NRL Late Mail round 20: Virus smashes Knights, David Fifita in doubt for Titans

A virus has swept through Newcastle Knights camp, with just six players attending their captains run, while David Fifita’s return from injury has suffered a setback. See the full round 20 late mail.

A virus has swept through the Newcastle Knights with just six players taking part in Saturday’s captain’s run.

A dozen players were quarantined from the rest of the playing group as they deal with a crippling virus. It remains unclear how many players will be fit to take on the Warriors on Sunday.

Virus sweeps through the Knights camp. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

FIFITA FLATTENED BY VIRUS

David Fifita’s wretched season has taken a turn after the Titans star was floored by a virus this week.

Fifita is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval due to illness, just a week after making his return to the NRL.

Fifita spent two months on the sidelines after being dropped to reserve grade by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler and then undergoing knee surgery.

David Fifita is in doubt. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

He came off the bench in last week’s loss to the Broncos in his return but is now in doubt for the Tigers game.

The Titans flew to Sydney on Friday afternoon without Fifita, who was expected to travel separately and hopes to prove his fitness at Saturday’s captain’s run.

“The only one that’s been doubtful is Dave Fifita this week,” Hasler said.

“He’s been suffering from a virus and has been in isolation.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay.”

Fifita has only managed seven NRL appearances this season in what has been the most challenging season of his career.

He has found himself on the outer with Hasler and only scored one try so far, his worst return since debuting in 2018.

The Titans are anchored to last spot on the NRL ladder and facing the prospect of collecting a third wooden spoon.

Hasler is also fighting for his coaching future.

“We’ve got to put a string of wins together,” Hasler said.

-Travis Meyn 

ROUND 20 LATE MAIL

WESTS TIGERS v TITANS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird

Reserves: 20. Kit Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Players cut: 18. Brent Naden 19. Heath Mason 21. Luke Laulilii

Late Mail: Taylan May will make his Tigers debut after a long absence from the NRL.

Adam Doueihi’s clash with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui at lock will be an interesting one. Could you get two more contrasting 13s?

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 20. Arama Hau

Players cut: 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver

Late Mail: David Fifita (virus) is in some doubt. Sam Verrills (concussion) has been cleared after passing his HIA post-match against the Broncos.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui return to the starting side after playing from the bench post-Origin.

Keano Kini (neck) has officially been ruled out for the season.

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 21. Jack Hetherington

Players cut: 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Kyle McCarthy

Late Mail: The Knights could be forced into some late changes, with a host of players reportedly struck down by a virus. Three of the Knights top stars are out for the season – Kalyn Ponga (foot), Fletcher Sharpe (spleen/kidney) and Dylan Lucas (foot).

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 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. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia

Players cut: 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa

Late Mail: Kurt Capewell returns from an Origin resting at centre in place of Rocco Berry (shoulder), who is out for six weeks.

The Warriors are hopeful Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) will return next week.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 20: Virus smashes Knights, David Fifita in doubt for Titans