Haas ‘taken to hospital’ as details over infection revealed; Broncos’ top-four blow: Late Mail

Broncos gun Payne Haas has been ruled out of the side to play against Souths after failing to recover from a skin infection that saw him put on an IV drip.

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The Broncos’ spine has come under the microscope, while Michael Maguire has explained his decision to axe a pair of wingers. In addition, their best player is in doubt with illness.

Meanwhile, the Dragons’ slim top eight hopes have taken a crushing blow with a star duo sidelined and the Warriors have lost another forward to injury.

Read on for all of the Round 22 Late Mail!

FRIDAY AUGUST 1

New Zealand Warriors vs. Dolphins, 6pm AEST at Go Media Stadium

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Tanah Boyd 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith9. Samuel Healey 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Taine Tuaupiki 15. Jacob Laban 16. Freddy Lussick 20. Bunty Afoa 18. Eddie Ieremia 21. Edward Kosi

Players cut: 8. Demitric Vaimauga 22. Kalani Going 23. Makaia Tafua

Late Mail: Young prop Demitric Vaimauga has been ruled out due to a knee injury. It’s an unfortunate blow for the 21-year-old, who was originally named to start in place of injured skipper James Fisher-Harris. Tanner Stowers-Smith will start instead with Bunty Afoa joining the bench.

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 20. LJ Nonu

Players cut: 19. Peter Hola 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Tevita Naufahu

Late Mail: The Dolphins are set to receive a huge boost, with Kodi Nikorima getting through the captain’s run unscathed according to AAP. He has not taken the field since Round 17, battling with a hamstring injury.

Brisbane Broncos vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, 8pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 17. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 20. Ben Talty 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Jesse Arthars

Players cut: 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Late Mail: Star prop Payne Haas has been ruled out after failing to recover from a skin infection that saw him go to hospital and put on an IV drip, according to Peter Badel. Expect Tyson Smoothy to come into the side.

Brendan Piakura has dropped out of the 17 after suffering a head knock at training. Jack Gosiewski is set to start in the second row and two-game rookie Ben Talty joins the bench. Michael Maguire has spoken on the Broncos’ spine and Reece Walsh’s role in the side after the fullback was accused of “trying too much” in a rocks and diamonds performance in the shock loss to Parramatta. Maguire said Reynolds is the team’s “general” and has faith Walsh and the rest of the spine can bounce back to their best. “Reyno’s our general for sure and Reecey knows and respects that. Between Reece, Hunty, Reyno and our spine, those guys get together and if they do what we talk about then we find our game,” Maguire said. The Broncos have also unveiled yet another wing pairing, with Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner replacing Josiah Karapani and Jesse Arthars. While the fresh duo have been given a big opportunity, Maguire’s decision to axe players proves he won’t be afraid to make a change if they don’t take it. “We have a competitive squad and we didn’t hit the mark last week so I’m giving Selly and Deino the opportunity to play the long game,” Maguire said. “We have to get the back-field working harder too. Selly has been showing that, he has been excellent in the last few weeks and Deino showed that (in rounds 18 and 19) when he played first grade. “When you have a competitive squad, I’m going to give them an opportunity to play if they perform. there is an expectation … as a back-field. It’s up to them to take the opportunity now.”

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 19. Lewis Dodd 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Ryan Gray 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Siliva Havili 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Ashton Ward 18. Peter Mamouzelos 20. Tyrone Munro

Players cut: 6. Jack Wighton 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Salesi Ataata

Late Mail:Lewis Dodd will start in the halves with Jack Wighton failing to have his dhoulder charge ban overturned at the judiciary. Wighton will miss the next four weeks. If Wighton was successful, Dodd would have likely been dropped to reserve grade. You’d be hard pressed finding a team hit harder by injury in the past five years than Souths have been this season. Adding to the disaster, star prop Tevita Tatola will go under the knife to fix a shoulder injury and will miss the rest of the season. Souths are decimated and running out of healty bodies as they attempt to avoid a wooden spoon. Entering Round 22, they sit in last place.

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