NRL Late Mail round 19: Team changes, gossip and SuperCoach tips

KEY forwards Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman have been ruled out of the Warriors’ clash against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.

KEY forwards Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman have been ruled out of the Warriors’ clash against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.

The pair missed the plane to Perth due to ankle injuries sustained during the week.

Lillyman sustained the injury during Origin III, while Thompson went down at training.

Jazz Tevaga has been added to an already extended bench that also includes Tuimoala Lolohea, Sam Lisone, Bunty Afoa, Charlie Gubb and James Gavet.

Coach Andrew McFadden is hopeful Lillyman and Thompson will be available for next weekend’s trip to Canberra to play the Raiders.

In other Late Mail:

* MATT Gillett (shoulder) and Corey Parker (suspension) are out for the Broncos.

* DESPITE a denial from Craig Bellamy, Storm fullback Cameron Munster (ankle) is in contention to play, as is Tohu Harris (ribs). Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk got through Origin unscathed, with decisions on their availability to be made closer to kick off, although Bellamy confirmed he will give both a rest “at some stage”;

* SOUTH Sydney’s Greg Inglis will miss three weeks due to a shoulder charge suspension, but Adam Reynolds (shoulder), Sam Burgess (knee) and George Burgess (groin) are all set to play;

* CRONULLA’S Andrew Fifita will miss Monday’s match after pleading guilty to a contrary conduct charge, but the rest of Cronulla’s Origin contingent are set to back up.

LISTEN TO OUR ROUND 19 PODCAST

SUSPENDED: Inglis could face time on the sidelines

RATINGS: Who starred, who struggled?

SEA EAGLES V WARRIORS

Saturday 5:30pm at nib Stadium

Sea Eagles: Prop Nate Myles is aiming to back up from Origin. Luke Burgess is on standby. Siosaia Vave (hamstring) is right to go after resting up over the bye. The club says Matt Parcell (hamstring) is another week away.

Warriors - Updated 4.20pm Friday: Forwards Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman (both ankle) are out. James Gavet and Jazz Tevaga come into the 17. Shaun Johnson (quad) rested up over the bye and is a certain starter, but is unlikely to kick goals yet again. Manu Vatuvei (hamstring) and Ryan Hoffman (virus) are right to return. The Warriors will take an eight hour direct flight from Auckland to Perth.

RABBITOHS V BRONCOS

Saturday 7:30pm at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: With Greg Inglis to miss three weeks due to a shoulder charge suspension, look for Ed Murphy or Angus Crichton to replace him at centre. Sam Burgess (knee) has trained this week and will play after picking up an injury prior to the bye. Coach Michael Maguire says Adam Reynolds (shoulder) will be fit despite missing Origin, while George Burgess (groin) is right to go after having a run in NSW Cup last week.

Broncos - Updated 3.15pm Friday: Forward Matt Gillett (shoulder) is out after sustaining an injury in Origin. Alex Glenn will move from centre to back row, with Jordan Kahu to fill Glenn’s left centre spot and Lachlan Maranta to come onto the right wing. Corey Parker (suspension) is also a casualty from Origin. He will likely be replaced in the 17 by Jai Arrow, who travelled with the side. Marion Seve is the 18th man. Joe Boyce did not make the trip to Sydney despite being named as 19th man.

Brisbane could be without Corey Parker this weekend.

KNIGHTS V STORM

Sunday 2:00pm at Hunter Sports Stadium

Knights: Backline star Dane Gagai got through Origin unscathed and is tipped to back up. Jarrod Mullen (hamstring) will return from serious injury provided he makes it through the final two sessions. With Tyler Randell (ribs, round 22) not named, don’t be surprised if newly-signed local Chris Adams earns a bench hooker spot. The surgery of starting hooker Danny Levi (back) has been put off.

Storm: Melbourne trained behind closed doors on Thursday. Coach Craig Bellamy later faced the media and said Cameron Munster (ankle) is “doubtful” and Tohu Harris (ribs) is “hopeful”. However, as we know, SuperCoaches can never trust a thing Bellamy says, so here’s our mail. Munster took at least some part in Thursday’s session and is in contention to play. Harris’s injury settled down considerably over the bye and he is expected to play. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk pulled up well from Origin. A final decision on their availability will be made closer to kick-off, but Bellamy confirmed he will give both a rest in the run home. “We still have eight games to go (before the finals),” Bellamy said. “We’ll certainly be looking at giving them a break at some stage. What is the right time? It’s pretty hard to work out. But certainly, with the guys pulling up alright without any obvious injuries, they’ll have a fair say in tha

Greg Inglis could face a three week suspension.

t as well.” Will Chambers (foot) is getting very close to a return after missing three months.

YES: Blues snag last gasp win

BUZZ: Why no love for Gallen?

PANTHERS V EELS

Sunday 4:00pm at Pepper Stadium

Panthers: Veteran Peter Wallace has ligament damage in his elbow and is yet to train this week. However, Wallace played through the injury last week and the club is hopeful he will take the field. If out, Tyrone Peachey, Sione Katoa and Will Smith are contenders to spend time at hooker. Josh Mansour and Matt Moylan will both back up.

Eels: Kenny Edwards is expected to start at five-eighth in place of Corey Norman (stood down), with Rory O’Brien to come onto the bench. Isaac De Gois (concussion) must pass protocols.

Will the Sharks lose Andrew Fifita?

ROOSTERS V SHARKS

Monday 7:00pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Origin players Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra have not been named but may be late inclusions in place of Joseph Manu and Connor Watson. Guerra is nursing a minor ankle injury picked up in Origin III.

Sharks: The Origin crew of Jack Bird, Wade Graham, James Maloney, Paul Gallen are all expected to play due to the five-day turnaround from Origin III. However, Andrew Fifita is definitely out due to his contrary conduct suspension and will likely be replaced by Jesse Sene-Lefao. Sosaia Feki is right to go following a deep cut to his knee last week.