NRL teams Round 6: Early Mail, predicted team changes
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has added X-factor to his team, while a veteran is set to be overlooked again. Plus, there’s both good and bad news for KFC SuperCoach cheapies.
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Ricky Stuart has dropped two selection bombshells that could significantly impact the short and long-term future of the Canberra Raiders.
With the Raiders looking for an injection of X-factor heading into Thursday night’s clash with the Cowboys, Stuart has parachuted young excitement machine Xavier Savage into his top squad.
The 19-year-old speedster has been named on the bench with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad maintaining his place at fullback.
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The other selection shock relates to the fact Sebastian Kris will be named at 18th man and looks set to get the call-up ahead of club legend Jarrod Croker if young centre Matt Timoko is ruled out.
Savage’s selection will be greeted with massive applause amongst Raiders fans.
There was some talk Nicoll-Klokstad could be dropped after a disappointing game in the loss to the Storm.
Even before the season kicked off there had been calls to bring Savage into the squad but until now Stuart has resisted, preferring to give the teenager more time to work on his game.
But Stuart confirmed when contacted that the time was right to give Savage his next taste of NRL off the bench.
Savage played three NRL games last year where he showed what a talent he is.
“Xavier and I have had a plan over the start of the season,” Stuart said. “He has trusted me and this will be a great opportunity for him.”
Meanwhile, Timoko has been selected and Stuart says he thinks the young centre will be right to play after copping knees in the back.
But if Timoko is a late withdrawal it will be Kris, and not Croker, who gets the promotion.
This is a massive decision given Croker’s standing at the club and the fact he is stalled on 291 NRL games in his quest to join the NRL 300 club.
The flip side of that is Kris is a young player who at 22 is on the way up and arguably right now a more dangerous threat at this stage of his career.
Croker has been playing NSW Cup as he continues his comeback from off-season stem cell surgery on his knee. Kris missed the game against the Storm due to being in Covid isolation.
There is still a chance Kris won’t be eligible for the game because of isolation regulations, so Croker has been named on the extended squad.
BROOKS HEADLINES TIGERS’ SHAKE-UP
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is set to shake-up his struggling team with under fire Luke Brooks in a shock positional switch.
Brooks has retained his spot in the starting side but will move to five-eighth with Jackson Hastings to wear the No.7 jersey for the first time since returning to the NRL. Hastings has missed the past three matches because of suspension.
Outside backs Ken Maumalo and Oliver Gildart are also set to lose their place in the starting side while Jacob Liddle and Tyrone Peachey will also be axed ahead of the Easter Monday clash against the Eels.
The Tigers are 0-5 to start the season.
BARRETT TALKS UP FLANAGAN
Canterbury coach Trent Barrett has retained halfback Kyle Flanagan for Friday afternoon’s big match against South Sydney.
Flanagan impressed during the Bulldogs’ 32-12 loss to Penrith last Sunday with Barrett showing faith in his over-scrutinised playmaker.
“I thought Kyle did some really good things,” Barrett said.
“The limited opportunities that we had, I thought Kyle organised the team well.
“Obviously we need to get more ball. We were on the wrong end of possession and the more ball we get in good field possession, the more good touches Kyle is going to get.
“But I thought he was really good and he will only get better from here on in.”
Flanagan was Canterbury’s third halfback in the opening four rounds after Jake Averillo and Brandon Wakeham were given opportunities.
A former Sharks and Roosters star, Flanagan played a role in both Canterbury tries against the Panthers.
He has a chance to nail down the halfback position long-term with another stellar showing against the Rabbitohs.
‘PRETTY SPECIAL’ KID TO REPLACE LATRELL
Latrell Mitchell’s hamstring injury has opened the door for excitement machine Blake Taaffe to have an extended run at fullback.
And while Taaffe’s ability is clear, there must be questions marks over his fitness with the 22-year-old only returning to training last week after ankle surgery in the off-season.
However, coach Andrew Demetriou was impressed with what he saw from Taaffe when the youngster stepped up to fill Mitchell’s boots in the first half of the game against the Dragons.
“For a kid who comes back in with still under 10 NRL games and hasn’t trained and played with the team for four weeks, to come in and play 65 minutes was a big effort from him.”
Taaffe will now own the fullback role until Mitchell comes back and has to be on SuperCoach radars.
KNIGHTS’ PACK GETS A BOOST
The injury ravaged Knights are expected to receive some good news with David Klemmer firming to make his return against the Dragons on Sunday.
Klemmer is expected to be named for the Knights on Tuesday afternoon. The ex-Kangaroos prop has not played since having surgery after Newcastle’s round one clash against the Roosters.
ROUND SIX EARLY MAIL
RAIDERS v COWBOYS
Thursday, 7.50pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Matt Timoko suffered a back injury in the loss to Melbourne and is in doubt for the clash with North Queensland. If unavailable, club captain Jarrod Croker is one of several options to replace Timoko having strung together a few solid hit outs in NSW Cup in recent weeks. I suspect he’d be the man to come in as he edges towards 300 NRL games. Hudson Young was a late out due to injury and will come into contention for an edge back-row role if cleared to return. Josh Papalii will only be handed a fine by the judiciary for his dangerous contact charge.
Cowboys: No major changes expected at the Cowboys after their heartbreaking golden point loss to the Warriors. I’d expect Reuben Cotter to again start at prop, with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to play off the bench.
RABBITOHS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell is expected to miss at least a few weeks due to a hamstring strain. Blake Taaffe will slot in at fullback in his place and take over the goalkicking duties, with Siliva Havili likely to return to the bench.
Bulldogs: Despite suffering a fourth consecutive loss, Trent Barrett may opt to stick with his side following clashes against tough opposition in Penrith and Melbourne. Josh Jackson played edge back-row against the Panthers, with Tevita Pangai Jnr playing as a middle forward.
PANTHERS v BRONCOS
Friday, 7.55pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: No changes expected at the unbeaten Panthers.
Broncos: Corey Oates is in doubt with an ankle injury suffered in the loss to the Roosters. If unavailable, Jordan Pereira would likely be the man to come onto the wing. Payne Haas is still awaiting the NRL Integrity Unit’s verdict on his off-field incident involving teammate Albert Kelly.
SEA EAGLES v TITANS
Saturday, 5.30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula was a late scratching from the win over Newcastle due to a minor calf issue. While a chance at returning, I suspect he may be put on ice as a precautionary measure for one more week. Marty Taupau had a shoulder niggle in Round 5, but is expected to face the Titans. Josh Schuster is due back this week in what would be a huge boost for the side if cleared to return from a hamstring injury.
Titans: A double boost expected for the Titans with Jayden Campbell and Brian Kelly expected to return for the clash with the Sea Eagles. Campbell will slot in at fullback, likely pushing Jamayne Isaako out of the team entirely. Kelly will return at centre, leaving Justin Holbrook with a dilemma in who to drop out of Greg Marzhew and Patrick Herbert.
STORM v SHARKS
Saturday, 7.35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: No changes expected at the Storm.
Sharks: Wade Graham is due back from an ankle injury. If available, it’d likely see Teig Wilton shift back to the bench. However, with both Wilton and the club in strong form, Craig Fitzgibbon may opt to give the club skipper another week on ice.
While Connor Tracey is expected to miss more action, Matt Ikuvalu could be cleared to return which would see him in contention for a wing spot, which would push Ronaldo Mulitalo to centre and Siosifa Talakai to the bench. However, Talakai has been in strong form since his positional switch and is every chance to retain the spot. With cattle returning, including Aidan Tolman, it’ll be a welcome battle for the club as to who they opt for on the bench with plenty of forward depth.
ROOSTERS v WARRIORS
Sunday, 2pm, SCG, Sydney
Roosters: Sam Verrills is expected to be a very welcome return at hooker for the Roosters. That will see Connor Watson playing as the bench utility and Drew Hutchinson drop out of the side. Billy Smith is expected to be available for selection, while Joseph Suaalii has been lingering on the extended bench. It’ll cause Trent Robinson plenty of headaches trying to determine who he wants starting with Paul Momirovski and Kevin Naiqama both chances at dropping out. Jared Waerea-Hargeaves only faces a fine for his dangerous contact charge.
Warriors: Marcelo Montoya faces a contrary conduct charge at the judiciary, with a verdict yet to be handed down. No changes expected elsewhere.
DRAGONS v KNIGHTS
Sunday, 4.05pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons: The Dragons welcome back Tyrell Fuimaono and Josh McGuire from lengthy suspensions. Exactly where they slot back in remains to be seen. There’s a huge watch on whether Anthony Griffin resists the urge to bring Tyrell Sloan and Talatau Amone back into the side. Jayden Sullivan is also expected to be available for selection having battled a hamstring injury. He’s another who will come into contention for a halves call up.
Knights: Dominic Young and Jirah Momoisea were both injured in the loss to the Sea Eagles and are likely to miss the clash with the Dragons. Edrick Lee will likely slot in on the wing for his first game of the season. David Klemmer is firming to make his return against the Dragons. Klemmer has not played since having surgery after Newcastle’s round one clash against the Roosters.
EELS v TIGERS
Monday, 4pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Junior Paulo faces one to two games on the sideline for his careless high tackle on AJ Brimson. If out, Makahesi Makatoa or Oregon Kaufusi would likely start at lock. However, they may opt to play Nathan Brown at prop, with Ryan Matterson at lock and Shaun Lane returning on the edge. Waqa Blake is expected to spend time on the sidelines with a knee injury, which may open the door for exciting winger Solomone Naiduki to slot into the backline.
Tigers: Having served his three match suspension, Jackson Hastings is a very welcome return to a struggling Tigers outfit. He comes back in at halfback and will reclaim the goalkicking duties. Daine Laurie was a game day scratching due to Covid, with an eight day turnaround he will be touch and go to return for the Easter Monday clash. James Roberts is also pushing to return from a back injury which would see Luke Garner shift to the bench.
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