NRL Late Mail: Euan Aitken and Cody Walker out, Smith in for souths, Papenhuyzen injured

South Sydney must rejig their backline with two key players ruled out after the captain’s run while Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out of Melbourne’s clash against the Cowboys.

Brandon Smith will play his first game for South Sydney after being declared fit to take on Manly on Sunday.

The Rabbitohs have received mixed news with Smith passed fit but Euan Aitken (leg) and Cody Walker (hamstring) ruled out.

Smith joined South Sydney from the Roosters mid-season and will play his first game of the year after recovering from a knee injury.

“He will be playing,” coach Wayne Bennett said. “He is excited about it all. Everything is right for him to go.

“(Walker) will be back after the bye. Slight hamstring strain. Not too serious.”

Brandon Smith will make his debut for south Sydney. Picture: Rohan Kelly

PAPENHUYZEN OUT OF COWBOYS CLASH

The Melbourne Storm have suffered a massive blow ahead of their clash against the Cowboys, with star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen ruled out with calf tightness in the 24-hour team update.

His withdrawal will see a reshuffle in the halves, with Tyran Wishart shifting from five-eighth to fullback, with Jonah Pezet moving from the bench to five-eighth.

With Pezet moving into the starting side, Victorian product Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown has been elevated to the bench and is set to make his NRL debut.

—Wilson Smith

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out the Storm v Cowboys clash. Picture: Getty Images

COWBOYS BACKLINE DEPTH TO BE TESTED

– Patrick Woods

North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi has been ruled out of Saturday’s match against the Melbourne Storm.

Taulagi picked up a knock during the Cowboys’ 30-24 win over the Gold Coast Titans in round 17, forcing a reshuffle from head coach Todd Payten.

Payten confirmed versatile outside back Braidon Burns would take over on the left wing.

Murray Taulagi is a late out for the Cowboy. Picture: Getty Images

“We’ve had to pull Murray Taulagi out of the team because he copped a knock in the game last week,” Payten said.

“That was part of the reason why he wasn’t named in the Origin squad. We named him this week in the thought that he might improve, but we tried to get some running done on Thursday, and he was no good.

“So Bradon Burns will come in for that left wing.”

Jordan McLean and John Bateman both passed fitness tests and are expected to play.

LATE MAIL: NRL ROUND 18

RAIDERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Chevy Stewart

Players cut: 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Joe Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update or an hour before kick-off.Joseph Tapine will play despite a sickening finger dislocation over the weekend.

Josh Papali’i and Hudson Young are away on Origin duty.

Joseph Tapine had to leave the field after suffering a finger injury - tough to see here where the injury is so if anyone can spot it let me know 😬🫣🫢

Obviously concern for finger dislocation - hopefully no fracture present. If just a dislocation usually a quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/WlLmbmX1BA

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 27, 2025

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 17. Michael Molo 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Viliami Fifita

Reserves: 20. Nicholas Tsougranis

Players cut: 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Hame Sele 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Jacob Halangahu

Late Mail: The Dragons are short on troops due to injury and have suffered another double blow in the 24-hour team update, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner (back) and Hame Sele (calf) ruled out. Michael Molo replaces Faitala-Mariner in the back row, with Blake Lawrie and Viliami Fifita the new faces on the bench. There were no further changes an hour before kick-off.

Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) is expected to return in round 21.

Nathan Lawson (scapula fracture) is aiming for round 22-23.

Luciano Leilua (quad) and Hamish Stewart (concussion) will miss this week but should play next week.

Toby Couchman (dislocated shoulder) requires further assessment but there are fears he will miss the rest of the season.

COWBOYS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 18. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre

Interchange: 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 21. Jaxson Paulo 19. Marly Bitungane

Players cut: 5. Murray Taulagi 20. Jamal Shibasaki 23. Mason Kira

Late Mail: Murray Taulagi has been ruled out, with Braidon Burns replacing him on the wing. John Bateman (groin) and Jordan McLean (calf) are tracking well after being late outs last week.

“More precautionary than anything,” said coach Todd Payten.

“They had some soft tissue complaints. It was a risk to play them if they injured themselves to be out for an extended period.

“They have a couple of boxes to tick this week but we are expecting them to play.”

Storm

6. Tyran Wishart 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Kane Bradley 14. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange: 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati 22. Siulagi Pio

Reserves: 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 19. Coby Williamson

Players cut: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Josiah Pahulu 20. Gabriel Satrick

Late Mail: Melbourne have suffered a massive blow, with Ryan Paphuyzen ((calf tightness) ruled out. Tyran Wishart moves to the back and Jonah Pezet comes in at five-eighth. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown is the new face on the bench.

The Storm have confirmed Sua Fa’alogo (hamstring) will miss 8-12 weeks. Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu are on Origin duty.

ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 18. Ethan King 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Egan Butcher 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Blake Steep

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Max McCathie 16. Taylor Losalu 17. De La Salle Va’a

Reserves: 19. Ethan Roberts 21. Ben Johnson

Players cut: 3. Billy Smith 20. Chad Townsend 22. Tyler moriarty

Late Mail: The Roosters have made one change in the 24-hour team update, with Billy Smith replaced by Ethan King in the centres. Sandon Smith will play despite getting an early shower last match due to minor bone bruising in his knee, then resting up over the bye.

He will start in the halves this week but could switch to the bench next week when Sam Walker (broken thumb) is expected back.

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Luke Laulilii 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Tristan Hope 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Charlie Murray 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar

Reserves: 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Brent Naden

Players cut: 20. Royce Hunt 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Izaac Tu’itupou

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

SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 20. Caleb Navale

Players cut: 19. Clayton Faulalo 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

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

The Sea Eagles hope Nathan Brown (biceps) can feature late in the season. He has been sent for surgery and will miss 9-12 weeks.

Rabbitohs

1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 12. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 20. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 22. Brandon Smith

Reserves: 17. Lewis Dodd 19. Sean Keppie

Players cut: 3. Euan Aitken 18. Ryan Gray 21. Cody Walker

Late Mail: The Rabbitohs have made a host of changes in the 24-hour team update. Euan Aitken (leg) is out, with backrower Tallis Duncan shifting to the centres and Jacob Host into the starting forward pack. Brandon Smith (ACL) has joined the bench at the expence of Lewis Dodd and is set to make his club debut. Cody Walker (hamstring) was initially named on the extended bench but is now out of the squad.

Souths have lost halfback Jayden Sullivan for the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken leg in reserve grade over the weekend.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail: Euan Aitken and Cody Walker out, Smith in for souths, Papenhuyzen injured