NRL Late Mail Round 17: Predicted team changes for upcoming round
The hits keep on coming for NRL Supercoaches in the tricky Round 17 week - with Parramatta and South Sydney both forced into late changes. Full late mail and predicted teams.
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The turbulence of Covid has spread from Townsville to Cronulla with veteran halfback Chad Townsend called into the NSW State of Origin squad.
Townsend’s shock call-up has emerged after Blues 19th man Nicho Hynes tested positive to Covid before Sharks training on Wednesday morning.
In a double-blow, Hynes has tested positive to a PCR test while prop Toby Rudolf’s PCR test has come back positive and is out of Cronulla’s important clash with Melbourne at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday night.
Rudolf and possibly Hynes, will be forced to isolate for the next seven days.
Braydon Trindall, who will also takeover the goalkicking duties, and Braden Hamlin-Uele have been called into the Sharks final 17 to tackle the Storm.
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Hynes tested positive to the virus on Wednesday morning prior to the Sharks captain’s run.
Named as the Blues 19th man on Monday, Hynes spent only a few hours with the state team on Monday afternoon before being allowed to return home in order to prepare for the Sharks round 17 clash.
The Blues players are tested twice every day while in camp and have been tested four times Hynes’ departure from the squad.
Braydon Trindall will replace Hynes in the halves for the Sharks match against the Storm.
Townsend will become the ninth Cowboys player to join State of Origin after being drafted into the NSW squad.
The premiership-winning halfback has enjoyed a sensational debut season at the Cowboys with his organisational talent a major factor in his inclusion into the Blues squad as a reserve.
It is a significant moment for Townsend, whose highest representative honours was the NSW City squad in 2016 and 2017.
The 31-year-old will train with the Blues on Thursday, joining fellow Cowboys players including starting prop Jordan McLean and reserve Reece Robson.
The Maroons have a host of Cowboys players in their squad including Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Dearden and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Hynes was hoping to play with Cronulla before travelling to Kingscliff on Friday to work as a back-up to Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
He had been named as the Blues 19th man on Monday.
Hynes spent only a few hours with the state team on Monday afternoon before being allowed to return home in order to prepare for the Sharks round 17 clash.
There is no concern within the NSW camp that any player has contracted the virus.
The Blues players are tested twice every day while in camp and have been tested four times since Hynes’ departure from the squad.
The Sharks face a nervous wait on Thursday morning to determine if more players have contracted the virus after Hynes and Rudolf were sent home immediately after learning of the positive RAT test on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, NSW centre Matt Burton failed to train with the Blues on Wednesday — the first major training session ahead of the decider on July 13.
The starting left-centre has been carrying a niggling calf issue and in miserable weather and with seven days until the series blockbuster, the NSW medical staff opted to rest Burton from the session.
“I just didn’t want to take the risk today,’’ Burton said. “We’ve still got a long preparation, it’s nothing major and I’ll be good to go tomorrow.’’
KNIGHTS MAKE CALL ON KICKER
— Michael Carayannis
Tex Hoy will be entrusted with the kicking tee despite a poor showing last week.
The Knights fullback struggled on the kicking front last week landing just two from six.
Anthony Milford struck the ball cleanly when he took over from Hoy but will remain the back-up kicker.
NRL - ROUND 17
SHARKS v STORM
Thursday, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Connor Tracey, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 18. Braydon Trindall, 21. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Royce Hunt, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Dale Finucane
Bench: 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Teig Wilton, 17. Andrew Fifita
Reserves: 19. Jesse Colquhoun, 20. Kade Dykes
Players cut: 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 22. Lachie Miller
Late mail: Nicho Hynes and Toby Rudolf are significant outs having tested positive to COVID on Wednesday. Hynes’ omission will see Braydon Trindall come into the side to partner Matt Moylan in the halves. Trindall will also kick goals in the absence of Hynes.
Braden Hamlin-Uele joins the 17 in his first game back from injury, with Andrew Fifita now named to start. Cronulla may also opt to start Dale Finucane at prop ahead of Fifita, with Cameron McInnes at lock.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Marion Seve, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Grant Anderson, 6. Nick Meaney, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Chris Lewis, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King
Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart, 15. Tui Kamikamica, 16. Alec MacDonald, 17. Jordan Grant
Reserves: 21. Jayden Nikorima, 22. Tyson Smoothy
Players cut: 18. Bronson Garlick, 19. Yee-Huang Tonumaipe’a, 20. Jack Howarth
Late mail: While Melbourne are expected to run out unchanged, there are dominos that could fall should Craig Bellamy opt to play Jayden Nikorima at five-eighth as per last week.
If they did pull this come final teams, it’d see Nick Meaney shift to the wing, and either Grant Anderson or Dean Ieremia drop out of the side.
KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS
Friday, 7.55pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Kurt Mann
Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Leo Thompson, 17. Mat Croker
Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 21. Hymel Hunt, 22. Jake Clifford
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: No major changes expected at the Knights following their big win over the Titans.
Jayden Brailey makes his long-awaited return from injury off the bench, he’s likely to play around 30-40 minutes in a share of the hooking role with Chris Randall.
It’ll be interesting to see who kicks goal for Newcastle, with Anthony Milford taking over for a struggling Tex Hoy last week who dealt with horrific conditions having been handed the tee last week.
Mitchell Barnett is also another option should Adam O’Brien relieve Hoy of the duties.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Taane Milne, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jed Cartwright, 13. Mark Nicholls
Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Blake Taaffe, 16. Michael Chee Kam, 17. Davvy Moale
Reserves: 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 19. Ben Lovett, 20. Richard Kennar, 21. Shaquai Mitchell, 22. Dean Hawkins
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: South Sydney are depleted for this clash, and there may yet be more damage to come. Mark Nicholls will miss the clash following a failed HIA last week, opening the door for Sydney Roosters recruit Daniel Suluka-Fifita to make his club debut
Star winger Alex Johnston is also battling a quad injury and will need to get through captain’s run to take his place in the side - with Richard Kennar to come into the backline if he’s ruled out.
The bench boasting Kodi Nikorima and Blake Taaffe doesn’t quite line up, with Taaffe an option to drop out on game day.
TIGERS v EELS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Adam Doueihi, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. James Tamou, 9. Fa’amanu Brown, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Bench: 14. Stefano Utoikamanu, 15. Justin Matamua, 16. Jacob Liddle, 17. Fonua Pole
Reserves: 18. Austin Dias, 19. Alex Seyfarth, 20. Junior Tupou, 21. Asu Kepaoa, 22. Jock Madden
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: No major changes expected at the Tigers for the clash with Parramatta.
The big watch will be around Adam Doueihi who reportedly told interim coach Brett Kimmorley he’d rather play NSW Cup in his preferred five-eighth position if he’s expected to run out at centre as named.
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Will Penisini, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Marata Niukore, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Ryan Matterson
Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Tom Opacic, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Ky Rodwell
Reserves: 18. Nathan Brown, 19. Jake Arthur, 20. Sean Russell, 21. Wiremu Greig, 23. Hayze Perham
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: Ryan Matterson is set to be a major out for the Eels as he battles a rib injury.
Matterson missed last week’s loss to South Sydney, and he’s still struggling with the issue.
This should see Nathan Brown earn a reprieve into the 17, he may even start at lock in Matterson’s place.
BRONCOS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Jordan Pereira, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Keenan Palasia, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Ryan James, 11. Zac Hosking, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington
Bench: 14. Cory Paix, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Tyson Gamble
Reserves: 18. Delouise Hoeter, 19. Jake Turpin, 20. Deine Mariner, 21. Tyrone Roberts, 22. Logan Bayliss
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: The only expected change at Brisbane will be if Kevin Walters opts to add a forward to his bench in place of Tyson Gamble, with Billy Walters able to cover for injuries in the halves, and Cory Paix as reserve hooker.
This may open a door for prop forward Logan Bayliss to debut for Brisbane off the bench.
Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Jayden Sullivan, 8. Jack De Belin, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Jack Bird, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Tariq Sims
Bench: 14. Moses Mbye, 15. Francis Molo, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Michael Molo
Reserves: 18. Jaiyden Hunt, 19. Tautau Moga, 20. Josh Kerr, 21. Billy Burns, 22. Jonathan Reuben
Players cut: TBC
Late mail: St George Illawarra are only missing Ben Hunt to Origin duties, meaning there’s little movement to the side that beat Canberra last week.
Mat Feagai is the main area of concern having sustained a quad strain in Round 16, with Tautau Moga in line to replace him on the wing if required.
TEAMS ON BYE: Sea Eagles, Titans, Panthers, Roosters, Broncos, Cowboys, Raiders, Warriors
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Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 17: Predicted team changes for upcoming round
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