NRL Round 1 Late Mail: Team changes and gossip ahead of weekend action
GOLD Coast fullback William Zillman will not take the field in Sunday’s clash with the Knights opening the door for Supercoach cheapie John Olive.
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GOLD Coast fullback William Zillman will not take the field in Sunday’s clash with the Knights opening the door for Supercoach cheapie John Olive.
Olive will come on to the wing with David Mead shifting to fullback.
Zillman picked up a calf injury in the Gold Coast’s trial loss to South Sydney a fortnight ago.
Olive only joined the Titans on Monday after being released by South Sydney but the 19-year-old will be rushed into the clash at Cbus Super Stadium.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind start for him,” said coach Neil Henry.
“Zilly could play at a pinch but getting out 80 minutes would be a real risk for him.
“Meady likes the opportunity to bring the ball back from there.”
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EELS v BRONCOS
8.05pm AEDT Thursday at Pirtek Stadium
Eels: Star recruit Kieran Foran (hamstring) is almost certain to miss his first game as Parramatta skipper. Foran trained on Thursday but is likely to be ruled out ahead of kick-off on Thursday night. “It’s unlikely,” Eels coach Brad Arthur told The Daily Telegraph. “He’s got tightness there, there’s no strain, no tear, but we’re not prepared to run a risk with him if he’s not 100 per cent.” Arthur claimed that Luke Kelly — not Mitch Cornish — would be promoted should Foran withdraw.
Broncos: Last year’s runners-up are expected to line up as named, with English recruit Greg Eden to debut on the wing. Centre Jack Reed (shoulder)will make his return from off-season surgery this weekend for Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup, while Ben Hunt (suspension) returns after missing the World Club Series. Sam Thaiday will play from the bench as a super sub — a deliberate tactic from Wayne Bennett under the new interchange rules.
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SEA EAGLES v BULLDOGS
8.05pm AEDT Friday at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: Manly coach Trent Barrett will give superstar fullback Brett Stewart (hamstring) until an hour before kick off to prove his fitness. Tom Trbojevic (ankle) will move from the wing into the custodian role for Manly if Stewart is ruled out, with the youngster having recovered from an injury of his own. Barrett said either Halauafu Lavaka or Fabian Goodall would then move on to Trbojevic’s wing. Feleti Mateo (ankle) is likely to be ruled out, with Siosaia Vave to come onto the bench. Hooking duo Matt Parcell (hamstring) and Apisai Koroisau (shoulder) have been cleared to return.
Bulldogs: New recruit Will Hopoate will wear the No. 1 jersey following the injury to Brett Morris (knee, round 16). Hopoate (knee) and Moses Mbye (glute) are certain starters after missing the final trial, while James Graham (concussion/ribs) has also been cleared. Rookie Brad Abbey trained and trialled with the first-grade side in the pre-season but coach Des Hasler said he was “no chance” of making a round one debut, although he wasn’t far away from earning his first call-up.
RAIDERS v PANTHERS
3pm AEDT Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: The full squad trained on Thursday with no injury concerns. Blake Austin (shoulder) and Shaun Fensom (broken arm) have been cleared after missing the trials.
Panthers: Penrith coach Anthony Griffin has dropped a selection bombshell by dropping Kiwi international Elijah Taylor to reserve grade for round one.
Taylor is expected to make way for rookie James Fisher-Harris, who will make his debut in Saturday’s season-opener against Canberra. Dean Whare (calf) wasn’t named. He is back running, but not doing any contact. Matt Moylan (back) is aiming for round two or three.
TIGERS v WARRIORS
5.30pm AEDT Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium
Tigers: No changes expected. Here’s an important note for Jordan Rankin owners in SuperCoach; the Tigers have not yet set a return date for wing rival Justin Hunt (back) but he is not expected to be out long term.
Warriors:Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ribs) is right to go following an injury in the final trial. Likewise, Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman will play despite missing the last warm-up match, with the Warriors to be unchanged.
COWBOYS v SHARKS
7.30pm AEDT Saturday at 1300SMILES STADIUM
Cowboys: No changes, with the Cowboys to field the same side that won the World Club Challenge, which is the same side that won the 2015 NRL grand final.
Sharks: The full squad is fit, including 18th man Gerard Beale (hamstring). No changes expected.
ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
4pm AEDT Sunday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Winger Daniel Tupou (ankle) is in doubt and set to be replaced by Joe Burgess. Shaun Kenny-Dowall is right to play following his court aquittal on Monday. Mitchell Pearce (disciplinary) has been suspended for eight weeks, giving SuperCoach cheapie Jayden Nikorima a long run in the halves.
Rabbitohs: No changes expected, with Adam Reynolds (foot) a certain starter following an off-season injury.
TITANS v KNIGHTS
6.30pm AEDT Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans (Updated 3.15pm Friday): Will Zillman (calf) is out. He will be replaced at fullback by David Mead, with John Olive to score a wing spot. Ashley Taylor (shoulder) and Josh Hoffman (knee) are right to go following pre-season injuries. Nene Macdonald (knee) is aiming for round three.
Knights: Newcastle will take 19 players, with six set to make their debuts. Lachlan Fitzgibbon has been named in No. 16 due to a jersey size drama, but he is actually the 18th man and therefore unlikely to play.
STORM v DRAGONS
7pm AEDT Monday at AAMI Park
Storm: Billy Slater (shoulder) was considered unlikely a week ago, but has made some big strides since and is set to play. Ben Hampton has been named in the 17, but expect him to drop out. He was named as cover for Slater. Cameron Munster (knee) wasn’t named. He started running last week and is only a long shot of an early return on Monday.
Dragons: Set to be unchanged.
Originally published as NRL Round 1 Late Mail: Team changes and gossip ahead of weekend action
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