NRL Late Mail: Round 8 team news and injuries

The Wests Tigers have reshuffled their backline ahead of Sunday’s match against the Dragons bringing in a rookie to replace James Roberts.

The Wests Tigers have been forced to make a late change ahead of Sunday’s match against the Dragons.

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WARRIORS V COWBOYS

Sun 2 May, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 2pm

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Reece Walsh, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Kane Evans, 11. Josh Curran, 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Leeson Ah Mau, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Bayley Sironen

Reserves: 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 23. Edward Kosi

Players cut: 18. Jack Murchie, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Taniela Otukolo

Late mail: The Warriors received a massive boost at the judiciary on Tuesday night with Josh Curran receiving downgrade which only resulted in a fine and he is free to play. Tohu Harris is expected to return after missing last week’s game to concussion. Bayley Sironen is expected to overcome knee injury to play and could start with Ben Murdoch-Masila dropping back to the bench. Will be interesting to see if coach Nathan Brown runs with same step up as last week which saw Reece Walsh play fullback in defence and left half in attack with Kodi Nikorima switching sides in attack and defence, Tuivasa-Sheck would play fullback in attack and right wing in defence with right side all shifting out one position in attack. David Fusitu’a has been named despite a hamstring injury and will need to pass fitness test to play. If ruled out Adam Pompey, who is expected to return from ankle injury, moves to the wing and Jack Murchie comes in at centre.

COWBOYS:

1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Connelly Lemuelu, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Ben Hampton, 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Shane Wright, 12. Ben Condon, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Lachlan Burr, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Peter Hola, 19. Javid Bowen

Players cut: 20. Tom Gilbert, 21. Jake Clifford

Late mail: All eyes will be on the Cowboys main field session on Thursday where both Jordan Mclean (hamstring) and Jason Taumalolo (broken hands) will need to take part and get through contact to prove their fitness to play, Taumalolo should be right to play but I am expecting Mclean to be ruled out as he has been managing hamstring issue all season so far and failed to finish the game last week. This would see Lachlan Burr starting at prop with either Tom Gilbert or Peter Hola coming onto the bench. Shane Wright passed his game day HIA on the weekend and should be right to play.

DRAGONS V TIGERS

Sun 2 May, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 4:05pm

DRAGONS:

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Cody Ramsey, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Max Feagai, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Kerr, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Tyrell Fuimaono

Bench: 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Billy Burns, 18. Kaide Ellis,

Reserves: 19. Jackson Ford, 21. Junior Amone

Players cut: 14. Adam Clune, 20. Poasa Faamausili,

Late mail: The Dragons are expected to welcome back Ben Hunt from a broken leg, he will just need to tick the final box of completing the captain’s run on Saturday to be a confirmed starter. Billy Burns is expected to start on the right edge like last week which saw Josh Kerr dropping to the bench and moving back into a middle role. Max Feagai has been named to play his first NRL game of the season and is expected to play right wing but if you do want to trade him in coming weeks make sure you trade Max in and not his injured brother Matthew. Junior Amone has been named on an extended bench as a reward leading into him playing in the SG Ball Grand Final this weekend for the Steelers.

TIGERS:

1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Joseph Leilua, 4. James Roberts, 5. Tommy Talau, 24. Zac Cini, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Alex Seyfarth, 17. Thomas Mikaele

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 21. Jacob Liddle

Players cut: 4. James Roberts, 19. Zane Musgrove, 20. Tom Amone,

Late mail: The Tigers have no issues leading into the game except for dented pride after a tough start to the season and are expected to be 1-17 with Joseph Leilua cleared of a broken thumb to play and Thomas Mikaele to recover from an ankle injury suffered in the NSW Cup last week. Daine Laurie and David Nofoaluma didn’t train with squad on Thursday but are expected to play.