NRL Late Mail for round 7: Team changes, injuries and gossip

NEWCASTLE prop Josh King is set to make his NRL debut with veteran Jeremy Smith almost certain to be ruled out of the clash with Brisbane.

ROOKIE prop Josh King will earn his first start for the Knights in their clash with the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.

With veteran Jeremy Smith almost certain to be ruled out of the match with a knee injury, King will likely come off the bench as the Knights seek their second win of the season.

In other NRL team news:

* Konrad Hurrell was dropped to the Warriors’ reserve grade team with Ligi Sao called into the NRL lineup as his replacement.

* ST George Illawarra halfback Benji Marshall has been ruled out of Saturday’s NRL clash against the Titans. It will be the fourth game Marshall has missed this season with ongoing hamstring issues — including a late withdrawal last week. Josh McCrone comes into the side in the halves, with Adam Quinlan to travel as 18th man.

* Canberra’s Blake Austin (hamstring) is out, replaced by Sam Williams. Austin will be sidelined for two weeks. Teammates Josh Hodgson (thumb) and Paul Vaughan (ankle) trained on Friday and are firming to play, with final decisions to be made after Saturday’s captain’s run;

* Gold Coast’s Tyrone Roberts (knee) looms as a late inclusion, with Cameron Cullen to make way. Roberts simply has to pull up well from Friday’s captain’s run to make the team sheet;

* South Sydney’s Kyle Turner (concussion) completed the final session and will take the field.

Benji Marshall has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Picture: Brett Costello

COWBOYS VS RABBITOHS

Friday 7.50pm at 1300 SMILES Stadium

Cowboys — Update 7pm Friday: Popular SuperCoach cheapie Javid Bowen has been left out of the Cowboys line-up, replaced by the returning Kane Linnett. Meanwhile John Asiata drops off the bench, with Patrick Kaufusi taking his spot.

Rabbitohs — Update 7pm Friday: The Rabbitohs are 1-17/ Halfback Adam Reynolds (broken jaw) survived the week and returns. “He got tested (at training),” Michael Maguire said. “He got clipped around the head a few times. So he’ll be alright.”

ROUND 7 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

TITANS VS DRAGONS

Saturday 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans — Update 12.45pm Friday: Five-eighth Tyrone Roberts (knee) will be a late inclusion provided he pulls up well from captain’s run, with Cameron Cullen to make way. Forward Greg Bird (suspension) is out. Luke Douglas or Agnatius Paasi will start, with Eddy Pettybourne to come into the 17. Bench hooker Daniel Mortimer (concussion/head gash) is expected to play despite a sickening injury last week, while starting rake Nathan Friend also copped a knock, but returned. Kierran Moseley is on standby if concussion symptoms return for either hooker.

Dragons — Update 12.45pm Friday: HalfbackBenji Marshall (hamstring) is out. He is replaced by Josh McCrone, with Adam Quinlan to travel as 18th man.

BULLDOGS VS WARRIORS

Saturday 5.30pm at Westpac Stadium

Bulldogs: Prop Aiden Tolman (corked shin) was the only doubt, but he trained on Wednesday and will play. Chase Stanley (hamstring) is at least three weeks away.

Warriors:Konrad Hurrell was a late change, playing for the NSW Cup early on Saturday and Ligi Sao getting a shot in his place. Bodene Thompson (ribs) was named to return and Tuimoala Lolohea has switched to the halves. The man Lolohea replaces, Jeff Robson, hasn’t been named in NSW Cup and will be given a week off to rest niggles.

BRONCOS VS KNIGHTS

Saturday 7.30pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: No changes. Darius Boyd is yet to train this week. He flew to Samoa for family reasons, but is expected back for Friday’s captain’s run before the match on Saturday. Greg Eden and Jordan Kahu trained at fullback in Boyd’s absence.

Knights: Veteran Jeremy Smith will be ruled out with a knee injury. Young prop Josh King has trained with the NRL squad this week and is in contention to become Newcastle’s eighth debutant this year. David Bhana (ankle) also looms as a likely inclusion and will aim to prove his fitness in Friday’s captain’s run. Will Pearsall is set to drop out. Sione Mata’utia (concussion) is a certain starter. Danny Levi (back) was in contention early in the week, but will likely be saved for next round.

RAIDERS VS SHARKS

Sunday 2pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders — Update 1.30pm Friday: Five-eighth Blake Austin (hamstring) is out for two weeks, replaced by Sam Williams. Josh Hodgson (thumb) and Paul Vaughan (ankle) trained on Friday and are firming to play, with final decisions to be made after Saturday’s captain’s run. Shaun Fensom and Frank Paul Nu’uausala (both concussion) have been cleared.

Sharks: Playmaker James Maloney (concussion) has passed all testing so far and is set to play, while Jayson Bukuya (hand) will return for Luke Lewis. Andrew Fifita (forearm) has been cleared after copping a knock last week to the arm he had previously broken. David Fifita hasn’t been named in either NSW Cup or NRL. He has no injury concerns and will await direction from coach Shane Flanagan.

TIGERS VS STORM

Sunday 4pm at Leichhardt Oval

Tigers: No changes, with Sauaso Sue (concussion) on track to be cleared and Joel Edwards named to replace Aaron Woods (ankle, round 11).

Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy must find a replacement for Will Chambers (fractured foot, round 19). Richie Kennar is favourite to get the nod in a straight swap. Young Tonumaipea (leg) is hobbling and has not trained so far, but the club says he will play. Chambers’ injury comes at an awkward time for the Storm, who’ve had a horror run of injuries at centre. Cameron Munster has been forced to play fullback in place of Billy Slater (shoulder), while Cheyse Blair (foot) had a false start last week and is tipped to return through Queensland Cup on the weekend. Curtis Scott (broken leg) is out until round 11, Jeremy Hawkins (hamstring) is out for at least six weeks and Tony Tumusa (ankle) will miss four weeks.

ROOSTERS VS PANTHERS

Monday 7pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: The full squad is fit, with no changes expected at this early stage.

Panthers: All 19 players named trained on Thursday, with no changes expected. Dean Whare (calf) and James Segeyaro (broken arm) are yet to return to full training and not expected to be late inclusions. There is talk Elijah Taylor will leave the club in the very near future, so don’t expect him to take the field, despite being named on an extended bench.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail for round 7: Team changes, injuries and gossip