NRL Late Mail round 14, predicted team changes: Reece Robson cleared to play in NSW boost, Jarome Luai’s virus scare

The Blues have received a huge boost ahead of Origin II with one of their star’s overcoming injury concerns and cleared to play in round 14. Plus, the Wests Tigers are expecting Jarome Luai to overcome a bout of gastroenteritis.

The Blues have received a huge boost with star hooker Reece Robson cleared to play for the Cowboys in Friday night’s clash against the Storm in Melbourne.

There were fears Robson was in danger of missing Origin II at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Wednesday week after he failed to finish in last week’s win over the Wests Tigers in Townsville.

Robson came from the field in the 53rd minute with hamstring tightness and Cowboys coach Todd Payten said he would need to pass a fitness test before being cleared to play against the Storm.

But the Blues worst fears have been allayed with Cowboys medicos giving Robson the green light to travel to Melbourne after a lighter workload during the week.

The 26-year-old made 42 tackles in NSW’s 18-6 defeat of Queensland in Origin I and will be a key figure at dummy-half as the Blues chase a victory in Perth that would secure back-to-back interstate titles.

-David Riccio, Peter Badel

Reece Robson has been cleared to play in a boost for the Cowboys and Blues. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

TIGERS DOWNPLAY LUAI SCARE

Wests Tigers halfback Jarome Luai is expected to be fit to play against his former club Penrith, after falling ill with gastro at the start of the week.

The captain was a notable absence at training on Wednesday, but after a day off on Thursday, Luai is expected to report to Concord on Friday to finalise preparation for his clash with his former club.

Teammate Api Koroisau confirmed his co-captain will be right to play on Thursday and none of the other Tigers had come down with the virus.

“He was just sick, had gastro,” Koroisau said.

“He was pretty much by himself, so he’s the only one who has missed training.”

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 31: Jarome Luai of the Tigers looks dejected after losing the round 13 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on May 31, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Still at the Tigers, Adam Doueihi has sent a scare through the team after he was kicked in the face and forced off the field at training on Wednesday.

Doueihi, who has been named at centre for Sunday’s clash with the Panthers at CommBank Stadium, suffered the setback at the Tigers’ Concord base towards the end of the session.

He was attended to by a trainer in the grandstand with this masthead capturing Doueihi getting his jaw and teeth checked.

It’s understood Doueihi has been given the all clear to play against the Panthers this weekend.

— Tyson Jackson and Brent Read

Adam Doueihi has a fresh injury.

Bulldogs blow with Tupouniua sidelined

Sitili Tupouniua is facing an extended absence from coach Cameron Ciraldo’s outfit after the Canterbury star suffered a fresh hamstring injury.

Tupouniua was set to return from a five week suspension next weekend against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 15.

That return has now been delayed indefinitely after the forward went down with a hamstring injury during training.

Despite lining up for the season opener, the 28-year old had a distributed pre-season due to hamstring issues.

Given his history with hamstring injuries, club medical staff won’t be tempted to rush the forward back onto the field with Canterbury’s position in the top eight is all but secured.

-Fatima Kdouh

Sitili Tupouniua is facing time out with a hamstring injury. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Full extent of ‘painful’ Ponga injury

Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga is a certain starter against the Sea Eagles on Thursday despite a painful ankle injury.

Ponga carried the injury into Origin camp for Queensland and then failed to back up last weekend for the Knights.

But Ponga is confirmed to play in Thursday’s clash at McDonald Jones Stadium as he manages an ongoing injury to the deltoid ligament in his ankle.

“He’ll play,” said coach Adam O’Brien. “I think the right decision was made last week judging on how much he’s got done this week.

“ … It’s not a needle but there will be some sort of pain management.

“He’s had it for a while, he’s pretty mentally strong, he knows how to get his mind right to block it out.

“But unfortunately he has to deal with the pain afterwards.

“It’s a pain management thing and it takes a while to settle down. Eventually, if you get a long enough period out, it will go away.”

Greg Marzhew will also come into the starting side after originally being named on the extended bench.

The tackle busting winger hasn’t played since round 10 due to a knee injury.

“Greg will play,” O’Brien said. “He got through the session yesterday (Tuesday) and again out there today (Wednesday).

“Today was pretty light but the biggest indication was that he pulled up good today after a really solid hit-out yesterday, so he’ll come into the team.”

O’Brien refused to reveal who Marzhew would replace in the side.

Meanwhile, Tyson Gamble has undergone surgery on a broken thumb and will miss an extended period.

Jack Hetherington missed the team sheet due to an ongoing shoulder injury.

Forward Paul Bryan has undergone season ending shoulder surgery.

—Tom Sangster

Kalyn Ponga has been managing an ankle injury. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

NRL ROUND 14 LATE MAIL

KNIGHTS V SEA EAGLES

Thursday, Jun 5, 7:50pm

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mat Croker

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17.Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Reserves: 18. Jackson Hastings 22. Greg Marzhew

Players cut: 19.Tyrone Thompson 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Wil Sullivan

Late Mail: Kalyn Ponga (ankle) is a certain stater despite managing a “painful” ongoing injury.

Greg Marzhew (knee) is confirmed to come into the backline but coach Adam O’Brien refused to reveal who he will replace.

Fletcher Hunt or Kyle McCarthy would most likely make way.

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jakob Arthur

Players cut: 20. Navren Willett 21. Chris Patolo 22. Matthew Lodge

Late Mail: Jake Trbojevic (concussion) is confirmed to return despite two recent head knocks.

Tom Trbojevic is again out with a corked quad and myofascial tear.

Jazz Tevaga has played the last month with a fractured rib.

STORM V COWBOYS

Friday, Jun 6, 6:00pm

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 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. Bronson Garlick 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Joe Chan 22. Kane Bradley

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Xavier Coates and Harry Grant are back after being rested post-Origin.

Alec MacDonald (quad) was named on the extended bench and could come into the 17.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Karl Lawton 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Braidon Burns 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

DOLPHINS V DRAGONS

Friday, Jun 6, 8:00pm

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 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. Oryn Keeley 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Max Feagai 21. Jeremy Marshall-King 22. Max Plath

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Emre Guler 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Hame Sele 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Michael Molo

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

SHARKS V WARRIORS

Saturday, Jun 7, 5:30pm

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Mawene Hiroti 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. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

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. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 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: To come

BRONCOS V TITANS

Saturday, Jun 7, 7:35pm

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Ben Te Kura

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deiner Mariner 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Blake Mozer

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sean Mullany 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Klese Haas 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 17. Arama Hau

Reserves: 18. AJ Brimson 19. Josh Patston 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Ryan Foran

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

RAIDERS V RABBITOHS

Sunday, Jun 8, 2:00pm

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. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Davvy Moale 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher22. Jacob Host

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

WESTS TIGERS V PANTHERS

Sunday, Jun 8, 4:05pm

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth

Interchange: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laililii 17. Charlie Murray

Reserves: 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22 Ele El-Zakhem

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali’i 20. Trent toelau 21. Luke Garner 22.Paul Alamoti

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

BULLDOGS V EELS

Monday, Jun 9, 4:00pm

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Jake Turpin 20. Blake Wilson 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Lachlan Galvin

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Sitili Tupouniua suffered a hamstring injury at training and could miss an extended period.

Tupouniua was due back from suspension in round 15.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 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. Jordan Samrani

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Matt Doorey 20. Joey Lussick 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

BYE: ROOSTERS

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 14, predicted team changes: Reece Robson cleared to play in NSW boost, Jarome Luai’s virus scare