NRL Late Mail Round 3: Adam Doueihi completes captain’s run, Patrick Carrigan to play

The Tigers have received a massive boost ahead of their Bulldogs clash, with a high profile player set to make his club debut, while a cloud remains over another star.

John Bateman has been named to play his first game for the Tigers.

The high profile English recruit has been listed to start for the Tigers against Canterbury. Adam Doueihi is also expected to start.

The duo trained with the Tigers starting 17 at the team captains run in Sydney on Saturday.

Douehii has been struggling with a foot complaint while Bateman has been held back from making his club debut since arriving from the UK last month.

Shawn Blore has been moved to the bench.

—Michael Carayannis

Wests Tigers forward John Bateman is set to make his club debut against the Bulldogs. Picture: Wests Tigers

CARRI-GUN TO FIRE FOR BRONCOS

Broncos ironman Pat Carrigan has declared himself a certain starter and has vowed to fight fire with fire if the Dragons pack try to target him in Saturday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Speaking exclusively to News Corp, Carrigan says he has made a swift recovery from dental surgery in a major boost for the Broncos as they chase a third consecutive win against the Red V.

There were fears the Queensland Origin star could be ruled out of the round 3 showdown after being admitted to hospital on Monday to remove two wisdom teeth that have troubled him since last November’s World Cup.

Patrick Carrigan, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Broncos coach Kevin Walters had described Carrigan as “doubtful”, but the Maroons workhorse took part in Friday’s captain’s run and has been given the green light by Brisbane medicos.

While there was still visible swelling to the left side of Carrigan’s face, the 25-year-old pledged to play through the pain barrier as he chases a win that would propel the Broncos to the top of the league.

“I will play,” Carrigan said.

“Training went well (on Friday) and I’m feeling OK.

“There’s still some pain there. My face is still a bit swollen. It has gone down a lot. I came in the other day and the boys were laughing at me because my face had totally blown up, but it’s a lot better than it was.

“In my head, I am playing from right now.

COWBOYS v WARRIORS

5:30pm Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot

Players cut: 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour update. There’s an outside chance Valentine Holmes shifts to fullback on game day, however rookie Tom Chester is expected to play his second NRL game in the No. 1 jumper.

If the switch did happen, Brendan Elliot would come into the team at centre.

Heilum Luki is nearing a return from an ACL injury having been named at 18th man.

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Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 22. Jazz Tevaga

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick

Players cut: 15. Josh Curran 21. Ronald Volkman 23. Rocco Berry

Late Mail: The Warriors have suffered a late blow in the 24-hours before kick-off, with Josh Curran succumbing to a hip injury. Jazz Tevaga will take his spot on the bench in his first game for 2023, after returned from injury via NSW Cup last week.

BRONCOS v DRAGONS

7:35 Saturday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour update. Patrick Carrigan will play despite being earlier rated as ‘unlikely’ by Kevin Walters to face the Dragons due to an infected wisdom tooth.

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo

Reserves: 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt

Players cut: 16. Toby Couchman 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

Late Mail: Toby Couchman has been ruled out in the 24-hour update, after failing a HIA in Round 2 and is replaced by Michael Molo on the bench.

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 17. Fa’amanu Brown 23. Jayden Tanner

Reserves: 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine

Players cut: 16. Franklin Pele 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu

Late Mail: The Bulldogs have made one change 24-hours before kick-off, with Franklin Pele dropping out of the side and Jayden Tanner moving onto the bench for his NRL debut.

Wests Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 12. Shawn Blore 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura

Players cut: 17. Brandon Tumeth 19. Alex Seyfarth 22. Jahream Bula

Late Mail: Adam Doueihi got through the team’s captain’s run on Saturday and is likely to play. Brandon Wakeham is on standby to replace him in the halves if required. John Bateman should be good to go after overcoming an ankle injury and being promoted to the starting side, with Shawn Blore moving to the bench. Justin Matamua may come onto the bench on game day.

RAIDERS v SHARKS

6pm Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Late Mail: No changes expected at the Raiders as they chase their first win of the season.

Tom Starling entered the game at lock in the loss to the Dolphins, with Danny Levi remaining at hooker, expect this experiment to continue against the Sharks.

Trey Mooney will make his second NRL appearance off the bench, replacing the injured Ata Mariota.

Josh Papali’i is expected to return in the next one to two weeks.

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes told David Riccio he’s likely to return from a calf injury next week. Jack Williams returns from a concussion to make up a four forward bench, which sees utility Connor Tracey drop off the bench.

BYE: Panthers