Souths drop second selection bombshell as Origin star set to be dumped

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are set to drop another selection bombshell with a State of Origin star to be dumped after two games.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs looks on during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Souths coach Jason Demetriou is set for another selection bombshell with Damien Cook to be benched for their clash with the Roosters in Friday night.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Cook is set to switch to the pine in favour of Siliva Havili starting at dummyhalf.

It’s another huge call from Demetriou who already axed halfback Lachlan Ilias after the Bunnies lost their opening two games of the season.

Havili impressed off the bench in the Rabbitohs loss to the Broncos in Round 2.

It’s set to be a major blow for Cook who is the incumbent Blues hooker.

Broncos superstar Payne Haas, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the grand final rematch against the Panthers on Thursday night after losing the race to recover from a knee injury.

It’s a significant blow for a Broncos side who were already going to be without halfback Adam Reynolds (knee).

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“Payne won’t be playing tomorrow night,” Walters told reporters at Broncos training.

“He still has some problems with his knee so we the doctors will have a look at it this afternoon and give us a better diagnosis about where he’s at.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters signalled over the weekend that Haas was in some doubt after he didn’t train on Sunday.

Haas was given every chance to recover and prove his fitness, but as Walters revealed on Wednesday, the prop’s knee pain was too much to overcome even though an MRI showed no issue.

Read on for all the Late Mail out of Round 3!

THURSDAY MARCH 21

Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos at BlueBet Stadium, 8pm AEDT

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Soni Luke

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 15. Fletcher Baker 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Xavier Willison 19. Tristan Sailor

Late Mail: Payne Haas has been ruled out for the Broncos after suffering a knee injury against Souths last week. Haas re-entered the game after the injury but pulled up sore over the weekend, and didn’t train on Sunday. Just two rounds into the season, coach Kevin Walters said the Broncos have decided to err on the side of caution. “We always have our players’ welfare first and foremost from a medical point of view so we will do that for Payno,” he said. “No one likes missing games and Payne is very competitive... He feels he is letting the team down but he’s not, in actual fact he’s doing the right thing. “We pulled him out to get his knee looked at properly and see what the issue is. “He didn’t feel 100 per cent today. He is a key player for us so we will play him when he is fit.” Walters was asked whether Haas could face longer than one week on the sideline. He answered: “He could be, but we will be relying on the medical advice. He will see some specialists and speak with our own doctor Matt Hislop on the process of getting him back to play.”

“He still has some problems with his knee so we will get the doctor to look at it and see how we go.

“It’s a knee injury of some sort, that’s as far as I go with it and then the doctors will explain to me a bit later on the technicalities of it all.”

Walters also revealed who will come into the side to replace Haas, with a young prop to make his first start for the Broncos.

“Xavier Willison comes into the 17 and he is a terrific prospect for us. We’ll probably start Fletcher Baker, who is a first time starter for the club,” Walters said. “Fletch was a key off-season signing for us (from Roosters) as a middle forward and he’s been very solid for us so far.”

FRIDAY MARCH 22

NZ Warriors vs Canberra Raiders at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 6pm AEDT

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker 18. Adam Pompey 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Jacob Laban 23. Chanel Harris-Tavita

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Zac Hosking 17. Pasami Saulo 18. James Schiller 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ata Mariota 21. Trey Mooney 22. Zac Woolford

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, 8pm AEDT

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Billy Smith 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Souths team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Sean Keppie 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Richard Kennar

Players cut:

Late Mail: Damien Cook is set to switch to the pine in favour of Siliva Havili starting at dummyhalf, according to The SMH. It follows the axing of halfback Lachlan Ilias after just two games. Dean Hawkins has come into the side to replace him.

SATURDAY MARCH 23

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans, 3pm AEDT

Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Kitione Kautoga 23. Chris Patolo

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Jaimin Jolliffe 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Joe Stimson 19. Harley Smith-Shields 20. Jacob Alick 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Josiah Pahulu

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 5:30pm AEDT

Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jesse Marschke 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Viliami Fifita 18. Christian Tuipulotu 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Mathew Feagai 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Alec Tuitavake

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Wests Tigers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Leichardt Oval, 7:35pm AEDT

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Brent Naden

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Jack Williams 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Royce Hunt 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

SUNDAY MARCH 24

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles, CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm AEDT

Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Morgan Harper 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Daejarn Asi

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Tommy Talau 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm, McDonald Jones Stadium, 6:15pm AEDT

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Mathew Croker 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Jackson Hastings

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kane Bradley 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Jack Howarth 21. Marion Seve 22. Shawn Blore

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Originally published as Souths drop second selection bombshell as Origin star set to be dumped