NRL Late Mail round 7: Addin Fonua-Blake set to play, Titans lose David Fifita and Jayden Campbell

Sharks star Addin Fonua-Blake is on track to take on the Knights as he battles an abductor injury, while the Titans have been decimated. See all the team changes for Round 7.

Influential Sharks forward Addin Fonua-Blake is on track to tackle Newcastle on Sunday.

The powerful prop suffered an abductor injury against the Sea Eagles in Perth and has spent the past week working to overcome the strain.

However, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has declared his forward leader is on track to meet the Knights in Newcastle.

“He had a slight strain to his abductor,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He got through some running earlier in the week which was a good sign.

“He then got through the majority of team training yesterday (Friday).

“He looks really strong. We’ll assess him this morning, but he’s looking really good.”

Addin Fonua-Blake should line up against Newcastle. Picture: NRL Photos

TITANS SUFFER MASSIVE INJURY BLOW

The Gold Coast Titans have suffered a huge setback ahead of their clash against the Canberra Raiders with back rower David Fifita (hamstring) and halfback Jayden Campbell (ankle) ruled out.

Fifita is replaced in the starting side by Chris Randall, with Arama Hau joining the bench, while Campbell is replaced by Tom Weaver.

Fifita starred last week with 11 tackle busts and two try assists.

The Titans have made one other change, with Allan Fitzgibbon replacing Tony Francis on the wing.

David Fifita is out for the Titans with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty Images

NRL LATE MAIL ROUND 7

TITANS V RAIDERS

Sunday 2pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 5. Jojo Fifita 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 19. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. AJ Brimson 21. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 12. Beau Fermor 14. Chris Randall 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 18. Arama Hau

Reserves: 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Josiah Pahulu

Players cut: 2. Tony Francis 7. Jayden Campbell 11. David Fifita

Late Mail: David Fifita has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, with Chris Randall replacing him in the starting side, and Arama Hau the new face on the bench.

Jayden Campbell is out with an ankle injury and is replaced by Tom Weaver.

Allan Fitzgibben replaced Tony Francis on the wing.

Jojo Fifita is right to return from a bad cork that kept him out for the last two weeks.

His return sees Phil Sami move to centre and Beau Fermor back to the pack.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns from suspension after a one-game absence.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira is aiming to return as early as next week against the Cowboys.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsurgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 20 Jed Stuart

Players cut: 19. Simi Sasagi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Zac Hosking returns after missing four games with a hand injury.

He is expected to play a mixture of edge and middle

KNIGHTS V SHARKS

Sunday 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. James Schiller, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Thomas Cant, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Mat Croker

Interchange: 14. Jaiyden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson, 16. Jermaine McEwen, 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan

Players cut: 20 Jack Cogger 21 Matt Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. James Schiller returns from concussion on the wing.

Coach Adam O’Brien has switched up his spine yet again with Tyson Gamble returning from a back injury in the No. 7, Phoenix Crossland reverting to hooker and Jack Cogger (hand) named on an extended bench after missing last week.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru

Players cut: 19. Jayden Berrell 21. Billy Burns 22. Jesse Colquhoun

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Addin Fonua-Blake must prove his fitness after picking up a groin niggle against Manly.

WESTS TIGERS V EELS

Monday 4pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Coach Benji Marshall axed wantaway Lachlan Galvin on Tuesday, although he trained with the squad on Thursday.

Jarome Luai switches to five-eighth with Adam Doueihi to play halfback.

Brent Naden returns to the NRL at centre after easing back from a knee injury in NSW Cup last week.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Brendan Hands 22. Jordan Samrani

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Mitchell Moses makes a welcome return from a foot injury for his first game of the year.

Prop Jack Williams is also named to return ahead of schedule from a knee injury.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 7: Addin Fonua-Blake set to play, Titans lose David Fifita and Jayden Campbell