NRL Late Mail round 3: Tom Trbojevic will not play, Josh Addo-Carr in for Eels

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic will not play against the Raiders, while the Parramatta Eels have made two changes to their starting line-up. 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.

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 kickstart their season.

—Brent Read

ROUND 3 LATE MAIL

EELS V BULLDOGS

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

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 5. Jordan Samrani 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 21. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 22. Joey Lussick 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: 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dan Kier

Cut: 2. Sean Russell 9. Brendan Hands 18. Ryan Matterson

Late Mail: Josh Addo-Carr is back from a disciplinary suspension and set to come into the starting side for his Parramatta debut, with Sean Russell dropping out. Hooker Brendan Hands is also out, with Joey Lussick elevated to the starting side.

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 23. Jonathan Sua

Cut: 20. Jack Todd 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith

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

5. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 19. Clayton Faulalo 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: 22. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Jakob Arthur

Cut: 1. Tom Trbojevic 18. Tommy Talau 21. Nathan Brown

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. Clatyon Faulolo joins the starting side on the wing.

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

Cut: 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

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

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 3: Tom Trbojevic will not play, Josh Addo-Carr in for Eels