NRL Early Mail Round 10, 2020: Predicted team list changes
This edition of Early Mail is way too crazy to sum up in a standfirst. Let’s just say we have the most high-profile suspension list of the year, plus the biggest injury list of the year, plus two COVID breaches.
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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has dismissed concerns over Tesi Niu and Xavier Coates with the Brisbane young guns to be cleared of injury for this Friday night’s clash against Wests Tigers in Sydney.
But the news may not be so positive for rookie three-quarter Herbie Farnworth, who could join David Fifita, Alex Glenn, Matt Lodge, Kotoni Staggs and Jake Turpin in the casualty ward for the round 10 clash at Leichhardt Oval.
Farnworth suffered a cork in Brisbane’s 26-8 defeat of the Bulldogs last Saturday night and will have a fitness test on Thursday to determine if he will take his place in the centres for the Tigers showdown.
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Coates trained with a red-coloured bib on today, signalling no contact for the winger, while Niu appeared to suffer an injury when he walked off at the end of training looking somewhat distressed, prompting halfback Brodie Croft to put his arm around the fullback.
But Seibold has no doubt the duo will play and will name them in his 21-man squad today, although the jury remains out on Farnworth.
“Tesi is all good,” he said.
“We have had a few corks and he is one of three or four guys who got a cork last week against the Dogs.
“Xavier had the red bib on, but he got through training fine and he will be OK.
“Tesi got through training as well and went off for a bit treatment, but there’s no concerns with him. He did every minute of the session, so Tesi will play.
“The most concern is Herbie, he did some run-throughs.
“Herbie will do a fitness test on Thursday, so I’ve got Richie Kennar on standby (if Farnworth is ruled out).”
The 14th-placed Broncos can ill-afford to lose more key troops as they desperately try to keep their season alive by beating the Tigers after snapping a six-match losing streak against the Bulldogs last week.
With skipper Glenn sidelined for the next six weeks with a knee injury, veteran mid-season recruit Ben Te’o is set to start in the back row against the Tigers club that handed him his NRL debut in 2007.
Broncos rookie hooker Cory Paix said Te’o’s experience and toughness would be vital on Brisbane’s left edge.
“He definitely brings a lot of leadership,” he said.
“Ben stood up the most when he first came to the club and helped us young boys with a lot of information about the game and how it helps you go about your business. He has stepped up and he will come into the side and do a job there. He is a great player with a lot of experience so he will go well.
“He is a big body and very aggressive. As a nine I will look to use him on the short edges, he is very threatening there in the back row so I’m sure most halves wouldn’t want to tackle him.”
—Peter Badel
Meanwhile the Tigers are set to swing the axe on star halfback Luke Brooks, according to Fox Sports reports, with Billy Walters and Benji Marshall set to feature in the halves.
Tigers coach Maguire has long maintained he will select the side based on form and also players being strong defenders.
Brooks missed nine tackles in the Tigers loss to Rabbitohs, a statistic which would have left coach Maguire fuming.
Benji Marshall returned to the side from the bench in Round 9 after a four week stint on the sidelines and now it appears Brooks will be the next casualty of Maguire’s hard line stance.
South Sydney will turn to rookie winger Jaxson Paulo for this weekend’s clash with Newcastle.
With Latrell Mitchell facing suspension and Campbell Graham out for at least a week with a cheekbone injury, the Rabbitohs will hand the 20-year old Paulo his NRL debut.
Paulo joined the Bunnies from Gold Coast last year and has scored seven tries in seven reserve grade appearances since.
A product of renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park High School, Paulo has also played Under 18s for New Zealand.
—Nick Campton
Little-known Kincumber Colts hooker Tom Starling will be parachuted into the grand final re-match for the Raiders as they reel from a shocking injury-toll.
Starling will be named in Ricky Stuart’s 17-man squad to face the Roosters on Thursday night following the devastating loss of Josh Hodgson (knee).
Starling, the former Newcastle Knights SG Ball Player of the Year, is set to make his fourth NRL appearance, having last played for the Raiders in their 22-20 win over Cronulla in round 14 last year.
Experienced utility Siliva Havilii will start the match at hooker.
—David Riccio
In other news:
* Latrell Mitchell has been suspended for two weeks and is therefore a must-sell.
* Potential buy of year Harry Grant set to return to 80 minutes following Josh Reynolds’ suspension.
* Mitchell Moses “touch and go”.
* Star cheapies Jake Averillo and Stefano Utoikamanu stood down over COVID fears.
* Injury to Valentine Holmes (ankle) locks in star cheapie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for fullback spot and more huge price rises.
* Kalyn Ponga is set to play despite another concussion.
ROOSTERS V RAIDERS
Roosters: The injury toll is mounting with Brett Morris suffering groin injury in warm up of Cowboys game last Thursday. He has been cleared of serious injury but joins Sam Verrills (ACL), Victor Radley (ACL), Billy Smith (ACL), Isaac Liu (ribs) and Daniel Tupou (syndesmosis) on the injury list. Boyd Cordner will return after missing Cowboys game due to concussion. But the Roosters could be without Jake Friend due to concussion which could see Lachlan Lam start at hooker and rookie hooker Freddy Lussick come onto bench. Sitili Topouniua suffered a knock late in the game and could be in some doubt. Jared Waerea-Hargeaves didn’t return after leaving the field last weekend with no word of injury.
Raiders: On a five-day turnaround and will be without Josh Hodgson after he suffered an ACL injury in Storm game on weekend. This will see Siliva Havili start at hooker with Tom Starling coming onto bench to provide impact out of dummy half against tired defence or Sam Williams another option. Bailey Simonsson suffered a shoulder injury on the weekend which will see Jordan Rapana start on wing with Curtis Scott expected to be recalled to the bench.
Significant concern for an ACL injury for Josh Hodgson; change of direction, non-contact, knee collapses in & can see tibia (lower leg bone) shift forward during mechanism. Fingers crossed video lies (best case MCL/meniscus) but doesn’t look good #NRLRaidersStorm pic.twitter.com/laDhvhjIF0
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 11, 2020
STORM V TITANS
Storm: Ryley Jacks and Jesse Bromwich are in doubt after they both suffered knee injuries in Raiders game on the weekend. Felise Kaufusi will return after missing the game due to minor knee swelling. Tom Eisenhuth suffered a hamstring injury in warm up on weekend and will join Suliasi Vunivalu on the injury list with hamstring injuries. Tui Kamikamica is closing in on returning from hamstring/back issues. Paul Momirovski will continue on right wing with Brenko Lee at right centre. Cameron Munster is an outside chance of returning from a knee injury but I doubt the Storm will risk him given the game is against the Titans.
Titans: Keegan Hipgrave is expected to be ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury on weekend. He copped a knock early in game and played on but was carrying shoulder until he left field which could see either Bryce Cartwright or Beau Fermor returning to 2RF with either Brian Kelly (quad) or Dale Copley (ankle) returning from injury. Ash Taylor will be monitored during the week after failing game day HIA. He will need to pass required protocols to play with Tyrone Roberts to come into the side if Taylor is ruled out. Jai Arrow suffered a recurrence of a rib injury on weekend that he has been managing. He will have a light week but should be fit to play. Kevin Proctor is a week or two away after a bicep injury.
TIGERS V BRONCOS
Tigers: Will be without Josh Reynolds after he was charged with a grade two dangerous contact charge for a kick to Campbell Graham’s head. He will miss two weeks unless he fights the charge at the judiciary. Reynolds’ likely suspension will see Benji Marshall return to the starting side. Chris Lawrence is expected to retain the right centre position. Sam McIntyre should return to the bench after missing the game on Friday due to concussion. Tommy Talau suffered tightness to the hamstring at captain’s run, allowing Reece Hoffman to debut, and could come back into the team.
Broncos: Will be without Alex Glenn after he suffered a knee injury in the Bulldogs game which will keep him out for 6-8 weeks. Matt Lodge (knee), David Fifita (knee), Jake Turpin (broken leg), Jesse Arthurs (broken leg) and Kotoni Staggs (hamstring) will all need to prove fitness to be named. Joe Ofahenguae returns after missing the last two games due to suspension. Test Niu copped a knock to the ankle on the weekend. He was able to run off the injury but could be in some doubt.
DRAGONS V BULLDOGS
Dragons: Came through the Sea Eagles game with no injuries and should name the same 17 provided Jordan Pereira isn’t suspended after being put on report for late tackle on weekend. Jacob Host is fit for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury. New signing Kaide Ellis could be named on the extended bench after officially signing with the Dragons on Monday.
Bulldogs: Could be without Reimis Smith after he was charged with a grade one dangerous contact charge for his tackle on Alex Glenn. He would need to be found not guilty at the judiciary to play with Kerrod Holland to come into the side after Jake Averillo was stood down for a COVID breach. Renouf To’omaga suffered a shoulder injury on the weekend which will rule him out with Chris Smith an option to come onto the bench after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the All Stars game earlier in the year. Dean Britt missed the game on the weekend due to a back injury.
Bulldogs centre Jake Averillo will go into isolation and be unable to train or play until Sunday 19th July, due to his parents having visited the Crossroads Hotel in Casula on Sunday July 5. Averillo lives at home with them.
— Dean Ritchie (@BulldogRitchie) July 13, 2020
RABBITOHS V KNIGHTS
Rabbitohs: Will be without Latrell Mitchell after he took early guilty plea after being charged with a grade two striking charge for a hit on Josh Reynolds. This will see Alex Johnston move to fullback with Corey Allan coming onto the wing. Mark Nicholls, who was a late inclusion in Tigers game after Liam Knight suffered an Achilles injury in warm up that is expected to rule him out for the season, was charged with a grade two dangerous contact charge for a tackle on Josh Aloiai. A plea is still to be entered but he’s looking at two weeks out unless he gets off or is downgraded at judiciary, with either Keaon Koloamatangi or Kurt Dillon to come onto the bench. Damien Cook (shoulder), Campbell Graham (HIA) and Ethan Lowe (knock) should all be right to be named.
Knights: Expected to welcome back Mitch Barnett (back), Tim Glasby (concussion), Sione Mata’utia (concussion) and Connor Watson (ankle). Mitchell Pearce (knee), Herman Ese’ese (cork) and Kalyn Ponga (HIA) should all be OK with main concerns out of game over injuries to Brodie Jones (pectoral) and Daniel Saifiti (knee) after both failed to finish.
SEA EAGLES V EELS
Sea Eagles: Coach Des Hasler switched things up late on weekend with Brendan Elliot starting at fullback, Reuben Garrick back to wing and Cade Cust in halves. They didn’t have any success against the Dragons but I would expect Hasler to run with the same set up. Moses Suli was hampered on the weekend due to a hamstring injury and is in some doubt which could see Tevita Funa return after dropping out of the team last weekend. Morgan Boyle suffered a groin injury early in the game on the weekend and if ruled out Corey Waddell would return after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Eels: Mitchell Moses is touch and go as he recovers from a calf injury. Coach Brad Arthur has the luxury of giving him another week due to the Eels position on the table and it’s expected he will return the week after against Tigers. Waqa Blake was placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Kalyn Ponga and if charged could be missing. Junior Paulo suffered back spasms during the game on the weekend and that was the reason for limited minutes. Rookie Stefano Utoikamanu only saw limited game time on weekend but breached COVID-19 protocols with NRL still to advise if he will be forced to miss any games.
WARRIORS V SHARKS
Warriors: Should welcome return of Kodi Nikorima after he missed the game on weekend due to concussion, while rookie Eliesa Katoa also makes a comeback from an ankle injury. Nikorima will start at five-eighth with Katoa next to him on the left edge, which will see Karl Lawton drop back to the bench with Chanel Harris-Tavita, who suffered shoulder injury on weekend, set to drop out of 17. Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu’a, King Vuniyayawa and Agnatius Paasi are all expected to return home to New Zealand due to personal reasons after this game after the NRL failed to receive exemptions from government for their families to travel to Australia.
Sharks: Will be without Andrew Fifita after he failed to finish the game on weekend due to a hamstring injury with either Billy Magoulias or Scott Sorensen to come onto the bench. Ronaldo Mulitalo should return from a knee injury replacing Nene Macdonald on the wing. Siosifa Talakai failed game day HIA and will need to pass required protocols to play. Bryson Goodwin and Sione Katoa both passed game day HIAs and will be monitored but both should be fit to be named.
PANTHERS V COWBOYS
Panthers: Nathan Cleary (ankle), Liam Martin (shoulder) and Tyrone May (elbow) are all in some doubt after suffering minor injuries in the Sharks game. James Tamou passed game day HIA but will be monitored. Zane Tetevano (back) and Dean Whare (toe) could come into contention for selection.
Valentine Holmes won’t return tonight after aggravation of ankle injury. Can see below, foot gets stuck in turf & externally rotates (turns out). Classic movement that can cause syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain). Quite innocuous though so likely he wasn’t playing at 100% pic.twitter.com/m90g7yV1b1
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 9, 2020
Cowboys: Come into this game off a 10-day turnaround after a bad home loss to the Roosters. Justin O’Neill is expected to return after missing the Roosters game due to concussion. He would replace Valentine Holmes on the left wing after Holmes re-injured his ankle on Thursday. Scott Drinkwater suffered a knee injury and could be in some doubt with the only other option to play in the halves being Ben Hampton, with Michael Morgan still unavailable. John Asiata is closing in on a return from a knee injury and could be named on the extended bench. Coach Paul Green confirmed leading into the game last week that Jordan McLean is expected to return after missing the last two games due to a calf injury. Peter Hola passed game day HIA and should be fit for selection while Kyle Feldt picked up a knock to the ankle and will be monitored.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 10, 2020: Predicted team list changes