NRL Late Mail round 1 2025: Siua Wong re-emerges as cheapie, Dolphins cyclone carnage

Veteran Nat Butcher has been ruled out for the Roosters with a potential cheapie to start in his place. Predicted team changes for NRL round one.

Siua Wong has been called into the starting side at lock for the Roosters with Nat Butcher to miss out on his 150th NRL game.

Taylor Losalu joins the bench, while Ethan King and Fetalaiga Pauga drop off the reserves.

Wong was talked up as a SuperCoach cheapie but has plummeted in ownership since being named on the bench on Tuesday.

But his promotion to starting lock puts him well back in SuperCoach contention.

Nat Butcher is out for the Roosters. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/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

8PM THURSDAY MARCH 6 AT ALLIANZ STADIUM, SYDNEY

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 15. Siua Wong

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi Va’a 19. Taylor Losalu

Reserves: 18. Hugo Savala 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Cut: 13. Nat Butcher 20. Ethan King 21. Fetalaiga Pauga

Late Mail: Nat Butcher is out of his 150th game with Siua Wong to start at lock. Taylor Losalu comes onto the bench.

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Pat Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter

Cut: 20. Martin Taupau 21. Ben Te Kura 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Late Mail: The Broncos are 1-17 after 24-hour cuts with no late changes expected. Top SuperCoach cheapies Cory Paix, Jack Gosiewski and Kobe Hetherington will all play.

6PM FRIDAY MARCH 7 AT CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM, SYDNEY

Tigers

1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Latu Fainu 20. Kit Laulilii

Cut: 19. Charlie Staines 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Reuben Porter

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, Tristan Hope and Royce Hunt all make their Tigers debuts. Luai (leg) and Turuva (appendix) are right to go despite not playing trials. Jahream Bula and Starford To’a are sidelined with minor injuries but due back in Round 2.

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. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce

Cut: 20. Logan Aoake 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Adam Elliott

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Tyson Gamble has undergone back surgery this week and faces an extended period on the sideline. No changes expected with Fletcher Sharpe the new five-eighth and Phoenix Crossland the preferred hooker as Jayden Brailey is shopped around. Tyson Frizell will make a permanent switch to the middle in 2025.

8PM FRIDAY MARCH 7 AT COMMBANK STADIUM, SYDNEY

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 20. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Ray Stone 19. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai 23. Oryn Keeley

Cut: 6. Kodi Nikorima 16. Mark Nicholls 18. Kenneath Bromwich

Late Mail: Three Dolphins are out due to the effects of Cyclone Alfred. Sean O’Sullivan will replace Kodi Nikorima in the halves, Josh Kerr comes onto the bench for Mark Nicholls and Oryn Keeley has been added to the extended 20-man squad.

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata

Late Mail: Cody Walker (calf), Campbell Graham (hand) and Tevita Tatola (foot) are good to go.

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 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 10. Samuel Hughes 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 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Luke Smith 23. Ratu Rinakama

Late Mail: No changes expected. 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 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 19. Jake Clifford 20. Tom Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 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).