NRL Late Mail ahead of round three: Last-minute team news and gossip
JOSH Dugan is a certain starter for the Dragons in Sunday’s clash against the Rabbitohs after recovery from a hamstring injury.
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JOSH Dugan is a certain starter for the Dragons in Sunday’s clash against the Rabbitohs after recovery from a hamstring injury.
“Josh got through the full session, which is really pleasing,” said coach Paul McGregor, who confirmed Dugan would play fullback.
Kurt Mann (ankle) is racing the clock, but would play for the Illawarra Cutters. “If he’s fit to play, he’ll definitely play in the NSW Cup,” McGregor said. “I spoke to him about that and he’s really keen to get back on the footy field, which is a great sign. He’s only a young kid. There is a lot of good football ahead of that young kid.”
In horror news for SuperCoaches, Gold Coast young gun Nathan Davis has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash against the Tigers due to a shoulder injury. John Olive is set to come into the 17.
At the Eels, Kieran Foran has been cleared of an ongoing hamstring injury and will take his place for Parramatta against local rivals Canterbury on Friday night.
Foran didn’t train all week as he battled a mystery hamstring complaint, but he completed Thursday’s captain’s run to prove his fitness.
At Penrith, Waqa Blake (cork) is set to be ruled out, while Te Marie Martin, James Fisher-Harris and Leilani Latu have all trained with the NRL squad this week and could come into contention.
The Broncos trained strongly on Friday morning and will start 1-17. Anthony Milford (groin) has been cleared and will take his place at five-eighth.
COWBOYS V ROOSTERS
8.05pm AEDT Thursday at 1300SMILES Stadium
Cowboys: The Cowboys are set to roll out their grand final team for the third week in a row, although hooker Jake Granville has been named to start after he began on the bench against the Eels last week.
Roosters: The full squad is fit, with no changes expected. Daniel Tupou (ankle) is battling an ongoing injury, but will play.
BULLDOGS V EELS
8.05pm AEDT Friday at ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: Prop David Klemmer is free to play after being cleared at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night. Aiden Tolman (concussion) and Chase Stanley (hamstring) are both right to return, with the Bulldogs to be unchanged.
Eels: Parramatta captain Kieran Foran (hamstring) will play. He proved his fitness in Thursday’s captain’s run — his only training session of the week. No changes expected, with Manu Ma’u (suspension) not named.
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KNIGHTS V RAIDERS
5.30pm AEDT Saturday at Hunter Stadium
Knights: Coach Nathan Brown has reshuffled Newcastle’s backline and will blood yet another debutant this weekend. Teenage rookie Cory Denniss will become the sixth Newcastle player to make his NRL debut in the opening three rounds when he replaces injured winger Akuila Uate. Brown has dumped fullback Jaelen Feeney, with Dane Gagai moving to fullback and brothers Sione Mata’utia and Pat Mata’utia to partner up in the centres. With Sione Mata’utia set to start the game, prop Pauli Pauli, who was named as 18th man, will come on to the bench.
Raiders: No changes. The full squad is fit, with Shaun Fensom (concussion) and Lachlan Croker (shoulder) cleared. Croker could have come back on last week but was held back by coach Ricky Stuart. Brenko Lee has been named at centre in place of Joey Leilua (suspension).
PANTHERS V BRONCOS
7.30pm AEDT Saturday at Pepper Stadium
Panthers - Updated 12.20pm Friday: Young gun Waqa Blake (cork) didn’t train on Friday and is set to be ruled out, although coach Anthony Griffin says he will be given until the last minute. Te Marie Martin, James Fisher-Harris and Leilani Latu have all trained with the top squad this week, so don’t be surprised if there are late inclusions. Matt Moylan (back) would play this week if it was a big end-of-season game, but is unlikely to be risked this early in the year.
Broncos - Updated 10.30am Friday: The Broncos trained strongly on Friday morning and will start 1-17. Anthony Milford (groin) has been cleared and will take his place at five-eighth. Darius Boyd, Jordan Kahu, Josh McGuire, Alex Glenn and James Roberts all trained on modified programs this week but are certain starters.
TITANS V TIGERS
9.30pm AEDT Saturday at CBus Super Stadium
Titans - Updated 10.30am Friday:Young gun Nathan Davis (shoulder) will be replaced in the backline by John Olive. 18th man Eddy Pettybourne (cork) is also fit. Will Zillman (calf) will miss at least another week.
Tigers: No changes expected from the team named on Tuesday. However, there is plenty of injury news at the Tigers. Robbie Farah (knee) is aiming to return next week. Curtis Sironen (hamstring) will miss a month. Matt Ballin has set his sights on round 10. Justin Hunt (back) has earmarked round five, which is key SuperCoach information for owners of Jordan Rankin, who was competing with Hunt for a wing spot during the pre-season.
WARRIORS V STORM
2pm AEDT Sunday at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: Gun forward Ben Matulino is free to play after being cleared of a shoulder charge at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night. Manu Vatuvei (ribs) is likely to be ruled out, opening the door for Jonathan Wright or Konrad Hurrell. Blake Ayshford (concussion) has passed testing so far.
Storm:No changes expected, with Billy Slater (shoulder) ruled out for the rest of the season.
DRAGONS V RABBITOHS
4pm AEDT Sunday at Sydney Cricket Ground
Dragons - Updated 3pm Friday: Origin star Josh Dugan (hamstring) has been cleared an will play fullback, with no changes expected. Kurt Mann (ankle) is racing the clock, but would play for the Illawarra Cutters.
Rabbitohs: No changes. The ongoing injury to Greg Inglis (knee) has flared up in recent weeks, but he will play.
SEA EAGLES V SHARKS
7pm AEDT Monday at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: Star fullback Brett Stewart (hamstring) expects to finally take the field for the first time this season. He has fitness tests on Friday and Sunday and would come into the side for Brayden Wiliame, with Tom Trbojevic pushing to the wing. “Fingers crossed I’ll be right for Monday, everything’s going to plan but I’ve got a fitness test on Friday and over the weekend, so I won’t be pushing it,” Stewart said. “If it’s not ready, it’s not ready. It’s a long season, it’s only round three.”
Sharks: No changes expected, with Chris Heighington (suspension) to return and Paul Gallen (knee) aiming for a three-week turnaround.
Originally published as NRL Late Mail ahead of round three: Last-minute team news and gossip
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