NRL Late Mail round 5: Bronson Xerri to debut for Dogs, Tyson Frizell out for Knights, Peter Mamouzelos to deputise Damien Cook

A late reshuffle for the Bulldogs will see Bronson Xerri come into the side for his NRL debut. Check out all the round five LATE MAIL.

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 22: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the Warriors chrges forward during the round three NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders at Apollo Projects Stadium, on March 22, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Bronson Xerri will make his long-awaited debut for the Bulldogs.

The 23-year-old has also been promoted into the Canterbury backline at centre to play his first NRL game in over four years against the Sydney Roosters.

Jacob Kiraz has been moved from centre to wing and Blake Wilson drops out of the side.

Xerri last played in the NRL for the Sharks in 2019 before he received a four-year ban for testing positive to steroid use.

DOUBLE BLOW FOR WARRIORS

- Michael Carayannis

The Warriors have suffered two major injury blows with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Marata Niukore ruled out to play South Sydney.

Watene-Zelezniak has a minor hamstring injury and will be replaced by Adam Pompey while Niukore who only returned from injury last week will miss about two months with a foot injury.

Mitch Barnett will shift to the backrow with Chanel Harris-Tevita added to the bench.

RABBITOHS CALL IN CRAFTY NO.9

- Matt Encarnacion

South Sydney forward Davvy Moale has been left out of Saturday’s clash with the Warriors, with young hooker Peter Mamouzelos brought onto the bench.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou confirmed Moale would be out, with Mamouzelos expected to spell starting No.9 Damien Cook at Accor Stadium.

“(The Warriors are) a big pack and we want to have some threat through that middle third and Pete’s been outstanding as he has been for the last 18 months banging on the door,” Demetriou said on Friday.

Peter Mamouzelos has been called up for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

KNIGHTS SUFFER BIG INJURY BLOW

-David Riccio

The Knights have suffered a major injury blow with representative forward Tyson Frizell suffering a hamstring injury.

The hard-running forward has been sent for scans and has been ruled out of Newcastle’s clash with St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien is expected to add 18th man Dylan Lucas to his final 17 as a result of Frizell’s omission.

There had been speculation that fellow backrower Kai Pearce-Paul was also under an injury cloud, however the Englishman is in no doubt for the match.

Tyson Frizell has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

MUNSTER ON TRACK FOR RETURN

-Peter Badel

Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes is confident Queensland Origin maestro Cameron Munster will get the green light to face the Broncos on Thursday night in Melbourne.

The Storm have received a huge boost with Hughes declaring Munster an all-but certain starter for the round 5 blockbuster with long-time arch rivals Brisbane at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

Munster has not been seen so far this season due to a groin complaint, but the Queensland Origin sensation ran well at Melbourne’s captain’s run according to halves partner Hughes.

Only an eleventh-hour setback on game day is likely to prevent Munster returning to join forces with Hughes, who is also back from suspension, as Melbourne chase an eighth straight win over Brisbane on Melbourne soil.

“Cam is good,” Hughes said.

“He trained really well (on Wednesday).

“It was his last real test and he did everything required of him.

“We’ll see how he pulls up but he’s looking like he’s ready to go.

“It’s massive for us if Cam plays. We all know the quality of player he is. He has had a rough start to the year but he has been bouncing off the walls this week knowing he is going to play.

“He is keen to play against the Broncos and I can’t wait to have him back.”

Cameron Munster will have until the 11th hour to be declared fit for tonight’s game. Picture: Melbourne Storm

The Storm have hit the jackpot on dual fronts with Hughes to also return in the No.7 jumper after the premiership-winning playmaker missed Melbourne’s loss to the Knights due to suspension.

“It’s good to be back,” he said.

“It was a bit weird missing out, then we had the bye, so I didn’t know what to do with myself.

“But this is a pretty big game for us, I’m excited.”

Hughes will wage a thrilling scrumbase duel with Broncos danger man Adam Reynolds and the Kiwi Test star is also wary of Tristan Sailor, who replaces Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh (facial fracture) at fullback.

“It’s always a good challenge going up against ‘Reyno’,” he said.

“There’s a lot of good playmakers in the game now so every week I’m up against someone of quality.

“It’s not so much getting one up over Reynolds, I just want to play well for us and get the win for our team.”

Of Sailor, the son of Broncos legend Wendell, Hughes said: “We’re all on guard about Tristan.

“He has shown what he can do when he fills in for Reece Walsh.

“They played really well last week against the Cowboys and he was there.

“Reece Walsh is a superstar but Tristan is a very dangerous player as well, so we won’t be sleeping on him.

“We need to be careful of what he can do at the back.”

ROUND 5 TEAM LISTS

STORM v BRONCOS

Thursday, 8:00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 19. Jack Howarth 21. Jonah Pezet

Cut: 18. Chris Lewis 20. Marion Seve 22. Aaron Pene

Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

Reserves: 18. Martin Taupau 19. Jock Madden

Cut: 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Blake Mozer

BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 6:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 19. Bronson Xerri 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 22. Chris Patolo 11. Viliame Kikau 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann

Bench: 10. Samuel Hughes 12. Josh Curran 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Kitione Kautoga

Reserves: 20. Toby Sexton 21. Bailey Howard 23. Poasa Faamausili

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong

KNIGHTS v DRAGONS

Friday, 8:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Brodie Jones 21. Tyson Gamble 22. Thomas Cant

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Toby Couchman 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila

RABBITOHS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson, 3. Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Tallis Duncan, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Peter Mamouzelos, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Richard Kennar, 21. Jye Gray 22. Jacob Gagai

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klkstad 5. Marcelo Montoya 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 18. Adam Pompey 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 16. Bunty Afoa 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 17. Jazz Tevaga 21. Chanel Harris-Tevita

Reserves: 19. Jacob Laban 22. Edward Kosi 23. Ali Leiataua

SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jake Arthur 20. Aaron Woods 21. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Soni Luke 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Maverick Geyer 21. Jack Cole 22. Tyrone Peachey

DOLPHINS v WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kenneath Bromwich

Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Justin Matamua 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Jake Simpkin

COWBOYS v TITANS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. David Fifita 16. Joe Stimson 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 19. Tony Francis 20. Thomas Weaver 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Jacob Alick

RAIDERS v EELS

Sunday 6:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Simi Sasagi 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Nick Cotric 20. Trey Mooney 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Wiremu Greig 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Morgan Harper

BYE: Sharks

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 5: Bronson Xerri to debut for Dogs, Tyson Frizell out for Knights, Peter Mamouzelos to deputise Damien Cook