NRL Early Mail Round 2, 2021: Predicted team changes

Moses Mbye will switch positions this week — and popular KFC SuperCoach players Jacob Liddle and Daine Laurie will be impacted greatly.

Mawene Hiroti is set to be included in the Sharks 21-man squad as a direct replacement for Jesse Ramien, who is facing a three to four week ban for a high tackle charge.

Hiroti, 22, played two NRL games last season for the Sharks after moving to the club from South Sydney.

Boasting genuine pace, an NRL start against the Raiders on Sunday night would be Hiroti’s eighth NRL appearance.

Wacko’s Whispers predicts all the NRL teams changes for Round 2.

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EELS V STORM

Thurs 18 Mar, Bankwest Stadium, 8:05pm

Eels: Came through win over the Broncos relatively injury free with only concern being Keegan Hipgrave who copped a knock and could be in some doubt. Marata Niukore will return after missing the opening game due to suspension. He would come onto the bench for either Hipgrave if not fit or Will Smith who only played three minutes against the Broncos.

Storm: No changes expected to the 17 that won the opening game against the Rabbitohs. Tui Kamikamica passed gameday HIA and should be fit to play with Storm looking to improve their right side defence.

WARRIORS V KNIGHTS

Fri 19 Mar, Central Coast Stadium, 6:00pm

Warriors: New Zealand’s injury crisis at hooker could get worse with both Wayde Egan and Bayley Sironen failing gameday HIAs and with a six-day turnaround into this clash there will be no leeway as they undergo concussion protocols. If both are ruled out Jazz Tevaga would have to start at hooker with options of Josh Curran or someone like Sean O’Sullivan or Paul Turner coming onto the bench, which could see Kodi Nikorima having to spend time at hooker. Tohu Harris started on the right edge on the weekend, rotating through the lock position with Sironen. Kane Evans (match fitness) and Jack Murchie (pectoral) could come into contention for a bench spot after missing Round 1. Euan Aitken suffered an ankle injury and is in some doubt with Adam Pompey to replace him if ruled out.

Euan Aitken is battling an ankle injury (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images).

Knights: Came out of the win over the Bulldogs with a number of injury concerns with Kurt Mann expected to be ruled out for 4-6 weeks due to a knee injury. Connor Watson is the logical replacement at five-eighth, with Phoenix Crossland the other option after not playing in Round 1 due to off-field issues. Watson suffered a knock to the ankle during the game but was able to run it off after being switched to the bench an hour before kick-off. Bradman Best suffered an injury to his left ankle which forced him from field. If ruled out Gehamat Shibasaki would come in at left centre after dropping out late last week with Hymel Hunt playing on the left wing. Josh King passed gameday HIA and should be fit to be named. Starford To’a suffered a rib/shoulder injury whilst scoring a try on the right wing but was able to play the game out and could be in some doubt. Blake Green won’t return early from an ACL injury.

TITANS V BRONCOS

Fri 19 Mar, Cbus Super Stadium, 8:05pm

Titans: Come into the local derby off a disappointing loss in Round 1 and have lost strike centre Brian Kelly (hand) for at least 2-3 weeks. The injury news has some hoping that Greg Marzhew will finally get his chance in the NRL but it’s not to be with one of the game’s unluckiest players finding an injury of his own.

Broncos: Hit hard by injury in Round 1 and are expected to be without Matt Lodge after he suffered a hamstring injury. Scans are expected to reveal a low grade strain which could see him miss 2-4 weeks with Tom Flegler to start at prop and Rhys Kennedy coming onto the bench. Xavier Coates left the field due to a neck injury, not concussion, and will be monitored. His injury is not considered serious but if out either Jesse Arthars, Dale Copley or even Corey Oates could come onto the wing. John Asiata has been cleared of serious injury after suffering a burner to the shoulder and will also be monitored. David Mead suffered a knock during the game but was able to play out the game and should be fit to play.

BULLDOGS V PANTHERS

Sat 20 Mar, Bankwest Stadium, 3:00pm

Bulldogs: Came through the loss to the Knights with the only concern being around Dylan Napa who suffered a knock to the knee which limited him to one stint. He will need to prove his fitness with Chris Smith, Joe Stimson or Dean Britt options if Napa is ruled out. Jeremy Marshall-King missed the opening game due to a lisfranc injury. He has started rehab running and is an outside chance to return. Brad Deitz passed gameday HIA in his NRL debut and will be fit, although he needs Marshall-King to be ruled out to play in the NRL again unless he gets promoted to the Top 30. Nick Meaney spent the whole game at left centre with Nick Cotric on the left wing which I expect to continue. Cotric (ankle), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (ankle) and Jake Averillo (elbow) all got through the game OK despite Cotric suffering cramps and all should be right to play.

Panthers: Came through their Round 1 win over the Cowboys with a few bumps and bruises with Kurt Capewell (ribs), Dylan Edwards (knock) and Matt Eisenhuth (passed HIA) set to recover with no changes expected to the 17.

PLAY OF THE WEEK! Watch as Matt Dufty burns Cronulla's defence with some spicy footwork 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/zu3x5HpDcA

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) March 15, 2021

SEA EAGLES V RABBITOHS

Sat 20 Mar, Lottoland, 5.30pm

Sea Eagles: Came out of the loss to the Roosters with more questions than answers. Kieran Foran failed to finish due to a corked thigh and is in some doubt with Josh Schuster set to play five-eighth should Foran be ruled out. Dylan Walker’s experiment at fullback wasn’t a success but it is only Round 1 and the more time spent at fullback can only see him get better. Cade Cust had a starring role in NSW Cup on the weekend, scoring a hat trick, and putting pressure on Des Hasler for selection. Tevita Funa also played NSW Cup after getting only limited minutes in first grade with Cust a chance to replace him on the bench. Haumole Olakau’atu suffered a nasty elbow injury in NSW Cup and is expected to miss a number of weeks.

Rabbitohs: Tom Burgess is in doubt after he failed to finish on Thursday due to a shoulder/neck injury which saw him stretchered from the field and taken to hospital. But in some good news released early on Friday morning, he was cleared of serious injury and able to travel with the Rabbitohs’ squad back to Sydney. I expect him to be ruled out which would see Jai Arrow start at prop with Liam Knight, who missed the opening game due to concussion, coming onto the bench. Benji Marshall’s new bench role sees him play as a ball playing middle forward in attack with Cameron Murray on the edge. Then in defence Murray moves to a tight role with Marshall defending on an edge.

COWBOYS V DRAGONS

Sat 20 Mar, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm

Cowboys: The only concern is around Kyle Feldt who suffered a hand injury. He was able to play the game out but will need to be checked before being named. Jordan McLean and Josh McGuire both made successful returns from hamstring injuries after limited pre-seasons.

Dragons: Expected to have one maybe two changes with Corey Norman set to return from suspension. He will start on the left edge at five-eighth with Adam Clune dropping back to the bench and Brayden Wiliame the player to make way. Cody Ramsey left the field due to a left ankle injury and will need to be checked. If ruled out Jordan Periera is the preferred replacement on the left wing. Matt Dufty and Josh Kerr both passed gameday HIAs and should be fit to play while Tariq Sims will also need to be monitored after he left field in the final 15 minutes also for a HIA.

Moses Mbye will move to the bench. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

TIGERS V ROOSTERS

Sun 21 Mar, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 4:05pm

Tigers: Will welcome the return of Adam Doueihi after he missed the opening game due to suspension. He will return at five-eighth which will see Moses Mbye drop to the bench with Tommy Taulau expected to make way. Luke Garner (knee) and James Roberts (shoulder) both failed to finish and could be in some doubt. James Tamou and Stefano Utoikamanu both passed gameday HIAs and will be monitored but should be named.

Roosters: Will be without captain Jake Friend (concussion) which will see Freddy Lussick start at hooker after he was a late withdrawal from NSW Cup on the weekend. Angus Crichton has copped a one-week suspension for a grade one crusher tackle, meaning Egan Butcher will make his NRL debut. Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii both had good games in a losing NSW Cup side and could come into contention. But I expect Sam Verrills if fit or Drew Hutchinson to come onto the bench to provide cover for Lussick at hooker after Adam Keighran was ruled out for 6-8 weeks due to a dislocated elbow.

Angus Crichton is facing suspension. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

SHARKS V RAIDERS

Sun 21 Mar, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 6:15pm

Sharks: Mawene Hiroti is set to be included in the Sharks 21-man squad as a direct replacement for Jesse Ramien, who is facing a three to four week ban for a high tackle charge. Hiroti, 22, played two NRL games last season for the Sharks after moving to the club from South Sydney. Boasting genuine pace, an NRL start against the Raiders on Sunday night would be Hiroti’s eighth NRL appearance. Royce Hunt is closing in on a comeback from a knee injury but could return in the NSW Cup.

Raiders: Expected to name the same 17. Bailey Simonsson suffered a poke to the eye which saw play stopped and with the new rules Simonsson was forced from the field for two minutes. Jarrod Croker could make a comeback after returning to full training but has had limited contact this preseason after shoulder surgery with the Raiders looking to build up his load. Corey Horsburgh is eligible for selection after missing Round 1 due to suspension for off field issues but probably won’t make his way into the 17.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 2, 2021: Predicted team changes