NRL Late Mail round 6: Titans set to axe Tanah Boyd

Des Hasler’s patience has finally worn thin over one of his playmakers, swinging the axe in a spine shake-up ahead of his side’s clash with the Raiders. LATE MAIL

Des Hasler’s patience has finally worn thin, with the Gold Coast coach set to axe struggling halfback Tanah Boyd in a major spine shake-up at the Titans.

Boyd is expected to be dropped for Sunday night’s clash with the Raiders in Canberra following a string of poor performances.

The Titans No. 7 has been all at sea in the opening month of the NRL Premiership, which sees Gold Coast the only winless team after five rounds.

After persisting with Boyd in losses to the Dragons, Bulldogs, Dolphins and Cowboys, Hasler is set to undertake major spinal surgery in a bid to spark the Titans.

Tanah Boyd is set to be axed for his side’s match with the Raiders. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

With Boyd out, Queensland Origin star AJ Brimson moves to halfback, but could still shift to his favoured position of fullback, with Jayden Campbell shifting to the halves alongside veteran playmaker Kieran Foran.

Brimson has looked dangerous with ball in-hand this season, but hasn’t seen enough opportunities when parked at right centre.

Campbell has been working his way back into form following knee surgery and is expected to play more of a five-eighth’s role, with Foran assuming the traditional halfback organising duties.

The changes will inject some much needed spark into a spine that’s lacked creativity and struggled to execute with Boyd at the helm.

– Travis Meyn

NRL LATE MAIL ROUND SIX

RABBITOHS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray, 2. Tyrone Munro, 3. Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Saliva Havili, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Damien Cook, 19. Jacob Gagai

Players cut: 20. Sean Keppie, 21. Tallis Duncan 22. Dion Teupa

Late Mail: Under-pressure coach Jason Demetriou went nuts on Tuesday so expect him to stick strong to his mass changes, which included the dumping of Damien Cook, Sean Keppie and Tallis Duncan, while Latrell Mitchell is out through suspension.

Sharks

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

Bench: 14. Billy Burns 15. Jack Williams 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 20. Toby Rudolf

Players Cut: 19. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Late Mail: Briton Nikora (suspension) is back, while regular first grader Toby Rudolf (ankle) is lurking on the extended bench as he eyes a return from injury.

WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney

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. Alex Seyfarth 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Justin Matamua 17. Asu Kepaoa

Reserves: 20. Tony Sukkar 21. Kit Laulilii

Players cut: 18. Solomon Alaimalo 19. Josh Feledy 22. Brandon Tumeth

Late Mail: No changes expected with Lachlan Galvin (suspension) due back next week.

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. Hame Sele 12. Jaydn Su’A 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves: 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Michael Molo

Players cut: 11. Luciano Leilua 21. Toby Couchman 22. Mathew Feagai

Late Mail: Luciano Leilua has been ruled out, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner called into the starting side and Ben Murdoch-Masila coming onto the bench. Jack Bird (knee) is in some doubt with Christian Tuipulotu a possible replacement.

RAIDERS v TITANS

Sunday, 6.15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Chevy Stewart 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. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Simi Sasagi

Players cut: 20. Zac Woolford 21. Nick Cotric 22. Emre Guler

Late Mail: Zac Hosking (concussion) is back with the Raiders set to run out 1-17 after a strong win.

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 5. Jojo Fifita 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Brian Kelly 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Kieran Foran 4. AJ Brimson 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Isaac Liu 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tony Francis

Players cut: 7. Tanah Boyd 18. Joe Stimson 19. Keano Kini

Late Mail: Isaac Liu (concussion) returns. Kieran Foran (ankle) is in some doubt, but is expected to play. Halfback Tanah Boyd has been axed, with AJ Brimson moving to halfback, Harley Smith-Shields moves to centre and Alofiana Khan-Pereira joins the wing in a reshuffled backline.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 6: Titans set to axe Tanah Boyd