Manly have scrambled to come up with a squad to face the Roosters on Thursday night after seven players have made themselves unavailable because they do not want to wear the club’s controversial inclusivity jersey for the annual Women In League Round.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley are the players boycotting the match.
Journeyman hooker James Segayaro will make his first NRL appearance since 2019 after serving a two-year drug ban while coach Des Hasler at least has Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and Andrew Davey available again after they had to miss last Friday’s loss to the Dragons due to COVID-19.
Wingers Pio Seci and Alfred Smalley, prop Kurt De Luis, second-rower Ethan Bullemor and bench forward Morgan Boyle are among the new faces in the squad along with reserves Zac Fulton, Kaeo Weekes and James Roumanos.
Manly were already missing players ahead of the critical match against eighth-placed Roosters, who only lead the Sea Eagles by for-and-against record.
Ben Trbojevic has been ruled out with a concussion, while prop Sean Keppie, whohurt his shoulder in last week’s loss to St George Illawarra, was ruled out on Wednesday night and has been replaced on the interchange by debutant forward Zac Fulton, grandson of Manly Immortal Bob Fulton.
Tom Trbojevic, Brad Parker and Karl Lawton are also injured, meaning Hasler had to go out well outside his top 30 to name a squad but only named 20 instead of the 22 required.
Penrith are hopeful a knee injury to five-eighth Jarome Luai will only sideline hm for a couple of weeks and he’ll be back well before the NRL finals begin.
NSW centre Stephen Crichton is also out after suffering a badly lacerated ear when hit in a heavy tackle by Sharks forward Dale Finucane, who was suspended for two games on Tuesday night after being found guilty of dangerous contact at the judiciary.
Canterbury forward Corey Waddell was rubbed out for five matches after a busy night at the NRL judiciary.
Waddell was referred directly to the panel for allegedly gouging Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s eyes in the Bulldogs’ defeat of Gold Coast. NRL counsel Patrick Knowles said the five-match ban was necessary to send a strong message as a deterrant for such contact.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Luai hurt his left knee in the 20-10 win over Cronulla last weekend, where he capped a starring performance against the Sharks with their match-sealing try in the dying minutes.
The Panthers have confirmed Luai has suffered a suspected MCL injury after a picture emerged on social media on Monday of the playmaker with his knee in a brace. While scans are yet to determine the full extent of the injury, Penrith are hopeful it will only rule Luai out for 1-2 weeks.
It does however mean the premiers will be without the NSW State of Origin representative for this Friday’s game against Parramatta. The Eels are the only team to beat Penrith in 2022, defeating Ivan Cleary’s team by two points in a round-nine boilover.
Sean O’Sullivan, who deputised for halfback Nathan Cleary during the Origin series, is the replacement in the halves for Luai.
Canterbury will welcome back fullback Jake Averillo for their trip to Newcastle after a bout of COVID forced him to miss Sunday’s win over the Gold Coast while Reuben Cotter is a chance to return from his hamstring injury for the Cowboys against the Dragons after being out for more than a month.
Jason Saab celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Round 20 team lists
Thursday
Sea Eagles v Roosters, 7.50pm at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Seven players have made themselves unavailable because of the inclusivity jersey: Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley.
Journeyman hooker James Segayaro will make his first NRL appearance since 2019 after serving a two-year drug ban while coach Des Hasler at least has Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and Andrew Davey available again after they had to miss last Friday’s loss to the Dragons due to COVID-19.
Wingers Pio Seci and Alfred Smalley, prop Kurt De Luis, second-rower Ethan Bullemor and bench forward Morgan Boyle are among the new faces in the squad along with reserves Zac Fulton, Kaeo Weekes and James Roumanos.
Sean Keppie has been ruled out with a shoulder injury so Fulton, a third-generation Sea Eagle, will make his debut.
1. Reuben Garrick 2. Pio Seci 3. Morgan Harper 4. Dylan Walker 5. Alfred Smalley 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Kurt De Luis 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. James Segeyaro 15. Sean Keppie 16. Martin Taupau 17. Morgan Boyle 18. Zac Fulton 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. James Roumanos
Roosters: Joey Manu will return from a minor thigh injury. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins is also back after the concussion he suffered in Origin III.
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Adam Keighran 19. Terrell May 20. Naufahu Whyte 21. Ben Thomas 22. Kevin Naiqama
Friday
Warriors v Storm Eagles, 6pm at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: After relegating Reece Walsh to the interchange last week, Stacey Jones has brought the fullback back into the No.1 jersey. Jack Murchie is out of the pack after remaining in Australia to attend his child’s birth while Marcelo Montoya has been switched to the centres for Jesse Arthars (thigh) with Chanel Harris-Tavita going back to the halves.
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Josh Curran 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Jackson Frei 18. Tom Ale 20. Daejarn Asi 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Viliami Vailea 23. Taniela Otukolo
Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona evaded a suspension despite being charged twice for incidents in Round 19 and has copped two $3000 fines.
1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Jordan Grant 18. Chris Lewis 19. Cooper Johns 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Tom Eisenhuth 22. Sualauvi Faalogo
Eels v Panthers, 7.55pm at CommBank Stadium
Eels: After an emphatic loss to Brisbane, the Eels are struggling and have dropped to seventh but they remain the only team which has beaten Penrith in 2022. Bryce Cartwright has replaced Jake Arthur on the interchange.
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Tom Opacic 22. Sean Russell
Panthers: Jarome Luai (knee) and Stephen Crichton (ear) are out after the bruising win over Cronulla.
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Robert Jennings 5. Brian To’o 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Charlie Staines 18. Sunia Turuva 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Chris Smith 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Moses Leota
Saturday
Titans v Raiders, 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Veteran forward Kevin Proctor, who was in the extended squad last weekend, will not play for the club again after being sacked for his infamous half-time vaping post on social media during the loss to the Bulldogs. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will start at prop with Erin Clark switching to lock.
1. AJ Brimson 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Isaac Liu 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Corey Thompson 20. Greg Marzhew 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Paul Turner
Raiders: James Schiller’s return from an ankle injury has been delayed so fellow young winger Albert Hopoate is still in the team.
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Matt Frawley 19. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 20. Ata Mariota 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola
Sharks v Rabbitohs, 5.30pm at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Dale Finucane’s out for two weeks after he failed to prove his innocence over a high tackle charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night. Cameron McInnes is likely to come into the starting side at lock with Braydon Trindall getting a recall on the interchange.
1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Kade Dykes 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu
Rabbitohs: Souths are flying after their big win over Melbourne and their only change is Daniel Suluka-Fifita replacing injured veteran prop Mark Nicholls.
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jed Cartwright 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Josh Mansour 20. Taane Milne 21. Zane Bijorac 22. Shaq Mitchell
Broncos v Tigers, 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is still not able to make his return from the concussion he suffered in Origin 3 but hooker Billy Walters (hip) is back into the team.
1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Delouise Hoeter 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Te Maire Martin 19. Zac Hosking 20. Jake Turpin 21. Brenko Lee 22. Xavier Willison
Tigers: Brett Kimmorley will return to coaching duties after a bout of COVID-19 forced him out of the trip to Townsville where the team lost in controversial circumstances to the Cowboys.
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jackson Hastings 14. Fonua Pole 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Austin Dias 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Jock Madden 19. Junior Tupou 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. James Roberts 22. Thomas Freebairn
Sunday
Knights v Bulldogs, 2pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Star fullback Kalyn Ponga may not play again this year after another concussion last weekend. Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) is also facing a lengthy absence.
1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Brodie Jones 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Mathew Croker 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Jack Johns 20. Jake Clifford 21. Dominic Young 22. Kurt Mann
Bulldogs: Canterbury will welcome back fullback Jake Averillo for their trip to Newcastle after a bout of COVID forced him to miss Sunday’s win over the Gold Coast. Corey Waddell failed to clear his name at the judiciary to take his place in the pack and is now out for five weeks.
1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jackson Topine 12. Corey Waddell 13. Josh Jackson 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Joe Stimson 17. Chris Patolo 19. Declan Casey 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Harrison Edwards 23. Tuipulotu Katoa
Dragons v Cowboys, 4.05pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: With fullback Cody Ramsey suffering a knee injury, Moses Mbye will slot in at fullback. Jack Bird switches to centre with Tariq Sims elevated to the pack.
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tariq Sims 14. Tyrell Sloan 15. Aaron Woods 16. Francis Molo 17. Josh Mcguire 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Tyrell Fuimaono 22. Jackson Ford
Cowboys: Lock Reuben Cotter is a chance to return from his hamstring injury for the Cowboys against the Dragons after being out since Origin I. He has been named on the extended bench.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Luciano Leilua 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame 18. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Ben Hampton 20. Reuben Cotter 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Condon
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