NRL Late Mail round 12: Luke Garner ruled out after Penrith Panthers team confusion

Luke Garner is out of Penrith’s clash against the Knights following team list confusion, while the Bulldogs continue to be frustrated by Origin selection rules.

Luke Garner is out of Penrith’s clash against the Knights on Saturday due to concussion.

Garner suffered a head knock at training on Tuesday after the Panthers’ team had been submitted to the NRL.

The forward-come-centre was originally named, causing confusion when teams dropped at 4pm.

But has now been officially ruled out.

Preston Riki comes into the starting back row, Austin Dias moves from reserves to the bench and Zac Lipowicz is added to reserves.

Frustration over costly Mann selection

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is frustrated that his side will be without Kurt Mann for Thursday night’s game against the Dolphins, but he can’t begrudge the veteran utility who will be 18th man for the Maroons in the State of Origin opener.

It’s not the first time the Bulldogs have lost a key player who has been a part of the Origin squad but hasn’t actually played, with star five-eighth Matt Burton picked as NSW 18th man several times over the past couple of years.

“Considering we play Thursday night and Origin isn’t until next Wednesday (it is a bit frustrating) but in saying that, wewant our players in and around that arena, especially someone like Kurt, who has worked so hard for a long time,” Ciraldosaid.

“We would never begrudge him of that, but it is quite frustrating to lose a player to 18th man.

“I haven’t spoken to the Maroons, that’s not for us. We’re just really happy that he’s there. We hope he has a great week and comes back to us a better player.”

—Martin Gabor

Kurt Mann won’t be released for the Bulldogs after being named 18th man for the Maroons.

NRL ROUND LATE MAIL

BULLDOGS V DOLPHINS

Thursday May 22, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Blake Taafe 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Lipoi Hopi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Bailey Hayward

Interchange: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Luke Smith

Reserves: 21. Jack Underhill 20. Jonathan Sua

Players cut: 19. Drew Hutchison 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Mitchell Woods

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Kurt Mann won’t be released to play after being named 18th man for the Maroons.

Josh Curran (suspension) returns at prop.

Stephen Crichton, Max King and Mann are on Origin duty, while Jacob Kiraz (calf) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) are unavailable.

Dolphins

1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 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. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Oryn Keeley

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Junior Tupou

Players cut: 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Kenny Bromwich 22. Tevita Naufahu

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.

EELS V SEA EAGLES

Friday May 23 2025, 8:00pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Matt Doorey

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Mitch Moses and Zac Lomax are in NSW camp.

Kelma Tuilagi (suspension) returns in the starting back row.

Sea Eagles

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

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Tommy Talau 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Lachlan Croker (knee) finally returns after missing the first 11 rounds.

PANTHERS V KNIGHTS

Sat May 24 2025, 5:30pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Preston Riki 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith

Interchange: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Austin Dias 16. Luron Patea 17. Jack Cole

Reserves: 18. Trent Toelau 19. Zac Lipowicz 20. Jesse McLean 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Billy Phillips

Players cut: Luke Garner

Late Mail: Luke Garner is officially out due to a concussion sustained at training on Tuesday.

Preston Riki comes into the starting back row, Austin Dias moves from reserves to the bench and Zac Lipowicz is added to reserves.

Knights

1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Paul Bryan 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Jackson Hastings

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

ROOSTERS V SHARKS

Sat May 24 2025, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Makahesi Makatoa 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Xavier Va’a 20. Ethan Roberts 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Toby Rodwell

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Nat Butcher (knee) is pushing for a return but will need to prove his fitness.

Naufahu Whyte (MCL) missed selection on Tuesday but the Roosters have not yet revealed an official time frame.

He is undergoing further testing.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 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: Mawene Hiroti (knee) is back early from injury.

Jesse Ramien (eye) and Teig Wilton (shoulder) have also been named and will push for inclusion.

Sam Stonestreet (ankle) is set to miss 6-8 weeks.

WARRIORS V RAIDERS

Sunday May 25 2025, 4:05pm, GO Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Ofoa 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22 Ali Leiataua. 23. Taine Tuaupiki

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Jackson Ford (concussion) is a timely return in the front row following the suspension of James Fisher-Harris.

Ali Leiataua (ankle) will push for inclusion after being named on the extended bench.

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. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

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

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come