Brisbane will be without edge forward Brendan Piakura for their clash against the Bulldogs this weekend, with Kevin Walters also sweating on Payne Haas’ availability.
Elsewhere, the Eels have ruled out a positional switch for Clint Gutherson, while the Melbourne Storm have been handed a massive double boost.
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Read on for all your Round 21 Late Mail!
FRIDAY
New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers, 6:00pm at Go Media Stadium
Warriors team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leaitaua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capwell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Tom Ale 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Demetric Sifakula 22. Setu Tu 23. Ben Farr
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Alex Twal 18. Heath Mason 19. Justin Matamua 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Tony Sukkar
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Eels roster shakeup imminent | 05:50
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Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm, 8:00pm at CommBank Stadium
Eels team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Will Penisini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Moretti 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Ethan Sanders 19. Matthew Arthur 20. Matt Doorey 21. Morgan Harper 22. Dan Keir
Players cut:
Late Mail: There will be no late switch now or this season seeing Clint Gutherson move out of the fullback jump to give Blaize Talagi a run in the position. Eels interim coach Trent Barrett told reporters on Thursday talk suggesting such a move was “a little bit disrespectful”.
“Gutho will be the fullback for the rest of the year,” Barrett said following calls Gutherson should be moved to centre or five-eighth.
“… There’s been a lot of talk about Blaize, but Blaize is a young player that we need to look after. He’s got a big future, but where his best position is, down the track that’s not my call.
“This year, I see him as a centre. I probably see him more as a five-eighth and a centre than a fullback.
“Gutho has been a great player for this club for a long time, so some of it I’ve found a little bit disrespectful with the commentary around him. He’s our captain and he’s the heart and soul of the joint and we love him.
“Those conversations and hearing all that stuff can’t be easy for him. He’s been here a long time and I think he deserves some respect.”
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loeiro 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Dean Ieremia 19. Tepai Moeroa 20. Cameron Munster 21. Chris Lewis 22. Reimis Smith
Players cut:
Late Mail: Storm coach Craig Bellamy is excited to see the ‘damage’ beastly prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona can do as he makes his return from injury against the Eels amid ongoing speculation over his future.
“I’m not sure how much is right and how much is wrong. I don’t really know exactly what’s going on myself,” he said.
“All we are concerned about at the moment is getting out on the field and playing some good footy.
“Hopefully, he can play again like he was playing before (getting injured).
“He had a couple of really good games coming off the bench and done some real damage, so we’ll be looking for him to do that again.”
Meanwhile, Cameron Munster is set to return after training successfully on Wednesday, though a final decision will be made after the captain’s run on Fridya/
“He got through Wednesday okay, he has pulled up okay from it so we don’t expect him to have any problems,” Bellamy said. “I’m sure he is keen to get some game time under his belt and get some match fitness.”
He added: “It’s been a long one and it’s taken a lot of getting over and a lot of rehab work to get to where he is now. Hopefully, he’ll get some good results out of the amount of work he’s done.”
Canterbury close in on Utoikamanu | 01:03
SATURDAY
Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 3pm at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7 Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Tyson Smoothy 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Corey Oates 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Va’a Semu 22. Brendan Piakura
Players cut:
Late Mail: According to The Daily Telegraph,Payne Haas, did not train on Wednesday, though is expected to take part in Brisbane’s must-win clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Club captain Adam Reynolds quashed concerns about the Blues Origin stars fitness, telling media on Wednesday “it’s a deserved rest for Payne.” Elsewhere, Brendan Piakura has officially succumbed to his groin injury, meaning Kobe Hetherington will retain his starting place in the back row. Blake Mozer and Billy Walters shared hooker duties in training, indicating Tyson Smoothy will be utilised in the middle against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4 Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Liam Knight 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Drew Hutchinson
Players cut:
Late Mail: Both Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau appeared worse for wear after the Bulldogs’ loss to the Cowboys last week, though Jacob Preston told media on Wednesday the pair are “all good.”
North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks, 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntrye 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Jake Clifford
Players cut:
Late Mail: Murray Taulagi has been named in the reserves as he pushes to return from a hamstring injury with Cowboys coach Todd Payten telling media the winger will be “given every opportunity” to prove he is fit for the weekend.
Sharks team: 1. Liam Ison 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazleton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Samuel Stonestreet 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Jack Williams
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles, 7:35pm at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Ethan King 21. Salesi Foketi 22. Zach Dockar-Clay
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Ben Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Corey Waddell 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown 18. Jamie Humphreys 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Ben Condon 22. Dean Matterson
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Roosters’ top 8 reality check | 02:38
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SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers, 2:00pm at WIN Stadium
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack De Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Sua 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Blake Lawrie 20. Jack Bird 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22. Mikaele Ravalawa
Players cut:
Late Mail: According to The Daily Telegraph Tyrell Sloan is in doubt for this weekend’s clash with the Panthers due to hamstring tightness. The fullback will be given until Saturday to prove his fitness. However, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has ruled out shifting Origin hero Zac Lomax into the No.1 jersey, with Mathew Feagai firming as Slaon’s likeliest replacement.
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Matthew Eisenhuth 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 21. Isaiah Longi 23. Luke Sommerton
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
The Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans, 4:05pm at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenneath Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Trai Fuller 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Oryn Keeley
Players cut:
LateMail: To come.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Jaylan De Groot
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
“I don’t think he’s earned the stripes” | 02:29
Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 6:15pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekese 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking 18. Adam Cook 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Brock Gray
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Source Agencies
