NRL 2021 Late Mail: Latest team news and updates for round 20

A NSW under-18’s and Perth Nines attacking machine will debut for the Cronulla Sharks against the Sea Eagles tonight.

NSW under-18’s attack machine and Cronulla local junior Luke Metcalf will make his NRL debut on Monday night.

In a long-awaited and timely call-up, Metcalf has been selected to make his first grade debut against Manly — the club he spent three years with before switching back to the Sharks this season.

He is originally from Coffs Harbour before playing for De La Salle junior footy club — the same Shire footy club as Cronulla greats Andrew Ettingshausen and Adam Dykes.

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Luke Metcalf during the 2020 NRL Nines for Manly (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Metcalf played all his lower grade football with the Sharks before being scouted to the Sea Eagles after guiding the Sharks to the SG Ball grand final in 2017 where he topped the competition point-scorers’ list, scoring 138 of the Sharks’ 320 regular-season tally.

That year, Metcalf was picked in the NSW Under-18s side and scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ 35-28 victory over Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

With Manly, the attacking half or fullback, sustained an unfortunate ACL injury in 2019 that kept him out for the year.

Metcalf began 2020 in sizzling style when he was given an opportunity to play for Manly in the NRL Nines tournament in Perth.

He scored two tries on debut and was named in the team of the tournament.

Metcalf is expected to make his debut from the interchange bench with centre Jesse Ramien to be ruled out due to illness.

Luke Metcalf for the NSW Under-18s in 2017. Picture: Brett Costello

BULLDOGS V TITANS

Monday 2 August, Suncorp Stadium, 6:00pm

Bulldogs: 1. Corey Allan, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Aaron Schoupp, 5. Jayden Okunbor, 6. Jake Averillo, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Jack Hetherington, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, , 15. Dylan Napa 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Adam Elliott, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Oro, 17. Matt Doorey, 23. Renouf Atoni

Reserves: 20. Joe Stimson, 21. Chris Patolo, 22, Falakiko Manu

Players cut: 10. Luke Thompson, 16. Ava Seumanufagai, 19. Lachlan Lewis,

Late mail: The Bulldogs will be without Luke Thompson after he was unsuccessful at judiciary on Tuesday night. Dylan Napa starts at prop, Renouf Atoni comes on to the interchange and Joe Stimson is expected to join him though that has not yet been confirmed. Ava Semanufagai (concussion) is out. Adam Elliott returns from a cheekbone injury after training this week which will see Josh Jackson shift back to the middle role after Jackson played out on edge the last two weeks.

Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Beau Fermor, 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Jamal Fogarty

Players cut: 19. Sam Stone, 20. Anthony Don

Late mail: The Titans will receive a massive boost with captain Jamal Fogarty set to recover from compound finger injury leaving coach Justin Holbrook to make a big call as to whether he drops Ash Taylor and continues with rookie Toby Sexton after Sexton was impressive on debut last weekend. Brian Kelly is in doubt due to an ankle injury which forced him from the field last week and needs to pass a fitness test to play. Mitch Rein passed game day HIA on weekend, he trained this week and will play. Sam Stone and Anthony Don were the two players omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Jesse Ramien is out due to an ear infection (Photo by Regi Varghese/Getty Images)

SHARKS V SEA EAGLES

Monday 2 August, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 8:05pm

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Will Chambers, 12. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Connor Tracey, 7. Braydon Trindall, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 16. Jack Williams, 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 15. Royce Hunt, 17. Andrew Fifita, 19. Luke Metcalf

Reserves: 20. Billy Magoulias, 21. Jonaiah Lualua

Players cut: 4. Jesse Ramien, 18. Matt Moylan

Late mail: Jesse Ramien (ear infection) is out. He is replaced at centre by Siosifa Talakai, with Jack Williams coming into the starting back row and Luke Metcalf to debut from the bench. Matt Moylan has recovered from a calf injury but was cut from the squad.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Josh Schuster, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Toaofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli, 21. Kurt De Luis

Players cut: 19. Cade Cust, 20. Jack Gosiewski

Late mail: The Sea Eagles have Dylan Walker and Lachlan Croker both in NRL concussion protocols after failing game day HIAs last weekend. Both will need to pass required protocols and get doctor’s clearance to play. Karl Lawton will overcome corked thigh to play after he missed last week’s game. Curtis Sironen has finally been named to return from knee injury which has kept him out since round one after he suffered a few setbacks in rehab.

Originally published as NRL 2021 Late Mail: Latest team news and updates for round 20