NRL Late Mail Round 16: Fa'alogo fears allayed, Curran bench worry

I&#8217;ve finally re-emerged in the Playbook starting side after missing through high-grade holidays and wow, what a fortnight I&#8217;ve missed. 



The Wi-Fi was sketchy in Thailand and every time I was able to check the app, it seemed I had at least one less green tick in my team. 



But the all inclusive poolside cocktails softened the blow somewhat and after two weeks R&amp;R I&#8217;m ready to run it back for the second major bye round.



Big thanks to Lakey, Tim and the Playbook crew for keeping things rolling while I was away #NextManUp



All the updates across the round will come via <a href="https://x.com/scplaybook1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">@scplaybook1</a> on X/Twitter and Instagram, as well as myself <a href="https://x.com/AStilesAuthor" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">@AStilesAuthor</a> (X/Twitter only).



<a id='iZbLMA_TSXZQr5278s8WtA' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1402794992' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'iZbLMA_TSXZQr5278s8WtA',sig:'hW5ulUHGBe0RDUvqd-yvpBuPONVlAvJWHuYJTmKsC5M=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1402794992',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



DOLPHINS



Nobody named is in doubt, expecting&nbsp;1-17&nbsp;at this stage.



24 hour cuts: O&#8217;Sullivan, Teague, Milford



STORM



Reimis Smith will not return from his concussion and was cut 24 hours out. 



This allays any fears that Sua Fa&#8217;alogo could drop out of the starting team.



With Ryan Papenhuyzen and Will Warbrick fine to play I&#8217;m not expecting any major changes.



24 hour cuts: Smith, Ieremia, Vaalepu



TITANS



David Fifita is good to go after being a huge late out last week. As usual, a swap in the forward pack somewhere is likely though 1-17 also wouldn&#8217;t surprise.



WARRIORS



Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson are cleared for takeoff, so no major changes expected here. However, I&#8217;ll make the usual disclaimer of potential movement in the forward and bench rotations.



<a id='NsfnEOP6TEJxGvTX2ZNUkw' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2152544645' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'NsfnEOP6TEJxGvTX2ZNUkw',sig:'kEikz3duwmLhsjYbxECNb1WKBWdCyRcwf-Y4DxOM7Z4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2152544645',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



ROOSTERS



1-17&nbsp;expected here also with&nbsp;Dom Young&nbsp;set to return from his minor hamstring issue.



BULLDOGS



Viliame Kikau is lurking on the extended bench as he looks to return from his finger injury, however it seems a coin toss at this stage. 



His return could push Josh Curran back to the bench, not that it significantly impacts his SuperCoach output. 



RABBITOHS



Jai Arrow seems to be in doubt every week and this is no exception with a rib issue. If he&#8217;s out, it will trigger a shuffle in the forwards and I&#8217;d expect a few moving pieces with several starters and bench players able to play edge, prop and lock.



<a id='HhlbR2KDT_NbW729pH49QA' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2152175955' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'HhlbR2KDT_NbW729pH49QA',sig:'JVT9t_qngFFThiPsHRtI9VlrTdGKDclF2GWp9jbU0gs=',w:'455px',h:'594px',items:'2152175955',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



SEA EAGLES



Karl Lawton&nbsp;at halfback stands out like the proverbial here. Surely,&nbsp;Jamie Humphreys&nbsp;comes into the side with Lawton reverting to the bench, unless he truly is that far down the pecking order at Manly.



TIGERS



Should be 1-17 with Lachlan Galvin fine to return. Adam Doueihi just signed a new contract and is again on the extended bench but seems likely to be given at least another week before returning to the top side.



RAIDERS



Apart from the usual&nbsp;Josh Papali&#8217;i&nbsp;benching, I&#8217;m not expecting anything major in Canberra.

NRL Late Mail Round 16: Fa’alogo fears allayed, Curran bench worry

Discussion (0)

NRL Late Mail Round 27: Sezer Out, Young Set to Be Rested

NRL Late Mail Round 26: Haas & Hynes firming, Plath in doubt

NRL Late Mail Round 25: Burbo starting, Curran & Egan in doubt

NRL Late Mail Round 24: Dyl & JFH set to return, Young in doubt