hetherington (back) and Jordan Riki (foot) have all been cleared to play.

Kevin Walters said earlier this week he won’t rest any players as the Broncos aim for the minor premiership.

The Broncos are aided by the bye next week.

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Daejarn Asi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Andrew Davey 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Brendan Hands

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Waqa Blake 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie

Late Mail: Andrew Davey is set to play despite a concussion last week.

Ryan Matterson may yet come into the starting side on game day.

Big guns Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo are due back from suspension next week.

Shaun Lane is aiming to return from an elbow injury in round 26.

RABBITOHS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 3pm, Barlow Park, Cairns

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Tallis Duncan 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Siliva Havili 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Ben Lovett 19. Tyrone Munro 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Dean Hawkins

Late Mail: Set to be unchanged. Jai Arrow is expected to play despite back spasms last week.

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Michael Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Interchange: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Toby Couchman 17. Zane Musgrove

Reserves: 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Sione Finau 20. Nick Lui-Toso 21. Paul Turner 22. Tautau Moga

Late Mail: A few big outs for the Dragons on Tuesday with Zac Lomax and Jack Bird both sidelined indefinitely with shoulder injuries, while Francis Molo has a concussion.

Moses Suli is hopeful of returning from a calf injury in a new-look centre pairing alongside Max Feagai.

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TIGERS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 5:30pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Shawn Blore

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Aitasi James 20. Triston Reilly 21. Josh Feledy 22. Kit Laulilii

Late Mail: Shawn Blore and Stefano Utoikamanu both return from concussion.

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Edward Kosi 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Viliami Vailea 23. Ronald Volkman

Late Mail: No changes expected.

The Warriors have Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad down to return next week despite his third serious concussion of the year last week.

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Dylan Napa

Reserves: 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Elie El Zakhem 20. Jake Turpin 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Corey Allan

Late Mail: To come

Dolphins

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14. Ray Stone 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Herman Ese’ese 19. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Harrison Graham 22. Jack Bostock

Late Mail: Ray Stone is back from a hand injury.

STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 2pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Reimis Smith 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

Late Mail: Xavier Coates (hip) and Jahrome Hughes (ankle) have been named and will be assessed later in the week. Coates is set to play but Hughes is in considerable doubt.

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Ethan Strange 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Adrian Trevilyan 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Brad Morkos 19. Matt Frawley 20. Tom Starling 21. Trey Mooney 22. Utuloa Asouma

Late Mail: To come

KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS

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

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Jack Johns 22. Daniel Saifiti

Late Mail: To come

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Liam Knight 17. Corey Waddell

Reserves: 19. Harrison Edwards 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Hayze Perham 23. Samuel Hughes

Late Mail: Luke Thompson is a big inclusion after returning from a foot injury through NSW Cup in recent weeks.