NRL Late Mail Round 11: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back for Warriors

The Warriors have received a massive boost ahead of their clash against the Dolphins, with one of their biggest stars set to make his return from injury. FULL UPDATED TEAMS

Newcastle have suffered a major blow just hours before from their Round 11 clash with Parramatta, with State of Origin centre Bradman Best ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Newcastle are already without strike winger Greg Marzhew, who is expected to miss a month with a knee injury.

Dylan Lucas is expected to shift from the back row to the centres, with forward Thomas Cant likely to move from the interchange bench to the edge.

Best, 23, is expected to miss between four and six weeks in what’s shaping as a crucial period for the Knights.

Brad Best will miss at least a month of footy. Picture: NRL Photos

Despite the NRL season entering the Origin period, the Knights do not have a bye until Round 18, meaning they’ll have to face a tricky run of matches without two of their backline stars.

After they host the Eels, the Knights play the Panthers and Dragons away, the Sea Eagles and Roosters at home, and then the Dolphins (away) and Raiders (home).

Although it’s understood Best, the incumbent Blues centre, was facing a battle to retain his spot in Laurie Daley’s team, his hamstring injury will rule him out of the entire Origin series.

Marzhew ‘back before you know it’

The Newcastle Knights have revealed a positive update on winger Greg Marzhew.

“He’s had some surgery on an MCL,” coach Adam O’Brien said.

“I think it was initially 4-6 (weeks), but he’s a very good healer.

“He’s very optimistic and he’s told me ‘I’ll be right for next week’, but I don’t think that’s the case.

“It’s not an extended thing, so he’ll be back before you know it.”

—Martin Gabor

Boom Tiger out long-term

The Wests Tigers have been dealt a cruel blow, with enforcer Fonua Pole set to miss up to seven weeks with an MCL injury sustained against Melbourne last Sunday.

Pole was taken from the field and didn’t return in the Tigers’ 64-0 loss, and while coach Benji Marshall was unaware of the severity of the injury post-game, this masthead can reveal the 22-year-old suffered medial damage to his knee.

In a boost for the Tigers, injured stars Latu Fainu and Jeral Skelton are both expected back after the club’s round 12 bye, both pushing to be named to play the Cowboys in Townsville.

—Tyson Jackson

Fonua Pole could miss as many as seven weeks. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

ROUND 11 LATE MAIL

BULLDOGS V ROOSTERS

Friday May 16 2025, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Bailey Howard 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Luke Smith

Reserves: 23. Blake Taaffe

Players cut: 19. Jack Underhill 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Drew Hutchison

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update and no other changes expected.

With Jaeman Salmon (ankle) out until round 20, former centre Harry Hayes plays his first match on the edge after being used mostly as a middle this season.

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Ethan King

Players cut: 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Dominic Young 21. Chad Townsend 22. Benaiah Ioelu

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Lindsay Collins (knee) has been named to return from the bench and will push to retain his Origin spot.

“He’ll be close, he’ll be getting the steps through, so that’s a positive,” coach Trent Robinson said.

Sandon Smith (concussion) is confirmed to return.

DOLPHINS V WARRIORS

Saturday May 17th 2025, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Connelly Lemuelu

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Oryn Keeley

Players cut: 20. Max Feagai 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update and no further changes expected. Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Max Plath (foot) and Jeremy Marshall-King (leg) all still sidelined.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 4. Kurt Capewell 11. Leak Halasima 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 12. Marata Niukore 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga

Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Players cut: 17. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 23. Moala Graham-Taufa

Late Mail: Co-captain James Fisher-Harris (pectoral) and winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) are on track to return. The return of RTS sees Kurt Capewell move to the backrow, pushing Marata Niukore to the bench and Samuel Healey out of the side.

COWBOYS V SEA EAGLES

Sat May 17th 2025, 5:30pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Players cut: 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Young gun Jaxon Purdue has been named for his first match in the halves with Zac Laybutt coming in at centre.

Sea Eagles

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

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 21. Joey Walsh

Players cut: 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 22. Matthew Lodge

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update and no further changes expected. Jake Trbojevic is back at lock with Jazz Tevaga switching to hooker.

SHARKS V STORM

Sat May 17th 2025, 7:35pm, Sharks Stadium

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Tom Hazelton (sternum) wasn’t named on Tuesday and is considered a “week-to-week proposition.”

Teig Wilton (shoulder) will aim to prove his fitness after being named on the extended bench, likely replacing Billy Burns.

Siosifa Talakai (concussion) returns after sitting out last week.

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Harry Grant 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Harry Grant (hamstring) will need to pass a fitness test to take his spot after being named on the extended bench.

Will Warbrick (concussion) has still not returned to training, with Sua Fa’alogo to hold the right wing spot indefinitely.

BRONCOS V DRAGONS

Sun May 18th 2025, 2:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Ezra Mam will play his first game of the NRL season in place of the injured Ben Hunt (hamstring) who is out until round 15.

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lykhan King-Tongia 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie

Reserves: 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Hame Sele 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Michael Molo

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: No changes expected.

The Dragons have confirmed Toby Couchman (shoulder) has been ruled out until round 14.

RAIDERS V TITANS

Sun May 18th 2025, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Noah Martin 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Corey Horsburgh (concussion) returns and will push for an Origin berth.

Matty Nicholson (ankle) has been ruled out for three months, with Zac Hosking switching to the edge.

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Chris Randall 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. Arama Hau 20. Josh Patston 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Sean Mullany

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran (biceps) is confirmed to return from injury.

WESTS TIGERS V RABBITOHS

Sun May 18th 2025, 6:15pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Brent Naden 15. Tony Sukkar 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc

Reserves: 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Alex Johnston (hamstring) is on track to return.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 11: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back for Warriors