NRL Late Mail round 8: Cody Walker suffers calf injury, David Fifita’s remarkable recovery

In a significant blow to South Sydney, veteran Cody Walker has been ruled out for several weeks. Elsewhere, Manly will miss a backline star against Penrith. See all the predicted Round 8 team changes.

In a significant blow to Souths, veteran Cody Walker has been ruled out for four to five weeks with a calf tear.

And in a surprise positional move by coach Wayne Bennett, fullback Jye Gray will move from the bench to start at five-eighth in place of Walker.

Gray had been playing fullback but was switched to the bench earlier this week after Latrell Mitchell was moved to fullback.

Bennett resisted pushing Mitchell back to five-eighth after Walker withdrew.

The South Sydney camp confirmed Walker’s injury news on Thursday morning.

Cody Walker will miss a month of football. Picture: NRL Photos

Walker only returned last week from a hamstring injury sustained in round three.

He was replaced midway through the second half against Canterbury on Easter Friday as a precautionary move.

It comes after confirmation skipper Cam Murray will miss the entire season after rupturing an Achilles tendon at pre-season training.

The loss of Walker only makes Souths’ trip to Melbourne on Friday night even more challenging.

– Dean Ritchie

ROOSTER BOOST FOR ANZAC DAY

Representative backrower Angus Crichton has been cleared to play in the Roosters marquee clash with the Dragons on Anzac Day at Allianz Stadium.

Crichton was a late withdrawal from the Roosters side that was beaten by the Panthers last Saturday night due to a groin injury.

“Angus is good to go,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Thursday.

Robinson also gave an update on injured star Sam Walker, and who is on the comeback trail from a torn ACL.

“It’s probably five to six weeks away for Sammy, he’s tracking well,” Robinson said.

– David Riccio

Angus Crichton returns for the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos

SAAB GROUNDED

Manly winger Jason Saab has been ruled out of Saturday night’s big match against Penrith at CommBank Stadium.

Saab has been troubled by an ankle injury with club medical staff pulling him from the side on Thursday morning.

Saab injured his ankle against Melbourne in round five.

He played against St George Illawarra last week with the same injury but pulled up sore post-game.

Tommy Talau will be the replacement.

Returning Manly star Tom Trbojevic trained on Wednesday and remains listed to play.

Trbojevic sustained a knee injury and has missed the past three games.

Manly has lost three successive games and face a Penrith side who bounced back to form in last weekend’s big win over the Roosters.

– Dean Ritchie

FIFITA MAKES SHOCK RECOVERY

David Fifita has flown north to take on the Cowboys as Des Hasler turned up the heat on the Titans to snap out of their early-season slump.

The Titans will be looking to break a three-game losing streak in Saturday’s clash with North Queensland in Townsville.

The star forward missed Gold Coast’s shocking choke to the Raiders on Easter Sunday with a hamstring injury, where the Titans squandered a 16-0 lead to lose 30-20.

After the game, Hasler said Fifita was facing a month on the sidelines.

But his star backrower was spotted running in a light session with the team on Tuesday and has been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville.

David Fifita is set to line up for Gold Coast this weekend. Picture: Getty

Hasler is renowned for playing mind games but said Fifita had recovered quickly.

Halfback Jayden Campbell is actually expected to miss a month with an ankle injury while Kieran Foran is at least another week away from returning from a torn biceps.

“We don’t want to use the old injuries excuse,” Hasler said as the Titans look to snap a three-game losing streak.

“We had lots of injuries last weekend but were in a position to win that game and didn’t win.

“We need to start winning.”

– Travis Meyn

SHARKS SUFFER HUGE FORWARD BLOW, IRO LATEST

Cronulla have suffered a major blow to their forward stocks with Toby Rudolf sidelined for six to eight weeks after suffering a syndesmosis injury.

Cronulla have confirmed Rudolf damaged his left ankle in the second-half of last Sunday’s win over the Knights.

It is another injury setback for Rudolf after missing the start of the season due to off-season shoulder surgery.

Meanwhile, Cronulla have confirmed centre Kayal Iro has recovered well from a hamstring tear and is expected to be available within the next fortnight.

—David Riccio

Toby Rudolf with ice on his ankle over the weekend. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

ROUND 8 LATE MAIL

ROOSTERS v DRAGONS

Friday, 4:00pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu

Players cut: 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.Coach Trent Robinson made a big call on Team List Tuesday by dropping Dominic Young, with Billy Smith (suspension) returning at centre and Mark Nawaqanitawase shifting to the wing.

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin.

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Emre Guler 17. Dylan Egan

Reserves: 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 21. Corey Allan

Players cut: 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Finau Latu 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Sione Finau is the new left winger following injuries to Mat Feagai (ankle) and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring).

Hamish Stewart (concussion) is due to return next week.

WARRIORS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 6:05pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Leka Halasima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban

Reserves: 20. Tanah Boyd 23. Edward Kosi

Players cut: 18. Te Maire Martin 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Samuel Healey

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) and Rocco Berry (suspension) are both back for the Wahs.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 20. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur

Players cut: 7. Tyson Gamble 19. Paul Bryan 22. Logan Aoake

Late Mail: Tyson Gamble has been ruled out, with Jack Cogger replacing him at halfback. Dylan Lucas returns after six weeks out due to a hamstring injury, with impressive young gun Thomas Cant dropping to the bench.

STORM v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8:10pm, AAMI Park

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Kane Bradley 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Joe Chan 17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Coby Williamson 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Nick Meaney (facial fracture) is the big watch. He’ll need to make it through two training sessions to take his place.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion) has been named on the extended bench, with Storm staff yet to decide if he will return through NRL or reserves.

The Storm are hopeful Harry Grant (hamstring) will only miss two more weeks.

Jack Howarth (dislocated shoulder) has avoided surgery but will miss 4-6 weeks.

Tui Kamikamica (ankle) will likely miss the next two games.

Will Warbrick (concussion) remains unavailable.

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan

Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Declan Casey

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

COWBOYS v TITANS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: John Bateman (infection) is confirmed to return after resting up over the bye.

Jeremiah Nanai has been named for his first start since round 1.

Titans

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

Interchange: 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Josiah Pahulu

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Despite initial fears he would miss a month, the Titans have confirmed David Fifita (hamstring) could be back as early as this week.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira (hamstring) will need to make it through training this week but will be given every chance.

Jayden Campbell (ankle) will miss at least a month following a training injury.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard will play despite a broken nose last week.

PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Jack Cole

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Tom Trbojevic (knee) and Josh Aloiai (shoulder) are both aiming to return.

Toafofoa Sipley wasn’t named on Tuesday but has copped a four-match suspension as the NRL judiciary sent a strong message over hip drop tackles.

RAIDERS v DOLPHINS

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 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. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Have named the same 17 as last week and expected to be unchanged on game day.

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Junior Tupou

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Despite early concerns, Max Plath (foot) has been cleared of serious injury and is racing the clock. What was initially thought to be a plantar fascia injury is now confirmed as a ligament sprain.

Jeremy Marshall King will miss at least another week after a gash in his leg became infected.

Felise Kaufusi (knee) has received good scan news and is hoping to return next week.

TIGERS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Leichhardt Oval

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Lachlan Galvin returns after his axing last week with Adam Doueihi shifting back to the centres.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 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. Siosifa Talakai 16. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Billy Burns 21. Hohepa Puru 22. Jesse Colquhoun

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Toby Rudolf (ankle) will miss 6-8 weeks.

Kayal Iro (hamstring) will be available for selection in the next fortnight.

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is gunning for a return after being named on the extended bench.

BYE: Eels

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 8: Cody Walker suffers calf injury, David Fifita’s remarkable recovery