NRL Early Mail Round 9 2021: Predicted team changes
Wacko’s Whispers has big news on popular KFC SuperCoach fullbacks James Tedesco and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Roosters
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South Sydney has been rocked with a mounting injury toll counting down to Thursday’s blockbuster against Melbourne.
On the back of Adam Reynolds’ thumb injury, which will rule the star halfback out of this weekend’s match against the Storm and most likely the following week, Cameron Murray is now expected to miss four to six weeks with a syndesmosis ankle injury.
On top of that Jaxson Paulo and Campbell Graham both have hand injuries and won’t play.
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That comes with the Bunnies also without Latrell Mitchell who is suspended.
A massive backline reshuffle is likely to include Braidon Burns in the centres, while Stephen Marsters and Taane Milne will be on the wings.
Burns only played his first game since last July when he returned from a dislocated knee in NSW Cup last weekend.
Souths have received some good news with Murray not requiring surgery but he will be still sidelined for an extended period.
Cody Walker is likely to return to the halves to partner Benji Marshall.
That will allow Alex Johnston to shift to fullback.
Junior Tatola should be back after a concussion rest and Keaon Koloamatangi will probably take over at lock with Jacob Host on the edge.
RICKY BRINGS BACK VETERANS TO RAIDERS
— David Riccio
Test Prop Josh Papalii is set to return for the Raiders after he was rested last week.
Struggling for his best form so far in 2021, Papalii watched the Raiders loss against South Sydney last week from the sidelines.
He returns this weekend against the Knights while captain Jarrod Croker (shoulder) is also set to be included in the 21-man squad.
MIXED NEWS ON STAR KFC SUPERCOACH FULLBACKS
— Wacko’s Whispers
James Tedesco is confirmed to be named for the Roosters and is expected to play after missing last week with concussion.
Meanwhile, Ryan Papenhuyzen isn’t expected to return from a shoulder injury for the Storm.
IKUVALU FIRMS AS INJURIES HIT ROOSTERS
— Fatima Kdouh and Adam Lucius
Joey Manu is expecting coach Trent Robinson to anoint reliable back Matt Ikuvalu as his new right edge partner after an ACL injury ended Brett Morris’ decorated NRL career.
Speaking on Monday morning, Manu, who filled in at fullback in the absence of James Tedesco (HIA) against Newcastle, said Ikuvalu is likely to get first crack at the right wing spot vacated by Morris.
“Matt Ikuvalu, he’s done a good job on the weekend on the wing. I think I’ll go back to the centre and Teddy will be back hopefully,” Manu said.
Despite Manu’s long term ambitions as a fullback, the 24-year old said he was relieved Tedesco would be back for Friday night’s blockbuster against Parramatta Eels.
“He looks good. I think he should be back, hopefully anyway. There’s too much running at the back,” Manu said with a laugh.
“In this team I am happy to play on the edge especially when we’ve got Teddy at the back. I enjoy playing fullback too but it’s a tough position and a lot more running and touches. I enjoyed it on the weekend but I’m happy to go back to centre.”
Morris’ cruel injury has also opened the door for teen sensation Joseph Suaalii to stake his claim for a spot in Robinson’s back five.
Forward Angus Crichton believes Suaalii is “ready” for the NRL but doesn’t expect Robinson to rush the exciting prospect.
“We’re lucky to have him waiting ... he’s ready to play NRL. I think it has been quietly speculated, he’s answered all questions with the way that he plays and I guess that’s a question for the coach,” Crichton said.
Asked on Saturday if he’d now be forced to pick Suaalii, Robinson replied: “There are no ‘have to’s’ there. He’s been playing really well in reserves and there’s going to be opportunities there for guys.
“(Matt) Ikuvalu’s done a really good job, Teddy’s (James Tedesco) to come back, we’ve got Billy Smith there that needs to get right. There is great interest in him (Suaalii) for good reason, but I don’t think tonight’s the night to talk about that.”
The Roosters suffered a double injury blow on Saturday, also losing forward Lindsay Collins for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
“It’s tough losing Lindsay, he’s been playing awesome... There are a lot of young solid forwards here and we still have Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho,” Manu said.
Robinson could be in for another boost with Lachlan Lam (knee) another player almost ready to leave the side’s burgeoning casualty ward. The playmaker was scheduled for a round nine return.
“He’s been running a lot more freely. He hasn’t done much with the team yet...maybe this week or next week, I’m not too sure,” Manu said.
ROOSTERS ROCKED AGAIN
— Russell Jackson
The hits keep coming for the Sydney Roosters ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster against Parramatta with backrower Sitili Tupouniua to miss the game after taking the early guilty plea for a grade one shoulder charge.
Tupouniua was charged by the match review committee for his tackle on Connor Watson in the first half of the Roosters’ big win over Newcastle on Saturday night.
The victory came at a huge cost for the Roosters who are reeling from the loss of Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins to ACL injuries as they prepare to face the Eels at Bankwest Stadium.
Teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii is in line to come into the side for Morris while young prop Fletcher Baker is expected to earn a promotion for Collins.
Tupouniua’s likely edge replacement would be Nat Butcher who has been terrific off the bench for Trent Robinson’s side.
RABBITOHS V STORM
Thursday 6 May, Stadium Australia, 7:50pm
Rabbitohs: Adam Reynolds (thumb, up to six weeks), Cameron Murray (ankle, 4-6 weeks), Jaxson Paulo (hand, 6-8 weeks) and Campbell Graham (hand) are all out after suffering injuries last week. A massive backline reshuffle is likely to include Braidon Burns in the centres, while Steven Marsters and Taane Milne will be on the wings. Cody Walker is likely to return to the halves to partner Benji Marshall. That will allow Alex Johnston to shift to fullback. Junior Tatola should be back after a concussion rest and Keaon Koloamatangi will likely take over at lock with Jacob Host on the edge. Josh Mansour is a week or two away from returning from hamstring injury.
Storm: Expected to welcome back both Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Robert Jennings after they both missed Sharks game due to concussion. Jennings would replace Dean Ieremia on the right wing with Asofa-Solomona coming onto the bench for Chris Lewis. Harry Grant suffered sternum and hand injuries during the game on Friday and was able to play on but with six-day turn around could be in some doubt. Ryan Papenhuyzen isn’t expected to return from a shoulder injury with Nicho Hynes set to continue at fullback. Tui Kamikamica and Cameron Munster both suffered knocks but were able to play on and should be fit to be named.
PANTHERS V SHARKS
Friday 7 May, BlueBet Stadium, 6:00pm
Panthers: Have Kurt Capewell (ribs) and James Fisher-Harris (hamstring) in doubt after both left the field against the Sea Eagles. If both are ruled out Liam Martin would start on the right edge and Matt Eisenhuth at prop with Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorenson to come into the 17. Matt Burton is free to play after only being charged with grade one careless high tackle for his hit on Martin Taupau and escaping with a fine.
Sharks: Without Braden Hamlin-Uele after he suffered a syndesmosis injury on Friday night which will keep him out for an extended period with rookie man mountain Franklin Pele set to come into the 17. Wade Graham had to leave the field late in the game due to a head knock, which with previous concussion issues this season is a concern, but in good news he passed HIA and will be fit to play. Jesse Ramien (glute) and Matt Moylan (quad) are both hopeful of returning from injury but will need to pass fitness tests to play.
EELS V ROOSTERS
Friday 7 May, Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm
Eels: Will be without Nathan Brown after he suffered a hip injury on the weekend with Shaun Lane set to start at lock. This will see Ryan Matterson, who made a successful return to the NRL on the weekend from concussion, staying on right edge and Isaiah Papali’I on left edge with either Wiremu Grieg or Keegan Hipgrave coming onto the bench. King Gutho was given an early shower on weekend and is not injured. Waqa Blake is hopeful of returning from a calf injury with the view of being named on the extended bench and could replace Marata Niukore at right centre with Niukore dropping back to bench.
Roosters: Hit hard by injury with Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins (both ACL) ruled out for the rest of the season. But in some good news James Tedesco will return at fullback after missing the Knights game allowing Joseph Manu to move back to right centre to replace the injured Brett Morris with Matt Ikuvalu to continue on right wing. Taukeiaho will start at prop for the injured Collins with Daniel Fifita or Egan Butcher coming onto the bench. Sitili Tupouniua will miss one week after pleading guilty to a shoulder charge. Nat Butcher is set to start on the right edge with Fletcher Baker coming onto the bench. Sam Walker copped a knock to the shoulder injury he has been managing this season just before halftime but was able to come out and blitz the second half but could be in some doubt. Lachlan Lam is close to returning from a knee injury and if available could come into 17.
RAIDERS V KNIGHTS
Saturday 8 May, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga, 3:00pm
Raiders: Test prop Josh Papalii is set to return for the Raiders after he was rested last week.
Struggling for his best form so far in 2021, Papalii watched the Raiders loss against South Sydney last week from the sidelines.
He returns this weekend against the Knights while captain Jarrod Croker (shoulder) is also set to be included in the 21-man squad.
Wacko’s Early Mail: Out of form and searching for answers with George Williams ruled out in warm up on the weekend due to injury and if he cannot recover Sam Williams would come in at halfback after he returned from a ribs injury on weekend in NSW Cup. Josh Hodgson is an outside chance to return from a calf injury and will need to pass a fitness test to play. Sebastian Kris suffered an ankle injury on the weekend and could be in some doubt but he was able to play the game out. Hudson Young, Bailey Simonsson, Joseph Tapine and Corey Harawira-Naera’s positions in the team could be in question after underperforming on the weekend.
Knights: Searching for form after losing five of their past six games and have Blake Green in doubt after he was forced from the field on the weekend due to a rib injury. If ruled out Tex Hoy, who made a comeback from a hamstring injury in NSW Cup on the weekend, coming into the halves with Phoenix Crossland another option. Connor Watson suffered a heavy knock on the weekend which winded him and saw him leave the field but he was able to come back and should be fit to play. Lachlan Fitzgibbon made a successful return from a shoulder injury on the weekend and like Hoy could come into contention for a bench position. Edrick Lee will be fit to return from a foot injury and could push Brayden Musgrove out of the 17.
TIGERS V TITANS
Saturday 8 May, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 5:30pm
Tigers: Come out of the win against Dragons with only issue being Tommy Talau who is facing 1-2 weeks for a shoulder charge. James Roberts was a late withdrawal due to a shoulder injury which saw Zac Cini make a successful NRL debut. He should continue on the left wing with Roberts out again and no other changes expected.
Titans: Will be without Corey Thompson after he suffered an ankle injury on weekend which will see him ruled out for an extended period. With Jonus Pearson (knee) and Patrick Herbert (calf) also unavailable we could see Greg Marzhew make his club debut but more than likely Justin Holbrook will move Tyrone Peachey out to centre, Phillip Sami to wing with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returning from suspension at lock. Sami (ankle), Jarrod Wallace (shoulder) and AJ Brimson (ankle) all need to be checked after suffering minor injuries on the weekend.
COWBOYS V BRONCOS
Saturday 8 May, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm
Cowboys: Ben Hampton is in doubt after suffereing a pectoral injury late in the game. He was able to play on but Jake Clifford is on standby should he be ruled out. Mitch Dunn is available for selection after a one-game suspension and could come onto the bench. Shane Wright passed game day HIA but will be monitored during the week.
Broncos: Have finally found some winning form. No injury concerns out of the game with Alex Glenn only considered an outside chance to return from a calf injury. Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble will continue in the halves with Jesse Arthars at right centre.
SEA EAGLES V WARRIORS
Sunday 8 May, Lottoland, 2:00pm
Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau is in doubt as he undergoes NRL HIA protocols. Morgan Harper suffered a knee injury on weekend which was strapped up and he was able to play on but is in some doubt, which could see Moses Suli return from a back injury if fit with Christian Tuipulotu the other option. Reuben Garrick suffered a corked thigh which forced him to hand over goal kicking duties to Daly Cherry-Evans on weekend but should recover to play. Curtis Sironen is hopeful to return from a knee injury which has kept him out for a number of weeks.
Warriors: Ben Murdoch-Masila failed game day HIA and will need to pass relevant tests to be named and play. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Euan Aitken are both outside chances to return from foot and ankle injuries respectively. David Fusitu’a is managing a hamstring injury which has kept him out for the last couple of weeks despite being named as a diversion from a rookie debuting the last two rounds.
DRAGONS V BULLDOGS
Sunday 8 May, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 4:05pm
Dragons: Expected to be without Zac Lomax after he suffered a broken thumb in the loss to Tigers on Sunday which is expected to see him ruled out for four weeks. The Dragons also have Cody Ramsey in doubt after he suffered a rib injury that forced him from the field. With Brayden Wiliame unavailable due to a calf injury to go along with the suspensions of Jordan Pereira and Mikaele Ravalawa we will see Mathew Feagai, who only returned on weekend in NSW Cup from a knee injury, coming onto the wing with Billy Burns filling in at left centre and Jack Bird moving to right centre. Shaun Sauni-Esau or Tyrell Sloane are some rookie outside backs that could also be options. Josh Kerr passed gameday HIA but will be monitored for ongoing symptoms.
Bulldogs: Dylan Napa is in doubt after suffering a shoulder injury on weekend which forced him from the field, which could see Ofahiki Ogden returning to 17. Jackson Topine played the full 80 minutes in NSW Cup on weekend returning from a knee injury and could come into the 17.
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