The Warriors have received a huge boost with confirmation that star halfback Shaun Johnson will play in Saturday’s clash with the Eels.
There were doubts Johnson wouldn’t make the trip over given his wife is due to give birth to their second child very soon.
But the club confirmed Johnson boarded the flight on Friday to play what will be his 200th game for the Warriors.
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Meanwhile, Dragons back-rower Jaydn Su’A is out with a shoulder injury, Titans winger Phillip Sami needs to pass a fitness test on his injured hamstring, while J’maine Hopgood will be released from Origin camp to play for the Eels provided there are no late injuries.
Elsewhere, the Dolphins are sweating on Jeremy Marshall-King’s shoulder injury with a young gun on strandby.
Read on for the Late Mail for Round 19.
Best admits he wants ‘to bash’ Maroons | 02:16
FRIDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium, 8.00pm AEST
Dragons team: 1. Paul Turner 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 22. Billy Burns 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Dan Russell. 18th man: 19. Ryan Couchman
Players cut: 12. Jaydn Su’A 18. Sione Finau 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai
Late Mail: Jaydn Su’A is out with a shoulder injury, with Billy Burns coming into the back row. Tyrell Sloan is out with a calf injury with former Warrior and Titan Paul Turner debuting for the Dragons at fullback. Moses Suli (concussion) returns in the centres. With Ben Hunt on Origin duty Jayden Sullivan shifts to halfback and Talatau Amone comes in at five-eighth. Daniel Russell will come off the bench for his NRL debut. Jack Bird remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 13. Ata Mariota 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 18. Matt Frawley 8. Emre Guler 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 17. Peter Hola. 18th man: 16. Nick Cotric
Players cut: 9. Danny Levi 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Xavier Savage 22. Clay Webb
Late Mail: Ata Mariota was originally named as Corey Horsburgh’s replacement at lock while he’s on Origin duties, but coach Ricky Stuart made a surprise change with Matt Frawley coming in to start at lock. Prop Pasami Saulo (head knock) is out replaced by Trey Mooney. Peter Hola joins the bench.
Star duo become free agents post sacking | 04:35
Parramatta Eels vs Warriors at CommBank Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Eels team: 1. Sean Russell 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Isaac Lumelume 6. Ryan Matterson 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Shaun Lane 17. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Waqa Blake 21. Matt Doorey
Players cut: 18. Haze Dunster 20. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie
Late Mail: Provided there are no late injuries in Origin camp, Queensland reserve J’maine Hopgood will be released to play for the Eels. With skipper Clint Gutherson on Origin duty, Sean Russell starts at fullback with Isaac Lumelume coming ontothe wing. Daejarn Asi shifts to halfback for Mitchell Moses while Ryan Matterson will play five-eighth. Edge forward Shaun Lane (hamstring) returns for his first game since Round 11. Junior Paulo and Ofahiki Ogden are the starting props in the absence of Reagan Campbell-Gillard on Blues duty. Luca Moretti joins the bench. Dylan Brown faces another four games on the sideline after he was issued with a breach notice by the NRL.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Brayden Wiliame 20. Ronald Volkman
Players cut: 21. Kalani Going 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Taine Tuaupiki
Late Mail: Shaun Johnson is in for what will be his 200th game for the Warriors. There were doubts he wouldn’t be available given his wife is due to give birth very soon, but the club confirmed the star halfback boarded the flight to Sydney. Josh Curran has been issued with a breach notice the NRL and is out suspended.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Taane Milne 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Ben Lovett 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Shaq Mitchell 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele 18. Richard Kennar 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Liam Knight 22. Jacob Gagai
Players cut:
Late Mail: With Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Keaon Koloamatangi on Blues Origin duty, Dean Hawkins is the new five-eighth, Siliva Havili starts at hooker and Ben Lovett and Shaquai Mitchell come into the back row. Isaiah Tass returns at centre with last week’s debutant Tyrone Munro getting a second game on the wing and Richie Kennar shifts to 18th Man. Peter Mamouzelos and Tallis Duncan are the new faces on the bench.
Bulldogs team: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jackson Topine 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Harrison Edwards 19. Reece Hoffman 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Ethan Quai-Ward 23. Chris Patolo
Players cut:
Late Mail: Toby Sexton comes straight in at halfback having joined the club from the Titans mid-week. Matt Burton shifts to No.6 and Khaled Rajab is dropped. A backline shake-up sees Jake Averillo move to fullback, Jackson Topine and Braidon Burns named in the centres and Blake Wilson come in on the wing for Josh Addo-Carr. Kyle Flanagan comes in on the bench while Hayze Perham and Paul Alamoti were dropped.
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Deep dive into the Blues Game 3 changes | 08:38
SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Chris Randall 15. Erin Clark 16. Jojo Fifita 17. Jacob Alick 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Keano Kini 20. Kruise Leeming 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Tony Francis
Players cut:
Late Mail: Phil Sami (hamstring) will need to pass a fitness test despite being named on the wing, with Jojo Fifita shifting to the bench. Jayden Campbell is the new fullback with AJ Brimson on Maroons duty. Kleese Haas, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui and Jaimin Jolliffe join the starting pack in place of Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita. PNG Kumuls forward Jacob Alick will debut off the bench.
Dolphins team: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Max Plath 19. Harrison Graham 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brenko Lee 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Players cut:
Late Mail: Euan Aitken starts at centre with Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow on Origin duty and Kodi Nikorima lines up at fullback again. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (shhoulder) has been named despite battling an ongoing injury. Felise Kaufusi (head knock) is out, while Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford both make their return from suspension on the bench, while Herman Ese’ese moves into the starting side.
Byes: Broncos, Cowboys, Knights, Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Storm
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