NRL teams round 4: Live SuperCoach Q&A and Early Mail

A Broncos star Brendan Piakura is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, while Parramatta star Bryce Cartwright is a chance to play despite nursing a badly broken rib. See the full teams for Round 4.

Broncos veteran Corey Oates is ready to wind back the clock to his back row days after Brendan Piakura became the latest Brisbane player to join a growing casualty ward.

While captain Adam Reynolds (knee) was cleared for the Good Friday derby against the Cowboys, Piakura was ruled out after sustaining an ankle injury at training on Tuesday.

Scans indicated Piakura could miss up to a month of footy, a similar time frame to what Broncos superstars Reece Walsh (facial fracture) and Payne Haas (knee) have also been sidelined for.

The Broncos have made a patchy 1-2 start to the 2024 NRL Premiership ahead of a blockbuster clash with unbeaten North Queensland.

Brendan Piakura is set to be sidelined for a month after picking up an ankle injury at training. Picture: NRL Photos

Dragons recruit Jaiyden Hunt will replace Piakura on the left edge when he makes his club debut while coach Kevin Walters has recalled Oates for his first game of the season.

Having had to make disruptive injury-forced changes during games this year, Walters has brought Oates on to the bench to provide backline cover.

But the Brisbane statesman has also spent the week training in the back row, a position he has only started in seven times throughout his 201-game Broncos career.

Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett refused to let Oates play in the back row during his second stint at Red Hill, but Walters appears to be open to the idea.

Broncos prop Fletcher Baker said Oates was up to the task if called into the forward pack for the first time since 2020 given he has performed in league’s toughest arena.

“You’ve got to look at how he played in Origin,” Baker said.

“He’s still got that football. If he can handle Origin he can handle anything.

“If he comes in he will do a job for us. He is a legend of the club.

“Back row is not his position but it was at the start.

“It’d be pretty cool for me to play with him too. You grow up watching people like that.

“If he can come in, it’s a big role for us.”

The Broncos struggled across the park in last week’s 34-12 loss to Penrith, which Reynolds missed.

Former Dragon Jaiyden Hunt will replace Piakura in the back-row. Picture: Liam Kidston

Despite still having his knee heavily strapped, Reynolds will take the field against the Cowboys in an attempt to kickstart the Broncos following a slow start to their grand final redemption quest.

“We’ve got a couple of boys out at the moment and we have to focus on playing our best footy,” Baker said.

“We haven’t played that well in the first couple of rounds. If we can start playing good footy and getting good wins, imagine when those boys get back.

“If you look at our line-up, we’ve got a very good team and we need to put it together,

“There’s no dramas at the moment. It’s early rounds.

“If it was later in the year there’d be a bit of panic, but it’s all good now. We’ll start playing good football.

“It’s massive (to have Reynolds back). Jock (Madden) played last week and it was a bit unfortunate, we played the best team and got found out a little bit.

“Reyno’s come in and he’s an older Jock, really. He’s loud and bossing the boys around.”

Tristan Sailor will replace Walsh in the No. 1 jersey.

David Fifita is a chance of making his return for the Titans, after being named on the extended bench. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Maroons star David Fifita is on the cusp of making a much-needed return from injury for the Gold Coast Titans.

Fifita has been named on an extended bench for Saturday night’s clash with the Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium.

Coach Des Hasler has refrained from making mass changes, but has axed struggling fullback Keano Kini, with Jayden Campbell to be rushed back into the team from knee surgery.

Fifita is also in the mix to play his first game of the season after undergoing pec surgery last December.

—Travis Meyn

INJURED EELS STAR SET TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN

—Dean Ritchie

Ignoring severe pain, Parramatta’s Bryce Cartwright wants to strap up a badly broken rib near his lung, be administered a painkilling injection, and play Easter Monday’s big game against Wests Tigers.

Cartwright was ruled out for four weeks on Tuesday morning after ex-rays revealed the fracture.

Yet by Tuesday afternoon, the Eels edge forward had approached Eels coach Brad Arthur demanding to be given “every chance” to confront Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.

This from a player whose commitment had been questioned in the past.

Cartwright is in severe pain given he has fractured his seventh rib, which is closest to his lung.

Bryce Cartwright wants to play through the pain of a badly broken rib for Easter Monday’s game against the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

Doctors claim the positioning of the fracture presents difficulties in providing a painkilling needle.

“It shows how important it is to our boys – they don’t want to let their teammates down,” Arthur said.

Cartwright broke the rib in the first tackle against Manly last Sunday and played for a further 55 minutes.

He was given a painkiller at halftime.

Aware his side has injury worries, headlined by Mitchell Moses’ fractured foot, Cartwright is prepared to play through pain to help his Eels.

Cartwright was ruled out for a month early on Tuesday morning before he fronted Arthur wanting to play.

If he plays, there is little doubt where Wests Tigers will attack Cartwright in attack and defence.

While admiring Cartwright’s courage, Arthur did say his backrower wouldn’t be playing if the injury doesn’t respond over the next five days.

CHEAPIE IN FRAME WITH SIX SHARKS RULED OUT

Cronulla is in the midst of a $3 million forward crisis with six of their biggest men sidelined due to injury or suspension.

In a major blow ahead of an Easter Sunday clash with a heavyweight Raiders pack, the Sharks will be without co-captain Dale Finucane (fractured eye socket), front-rowers Toby Rudolf (ankle), Royce Hunt (calf), Braden Hamlin Uele (knee), Briton Nikora (suspended) and Jesse Colquhoun.

The devastation of the Sharks pack will likely result in the recall of massive prop Tuku Hau Tapuha, who made his club debut two weeks ago.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has few other forward options, leading to the possibility of shifting Siosifa Talakai into the forwards and promoting outside back Kayal Iro from the NSW Cup.

Rudolf is facing three to six weeks on the sidelines. Finucane, Hamlin-Uele and Hunt are facing between two to four weeks out, while Nikora will return following the bye which is scheduled after the Raiders match.

-David Riccio

TEAMS WRAP

—Martin Gabor

The Eels have put their faith in young gun Blaize Talagi who will line up in the halves for the Easter Monday clash against the Wests Tigers in place of the injured Mitchell Moses who will be out for up to two months with a fractured foot.

Talagi had a strong debut last week with a try against the Sea Eagles, but he’ll shift to five-eighth with Dylan Brown named at halfback.

Blaize Talagi will start at five-eighth for the Eels on Easter Monday. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

There is some good news for Parramatta who have named Bryce Cartwright despite fears he could be out for up to a month with a rib injury.

It’s another week of carnage for halfbacks with rep star Nathan Cleary ruled out of Thursday’s showdown with the Roosters after he hurt his hamstring in the win over Brisbane.

The injury isn’t as bad as first feared, with the club hopeful he could return next week, but his absence opens the door for Brad Schneider to make his club debut in the halves, while Mavrik Geyer makes his NRL debut off the bench.

The Roosters have their own concerns with Lindsay Collins (hamstring) and Sandon Smith (elbow) both unavailable, but they do get Luke Keary back from a head knock and halves partner Sam Walker is free to play after his category one was downgraded.

Sam Walker has been cleared to play after a head knock last week. Picture: NRL Imagery / Anthony Kourembanas

Souths have opted against rushing Lachlan Ilias back into the halves despite a strong performance in reserve grade last week, with Dean Hawkins keeping his spot for the must win game against Canterbury.

The Broncos welcome back skipper Adam Reynolds from a knee injury for the Queensland derby against the unbeaten Cowboys, with Tristan Sailor brought in to replace Reece Walsh (facial fracture).

Brendan Piakura is also out for Brisbane after he hurt his ankle at training, with North Queensland naming Reuben Cotter even though he came off late last week with an ankle injury.

The Sharks have been forced into a stack of changes with middle forwards Toby Rudolf (ankle), Dale Finucane (head knock) and Royce Hunt (calf) all unavailable for Sunday’s game against Canberra.

Dale Finucane is one of three Sharks forwards missing for the game against Canberra. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

That’s forced a reshuffle with Siosifa Talakai shifting to the back row, Kayal Iro will start at centre and Tom Hazelton has been promoted to the starting side.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has been forced to move superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to fullback with Taine Tuaupiki (concussion) ruled out of the game against Newcastle, with Adam Pompey to start at centre.

And the Titans get some much needed firepower back this week with Jayden Campbell named at fullback, while David Fifita has been listed in the reserves for what would be his first game of the year.

ROUND FOUR TEAMS

ROOSTERS v PANTHERS

Thursday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17 Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Dylan Napa

PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Matt Eisenhuth16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Soni Luke 19. Jack Cole 20. Ativalu Lisati 21. Paul Alamoti 22. Tyrone Peachey

RABBITOHS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 4:05pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3.Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10.Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Tallis Duncan, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Saliva Havili, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Sean Keppie, 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson

BULLDOGS

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Kitione Kautoga 23. Josh Addo-Carr

BRONCOS v COWBOYS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

BRONCOS

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench:

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

Reserves: 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Jock Madden 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Martin Taupau 22. Jordan Pereira

COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 4. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

DRAGONS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Jack de Belin 16. Hame Sele 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Christian Tuipulotu 19. Michael Molo 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Matthew Feagai

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Tommy Talau 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker

TITANS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

TITANS

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Keenan Palasia 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Jaimin Jolliffe

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18. David Fifita 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Harley Smith-Shields 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Josiah Pahulu

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

WARRIORS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 19. Jazz Tevaga 21. Chanel Harris-Tevita 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Ali Leiataua

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench : 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mat Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Thomas Cant 21. Will Pryce 22. Jackson Hastings

SHARKS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:15pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Billy Burns 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Blake Hosking 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Max Bradbury

RAIDERS

1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Zac Hosking 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Trey Mooney 19. Corey Horsburgh 20. Kaeo Weekes 21. Trey Mooney 21. Nick Cotric

EELS v TIGERS

Monday, 4pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagai 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Bailey Simonsson

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Asu Kepaoa 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Latu Fainu 20. Alex Lobb 21. Brent Naden 22. Tallyn Da Silva

Originally published as NRL teams round 4: Live SuperCoach Q&A and Early Mail