NRL Late Mail Round 14: Knights centre Bradman Best set for timely Origin return, David Armstrong fights for spot

The Knights and Storm have updated their teams and while there’s bad news for one cheapie there’s a welcome return for another. Every team’s predicted round 14 team changes.

Reece Walsh. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Bradman Best has rocketed back into NSW calculations with the Knights holding out hope that the centre will return from injury next week.

Best had been earmarked to play in Origin I before he suffered a hamstring injury against the Gold Coast on May 18. The injury ruled him out of the opening Origin clash but now he is closing in on a return.

The Knights hope he could make his comeback as early as next week when Newcastle take on Penrith.

The Sunday afternoon match against the Panthers will be Best’s only chance of pushing for an Origin recall with the team expected to be named at the completion of that game.

That means NSW coach Michael Maguire may leave the final naming of his side down to the last minute in that hope that Best is able to get through the game.

Bradman Best is on track to be available for Blues selection. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

NSW are on the lookout for a new centre with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sidelined because of suspension. Best will join Latrell Mitchell, Matt Burton, Jesse Ramien, Kotoni Staggs and Izack Tago as potential centre options for NSW ahead of game two in Melbourne.

Mitchell has made it clear that he wants to play Origin again.

Best was considered a likely starter for game one after blitzing the Tigers the week before his injury. He also impressed during his only Origin appearance in game three last year.

While Best is pushing for an Origin recall, Suaalii’s NSW teammates were in a state of disbelief that the debutant was marched from the field after just eight minutes.

“It was a bit of a stretching sending him there,” hooker Reece Robson said. “It was a massive call to make.

“It took me by complete surprise. He has made contact (but) he slipped into the contact. He has hit him high, don’t get me wrong. A penalty, 10 in the bin even.

“It put a dampener on the whole game.”

- Michael Carayannis

SHARKS’ ORIGIN STAR TO BACK UP

Sharks captain Cameron McInnes is set to back-up against the Broncos after making his NSW Origin debut on Wednesday night.

McInnes was typically tidy in his first Origin start which included 47-minutes for 33 tackles and none missed.

Blues teammate Nicho Hynes wasn’t named to tackle Brisbane on Saturday night, with the Sharks opting to preserve their playmaker for next Thursday night’s clash with The Dolphins.

- David Riccio

WALSH WIPED OUT FOR BRONCOS

The Broncos have suffered a major blow with superstar fullback Reece Walsh ruled out of Saturday night’s clash against the Sharks.

Walsh is subject to the NRL’s 11-day stand-down protocols after suffering a concussion in Queensland’s thumping 38-10 rout of the Blues in Origin I on Wednesday night.

NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sensationally sent off for a sickening high shot in the eighth minute on Walsh, who stayed down for more than a minute as Queensland medicos raced to his aid.

The NRL’s independent bunker doctor deemed Walsh’s concussion a category one, ruling him out of the rest of Origin I, although it was reported he passed a concussion test in the Maroons sheds.

Reece Walsh has been ruled out following his Origin concussion injury. Picture: Getty Images

However, NRL head of football Graham Annesley confirmed that Walsh will not be permitted to back-up for Brisbane against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.

“Reece was momentarily unconscious and concussed,” he said.

“Thankfully he recovered quickly, but he is still subject to the mandatory stand-down rules to ensure he suffers no after effects before playing again.”

The Broncos will be sweating on the availability of their other Origin stars.

NSW prop Payne Haas is coming off knee surgery and may not back up, while Maroons duo Pat Carrigan and Selwyn Cobbo were outstanding in Queensland’s victory.

Should Cobbo get the green light, he is an option to replace Walsh at fullback, while Brisbane’s Mr Fixit Tristan Sailor, named on an extended bench, could also come into the equation.

Sailor filled in for Walsh last year during the State of Origin period and did a wonderful job in the No.1 jumper.

—Peter Badel

NRL ROUND 14 TEAMS

COWBOYS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 17. Jason Taumalolo 9. Sam McIntyre 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 21. Tom Dearden 23. Jeremiah Nanai

Reserves: 19. Valentine Holmes 24. Reuben Cotter

Players cut: 8. Jordan McLean 14. Tomas Chester 18. Thomas Duffy 20. Murray Taulagi 22. Reece Robson

Late mail: Jordan McLean (calf) is out, replaced in the starting side by Jason Taumalolo. Two of the Cowboys Origin contingent - Murray Taulagi and Reece Robson - have been cut. Two more - Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai - will start from the interchange bench and the remaing duo - Val Holmes and Reben Cotter - are listed as reserves with the call on them to be made an hour prior to kickoff. Holmes has backed up 12 out of 13 opportunities over his career and is a 90 per cent chance in our back-up rater. Cotter played 69 minutes in the middle and has to be considered less likely to play.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Tom Ale 17. Kurt Capewell

Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki

Players cut: 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Edward Kosi 23. Moala Graham-Taufa

Late mail: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), Wayde Egan (head knock), Rocco Berry (hand), Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down), Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all expected to play.

Nicho Hynes is set to be rested for the Sharks after Origin. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

BRONCOS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

23. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski 19. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 21. Martin Taupau 22. Josiah Karapani

Players cut: 1. Reece Walsh 15. Xavier Willison 18. Joshua Rogers 20. Blake Mozer 24. Jaiyden Hunt

Late mail: Reece Walsh is out this week and the next due to the NRL’s 11-day stand-down protocols after suffering a concussion in Origin I. Walsh is replaced at fullback by Tristan Sailor. Xavier Willison is replaced on the interchange by Fletcher Baker.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Billy Burns

Players cut: 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jesse Colquhoun

Late mail: Nicho Hynes hasn’t been named and will be rested. He clutched at his injured calf late in the game which could be a worry for SuperCoaches going forward. Cameron McInnes played 47 minutes in Origin.

STORM v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Grant Anderson 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Trent Loiero 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Kane Bradley 22. Dean Ieremia

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Trent Loiero 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Joe Chan

Reserves: 19. Jack Howarth 20. Young Tonumaipea

Players cut: 17. Alec MacDonald 21. Kane Bradley 22. Dean Ieremia

Late mail: Joe Chan comes onto the interchange athe expense of Alex McDonald. Harry Grant is almost certain to back-up. He has a four-day turnaround and only played 38 minutes in Origin. Grant has backed up on every opportunity over his Origin career (seven from seven). “It depends if Craig Bellamy wants to give me an RDO. But I’ll be right,” said Grant post-match.

Knights

22. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Brodie Jones 21. Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker

Players cut: 1. David Armstrong 15. Daniel Saifiti 20. Will Pryce

Late mail: Fletcher Sharpe has replaced an injured David Armstrong at fullback. Daniel Saifiti is replaced on the interchange bench by Jack Hetherington.

Dylan Edwards isn’t expected to play against Manly. Picture NRL Photos

PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Jesse McLean 22. Preston Riki 23. Dylan Edwards 24. Tyrone Peachey

Late mail: Dylan Edwards is expected to be ruled out due to a quad injury after being named on the extended bench.

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Jamie Humphreys 22. Ben Condon 23. Jake Simpkin

Late mail: Jake Trbojevic only played 29 minutes as NSW captain. It wasn’t due to injury and he came back on late so the signs are good he will back up. Haumole Olakau’atu played 24 minutes. Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to back-up after his man of the match performance.

BULLDOGS v EELS

Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi

Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Harry Hayes

Late mail: Matt Burton didn’t get on the field for the Blues as 18th man and will play for the Bulldogs. Stephen Crichton is expected to back-up given the five-day turnaround.

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Shaun Lane 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Wiremu Greig

Reserves: 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Morgan Harper 20. Joey Lussick 21. Ryan Matterson 22. Luca Moretti

Late mail: J’maine Hopgood wore a huge shot from Liam Martin but only played 32 minutes in Origin.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 14: Knights centre Bradman Best set for timely Origin return, David Armstrong fights for spot