NRL Round 5 Late Mail: Latest team news and updates

The Wests Tigers have been forced into a last-minute reshuffle for their clash against the Sharks after their star fullback tested positive to Covid.

Winless Wests Tigers have been dealt a major blow just before kick-off against in-form Cronulla, losing influential fullback Daine Laurie to a positive Covid test.

The classy No.1 was officially ruled out an hour before the game following routine tests conducted by all players at PointsBet Stadium.

Laurie’s place at fullback will be taken by Starford To’a, with Luke Garner moving into the centres. Thomas Mikaele is added to the bench, with Jake Simpkin 18th man.

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Laurie is a genuine attacking threat and his absence will be keenly felt by a Tigers side chasing its first win of 2022.

A loss to the Sharks would be a club record eighth consecutive defeat, heaping even further pressure on besieged coach Michael Maguire.

A Tigers spokesman confirmed Laurie’s withdrawal but the club is yet to comment.

Starford To’a will start in the centres for the Tigers against Cronulla. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

ROUND 5 LATE MAIL

SHARKS v TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. Will 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: 15. Cameron McInnes, 17. Andrew Fifita, 18. Jack Williams, 21. Royce Hunt

Players cut: 16. Braydon Trindall, 19. Mawene Hiroti, 14. Aiden Tolman, 20. Lachlan Miller 22. Jonaiah Lualua, 23. Kade Dykes, 24. Franklin Pele

Late Mail: Aiden Tolman (Covid) is out, replaced by Jack Williams on the bench. Royce Hunt joins the bench with Braydon Trindall dropped.

Tigers

18. Starford To’a, 2. David Nofoaluma, 4. Oliver Gildart, 16. Luke Garner, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Alex Twal, 17. Alex Seyfarth, 20. Thomas Mikaele

Players cut: 1. Daine Laurie, 19. Jake Simpkin, 3. James Roberts, 21. Austin Dias, 22. Tukimihia Simpkins. 23. Junior Tupou 24. Rua Ngatikaura

Late Mail: Tigers fullback Daine Laurie has been ruled out after testing positive to Covid at the ground. Starford To’a will play fullback with Luke Garner at centre.

Daine Laurie has Covid (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kyle Flanagan has scored more points in NSW Cup than the Bulldogs’ NRL team this season. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

BULLDOGS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Braidon Burns, 4. Jake Averillo, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham, 15. Chris Patolo, 16. Max King, 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 21. Aaron Schoupp, 23. Ava Seumanufagai

Players cut: 19. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 20. Reece Hoffman, 22. Jayden Okunbor, 24. Josh Cook, 25. Jackson Topine

Late Mail: Despite a heavy loss last round, there’s no major changes expected at the Bulldogs.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Matthew Eisenhuth, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 21. Lindsay Smith

Players cut: 19. Chris Smith, 20. J’Maine Hopgood, 22. Soni Luke, 23. Christian Chrichton, 24. Sean O’Sullivan

Late Mail: Taylan May has been cleared to play despite an off-field incident in November, 2021. No changes expected at the Panthers with Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary and James Fisher-Harris all making successful returns from injury last week.