NRL Late Mail round 9: Jack Wighton out for a month, Starford To’a out for Tigers

The Wests Tigers have been forced into a backline reshuffle while South Sydney’s injury woes have worsened. See all the latest team changes for Magic Round

Wests Tigers centre Starford To’a could miss up to two weeks after suffering a neck injury in last week’s golden point win over Cronulla.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall said there’s a chance his improved centre could only be missing for this week’s Magic Round clash against St George Illawarra.

Charlie Staines will make his season debut at Suncorp Stadium.

Starford To'a will miss Magic Round. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s not serious. Just had a scan off the back of last week’s game and the specialist said he probably needs one to two weeks,” Marshall said.

“Hopefully one, but whatever is necessary to get him right we’ll do.

“That was a bit of a late curve ball for us, but Charlie Staines comes into the fold there, playing on the wing, so it’s a good experience for him coming in.”

Staines began the year with the Western Suburbs Magpies in NSW Cup before being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Jack Wighton is the latest Rabbitoh to be headed to the casualty ward. Picture: Getty Images

Wighton out, Dodd to start

South Sydney’s injury woes have worsened with Jack Wighton out for a month with a calf injury, according to Fox Sports.

English recruit Lewis Dodd will start in the halves with Latrell Mitchell (suspension), Jamie Humphreys (hamstring) and Cody Walker (calf) all sidelined.

Dodd is expected to play halfback with Jayden Sullivan to shift to five-eighth.

Api days for Tigers

Wests Tigers have been given a major boost with Api Koroisau set to take his place against the Dragons. The Tigers co-captain had been struggling with a knee injury but has been cleared to play provided he gets through the captain’s run on Friday.

- Michael Carayannis

Magic debut in offing for young Warrior

Rookie Warriors hooker Sam Healey is on the verge of fulfilling a lifelong dream by making his NRL debut in front of more than 40,000 fans.

The 22-year-old has travelled to Brisbane in readiness to feature for the Warriors against the Cowboys on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.

It’s anticipated that Healey, the son of former Sharks great Mitch Healey, will remain in Andrew Webster’s 19-man squad when the team is trimmed 24-hours out from kick-off.

Sam Healey of the Warriors. Credit: NRL Images.

A first grade debut for Healey would be paved in perseverance and sacrifice, having foregone his ambition to stay at the Sharks where he developed his craft through their junior systems and to leave his family by signing a three-year deal with the Warriors this season.

Boasting a sharp pass, clever kick and a genuine run-threat from dummy-half, Healey has impressed in the NSW Cup for the Warriors where he has been hugely influential in the team’s current position of first on the competition ladder.

The Engadine Dragons junior punched out 71-minutes, making 24 tackles and scored a try in the Warriors win over the Knights last weekend.

- David Riccio

Flegler won’t play this year, Kaufusi and Donoghoe ruled out

Former Maroons enforcer Tom Flegler will not play NRL this year as the Dolphins suffered another front row injury blow ahead of their Magic Round blockbuster against the Roosters.

But the Dolphins will be without their four frontline middle forwards after Felise Kaufusi (knee) was a late scratching, joining Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Max Plath (foot) and Flegler (shoulder) on the sidelines.

Utility Kurt Donoghoe has also failed to overcome a calf injury.

Flegler, 25, hasn’t played since suffering a rare nerve injury in round 5 last year and has undergone a nerve transplant in a bid to save his career.

The Kangaroos and Maroons prop is confident of getting back on the field but it won’t be this year, with the Dolphins conceding their No. 1 forward won’t play in 2025.

A prickly Flegler was reluctant to speak about his injury at a Magic Round promotion on Thursday.

Thomas Flegler won’t play NRL this season. Picture: NRL Images

“There’s only been about 100 stories a week this year,” he said.

“I still don’t know. We’re going good up to this stage.

“We’ve got a few hurdles we need to get over.

“Up until this point in time everything is going well. I can’t give you a date on when I’m going to be back, but everything is going good.”

—Travis Meyn

Lomax ahead of schedule

Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training and could be back in a fortnight, putting him back into State of Origin contention.

The centre practised separately to teammates on Wednesday as he warmed up while working towards returning from a foot injury.

Lomax took to band work for some resistance training alongside trainers before working his handy right foot with a few kicks.

He was also put to the test in the air before he moved into some running drills.

His rapid improvement comes after Lomax suffered an injury to his right foot in his side’s 23-22 win against the Dragons in Round 6 which ruled him out for six weeks.

Lomax picked up the injury earlier in the match but played on to win the game for his side with a late field goal.

The Blues winger looked like missing the first State of Origin match but an earlier return would put last year’s series winner back into the fold.

His expected return in Round 11 certainly strengthens his Origin prospects.

—George Al-Akiki

NRL Late Mail Round 9

SHARKS V EELS

Friday, 6:00pm, Suncorp 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. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun

Players cut: 18. Jayden Berrell 21. Hohepa Puru

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Addin Fonua-Blake (shoulder) struggled late in last week’s golden point loss to the Tigers but appears set to play.

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is on track to return.

The Sharks have confirmed Mawene Hiroti (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks.

Young gun Kade Dykes has been ruled out for a third successive season due to a serious knee injury.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 19. Joash Papali’i 22. Jordan Samrani

Players cut: 18. Ryan Matterson 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training ahead of schedule and could be back in a fortnight. He is now back in Origin contention.

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

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. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu

Players cut: 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update and set to remain unchanged, with Dom Young again missing the 17.

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 10. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 13. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 15. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Sean O’Sullivan 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 20. Oryn Keeley

Reserves: 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai

Players cut: 8. Felise Kaufusi 18. Kenny Bromwich

Late Mail: Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Kurt Donoghoe (calf) have been ruled out, forcing a reshuffle. Mark Nicholls moves from lock to prop, Ray Stone comes into the starting side at lock, while Sean O’Sullivan and Oryn Keeley come onto the bench.

RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 19. Lewis Dodd 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Dunan 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers

Reserves: 18. Thomas Fletcher 20. Joshua Schuster

Players cut: 6. Jack Wighton 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua

Late Mail: Jack Wighton (calf) is expected to miss a month with Lewis Dodd to coming into the halves.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble

Players cut: 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott are both expected to return from calf injuries.

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: No changes expected.

Coach Andrew Webster has retained his late changes from last week of Leka Halasima starting in the back row, Marata Niukore to prop and Jackson Ford to the bench.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: No injury concerns with the Cowboys set to stick with the same 17.

WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 5. Brent Naden 23. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: 4. Starford To’a

Late Mail: Starford To’a (neck) is a late withdrawal. Brent Naden will slide in from wing to centre with Charlie Staines coming into the side to play on the edge.

Dragons

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

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Loko Jnr Pasi 19. Nathan Lawson 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Hamish Stewart (concussion) is back and will partner fellow Gerringong product Dylan Egan in the starting pack.

Corey Allan will play his first NRL game since 2023 after ACL issues.

Young gun Lykhan King-Tongia has been named in the halves in place of Lachlan Ilias and is the big watch for SuperCoaches.

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Titans

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

Interchange: 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16 Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Josiah Pahulu (concussion) returns to the NRL after a long-lay off after easing back through Queensland Cup.

David Fifita was axed to reserves by coach Des Hasler on Tuesday.

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Howard 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Remodelled team with Matt Burton, Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua all suspended.

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Isaiah Papali’i or Mavrik Geyer will come into the starting pack for Scott Sorensen (suspension), who lost at the judiciary on Tuesday.

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 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. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: The Broncos are confident Adam Reynolds will play despite an infection and shoulder injury.

STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium

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. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Nelson Asofa-Solomona is aiming to return to the top grade after easing back from concussion through NSW Cup last week.

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. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 9: Jack Wighton out for a month, Starford To’a out for Tigers