The Rabbitohs are set to hand a debut to an 18-year-old rookie who has earned comparisons to Payne Haas in place of Liam Knight due to concussion symptoms.
Meanwhile the Broncos will also debut an 18-year-old young gun after and injury to Rhys Kennedy.
Read on for all the latest team news and ins and outs in Late Mail for Round 20.
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FRIDAY
Wests Tigers vs Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, 6pm
Tigers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Moses Mbye 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jacob Liddle 10. James Tamou 11. Shawn Blore 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Alex Twal 15. Tom Amone 16. Tukimihia Simpkins 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Zac Cini
Players cut: 19. Jock Madden 21. Jake Simpkin
Late Mail: Alex Twal returns from a shoulder injury that ruled him out last week. He’ll need to get through Thursday’s captain’s run to be given the all clear to play. If Twal is a late scratching, gun forward Kelma Tuilagi could come onto the bench to make his NRL debut.
Warriors team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Euan Aitken 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Peta Hiku 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Taniela Otukolo 10. Ben Murdoch-Masila 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Bayley Sironen 17. Jazz Tevaga 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Kane Evans 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Edward Kosi 21. Pride Petterson-Robati
Players cut: 13. Josh Curran
Late Mail: Lock Josh Curran is out with Jazz Tevaga coming into the starting side and Viliami Vailea joining the bench.Eliesa Katoa suffered a head knock last week and will need to pass the necessary protocols this week to be given the green light to play. Meanwhile, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has been rushed back from his stint with the Dragons into the starting pack with Addin Fonua-Blake out injured, Matt Lodge sidelined through suspension and Leeson Ah Mau leaving the bubble to return to New Zealand.
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Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 7.55pm
Broncos team: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Brodie Croft 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Danny Levi 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. TC Robati 18. Xavier Willison 19. Jesse Arthars
Players cut: 20. Albert Kelly 21. Xavier Coates
Late Mail: The Broncos have suffered yet another training injury with Channel 7’s Chris Garry reporting Rhys Kennedy will likely be ruled out after “limping” off the paddock. Coach Kevin Walters is expected to unleash young gun in Xavier Willison in Kennedy’s place for what will be his NRL debut. The 18-year-old has been solid off the bench for feeder club Norths Devils in Queensland cup, but perhaps the most impressive thing about him is his 190cm and 104kg frame. Jake Turpin is battling a broken thumb but was named in the No.9 jersey regardless. If he isn’t quite ready to play, Danny Levi will shift to starting hooker for just his fifth game of the season and first since Magic Round. The Broncos’ other hooker option Cory Paix is sidelined with an ankle injury until Round 23. Xavier Coates and Albert Kellt were was cut 24 hours before kick-off.
Cowboys team: 1. Jake Granville 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Kane Bradley 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Tom Gilbert 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Ben Hampton 18. Lachlan Burr 19. Daejarn Asi
Players cut: 20. Peter Hola 21. Ben Condon
Late Mail: The Cowboys are expected to be 1-17 with Ben Hampton set to play after he was held back from making his return from injury against the Storm.
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SATURDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Browne Park Rockhampton, 3pm
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Corey Norman 4. Talatau Amone 5. Gerard Beale 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh Kerr 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Billy Burns 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Tariq Sims 14. Adam Clune 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Jackson Ford 17. Kaide Ellis 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Matthew Dufty 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Brayden Wiliame
Players cut:
Late Mail: Cody Ramsey has been named in the reserves and could be a late inclusion as he bids to overcome a wrist injury. If he is fit Corey Norman may shift to the halves after being a shock pick in the centres.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jai Arrow 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Liam Knight 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jacob Host 18. Taane Milne 19. Davvy Moale 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Braidon Burns
Players cut:
Late Mail: The Rabbitohs are set to debut 18-year-old big man Davvy Moale off the bench after Liam Knight succumbed to the effects of his latest concussion, according to The Daily Telegraph.Moale has drawn comparisons to Broncos big man Payne Haas. Adam Reynolds is on light duties this week as he bids to overcome a hamstring injury suffered last week. Blake Taaffe who was named on the bench and Dean Hawkins who was picked in the reserves are options to replace Reynolds if he is ruled out as Benji Marshall completes his quarantine. Campbell Graham needs to pass concussion protocols with Taane Milne and Braidon Burns on standby in the reserves.
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson 14. Sauaso Sue 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jirah Momoisea 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Tex Hoy 21. Mitchell Pearce
Players cut:
Late Mail: Mitchell Pearce has been named in the reserves and is a good chance to come into the team as he bids to overcome a hamstring injury. Kalyn Ponga is a certain starter after overcoming a sternum injury. Bradman Best will play after overcoming an ankle injury.
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Semi Valemei 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii’i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hudson Young 14. Tom Starling 15. Matthew Timoko 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Joseph Tapine 18. Matt Frawley 19. Ryan James 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Dunamis Lui
Players cut:
Late Mail: Jack Wighton is on light duties this week as he bids to return from a rib injury. Josh Papalii has been named but will need to pass concussion protocols. Bailey Simonsson (foot) and Dunamis Lui (calf) are back to full fitness but may not be rushed back in as the Raiders are finally on a winning streak.
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm
Storm team: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aaron Pene 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19. Harry Grant 20. Jordan Grant 21. Isaac Lumelume
Players cut:
Late Mail: Harry Grant has been named in the reserves but is unlikely to be rushed back given the Storm’s winning streak and the fact they play a depleted Panthers outfit.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Brent Naden 5. Robert Jennings 6. Matt Burton 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Liam Martin 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Izack Tago 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. J’maine Hopgood 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Jaeman Salmon 20. Lindsay Smith 22. Kurt Falls
Players cut:
Late Mail: The injury hit Panthers are set to be 1-17, but Paul Momirovski could be a late inclusion in the centres.
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SUNDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm
Bulldogs team: 1. Corey Allan 2. Nick Meaney 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack Hetherington 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 11. Corey Waddell 12. Adam Elliott 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Dylan Napa 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Matt Doorey 19. Lachlan Lewis 20. Joe Stimson 21. Chris Patolo 22. Falakiko Manu
Players cut: 10. Luke Thompson
Late Mail: English prop Luke Thompson failed at the judiciary and will serve a three match ban ruling him out of the clash with the Titans. A replacement will be named later in the week, but Dylan Napa and Ava Seumanufagai will fight it out for a start in the front row after being named on the bench. Joe Stimson and Chris Patolo will vie for a bench spot.
Titans team: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone 16. Beau Fermor 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Sam Stone 20. Anthony Don 21. Jamal Fogarty
Players cut:
Late Mail: Skipper Jamal Fogarty is a chance to come into the halves after he was named in the reserves possibly at the expense of Ash Taylor given rookie Toby Sexton’s eye-catching debut against the Dragons. “The aim is to integrate him into skills throughout the week and we will look at incorporating contact work at the back end of the week which will determine his availability,” Titans high-performance manager Klint Hoare said of Fogarty. David Fifita may start from the bench again as he did so successfully against the Dragons, despite the fact he was named to start.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles at Moreton Daily Stadium Redcliffe, 4.05pm
Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Connor Tracey 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Toby Rudolf 14. Braden Hamlin-Uele 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Williams 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Matt Moylan 19. Luke Metcalf 20. Billy Magoulias 21. Joniah Lualua
Players cut:
Late Mail: Matt Moylan has been named in the reserves and could be a late inclusion in the halves or on the bench as he bids to return from injury.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Curtis Sironen 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Moses Suli 19. Cade Cust 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Kurt De Luis
Players cut:
Late Mail: Dylan Walker and Lachlan Croker will need to pass concussion protocols this week in a bid to play the Sharks. Cade Cust and Moses Suli are on standby.
