NRL Late Mail: Round 13 - A Round-Up of Injuries and Team Changes
The NRL's Round 13 is set to be an intriguing affair, with several teams making key changes to their lineups due to injuries and player rest. Here's a breakdown of the late mail and team news for each match:
Sharks v Sea Eagles
- The Sharks' star halfback Nicho Hynes is out with a calf injury, with Niwhai Puru stepping in at halfback.
- The Sea Eagles' Tolu Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu are rested after the Origin opener.
- The Sharks' Cameron McInnes starts at lock in his 100th game, while Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien return from injury.
- The Sea Eagles' Ben Trbojevic is cleared to play after a head injury assessment.
Knights v Eels
- Kalyn Ponga is named to back up from Origin for the Knights, with a decision on his playing status to be made on Friday.
- The Eels' Junior Paulo is set to miss eight weeks after an arthroscopic procedure for his right knee.
- The Knights' Jake Saifiti, who wasn't used by the Blues, is good to go.
- The Eels' Joash Papalii moves to five-eighth, and Jack Williams captains the side in the absence of Paulo and Mitch Moses.
Wests Tigers v Bulldogs
- The Tigers' Jahream Bula returns after three games out with a shoulder injury.
- The Bulldogs' Captain Stephen Crichton is on the extended bench, and Matt Burton is likely to play after limited game time on Wednesday.
- The Tigers' Api Koroisau, Alex Twal, and Heamasi Makasini return from injury or suspension.
- The Bulldogs' Jacob Preston (arm) is out, and Jaeman Salmon moves to the second row.
Storm v Roosters
- Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, and Trent Loiero start for the Storm, all named in the starting side for a crucial match.
- The Roosters' James Tedesco, Victor Radley, and Sam Walker are named, with a final decision on their fitness to be made on Friday.
- Billy Smith returns from a knee injury for the Roosters.
Broncos v Dragons
- The Broncos' Payne Haas (knee) and Brendan Piakura (knee) are named to play, with Jack Gosiewski (concussion) and Grant Anderson (knee) returning from concussion via the bench.
- The Dragons' Moses Suli returns from a back injury, and Jacob Liddle (hamstring) is good to go.
- The Dragons' Hayden Buchanan (shoulder), Jaydn Su'A (calf), and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) are out.
Raiders v Cowboys
- The Raiders' Ethan Strange and Hudson Young are on track to back up from Game One.
- The Cowboys' Reuben Cotter played 56 minutes in Origin One and looks set to back up.
- Jason Taumalolo slides to prop, and Matt Lodge to the bench for the Cowboys.
Panthers v Warriors
- The Panthers' Liam Martin returns from a knee injury.
- The Warriors' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suffers a season-ending ACL injury, bringing Adam Pompey into the centres.
- The Panthers' Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Casey McLean are in the reserves, with Jack Cogger as the halfback backup.
- The Warriors' Luke Metcalf is listed among the reserves, chasing a first NRL appearance since Round 5.
