NRL Late Mail Round 18: Storm's Fullback Crisis, KP confirmed

Ahh the post-bye aftermath, how I did not miss you. It went exactly as I imagined, with major names ruled out all across the weekend along with some extra surprises just to put the boot in.



Though we don’t have Origin to contend with this week and a host of big names – headlined by&nbsp;Kalyn Ponga&nbsp;– returning on TLT, things are still looking a bit dicey with players such as&nbsp;Ryan Papenhuyzen&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sua Faalogo&nbsp;heading into the weekend in doubt.



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



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EELS



Junior Paulo&nbsp;to the bench for&nbsp;Joe Ofahengaue&nbsp;– book it. No other changes expected.&nbsp;



24 hour cuts:&nbsp;Makatoa, Greig, Harper



RABBITOHS



I could see&nbsp;Cameron Murray&nbsp;and&nbsp;Keaon Koloamatangi&nbsp;switching positions on game day, either before the match or as the game progresses. Nothing else stands out in South Sydney.



24 hour cuts:&nbsp;Myers, Christensen, Fletcher



SHARKS



All that stands out this week is the chance for&nbsp;Teig Wilton&nbsp;moving to the edge with&nbsp;Siosifa Talakai&nbsp;dropping to the bench, after the former’s successful return from injury last week.&nbsp;



TITANS



Despite being named to return from injury, it seems there’s still some doubt over&nbsp;AJ Brimson&nbsp;and he will need to make it through captain’s run to line up in the halves.



I assume&nbsp;Tanah Boyd&nbsp;would replace him if he needs another week.



As usual, I could also see a game day swap involving the prop, lock and bench positions.&nbsp;



BRONCOS



The Origin stars are good to go so&nbsp;1-17&nbsp;is likely at this stage.



I believe&nbsp;Kotoni Staggs&nbsp;will not be a late inclusion this round.



PANTHERS



Ditto regarding the Penrith Origin players. No changes expected here either.&nbsp;



BULLDOGS



No major changes on the cards for the Bulldogs outside the occasional shuffle in the forwards, with Connor Tracey fine to return at fullback.



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WARRIORS



Tohu Harris&nbsp;dropped to the bench last week and the same could happen this week, with the Warriors always a chance to shuffle their forwards.



Andrew Webster has also mentioned in the media this week that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/07/03/wing-switch-an-option-as-webster-seeks-increased-role-for-rts/">Roger Tuivasa-Sheck&nbsp;could move to the wing</a>&nbsp;to get “more opportunities”.



TIGERS



After a false start last week, I expect&nbsp;Justin Olam&nbsp;will be a late inclusion at centre with no other changes expected at this stage.



STORM



After being a late out last week with a seemingly minor foot issue,&nbsp;Ryan Papenhuyzen&nbsp;again has the dreaded ‘in doubt’ tag.



Unfortunately, prime backup&nbsp;Sua Faalogo&nbsp;is also in doubt, though I don’t have many concrete details at time of writing.



Take ‘in doubt’ in the most pure sense of the phrase, in that neither are ruled out but both need to get through training as the week progresses.



I was surprised to see&nbsp;Jack Howarth&nbsp;named after his head knock so he’s surely in doubt.



For the third week running Reimis Smith is on the extended bench and seems the logical replacement for Howarth should he be ruled out.



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COWBOYS



Like the Broncos and Panthers, all Origin players are fine to return so&nbsp;1-17&nbsp;is likely.&nbsp;



SEA EAGLES



Tom Trbojevic&nbsp;is seemingly cleared for takeoff so I’m expecting an unchanged lineup for Manly as well.



ROOSTERS



No changes on the cards for Sydney either,&nbsp;1-17&nbsp;likely at this stage.



DRAGONS



Jack Bird&nbsp;is again on the extended bench and if he makes it through captain’s run, he should slot straight back in at centre in place of&nbsp;Max Feagai.



Zac Lomax&nbsp;should also be good to go after missing last week.



RAIDERS



Last week’s late shuffle has been reflected on TLT so expecting&nbsp;1-17&nbsp;for the Raiders, barring the now only occasional&nbsp;Josh Papali’i&nbsp;benching on game day.



KNIGHTS



Kalyn Ponga&nbsp;is back ahead of schedule and barring any setbacks across the weekend should return as named. It doesn’t seem like he’ll resume goal kicking however, at least not in the early stages of his return.



A late swap at the prop position is always a chance.

NRL Late Mail Round 18: Storm’s Fullback Crisis, KP confirmed

Discussion (0)

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