NRL Late Mail Round 6: Team changes and whispers
The Warriors have suffered a late blow ahead of their Knights clash, with one key forward not making the trip to Newcastle.
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A total of 12 Warriors players sat out training on Wednesday as the club prepares to take on the Knights on Easter Sunday.
Andrew Webster’s side has experienced a torrid first five rounds on the travel front, forced to fly for 30 hours over that time, with players on Wednesday given the opportunity to rest up ahead of yet another flight to take on Newcastle.
Tohu Harris, who missed last week with a knee injury, took part in the session but Webster has confirmed he will not play in Round 6.
“He didn’t travel with us. He’s not going to play any games. Tohu will be out this weekend,” Webster told ABC Sport.
“That could happen and it might not”.
Te Maire Martin (concussion) is confirmed to return, while Mitch Barnett (neck) is aiming for round 8.
ðŸ‰ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡¿ After travelling 10 hours, @NZWarriors coach Andrew Webster tells @GibsMoore Tohu Harris won't be in action this weekend for Sunday’s game against Newcastle.
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) April 7, 2023
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BRONCO BOOST WITH KEY RAIDER TO MISS
The Raiders have suffered a major blow ahead of their important clash with the Broncos with Joe Tapine ruled out.
Tapine has stayed in Canberra for the impending arrival of he and his partner’s baby.
His omission is a key loss for the Raiders who are also without Jack Wighton.
Peter Hola has been called in to make his club debut for the Raiders as Tapine’s replacement.
RICKY FLAGS RAIDERS KICKING CHANGE
By David Riccio
Coach Ricky Stuart has suggested the return of veteran centre Jarrod Croker could also deliver a change to who kicks goals.
Croker has been recalled to the NRL for just his second game in 18-months for the Raiders clash with the Broncos.
Halfback Jamal Fogarty has been the side’s regular goalkicker, but Stuart hinted there could be a change in the kicking tee.
“It will most likely be Jarrod who kicks goals, but ultimately I’ll leave it up to the boys,’’ Stuart said.
The Raiders leading point scorer returns to first grade with an 81 per cent goal kicking record compared to Fogarty’s 78 per cent strike rate.
KEY SHARK OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
The Sharks have suffered a massive blow to their forward stocks with starting prop Toby Rudolf ruled out for up to three months.
Rudolf has undergone surgery after suffering a serious ligament injury in his big toe.
The 27-year-old will aim to be back for round 15.
The hard-running prop succumbed to the injury in the second-half of the Sharks loss to the Warriors on Sunday.
Rudolf’s omission from the Sharks pack has been compounded by the suspension of middle forward Dale Finucane for the next three weeks for a hip drop tackle.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is fortunate that he can recall co-captain Wade Graham from suspension and prop Oregon Kaufusi following this weekend’s bye.
Both players will be recalled for the Sharks clash against the Roosters in round seven.
Fitzgibbon is also likely to need towering prop Tom Hazelton and Roosters recruit Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha in coming weeks.
—David Riccio and Phil Rothfield
NRL LATE MAIL ROUND 6
TITANS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Toby Sexton 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu
Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jo Vuna 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Klese Haas
Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kruise Leeming
Players cut: 20. Jojo Fifita 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry
Late Mail: Super League recruit Kruise Leeming could be a late inclusion on the bench. He would provide hooking cover for Chris Randall.
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird
Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr
Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Tautau Moga
Players cut: 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Jayden Sullivan 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Late Mail: Jaydn Su’A (calf) is in doubt. This may see Jack Bird shift to an edge and Jack de Belin start at lock.
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KNIGHTS v WARRIORS
Sunday, 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights
1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Jack Johns
Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mathew Croker 17. Brodie Jones
Reserves: 19. Dylan Lucas 22. Ryan Rivett
Players cut: 20. Thomas Cant 21. Hymel Hunt
Late Mail: Mathew Croker (ribs) and Kurt Mann (concussion) are both sweet to play. According to the great Barry Toohey, Greg Marzhew has won a wing spot ahead of Hymel Hunt.
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Bayley Sironen 16. Jazz Tevaga
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki
Reserves: 18. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 23. Demitric Sifakula
Players cut: 13. Tohu Harris 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Ronald Volkman
Late Mail: A total of 12 Warriors players sat out training on Wednesday as the club juggles a busy travel schedule. Warriors coach Andrew Webster confirmed on ABC Sport that Tohu Harris (knee) did not travel with the team and will not play. Jazz Tevaga will start at lock, with Taine Tuaupiki joining the bench. Te Maire Martin (concussion) is confirmed to return, while Mitch Barnett (neck) is aiming for round 8.
TIGERS v EELS
Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Tigers
1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 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. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore
Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Daine Laurie
Late Mail: To come
Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson.
Bench: 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Waqa Blake
Late Mail: To come
BYE: SHARKS
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