Broncos coach Kevin Walters has confirmed Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs have overcome injury problems and will feature against the Roosters.
However, Brisbane’s opponents the Roosters have lost star duo Daniel Tupou and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to injury, while Victor Radley will miss his second straight game.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have mixed news: Jacob Preston is set to return from a jaw injury, but another key player has been ruled out.
And the Tigers have scored a big hit with captain Api Koroisau axed from Saturday’s game.
Read on for the NRL Late Mail for Round 9.
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‘You will be taken care of! You will be PAUSED’ | 02:36
FRIDAY MAY 3
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders, 6pm @ 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge. 18th man: 18. Aaron Woods
Number of players: 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Ben Condon 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Late post: Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans his charge has been successfully downgraded and he is free to line up at halfback. Toafofoa Sipley will return from a knee injury on the bench.
Raiders team: 1. Albert Hopoate 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 17. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13 . Morgan Smithies 8. Josh Papalii 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney. 18th man: 18. Simi Sasagi
Number of players: 19. Peter Hola 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
Late post:Captain Elliott Whitehead returns from injury for his second game of the season.
Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters, 8pm @ Suncorp Stadium
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13 Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Oates 19. Benjamin.
Players removed: Te Kura 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Blake Mozer
Late post: Prop Payne Haas and center Kotoni Staggs was under the injury clouds after training on Thursday, but coach Kevin Walters confirmed this today that both stars have a “right to play.” “I’ve spoken to Payne and he assures me he’s ready to go, so it’s great news,” Walters said. “Kotoni pulled up a little painfully (during the captain’s run), but nothing serious. “Payne has some swelling in his knee after his surgery, but that won’t stop him from playing.” Five-eighths Ezra Mom (finger) and middle Selwyn Cobbo (shoulder) will return from injury.
The Hanen team: 1. James Tedesco 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 15. Naufahu Whyte 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Connor Watson 14. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Sandon Smith
Number of players: 2. Daniel Tupou 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 22. Victor Radley
Late post: Daniel Tupou is out with Fetalaiga Pauga get on the wing. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will not play against the Broncos due to a calf problem Naufahu Whyte starting from prop and Sitili Tupouniua joins the bank.
‘I don’t know what Sam’s plans are’ | 00:52
SATURDAY MAY 4
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers, 3pm at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 17. Blake Taaffe 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jacob Preston 19. Blake Wilson 20. Poasa Faamausili
Players cut: 1. Connor Tracey 21. Toby Sexton 23. Jake Turpin
Late post: Connor Tracey is excluded, which opens the door Blake Taafe to start at fullback. Meanwhile, the Dogs have been given a big boost on the bench with reigning Player of the Year Jacob Preston returning from a jaw injury.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Starford To’a 20. Asu Kepaoa
Number of players: 9. Apisai Koroisau 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Solomona Faataape
Late post: The Tigers have taken a big hit with skipper Api Koroisau was ruled out after suffering a back injury last week. Jake Simpkin comes in the 17 to start at hooker. Starford To’a is attempting to return from an ankle injury but has been included in the NSW Cup and is expected to play for the Magpies in what will be his first match since Round 2.
Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm, 5.30pm @ Cbus Super Stadium
Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Joe Stimson 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jacob Alick-wiencke 21. Keano Kini 22. Aaron Schoupp
Cut players:
Late post: David Fifita is designated to start, but could make a late move to the bench, as has been the case in recent weeks.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Jack Howarth 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Grant Anderson 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell
Cut players:
Late post: Prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named despite worrying about injury on ANZAC Day.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins, 7.35pm @ QLD Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13 . Reuben Cotter 14. Heilum Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jaxon Purdue.
Cut players:
Late post: Jason Taumalolo will come off the bench again after Todd Payten was happy with his shot against the Panthers last week.
Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Mason Teague
Cut players:
Late post: Come.
Souths confirm Bennett in their sights! | 01:01
SUNDAY MAY 5
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors, 2pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights team: 1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce- Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Safiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Thomas Cant 22. Thomas Jenkins
Cut players:
Early post: Prop Jacob Saifiti is in doubt after not being able to finish the game against the Dolphins due to a lower leg injury. If he is excluded Jack Hetherington is the likely replacement.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Adam Pompey 20. Zyon Maiu’u 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Tanner Stowers -Blacksmith
Cut players:
Early post: Kurt Capewell will return from injury in a timely boost to the back row.
Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons, 4:05pm @ PointsBet Stadium
The Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Royce Hunt 22. Billy Burns.
Cut players:
Early post: Toby Rudolf will return from injury via the bench.
Dragon team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Toby Couchman 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Jesse Marschke
Cut players:
Early post: Luciano Leilua could be a late shot as the Dragons try to match the Sharks package.
Day: Parramatta Eels
