NRL Late Mail round 3: RTS out with concussion

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SuperCoach: Buy, Hold, Sell2:56

NRL: Tom Sangster gives the rundown of who to buy, hold and sell heading into round 3.

• March 14th 2017
• 3 days ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/NRL/Supercoach/

Billy Slater returns for the Storm. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

PENRITH star Bryce Cartwright will miss his side’s clash with the Roosters, but winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will return.

In other Late Mail:

* Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is out of Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs due to concussion.

* Valentine Holmes (hamstring) will return for the Sharks.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck comes off following a head knock last week.Source:Getty Images

BULLDOGS v WARRIORS

6pm AEDT Friday at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Bulldogs: 1 Brad Abbey 2 Brett Morris 3 Josh Morris 4 Brenko Lee 5 Marcelo Montoya 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Greg Eastwood 13 David Klemmer. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Danny Fualalo 16 Adam Elliott 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 21 Francis Tualau 23 Reimis Smith

Players cut from squad: Craig Garvey and Matt Frawley

Late Mail: Canterbury debutant Brad Abbey is expected to take on the goal-kicking duties for the Bulldogs in Friday’s NRL clash with the Warriors. The Bulldogs are without an experienced goal-kicker in their 17, after regular sharp-shooter Kerrod Holland was ruled out for at least a month with a shoulder injury. Holland was taken from the field early in last week’s four-point loss to the Sydney Roosters, which was decided by goal-kicking.

Both sides scored five tries but replacement kicker Moses Mbye could only slot home two conversions from five attempts in the loss. It’s believed 20-year-old Abbey will take over the duties this Friday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

“He’s a really good goal-kicker actually,” forward Josh Jackson said of Abbey. “So I think he’ll take over that.” Abbey was the Warriors second-choice kicker in Under-20s two seasons ago and kicked 30 goals in last year’s NSW Cup on moving to the Bulldogs. He has been sitting behind Rhyse Martin as a kicker in reserve grade this year.

Abbey is one of two Bulldogs making their debut this weekend. Marcelo Montoya, 21, will come onto the wing in place of Holland, after impressing most judges over the pre-season at the Bulldogs. “He was unlucky not to play round one,” Lichaa said.

“I was pretty impressed with the way he ran the ball. When we were doing opposed sessions at 100 per cent he was running the ball back. “Sometimes I thought I could give him a bit of a shot and he’d just bump me off. He wasn’t scared.”

Warriors: 21 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 Ken Maumalo 3 David Fusitu’a 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Mafoa’aeata Hingano 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Albert Vete 9 Issac Luke 10 Jacob Lillyman 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman (C) 13 Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14 Erin Clark 15 Sam Lisone 16 Charlie Gubb 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Blake Ayshford 20 James Gavet

Players cut from squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion), Mason Lino

Late Mail: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion) is out, replaced at fullback by Tuimoala Lolohea. Ryan Hoffman takes over the captaincy duties.

SuperCoach: Winners & Losers2:42

NRL: Tom Sangster has the winners and losers following round two.

• March 14th 2017
• 3 days ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/NRL/Supercoach/

TITANS v EELS

8.05pm AEDT Friday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. Tyler Cornish 2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis 3. Dan Sarginson 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. William Zillman 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Tyrone Roberts 10. Ryan James (c) 11. Kevin Proctor (c) 12. Chris McQueen 13. Agnatius Paasi . Interchange: 14. Ryan Simpkins 15. Nathaniel Peteru 16. Leivaha Pulu 17. Joe Greenwood 18. Paterika Vaivai 19. Max King

Players cut from squad: Eddy Pettybourne and Karl Lawton

Late Mail: The Titans have had their application to rush Roosters recruit Dale Copley into Friday’s match against Parramatta rejected.

Copley signed with the Titans on Wednesday, a day after the club had to name its 21-man squad for the Eels game.

For Copley to face the Eels the Titans had to gain a special exemption from the NRL under its new team list rules.

The Titans were privately confident Copley would be cleared to play given he was unable to be named in the 21-man squad as he was not part of the club.

But the NRL rejected the submission on the grounds there were not exceptional circumstances.

An NRL spokesman said the Titans did not satisfy the circumstances required for an exemption to be granted.

“The new guidelines around team lists are designed to ensure there is certainty around who is named on a Tuesday and who runs out to play,” the spokesman said.

“The Titans applied to include Dale Copley in their squad late on Wednesday night.

“Whilst we have some sympathy towards the Titans and their injury problems, In this case, Dale Copley was not a registered Titans player when the team lists were announced on Tuesday and the request was declined.”

Before hearing of the NRL’s decision, Titans coach Neil Henry said he was confident Copley would be cleared to play.

“We really are depleted in the outside backs,” Henry said.

“I can’t really see a reason (for it to be rejected).

“We couldn’t name him in a 21 because we weren’t sure if he was able to come.

“That was out of our hands. Now he’s here, we’ve done all the formalities.”

The NRL’s decision has left Henry scratching for players on the back of the club’s injury crisis.

Dan Sarginson (knee) was named at centre, but did not train and will be replaced by Chris McQueen.

Henry will have to shuffle his bench, especially after naming Karl Lawton in the 21-man squad despite the fact he will miss at least three games with a shoulder injury.

— Travis Meyn

Eels: 1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Clint Gutherson 7. Jeff Robson 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah (c) 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott. Interchange: 14. Nathan Brown 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Rory O’Brien 17. Frank Pritchard 18. David Gower 20. Kirisome Auva’a

Players cut from squad: Marata Niukore and Siosaia Vave

Late Mail: No changes, with Jeff Robson named to replace Corey Norman (hamstring) at halfback. Norman is due back next week. He played more than half of last week’s win over St George-Illawarra with the injury.

“That’s a good sign for us, that he knew it was important that he stayed on the field and really didn’t let on too much about his hamstring strain to the staff until halftime,” coach Brad Arthur said.

“He said he could just do the job for us in the second half and steer us around. “He done that, and once we get him back to full fitness, hopefully he’s only going to be better for us.”

Corey Norman is out with a hamstring injury. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia

KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS

4.30pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Nathan Ross 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson (c) 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Luke Yates 15. Jack Stockwell 16. Sam Stone 17. Jacob Saifiti 18. Jacob Gagan 19. Joe Wardle 20. Josh King 21. Anthony Tupou

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: No changes expected, with Danny Levi (hamstring) and Brock Lamb (concussion) right to go. Lamb would have returned to the field last week if he had enough time.

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Braidon Burns 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Robert Jennings 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Robbie Farah 10. Jason Clark 11. John Sutton 12. Kyle Turner 13. Sam Burgess (c). Interchange: 14. Damien Cook 15. Angus Crichton 16. Robbie Rochow 17. George Burgess 18. Siosifa Talakai 19. Anthony Cherrington 20. Cameron Murray 21. Tom Burgess

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: The Rabbitohs will be unchanged for Robbie Farah’s 250th NRL game.

PANTHERS v ROOSTERS

7pm AEDT Saturday at Pepper Stadium

Panthers: 1. Matt Moylan (c) 2. Dean Whare 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dylan Edwards 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14. James Fisher-Harris 15. Leilani Latu 16. Viliame Kikau 17. Sitaleki Akauola 18. Moses Leota 19. Tim Browne 20. Peta Hiku 21. Dallin Watene Zelezniak

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Bryce Cartwright is out but Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will return after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Watene-Zelezniak will replace impressive rookie Dylan Edwards on the right wing, setting up a sizzling individual match-up with in-form Sydney Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou.

James Fisher-Harris will start in the backrow for Cartwright (ankle) who is definitely out.

— Christian Nicolussi

Roosters: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend (c) 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner (c) 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra. Interchange: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Connor Watson 18. Chris Smith 19. Paul Carter 20. Lindsay Collins 21. Mitchell Cornish

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Isaac Liu (shoulder) has trained this week and is right to return. Expect Joseph Manu and Shaun Kenny-Dowall to alternate between centre and wing. Blake Ferguson (rib cartilage) and Kane Evans (calf) are hopeful of playing next week.

COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES

9pm AEDT Saturday at 1300Smiles Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Javid Bowen 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Patrick Kaufusi 9. Jack Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. TBC. Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. John Asiata 16. Coen Hess 17. Sam Hoare 18. Shaun Fensom 20.Corey Jensen 21. Ben Spina

Players cut from squad: Jason Taumalolo, Gideon Mosby-Gela

Late Mail: Jason Taumalolo (suspension) is out for two weeks following an unsuccessful challenge at the judiciary. Recruit Shaun Fensom is expected to come into the 17, although it’s unclear whether he will start or come off the bench.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Nate Myles 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Cameron Cullen 15. Lewis Brown 16. Jarrad Kennedy 17. Shaun Lane 18. Jonathan Wright 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Matthew Wright 21. Bill Bainbridge

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: No injury concerns, but Bill Bainbridge may yet earn the final bench spot ahead of Shaun Lane, as per last week’s late change.

Kalyn Ponga is a key inclusion for the Cowboys. Picture: Wesley MontsSource:News Corp Australia

RAIDERS v WESTS TIGERS

4pm AEDT Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson (c) 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Iosia Soliola 16. Clay Priest 17 Dave Taylor 18. Jordan Turner 19. Dunamis Lui 20. Jeff Lima 21. Scott Sorensen

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Jarrod Croker (knee), Joseph Leilua (corked knee), Josh Papalii (ankle) and Josh Hodgson (leg knock) have all trained fully this week and are certain starters. Dave Taylor has also trained strongly and is expected to fill the final spot on the bench.

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Michael Chee-Kam 5. Moses Suli 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods (c) 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagi 11. Sausao Sue 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14. Tim Grant 15. Josh Aloai 16. Joel Edwards 17. Jack Littlejohn 18. Junior Tatola 19. Justin Hunt 20. Kyle Lovett 21. Matt Ballin

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Matt Ballin (ACL) is expected to be given another week in NSW Cup as he eases back from successive knee reconstructions, with the Tigers set to be unchanged.

SHARKS v DRAGONS

6.30pm AEDT Sunday at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks: 1. Jack Bird 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. Joseph Paulo 18. Tony Williams 19. Valentine Holmes 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Gerard Beale

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Valentine Holmes (hamstring) will play, but likely spend plenty of time on the wing as he is eased back from injury.

Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 17. Kurt Mann 18. Jai Field 19. Taane Milne 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Hame Sele

Players cut from squad: TBC

Late Mail: Jai Field (ribs) will push for the final bench spot after being a late withdrawal last week.

STORM v BRONCOS

8.05pm AEDT Thursday at AAMI Park

Storm: 6, Cameron Munster 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 20. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 21. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 1. Billy Slater 8. Tim Glasby 14. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Players cut from squad: Young Tonumaipea, Mark Nicholls, Vincent Leuluai, Joe Stimson.

Late Mail: Billy Slater (shoulder) makes his long-awaited return to the NRL via the bench, with

Ryley Jacks starting in the halves and Cameron Munster pushed back to fullback.

Jesse Bromwich returns to start in the front-row.

Billy Slater returns for the Storm. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource:News Corp Australia

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (c) 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Korbin Sims 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Sam Thaiday 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Alex Glenn 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Jai Arrow 18. Benji Mashall

Players cut from squad: George Fai, Jonus Pearson, Tevita Pangai, David Mead

Late Mail: Benji Marshall makes his Broncos debut, replacing Tevita Pangai Jr on the bench.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail: Carty out, DWZ in for Panthers