NRL teams Round 5: Early Mail and predicted team changes for upcoming round
SuperCoaches can relax with news that Tigers cheapie Kelma Tuilagi has avoided serious injury while Manly have suffered a huge blow. UPDATED MAIL
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Tigers officials are confident Kelma Tuilagi has avoided a serious shoulder injury. Tuilagi is expected to be named for the Tigers ahead of their clash against the Sharks on Sunday. He failed to return after halftime last week.
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BIG NEWS ON SUPERCOACH CHEAPIES
Tim E. Williams has dropped his ever-reliable Early Mail for Round 5 and here are the big talking points:
* Tom Trbojevic to miss four weeks after Manly confirmed star fullback will have knee surgery.
* Mystery surrounds the shoulder injury to star Tigers cheapie Kelma Tuilagi, who failed to finish on the weekend.
* After weeks of getting close, Knights cheapie Jirah Momoisea is finally set to start in the back row following an injury to Tyson Frizell (hamstring), who joins join Mitch Barnett (suspension) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee) on the sideline.
* Manly have a huge decision to make on star youngster Tolutau Koula, who was brilliant in the win over the Raiders but has the potential return of Brad Parker to overcome.
* Latrell Mitchell missed training on Monday but is in no doubt for Friday’s clash with the Dragons.
LATRELL SITS OUT MONDAY TRAINING
- Fatima Kdouh
Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell was a notable omission at South Sydney’s training session on Monday morning at Erskineville Oval.
Latrell watched on as his teammates trained but is not in doubt for Friday’s clash against St George Illawarra.
Winger Alex Johnston confirmed that Latrell is ‘fit’ and that coaching staff were managing the no. 1’s training load.
“He’s fit, coming back from that injury and he probably hasn’t had the pre-season that all of us have had. It’s just getting his body right,” Johnston said.
Mitchell picked up a ‘tweak’ to his knee last week but played in round four’s grand final replay against the Penrith Panthers.
Front row forward Mark Nicholls is set to miss up to four weeks with an ankle injury.
Johnston said Nicholls’ untimely injury is a blow to the Rabbitohs engine room.
“He’s a leader with his actions, he puts in all the hard work for us. He’s got the nice little left foot, he gets us the (quick) play the ball,” Johnston said.
Boom forward Davvy Moale is expected to replace Tom Burgess on the bench with the Englishman primed to take over in the starting side from Nicholls.
“He’s (Moale) the next one up, I’m pretty sure. If it wasn’t for his head knock a few weeks back he’ll probably still be going,” Johnston said.
A head knock against Melbourne in round two has limited Moale to only one game this season.
Winger Jaxson Paulo didn’t finish the Panthers clash due to concussion but trained strongly on Monday morning and is expected to be available to play against the Dragons.
KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES
Thursday, 7.50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: There have been more damage to Newcastle’s already depleted back-row stocks, with Tyson Frizell likely to join Mitch Barnett and Lachlan Fitzgibbon on the sideline.
Frizell suffered a minor hamstring strain and will likely miss a game or two, with KFC SuperCoach cheapie Jirah Momoisea finally set for a start in the NRL.
Jake Clifford and Dominic Young both received fines for their charges against the Sharks and will be fine to face Manly.
Hymel Hunt is pushing for a return from injury.
Sea Eagles: If Tom Trbojevic is unavailable, Reuben Garrick would deputise at fullback.
Tolutau Koula impressed in his starting debut at centre in place of Brad Parker who missed the game due to Covid protocols.
Des Hasler has a decision to make on his boom rookie, and whether he holds his place following the dominant win over the Raiders.
If Trbojevic isn’t available, Koula will definitely retain the spot.
Dylan Walker also suffered a knee injury but it’s believed to be minor, he remains a strong chance to play in Round 5.
Josh Schuster is due back next week, so don’t be surprised to see his name pop up on the extended bench on Tuesday afternoon.
WARRIORS v COWBOYS
Friday, 6pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga is facing two to three matches on the sideline for a dangerous contact charge.
His absence would likely see Bailey Sironen return to the bench after missing last week due to Covid protocols.
Coach Nathan Brown made a late change to start Josh Curran on the edge against the Broncos, with Eliesa Katoa shifting to the bench, with Tevaga starting at lock.
Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea are both due back this round and will be in contention for starting spots.
Reece Walsh kicked goals despite Shaun Johnson’s return from injury, but once fully fit, Johnson will likely regain the duties.
Cowboys: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered a knee injury that will likely sideline him for an extended period.
This will see Valentine Holmes revert to fullback, and either Connelly Lemuelu or Brendan Elliot come into the side at centre.
Chad Townsend and Griffin Neame both received fines for their charges and will face the Warriors.
Coen Hess will push for a return after being a late out for the clash with the Roosters due to a shoulder injury.
If fit, Neame would likely drop off the bench.
BRONCOS v ROOSTERS
Friday, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: A few headaches for coach Kevin Walters, with Pat Carrigan set for a lengthy stint out due to a knee injury, while Thomas Flegler faces two to three matches out after being hit with three separate charges.
Jordan Riki is pushing for a return, as is Kurt Capewell, after both missed the loss to the Warriors.
The pair would start in the back-row if fit, Ryan James would start at prop with Flegler out, while Keenan Palasia or TC Robati would start at lock for Carrigan.
Albert Kelly is out long-term with a leg injury, with Billy Walters to start in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds.
Roosters: No major changes expected at the Roosters following an impressive win in Townsville.
Billy Smith was a late out due to injury, but he’s expected to be made available to return, however Trent Robinson may be tempted to keep Kevin Naiqama on the wing following the victory.
Sam Verrills is due back in the next week or two and would come straight in at hooker when ready to go.
RAIDERS v STORM
Saturday, 3pm, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga
Raiders: No major changes expected at the Raiders despite the loss to Manly. Ryan Sutton will come into consideration for Emre Guler on the bench.
Storm: No changes expected at the Storm, Dean Ieremia will push for a return from a hamstring injury, however Craig Bellamy will be tempted to keep Nick Meaney on the wing.
RABBITOHS v DRAGONS
Saturday, 5.30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Mark Nicholls suffered an ankle injury and will spend time on the sidelines.
This will see either Tom Burgess or Liam Knight start at prop. 18th man last week, Blake Taaffe will be strongly considered to return as the club’s bench utility.
Lachlan Ilias received a fine for his dangerous contact charge in the loss to Penrith, he’s good to go.
Dragons: Francis Molo and Blake Lawrie were both placed on report in the heavy loss to the Eels.
How coach Anthony Griffin responds is anyone’s guess.
He’d be brave to stick with the extensive shake-up that saw Tyrell Sloan dropped and Talatau Amone benched, in favour of Moses Mbye at fullback and Jack Bird at five-eighth.
Jaydn Su’A returns from suspension which will likely push Jack Gosiewski to the bench.
TITANS v EELS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: The Titans have a few returning faces, with Phillip Sami, Isaac Liu and Beau Fermor all available after undergoing Covid protocols.
Sami will replace either Greg Marzhew or Patrick Herbert in the backline, Liu will return at prop, with Jaimin Jolliffe moving to the bench and Jarrod Wallace likely the man to drop out.
Fermor should replace Kevin Proctor on the edge, however a short return after finishing his isolation may make things a little more difficult.
Jayden Campbell will also push for a return from a rib injury and would replace recruit Jamayne Isaako at fullback if cleared to play.
Eels: After being a late withdrawal in the win over the Dragons, Shaun Lane will push for a return from injury.
He’d likely replace Ryan Matterson on the edge, with Matterson shifting to the bench and Wiremu Greig dropping out of the side.
SHARKS v TIGERS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has a welcome headache with Connor Tracey due back from injury.
I expect him to return at centre, however the starring performance of Siosifa Talakai in the backline will give the side options.
Wade Graham is also due back from injury in the next week or two, but with the strong form of the club, in particular Talakai and Teig Wilton, they have no need to rush the back-rower’s return.
Tigers: Kelma Tuilagi suffered a first half shoulder injury against the Titans and failed to return.
There’s been little word on the extent of the injury at this stage, Luke Garner would start in the second-row if unavailable.
Jacob Liddle returned to the field after passing a HIA, he’ll undergo concussion protocols but is expected to be fine to face the Sharks.
BULLDOGS v PANTHERS
Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Brandon Wakeham started in the halves in the big loss to Melbourne, with Jake Averillo shifting to centre.
Coach Trent Barrett will be tempted to make changes after the loss, it remains to be seen what they would be.
Panthers: No changes expected at the Panthers following a comfortable win over South Sydney.
Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin all made successful returns from injury in the clash.
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