The Roosters are set to unleash not one but two debutants in their clash with the Sharks on Sautrday night following the scratching of Nat Butcher.
Butcher has failed to overcome a knee injury, opening up an opportunity for 20-year-old Xavier Va’a on the bench. If confirmed in the final team cut before kick-off, Va’a will debut along with Beniah Ioelu.
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Meanwhile, Luke Garner has been ruled out of the Panthers’ team for their game against the Knights on Saturday after confusion over a concussion he suffered at training on Tuesday.
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Read on for the Late Mail Round 12.
‘Difficult to watch on the sideline’ | 03:55
FRIDAY MAY 23
Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium, 8.00pm AEST
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 11. Kelma Tuilagi 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 18. Joash Papali’i. 18th man: 17. Matt Doorey
Players cut: 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou
Late Mail: The Eels will debut promising youngster Joash Papalii off the bench.The 20-year-old — used at fullback and five-eighth in NSW Cup this year — has been 18th man for the NRL side seven times this season but will finally get his chance with Matt Doorey dropping to 18th man. Parramatta are without NSW Origin big guns Mitch Moses and Zac Lomax, with Dean Hawkins coming in at halfback.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 15. Corey Waddell 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Croker 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge 22. Caleb Navale. 18th man: 18. Clayton Faulalo
Players cut: 12. Ben Trbojevic, 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Tommy Talau 21. Michael Chee Kam
Late Mail: The Sea Eagles have suffered a game day blow with backrower Ben Trbojevic ruled out due to illness. He’ll be replaced in the starting side by Corey Waddell, with Caleb Navale promoted to the bench. Like the Eels, Manly will be steered by a backup No.7 with Jakob Arthur stepping in for Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
Crawley says Madge ‘has to change’ | 06:20
SATURDAY MAY 24
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights at Carrington Park, 5.30pm AEST
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Preston Riki 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Austin Dias 16. Luron Patea 17. Jack Cole 20. Jesse McLean 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Billy Phillips
Players cut: 18. Trent Toelau 19. Zac Lipowicz
Late Mail: In a blow to the Panthers, Luke Garner will miss the game after being ruled out with concussion. Garner was originally on the team list the Panthers sent to the NRL on Tuesday, but he suffered a head knock at training on the same day. It created confusion when the team lists dropped at 4pm, but it’s now been confirmed he is out. It means that Preston Riki will now start in the forwards, with Austin Dias now in the 17 after initially being named in the reserves. Zac Lipowicz joins the reserves. It’s a further headache for coach Ivan Cleary, with the Panthers already missing Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo to NSW State of Origin representation.
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 19. Paul Bryan 20. Matthew Arthur
Players cut: 18. Jack Hetherington 21. Connor Votano 22. Jackson Hastings
Late Mail: To come.
Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Makahesi Makatoa 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Blake Steep 19. Xavier Va’a 18. Ethan King 20. Ethan Roberts
Players cut: 17. Nat Butcher 21. Toby Rodwell 22. Tom Rodwell
Late Mail: Nat Butcher has failed to overcome a knee injury that’s sidelined him for the last three weeks. His place on the bench is taken by Xavier Va’a, who looks set to make his NRL debut along with Benaiah Ioelu.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Chris Veaila
Players cut: 18. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton
Late Mail: To come.
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DCE’s speaks on worst kept secret | 03:38
SUNDAY MAY 25
New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Raiders team: 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. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Jed Stuart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Chevy Stewart
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Byes: Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Storm, Titans, Tigers
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