NRL Late Mail round 3: Kotoni Staggs and Tom Trbojevic will not play, Bula tipped for Tigers

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic will not play against the Raiders on Sunday while Brisbane have opted to take a similarly cautious approach with centre Kotoni Staggs. UPDATED MAIL HERE

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic says he agrees with the club’s decision to rest him for this weekend because of another hamstring injury.

This time though Trbojevic’s injury is not expected to keep him out long-term with the fullback only likely to miss one game – this Sunday’s clash against the Raiders.

“You look at risk versus reward,” Trbojevic said. “I could have played and got through it and you’d be fine. But if not, then you face a certain amount of time on the sideline. I agree with the decision.”

Trbojevic underwent a fitness test on Thursday before it was ultimately decided to keep him sidelined for this week. He had been on a modified training program and ran freely but the Sea Eagles want to take a conservative approach.

The Sea Eagles will not play Tom Trbojevic in round three. Picture: Getty Images

There are no fears of long-term damage after he failed to finish the game against the Warriors last week. He experienced minor tightness and scans cleared him of a serious injury.

Lehi Hopoate will start at fullback while the Sea Eagles are hopeful Tommy Talau will be fit to play his first game of the season and start on the wing. It is expected that Trbojevic will play for Manly in their round four clash against Parramatta.

Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, who did not finish the game against the Warriors because of a back injury, will play against Canberra.

STAGGS OUT OF XXXX DERBY

Michael Maguire has erred on the side of caution and opted not to bring Kotoni Staggs into the Brisbane side that will take on the Cowboys in the XXX Derby this weekend.

“Kotoni won’t play but he will be in the 19 (man squad),” Maguire said after the captain’s run.

“We have done a lot of work to get him to this point but I feel at this present moment with where Kotoni is at, I will keep him on edge there.

Kotoni Staggs will have to wait one more week. Picture: Adam Head

“He is in good shape.

“He was very close to playing, but Kotoni has had a few issues with his injury. It was touch-and-go, but it’s the right thing to do at the moment for Kotoni and allow him to have more time.

“It’s just up in the hip flexor, it’s a bit higher than his quad, they can be tricky at times.

“He trained really well. He was excellent. He has done a lot of work and he had that issue last year as well, but he has worked really hard to make sure he is ready to go.

“I just think it’s the right decision at this present moment to give him some more time.”

TIGERS BACK BULA

Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula got through Thursday’s field session unscathed and will line-up against the Dolphins on Saturday.

Bula, who starred in the Tigers win over Parramatta, sent a scare through the Tigers camp after he was spotted in a moon boot after the match.

But Bula ran freely during Thursday’s warm up and opposed session, and showed no sign of a foot injury.

Jahream Bula was big for the Wests Tigers in their round two demolition of the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

Star five-eighth Jarome Luai is confident fullback Bula won’t be a late omission from Saturday’s clash.

Coach Benji Marshall named Bula at fullback on Tuesday but rookie no.1 Heath Mason was also included in the extended squad, as a potential back-up if Bula is ruled out.

“He’s ready to rock. Our big day is today, so he’ll lace up the boots and jump in with us,” Luai said.

“I was amazed at the way he played (against the Eels). We are going to need him again this week,”

DOLPHINS HOPING FOR DOUBLE BOOST

The Dolphins are hoping for a double boost as they search for their first win of the season against the Tigers on Saturday.

Winger Jack Bostock (knee) and rising backrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion) are nearing return for the clash at Kayo Stadium.

Bostock was injured during the pre-season trials and hasn’t played since, but has trained strongly this week and will face a final fitness test on Friday.

Cowboys recruit Finefeuiaki suffered a head knock in his round 1 club debut and missed last week’s loss to Newcastle.

New coach Kristian Woolf is hunting his first win of the year since taking over from Wayne Bennett.

It has been a challenging start to the 2025 season for the Dolphins, who were severely impacted by Cyclone Alfred and spent the first two weeks on the road.

They will make their first appearance at home against a Wests team brimming with confidence after beating Parramatta last weekend.

- Travis Meyn

KEY KNIGHTS STAR SUFFERS HAMSTRING INJURY

Newcastle have been dealt a blow with in-form back-rower Dylan Lucas suffering a hamstring injury.

It is understood Lucas hurt himself at training on Wednesday afternoon and will be ruled out of Saturday night’s match against Gold Coast. He will be given until Friday afternoon to prove his fitness.

Young Jermaine McEwen may be the replacement for Lucas.

It is hoped the injury is not major with the Knights having the bye next week it should mean he is right to play the Bulldogs in round five.

The Knights are already without forwards Leo Thompson (knee) and Kai Pearce-Paul (suspended).

—Michael Carayannis

Knights star Dylan Lucas has gone down with a hamstring injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

ILLNESS HITS CANTERBURY CAMP

Canterbury copped another spanner in the works ahead of Sunday’s clash with Parramatta after halfback Toby Sexton missed training on Wednesday.

Sexton, who will steer the ship against the Eels in the absence of injured star Matt Burton, woke up feeling sick and skipped training to try and shake it to be healthy by game day.

Although the club is confident he will be right to take the field in four days time, it has come as a further interruption for the unbeaten Bulldogs, who will be without Burton and Viliame Kikau for at least the next month.

At a pinch, Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon are both capable of shifting into the halves, while rookie five-eighth Joseph O’Neill is also on the extended bench.

—Pamela Whaley

Toby Sexton missed training on Wednesday due to illness. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

ADDO-CARR EYES DEBUT

Josh Addo-Carr is edging towards a return against his former club the Bulldogs this weekend after training with his Parramatta teammates.

Addo-Carr, who hasn’t played since leaving the Bulldogs and receiving a ban from the NRL over his off-field conduct, was named on an extended bench by the Eels on Tuesday.

However, he was a notable presence at Eels training on Wednesday and looks ripe and ready to make his bow for the club at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.

The struggling Eels could certainly do with an injection of Addo-Carr’s experience and enthusiasm. With captain and halfback Mitchell Moses watching on as he recovers from a foot problem, Addo-Carr’s presence at training was a ray of light for a club that has struggled through their opening two games.

Josh Addo-Carr all smiles at Eels training ahead of his club debut. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Josh Addo-Carr is set to come into the starting side for the Eels. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The former NSW and Australian winger had his right hand heavily strapped, although it is understood that was related to an old injury.

His fitness doesn’t seem to be an issue. The only concern for coach Jason Ryles is likely whether Addo-Carr has the match fitness to take on the Bulldogs.

Given the Eels’ early season woes, it seems unfathomable to think Ryles would leave Addo-Carr on the sidelines for what shapes as a crucial game for the club’s new coach as he attempts to kick-start their season.

—Brent Read

ROUND 3 LATE MAIL

WARRIORS V ROOSTERS

6pm Friday March 21, GO Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

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

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 20. Te Maire Martin

Cut: 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Rocco Berry

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

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 18. Hugo Savala 21. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 22. Ethan Roberts 20. Billy Smith

Cut: 15. Salesi Foketi 17. Lindsay Collins 19. Taylor Losalu

Late Mail: Lindsay Collins (illness) has been ruled out, while Salesi Foketi failed in his bid to have a grade 2 careless high tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary and has been banned for two games. Hugo Savala and Makahesi Makatoa join the bench in their absence.

Victor Radley (concussion) and Spencer Leniu (suspension) both return.

BRONCOS V COWBOYS

8pm Friday March 21, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick 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. Kotoni Staggs

Cut: 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Kotoni Staggs took part in the captain’s run on Thursday but despite training well the Broncos have opted for a conservative approach and will hold their strike centre back another week.

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. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Harrison Edwards 21. Karl Lawton

Cut: 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Thomas Mikaele 22. Jaxson Paulo

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. SuperCoaches should monitor cheapie Robert Derby after the Cowboys confirmed Braidon Burns will miss 3-4 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Coach Todd Payten swung the axe on Tuesday, dumping halfback Thomas Duffy for Jake Clifford and recalling Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai from Queensland Cup.

SHARKS V RABBITOHS

3pm Saturday 22nd March, Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes trained only partly on Tuesday as he manages a leg injury but is expected to play.

Rabbitohs

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

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Mikaele Ravalawa 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata

Late Mail: Tallis Duncan is in considerable doubt due to a hip injury.

Fresh recruit Mikaele Ravalawa was named 18th man on Tuesday despite not yet having trained with the club.

He could push his way onto a wing. Young gun Lachlan Hubner has been suspended for two weeks.

DOLPHINS V WESTS TIGERS

5:30pm, Saturday 22nd March, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert

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

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Jack Bostock 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Late Mail: Expect late changes with Jack Bostock (knee) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion) named on the extended bench. Bostock has trained at centre and wing but would most likely replace Junior Tupou on the wing. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki likely starts in the back row for Oryn Keeley.

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 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. Latu Fainu 19. Heath Mason 20. Charlie Staines 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape

Late Mail: Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai is confident fullback Jahream Bula won’t be a late omission from Saturday’s clash against the Dolphins.

Bula, who starred in the Tigers win over Parramatta, sent a scare through the Tigers camp after he was spotted in a moon boot after the match.

Coach Benji Marshall named Bula at fullback on Tuesday but rookie no.1 Heath Mason was also included in the extended squad, as a potential back-up if Bula is ruled out.

TITANS V KNIGHTS

7:35pm, Saturday 22nd March, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Brock Gray

Reserves: 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Jacob Alick-Wienke 21. Tom Weaver 22. Ken Maumalo

Late Mail: With Alofiana Khan-Pereira expected to miss at least four weeks due to a hamstring injury, SuperCoaches should monitor Tony Francis as a cheapie.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard has shed some light on why David Fifita played only 31 minutes in round 1 from the bench, where he has been named again this week.

“He might still be a bit underdone from the surgery he had in the off-season,” Campbell-Gillard said. “We need him to play. Even if he comes off the bench I’m sure he’ll do a job. If he starts he’ll do a job.”

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. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12.Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Thomas Cant 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Jermaine McEwen 20. Will Pryce 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson

Late Mail: Dylan Lucas is in doubt after picking up a hamstring injury at training and is expected to be ruled out. If that is the case we could see either Thomas Cant or Mat Croker come into the starting side, with Jermaine McEwen joining the bench.

EELS V BULLDOGS

4:05pm, Sunday 23rd March, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Dooery 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dan Kier 21. Josh Addo-Carr 22. Joey Lussick

Late Mail: Josh Addo-Carr is back from a disciplinary suspension and set to come into the starting side for his Parramatta debut.

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Joshua Curran 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Joseph O’Neill 20. Jack Todd 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Late Mail: Halfback Toby Sexton missed training on Wednesday through illness but is expected to play.

SEA EAGLES V RAIDERS

6:15pm, Sunday 23rd March, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Nathan Brown 22. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega

Late Mail: Tom Trbojevic has been ruled out due to minor hamstring tightness and Lehi Hopoate will start at fullback in his absence. It is expected that Trbojevic will play for Manly in their round four clash against Parramatta.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Danny Levi 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

Late Mail: To come