NRL 2022: Sea Eagles send SOS to rep player not seen since 2019

The Panthers have suffered a double blow and the Sea Eagles have dug deep in a bumper team list Tuesday for Round 20.

Des Hasler has scrambled to name a squad this week. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The Sea Eagles have named two debutants on the wing for Thursday’s crucial clash with the Roosters after the club scrambled to name a team after seven players opted to boycott Manly’s Pride jersey.

Pio Seci and Alfred Smalley face the daunting task of going up against the Roosters’ elite backline, while Taniela Paseka and Kurt De Luis form a new-look starting front row.

The Sea Eagles only named 20 players instead of the usual squad of 22 with Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Tolutau Koula, Josh Aloiai, Haumole Olakau‘atu, Toafofoa Sipley and Josh Schuster all withdrawing from the game.

Jason Saab won’t be there on Thursday night. Picture: NRL Photos

In some much needed good news for the club, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and Andrew Davey are all back after missing last week’s loss to the Dragons because of Covid-19.

The club has also handed a lifeline to James Segeyaro, who will play his first NRL game since 2019 off the bench.

Thursday’s match has massive top-eight implications and the Roosters have received a huge boost with star centre Joseph Manu set to return from a quad injury, while Lindsay Collins is back after sitting out due to concussion protocols.

The Panthers have suffered a double blow ahead of the battle of the west with Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton both ruled out of Friday’s showdown with the Eels, who handed them their only loss earlier in the year.

Luai has a knee injury and is facing several weeks out in the run to the finals, while Crichton will miss the Round 20 fixture after a chunk of his ear was ripped off in a wild tackle by Cronulla’s Dale Finucane.

Jarome Luai hopes to be back before the finals. Picture: Matt Blyth / Getty Images

Sean O’Sullivan will slot into the halves while journeyman Robert Jennings gets a rare game in the centres.

The Broncos are still without winger Selwyn Cobbo after he was knocked out in the opening minutes of the State of Origin decider, but they are set to unleash exciting rookie Deine Mariner at left centre in place of Brenko Lee, who has dropped back to the reserves.

Tex Hoy looks set to wear the Knights’ No.1 jersey for the rest of the season with Kalyn Ponga unlikely to play again after his latest head knock.

Tex Hoy will get first crack at the fullback jersey. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

There could be some late changes to Newcastle’s side with Dom Young, Kurt Mann and Jake Clifford all listed in the reserves.

The entertaining Bulldogs have received a boost with fullback Jake Averillo fully fit after a week off with Covid. Talented back-rower Jackson Topine will play his first game of 2022 in place of the injured Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

Dragons fans hoping to see Tyrell Sloan have got their wish, but it comes with a catch.

The flashy fullback returns for the first time since he was dropped after the Round 10 loss to the Titans but he’ll come off the bench for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Veteran Moses Mbye has been named at the back.

Tyrell Sloan is back, but he won’t start. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Sunday’s game at Kogarah could also see the return of North Queensland’s Reuben Cotter. The bustling ball of energy hasn’t been seen since he hurt his hamstring just moments before the Round 15 win over Manly.

And Melbourne’s hopes of luring Reece Walsh across the ditch appear over after he was named at fullback for the Warriors.

The Storm want him to come across as a loan player before the August 1 deadline as they look to snap a four-game losing streak.