NRL Early Mail Round 5: Latrell trains at centre, Tom Trbojevic out for month

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has been spotted training in a new position. Elsewhere, there’s a boost for the Bulldogs and Tom Trbojevic’s knee injury isn’t quite as bad as first thought.

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell could be unleashed for the first time this season at centre in Friday night’s blockbuster against arch rivals the Sydney Roosters.

The injured fullback was spotted training at left centre on Tuesday morning at Heffron Park.

Mitchell has missed the early parts of the season with a hamstring injury.

Coach Wayne Bennett had indicated he was committed to playing Mitchell at fullback in the pre-season.

Bennett has been forced into the switch due to left centre Campbell Graham’s calf injury.

The emergence of Jye Gray in the no.1 jumper in the absence of Mitchell has given the coach strong cover in the two positions.

Jack Wighton trained at right centre, while Mikaele Ravalawa and Isaiah Tass trained on the wing.

—Fatima Kdouh

KIRAZ NEARS RETURN

Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiarz is closer than ever before to playing his first game of the season.

The talented outside back has been unable to feature for Canterbury so far this year due to a back injury he’s been dealing with during the pre-season.

Kiraz will be included in coach Cameron Cirlado’s 22-man squad to tackle the Knights at Accor Stadium on Sunday, needing to survive a searching training session on Wednesday before he’s cleared to play.

“Kiraz is a slight chance of playing this weekend, but we’ll see how he goes at training during the week,” Ciraldo said on Tuesday morning.

Five-eighth Matt Burton (knee) and backrower Viliame Kikau (knee) are set to return after next week’s bye against South Sydney.

Jacob Kiraz is nearing a return for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

“Burto (Burton) and Kiks (Kikau) are both looking good for after the bye in Round 7. We are starting to get troops back but I have been really impressed with the guys that have come into those positions and played,” Ciraldo said.

“Bailey Hayward has been outstanding at five-eighth since Burto has been out.

“The guys that have come onto the bench, Jack Todd and Harry Hayes have shown they are going to be long time Bulldogs.”

Sitili Tupouniua will also miss the Knights clash after the forward was hit with a one-game ban for a high shot on Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall.

Ciraldo has a number of options to replace Tupouniua including Kurtis Morrin and Lipoi Hopoi.

- Fatima Kdouh and David Riccio

TURBO TO MISS A MONTH

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic is expected to miss four weeks after scans on his knee revealed a minor MCL tear.

It can be considered a slight win given coach Anthony Seibold originally stated Trbojevic could miss 5-6 weeks.

Trbojevic failed to run out for the second half of the Sea Eagles’ win over Parramatta on Sunday afternoon after injuring his knee in the opening half.

He was sent for scans on Monday morning which ruled out the need for surgery, but confirmed he would miss a month.

Lehi Hopoate is expected to wear the No.1 jersey in Trbojevic’s absence with Clayton Faulalo coming onto the wing.

Trbojevic was in his first game back after missing a week due to right hamstring tightness.

Seibold said it was tough to see Trbojevic suffer yet another injury.

“This is my third year coaching him now, and just his preparation is so diligent, and I think anyone who knows Turbo, he puts in so much time.

“So, in some ways, like, life’s not fair, because you can understand if he wasn’t doing the work and doing all this reconditioning, his injury prevention and so on.

—Brent Read and Dean Ritchie

Tom Trbojevic down with a knee injury.

DOUEIHI SET TO PLAY AFTER ‘TWEAK’

Wests Tigers centre Adam Doueihi expects to face former coach Michael Maguire in Brisbane on Saturday night despite his last minute withdrawal from Sunday’s loss to the Warriors.

“It’s nothing bad, I just sort of tweaked it in the warm up and it didn’t feel 100 per cent, so we just made a call to sit me out and fingers crossed I’ll be good to go this week,” he said.

—Pamela Whaley

BRIAN TO’O OUT FOR A MONTH

The Panthers may be getting Nathan Cleary back this week, but the four-time defending premiers won’t have workhorse winger Brian To’o for up to a month after he aggravated the hamstring injury that ruled him out of their Las Vegas opener.

To’o missed Penrith’s first-up win over the Sharks and is now set to miss another few weeks after he came off late during Penrith’s loss to Souths.

It’s a big blow for a team that has relied on his yardage coming out of trouble, although they should get fullback Dylan Edwards (groin) and Cleary (concussion protocols) back for the game against North Queensland after they both trained on Monday.

“Nathan will be back, but ‘Bizza’ (To’o) won’t be.

“Hopefully Dyl will be,” Ivan Cleary said.

“He (To’o) will be out for a few weeks.”

—Martin Gabor

Brian To'o of the Panthers is assisted from the field with a hamstring injury. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

BANNED LUAI SENT FOR SCANS ON SHOULDER

Wests Tigers superstar Jarome Luai has been sent for testing on the same shoulder that he had surgery on after Penrith’s 2023 premiership win.

Luai was already facing a one-game suspension after being charged with a high tackle on Monday morning but that may be the least of his problems after it emerged he was sent for further testing on his left shoulder.

Full story here

HOPOATE OUT FOR SEASON WITH ACL INJURY

The Raiders have suffered a major blow with winger Albert Hopoate ruled out for the season after suffering a torn ACL.

In a bitter pill to swallow for Canberra’s outside back stocks, Hopoate suffered the injury while playing NSW Cup for the Raiders last Saturday.

— David Riccio

Albert Hopoate is out for the season with an ACL injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

RADLEY OUT WITH CHEEK INJURY

Victor Radley has been cleared of concussion but will miss Friday’s clash with South Sydney with a minor cheek injury as Roosters teammate Lindsay Collins calls out armchair experts for fear mongering about his future.

Radley was taken from the field for a head injury assessment for the second game in a row on Friday night, after returning from a concussion that sidelined him the week before.

—Pamela Whaley

DRAGONS YOUNG GUN CLEARED

The Dragons have received positive news with rising star Hamish Stewart cleared of a serious facial injury.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan feared the Gerringong Lions junior had suffered major damage to his cheek area after pushing through the pain in the Dragons upset win over the Storm on Saturday.

However, the Dragons medical staff have cleared Stewart of any structural damage.

—David Riccio

Hamish Stewart has been cleared of a facial injury. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL, BY MAX BRYDEN

RAIDERS v SHARKS

Thursday, 8:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

Morgan Smithies should be available for selection again provided he passes through the NRL’s HIA protocols. His return would likely see Trey Mooney return to the bench.

After back to back losses, coach Ricky Stuart may consider changes to his line-up with backup fullback Chevy Stewart performing strongly in reserve grade.

Albert Hopoate tore his ACL in reserve grade and is out for the season.

Sharks:

Form centre Kayal Iro picked up a hamstring injury and didn’t take the field in the second half. He looks set to spend some time on the sidelines.

Sifa Talakai – a candidate for the vacant centre spot – failed a HIA in Round 4 and will miss the game. Mawene Hiroti, Chris Vea’lia or Michael Gabrael could earn a call up at centre, or utility Daniel Atkinson could fill the role.

After a couple of aborted attempts, big Tom Hazleton will again look to return to the Sharks’ bench this round.

PANTHERS v COWBOYS

Friday, 6:00pm, CommBank Stadium

Penrith:

Nathan Cleary is set to return to a desperate Panthers outfit should he pass all his HIA protocols. His replacement in Round 4 Trent Toelau suffered a knee injury and is unlikely to be considered for a bench spot.

Dylan Edwards is a chance to return at fullback from a groin injury. If fit, Daine Laurie would shift back to 14 if he has overcome his own quad injury.

Brian To’o is out for a month with a hamstring injury with Casey McLean the likely replacement on the left wing.

Tom Jenkins impressed at left centre and looks set to hold the spot.

Scott Sorensen failed a HIA with Luke Garner likely to step into the starting side in the second row. Isaiah Papali’i, himself a candidate to replace Sorensen, was shifted into the starting prop role in Round 4.

Cowboys:

After notching their first win of the Premiership season, the Cowboys are set to be named 1 through 17.

RABBITOHS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs:

Latrell Mitchell is back. He trained at left centre on Tuesday with Jye Gray at fullback.

Gray could to move to a utility bench role with Jayden Sullivan dropping off.

Alex Johnston’s return appears to be stalled after one game with the winger having suffered a suspected shoulder fracture.

Lachlan Hubner is available for selection again post his two week suspension.

Roosters:

Lock Victor Radley will miss at least a week with a cheekbone injury.

Connor Watson could shift directly into the 13 jersey on his return from an HIA, with Zach Docker-Clay impressing at hooker in Round 4. Alternatively rookie Salesi Foketi or Nat Butcher could join the run on side.

EELS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 3:00pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels:

Jack Williams is out for up to six rounds after requiring surgery last week on a meniscus injury.

One of the shining lights for coach Jason Ryles this season was a late out in Round 4. Joe Ofahengaue was promoted from the bench to start and is expected to hold his spot.

After a successful return from an ACL injury in NSW Cup, winger Bailey Simonsson will push for a return to first grade soon.

Dragons:

Prop Emre Guler is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines through suspension due to a crusher tackle.

Toby Couchman or David Klemmer is expected to replace him in the run on side with Blake Lawrie a chance to join the bench.

Rookie Hamish Stewart has been cleared of facial injury and is set to play.

Jaydn Su’A aggravated a nerve injury in his neck during his side’s victory over the Melbourne Storm but is expected to play this week.

TITANS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans:

Keano Kini was last week ruled out for three to five months with a neck injury in a cruel blow for the Titans’ fortunes. One of the finds of the season last year, Kini was replaced in Round 4 by Jaylan De Groot.

Prop Jaimin Jolliffe is a chance to return this week following a calf complaint.

Dolphins:

Lock Tom Gilbert looks set to miss a week after picking up a charge in his side’s loss to the Brisbane Broncos.

Max Plath left the field early in Round 4, but if fit is a chance to shift to lock with Oryn Keeley moving to the starting side in the second row.

BRONCOS v TIGERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:

Brendan Piakura is favoured to join the run on side in place of Jordan Riki, who picked up a suspension in the Broncos’ victory.

The rest of the side is expected to be named as per with Kotoni Staggs making a successful return from a hip flexor injury in the centres.

Tigers:

The long awaited confirmation of Justin Olam’s medical retirement was approved last week. Keep your eyes on the transfer market with the Tigers now in a position to make some moves.

Adam Doueihi was a late out for the Tigers with a groin injury but is hopeful of playing.

Samuela Fainu picked up a knee injury and failed to finish the game for the second week running. Utility Jack Bird is the frontrunner to replace Fainu.

Winger Jeral Skelton will again push for selection following a hamstring injury. Solomona Fa’atape could replace Skelton or even Doueihi if required.

Jarome Luai has been sent for scans on his left shoulder. He was also charged with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle and faces a one match ban with an early plea and two matches if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge.

Latu Fainu will slot straight into the halves.

SEA EAGLES v STORM

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles:

Tom Trbojevic’s return lasted all of 40 minutes with the fullback expected out for a month.

The replacement strategy is well oiled by now – Lehi Hopoate will move to fullback with Clayton Faulalo to start at left wing. Potential replacement Tommy Talau is still two weeks away from action with a hamstring injury.

Josh Aloiai appeared to suffer an AC joint injury but should be able to play in Round 5. Hooker Lachlan Croker will again push for a return to first grade following an offseason knee injury.

Storm:

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is in line for a return to first grade should he pass through concussion protocols.

Tyran Wishart will again be named at halfback with Jahrome Hughes still a week away. Reserve grade half Jonah Pezet suffered a knee injury during his return from an ACL injury and is set for scans this week.

Harry Grant appeared to suffer a knee injury during Round 4 which required strapping. Expect Bronson Garlick in the number 14 jersey again as injury cover.

BULLDOGS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs:

Sitili Tupouniua will miss Round 5 through suspension which should pave the way for debutant Jack Todd to hold his spot in the 17.

Kurt Morrin, a late out last week, is a chance to join the bench.

Hooker Reed Mahoney escaped with just a fine following his dangerous contact on Daniel Atkinson.

Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Jacob Kiraz have all set their sights on Round 7 returns.

Knights:

Rookie Thomas Cant impressed as a late inclusion in Round 3, playing 80 minutes on an edge and is expected to be named there again.

Cant and Frizell are likely to be the starting second rowers with Adam Elliott at lock and Brodie Jones at prop.

Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) and Leo Thompson (knee) are still at least one week away from returning.

BYE: Warriors

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 5: Latrell trains at centre, Tom Trbojevic out for month