NRL Late Mail Round 5: Predicted team changes, Viliame Kikau and Josh Schuster injuries

Canterbury recruit Viliame Kikau is will miss at least the next two games as a result of some friendly fire at training. CHECK OUT FULL LATE MAIL

Canterbury have been dealt a major blow with star backrower Viliame Kikau to miss two matches after suffering a concussion at training.

Kikau was due to line up for the Bulldogs against North Queensland on Sunday but he will not only miss that clash but also their following game against South Sydney.

“Viliame Kikau sustained a head knock yesterday during training,” Canterbury head of football Phil Gould tweeted. “He took no further part in the session.

“Vision of the incident was sent to the doctor. It was deemed a category one. He will miss Cowboys match tomorrow and the Rabbitohs match next Friday due to 11 day mandatory sat down rule.

“Immediately after the incident he was fine. Full memory of what happened. No on-going symptoms.”

Corey Waddell could slot into the starting line-up in place of Kikau.

The Bulldogs will be without Viliame Kikau for at least the next two games. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

AMONE TO MAKE RETURN FOR DRAGONS

Talatau Amone will play his first game of the year since having his no-fault stand-down ban lifted.

It is expected that Amone will start in the halves for St George Illawarra after teammate Jayden Sullivan picked up a minor shoulder injury at training on Wednesday.

Sullivan’s injury is not expected to keep him out long-term but after hurting his shoulder just days before the match against the Dolphins, the club has opted to give Amone a shot.

Amone hasn’t played since round 25 last year after cementing himself as Ben Hunt’s halves partner.

Talatau Amone will play his first game of the season for the Dragons. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Amone had been unavailable for selection since he was charged for an alleged hammer attack in November.

The case was due to be tried in the district coach where Amone faced up to 14 years in jail – meaning he was subject to the NRL’s no fault stand-down policy.

The case was shifted to the Local Court where he faces a maximum five years in jail for all offences.

The NRL lifted his ban just before their round two clash against the Titans. Amone has been playing in the NSW Cup.

Jack de Belin is likely to play his first game this season and is expected to start off the bench.

SCHUSTER TAKES A SEAT FOR SEA EAGLES

Boom playmaker Josh Schuster has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash against Newcastle due to a quad issue.

He picked up the injury in the first half last week’s golden point loss to South Sydney.

He is replaced by Cooper Johns at five-eighth.

Schuster was only two games back from a calf injury.

Manly is hopeful Schuster will be fit to face Penrith at Bluebet Stadium next Saturday.

Schuster is the second most purchased player in KFC SuperCoach this week and owned by a massive 70,000 people.

—Brent Read

TOM SANGSTER’S FULL ANALYSIS ON HOW TO HANDLE SCHUSTER’S INJURY

Josh Schuster is out with a quad injury. Picture: Getty

NRL ROUND 5 LATE MAIL

SEA EAGLES v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3pm, Glen Willow Park, Mudgee

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 19. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 21. Karl Lawton 22. Sam Fainu

Players cut: 6. Josh Schuster 18. Toafofoa Sipley 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega

Late Mail: Josh Schuster (quad) is out, replaced by Cooper Johns at five-eighth.

Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 20. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Jack Johns

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mathew Croker 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 22. Thomas Cant

Players cut: 2. Hymel Hunt 19. Enari Tuala 21. Simi Sasagi

Late Mail: No changes expected. Adam Clune is out indefinitely after suffering a fractured hand playing NSW Cup. The Knights have confirmed Kurt Mann suffered a category one concussion last week and stood down for 11 days.

LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!

DRAGONS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 5.30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 21. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 22. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Tautau Moga

Players cut: 6. Jayden Sullivan 15. Zane Musgrove 20. Jaiyden Hunt

Late Mail: Talatau Amone will play his first game of the year since having his no-fault stand-down ban lifted.Amone will start in the halves for St George Illawarra, after teammate Jayden Sullivan picked up a minor shoulder injury at training on Wednesday. Jack de Belin will play his first game this season and is expected to start off the bench in place of Zane Musgrove.

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Anthony Milford 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Mason Teague

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 22. Robert Jennings

Players cut: 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. JJ Collins 21. Kodi Nikorima

Late Mail: Isaiya Katoa (elbow) and Herman Ese’ese (pectoral) return from injuries. Winger Jack Bostock makes his NRL debut, while hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from suspension.

On the road to recovery 🔙🔜 surgery went well! Bit sore, time to kick the feet up for couple days before rehab! Thanks again for all the messages it really means a lot pic.twitter.com/JWx7Ld8AZD

— Sean O'Sullivan (@seanosullivanda) March 30, 2023

BRONCOS v TIGERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 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

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Kobe Hetherington 21. Jock Madden 22. Brendan Frei

Late Mail: Edge forward Jordan Riki had a minor scare at training but the table-topping Broncos are set to line up unchanged.

Tigers

1. Adam Doueihi 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Justin Matamua 17. Starford To’a

Reserves: 18. Shawn Blore 19. Joe Ofahengaue 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Daine Laurie 22. Alex Seyfarth

Late Mail: John Bateman (ribs) sat out training on Tuesday but has been cleared of a fracture and is firming to play. Regular first graders Shawn Blore, Joe Ofahengaue, Daine Laurie and Alex Seyfarth are lurking in reserves so don’t be surprised if there are late changes.

John Bateman has been cleared of rib fractures & been named to play in Round 5. Worth noting rib cartilage injury is one of the most painful in footy, cause pain with “every breath you take, every move you make”. Often play through with pain killers/chest guard but discomfort +++ pic.twitter.com/shKkkVB0UJ

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 28, 2023

SHARKS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Cronulla

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Williams 17. Braydon Trindall

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Late Mail: No changes with Braydon Trindall (ankle) to return on the bench.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Josh Curran 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Rocco Berry 23. Demitric Sifakula

Late Mail: Tohu Harris (knee) has been cleared of serious damage and will be given until the last possible moment to prove his fitness. Wayde Egan (concussion) is right to go after missing last week.

BULLDOGS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 6.15pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jayden Okunbor

Reserves: 19. Jackson Topine 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Karl Oloapu 22. Braidon Burns 23. Jayden Tanner

Late Mail: Canterbury have been dealt a major blow with star backrower Viliame Kikau to miss two matches after suffering a concussion at training.Kikau was due to line up for the Bulldogs against North Queensland on Sunday but he will not only miss that clash but also their following game against South Sydney.Max King is playing through a ruptured plantar fascia in his foot, while Franklin Pele is expected to return from injury on the bench.

Cowboys

1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Coen Hess 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Taniela Sadrugu 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Ben Hampton

Late Mail: No changes. The Cowboys are in the midst of an injury crisis but have Reuben Cotter (knee) and Scott Drinkwater (suspension) due back next week, while Jeremiah Nanai (suspension) returns the following week.

BYE: TITANS