NRL Late Mail round 1 2025: Samuel Hughes out for Bulldogs

Already light on big boppers due to suspension, the Bulldogs have suffered another blow with a rising front rower ruled out. See All the predicted team changes for NRL round one.

The Bulldogs have suffered a blow ahead of their clash against the Dragons, with front rower Samuel Hughes ruled out 24-hours before kick-off.

His absence sees Daniel Suluka-Fifita elevated from the reserves into the starting side. The Bulldogs are already without Josh Curran due to suspension, and are now running with a bench of four backrowers, so expect to see Bailey Hayward filling in at lock and Sitili Tupouniua in the middle.

Samuel Hughes has been ruled out for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

CYCLONE CARNAGE CLAIMS THREE DOLPHINS

The Dolphins v Rabbitohs game has been moved from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to CommBank Stadium in Sydney due to the wild weather of Cyclone Alfred.

Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, prop Mark Nicholls and 18th man Kenny Bromwich won’t play.

They have stayed in Brisbane with their families as their homes brace for potential flooding.

Sean O’Sullivan will replace Nikorima in the halves, Josh Kerr comes onto the bench for Nicholls and Oryn Keeley has been added to the extended 20-man squad.

Full story via Peter Badel

WILL NANAI SWITCH STUNT COWBOYS?

Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai insists a move to the left edge won’t hamper his ability to be one of the NRL’s greatest aerial threats.

Since 2022, only Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates (21) has scored more tries from kicks than Nanai’s 18.

But that incredible record is under threat following the departure of veteran halfback Chad Townsend, who Nanai formed a fearsome combination with over the past three years.

Full story via Patrick Woods

ROUND ONE LATE MAIL

5:30PM SATURDAY MARCH 8 AT NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM, SYDNEY

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart

Reserves: 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan

Cut: 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Tom Eisenhuth

Late Mail: Recruits Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias and Emre Guler all run on for the Dragons. Blake Lawrie (hamstring) and Hame Sele (calf) are unavailable.

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Kurtis Morrin

Cut: 10. Samuel Hughes 22. Luke Smith 23. Ratu Rinakama

Late Mail: The Bulldogs have made one change in the 24-hour team update, with prop Samuel Hughes ruled out, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita replacing him in the starting side. While unconfirmed, Phil Gould mentioned in a podcast there could be further changes on gameday due to injury. Josh Curran (suspension) will return next week, while Jacob Kiraz (back) remains sidelined indefinitely.

7:35PM SATURDAY MARCH 8 AT 4 PINES PARK, SYDNEY

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Dean Matterson

Cut: 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21.Jake Arthur 22. Josh Aloiai

Late Mail: Jason Saab is expected to play despite pre-season injury struggles. Jazz Tevaga and Siua Taukei’aho make their Manly debuts.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Tom Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Kai O’Donnell 21. Jaxson Paulo

Cut: 19. Jake Clifford 20. Tom Mikaele 22. Jason Taumalolo

Late Mail: No changes at this stage. Jeremiah Nanai has switched sides from right to left. Tom Duffy makes his debut at halfback following a great pre-season and strong year in Queensland Cup.

4:05PM SUNDAY MARCH 9 AT AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Kane Bradley

Late Mail: Jahrome Hughes (neck), Xavier Coates (ankle) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle/knee) have been named after pre-season injury concerns. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension) is due back in round three.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Joey Lussick

Late Mail:Mitchell Moses is confirmed out for six weeks due to a foot injury. The Eels have a host of other players due back over the opening round including Shaun Lane (knee, round 2), Josh Addo-Carr (suspension, round 3) and Bailey Simonsson (knee, round 4).

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 1 2025: Samuel Hughes out for Bulldogs