Late Mail: Burgess cleared, Smith firms

“He’s done some light training this week but I think most players at some stage get a bit of a rib injury and he’s no different,” coach Michael Maguire told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

“Sam’s tough and like all the forwards they get back out there.”

In other late mail:

* Cameron Smith (pectoral) has completed some training for the Storm and is firming to play;

* Bryce Cartwright (knee) makes a long-awaited comeback for the Panthers;

* Brett Morris (knee) is expected to miss out for the Bulldogs;

* Antonio Winterstein (calf) and Shaun Fensom (ribs) are both expected to play for the Cowboys.

Warriors v Sharks

Friday 28th of July 6.00pm, Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Mason Lino 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Issac Luke 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Bunty Afoa 13. Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Sam Lisone 16. Ligi Sao 17. Tevita Satae 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 20. James Bell

Players cut: 21. Jazz Tevaga 22. Isaiah Papali’i

Late mail: No changes expected.

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. Fa’amanu Brown 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. James Segeyaro 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Kurt Capewell 17. Jeremy Latimore 18. Joseph Paulo 19. Adam Clydsdale

Players cut: 20. Sam Tagtaese 21. Jesse Ramien

Late mail: Utility Nu Brown has been named at five-eighth in place of James Maloney (broken hand). He is set to stay there despite Jack Bird (sternum) being cleared to return and making it clear he wants to play closer to the ball. “Nu has been here for a long time and he’s comfortable in those positions,” Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said. “So if we move Jack, we have to make a couple of changes. They’re the decisions I’ve got to make — probably less changes are better for us. Every game is big from here on in and James’ goalkicking is important and obviously he’s a big game player, but we’re confident he’ll be back in two weeks.” Should Brown stay at five-eighth, Flanagan is likely to hand former Newcastle and Canberra hooker Adam Clydesdale his club debut on the bench.

Eels v Broncos

Friday 28th of July 7.50pm, ANZ Stadium

Eels: 1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 21. Kirisome Auva’a 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sosaia Vave 9. Cameron King 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Daniel Alvaro 15. Kenny Edwards 16. Suaia Matagi 17. Will Smith 18. David Gower 19. Peni Terepo

Players cut: 5. Josh Hoffman 20. Frank Pritchard

Late mail: Josh Hoffman has been replaced on the wing by Kirisome Auva’a. Frank Pritchard (foot) is fit to play after a long lay-off, but cut has been cut from the extended squad. “I’m right to play this week but I’m just going to wait and be patient for my chance to play,” Pritchard said. “It’s another week of conditioning for me and waiting for a spot to open up. It’s been pretty tough. When you get a long injury and you’re in rehab you just want to be out there. No one wants to spend 15 weeks on the sidelines watching games and trying to nurse an injury. But I’m back fully fit so I just have to get my chance.”

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Jonus Pearson 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Korbin Sims 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Sam Thaiday 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Benji Marshall 20. Herman Ese’ese 21. Jamayne Isaako

Players cut: 18. Kodi Nikorima 19. Jai Arrow

Late mail: Darius Boyd (broken thumb) returns for the Broncos. Kodi Nikorima has been named in jersey 18 and is battling a minor groin issue. Herman Ese’ese (knee) has been named in the reserves as he attempts to return from injury, although it’s unclear whether he will take the field following confirmation of his deal with Newcastle for 2018.

Knights v Dragons

Saturday 29th of July 3.00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1. Nathan Ross 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jamie Buhrer 10. Josh King 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Joe Wardle 13. Mitchell Barnett. Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Luke Yates 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 17. Mickey Paea 18. Jack Cogger 19. Sam Stone 20. Brendan Elliot 21. Jacob Saifiti

Players cut: To come

Late mail: To come

Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11.Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims 15. Jacob Host 16. Russell Packer 17. Kurt Mann 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Taane Milne 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Jake Marketo

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Josh Dugan (hamstring) and Joel Thompson (ankle) have ticked all boxes so far and both are expected to play.

Rabbitohs v Raiders

Saturday 29th of July 5.30pm, ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Bryson Goodwin 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. David Tyrrell 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14. Robbie Farah 15. Cameron Murray 16. Kyle Turner 17. George Burgess 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Zane Musgrove 20. Anthony Cherrington 21. Campbell Graham

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Sam Burgess (rib cartilage) has been cleared to play.

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Michael Oldfield 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Clay Priest 16. Dave Taylor 17. Jeff Lima 18. Erin Clark 19. Zachary Masters 20. Royce Hunt 21. Scott Sorensen

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No late changes expected for the Raiders, who are without Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Jordan Rapana through suspension.

Roosters v Cowboys

Saturday 29th of July 7.30pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. Connor Watson 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Victor Radley 10. Dylan Napa 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14. Kane Evans 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Aidan Guerra 17. Mitchell Cornish 18. Kane Evans 19. Jayden Nikorima 20. Chris Smith 21. Nat Butcher

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No changes, with Joseph Manu (illness) certain to return. Boyd Cordner (calf) is aiming for next week, Jake Friend (broken hand) the week after.

Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper (c) 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Shaun Fensom 17. Corey Jensen 18. Braden Uele 19. Kalyn Ponga 20. Patrick Mago 21. Javid Bowen

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Antonio Winterstein (calf) has to get through the week, but is “fully expected” to return, according to coach Paul Green. Shaun Fensom (rib cartilage) missed training early in the week but will play through the pain.

Storm v Sea Eagles

Sunday 30th of July 2.00pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Cameron Munster 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Tim Glasby 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Nate Myles 17. Mark Nicholls 18. Young Tonumaipea 19. Jahrome Hughes 20. Slade Griffin 21. Jordan McLean

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Cameron Smith (pectoral) took at least some part in training this week (video below) and is firming to play. Jordan McLean (hamstring) is a strong chance to come into the 17, although the Storm say they won’t rush the big prop. Tohu Harris is out with a shoulder injury, not the knee injury he carried prior to the bye.

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The skipper @camsmith9 out on the track! 👀 #MelbourneProudpic.twitter.com/s2dzcSsYpw

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) July 26, 2017

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Cameron Cullen 15. Lloyd Perrett 16. Lewis Brown 17. Addin Fonua-Blake 18. Darcy Lussick 19. Jarrad Kennedy 20. Brad Parker 21. Jonathan Wright

Players cut: To come

Late mail: To come

Titans v Tigers

Sunday 30th of July 4.00pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. John Olive 5. William Zillman 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Max King. Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Morgan Boyle 16. Leivaha Pulu 17. Nathaniel Peteru 18. Kane Elgey 19. Phillip Sami 20. Pat Politoni 21. Agnatius Paasi

Players cut: To come

Late mail: To come

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malaki Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Tim Grant 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Elijah Taylor 13. Matthew Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Ava Seumanufagai 18. Josh Aloiai 19. JJ Felise 20. Joel Edwards 21. Jack Littlejohn

Players cut: To come

Late mail: To come

COMPLETED MATCHES

Panthers v Bulldogs

Thursday 27th of July 7.50pm, Pepper Stadium

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Moses Leota. Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Leilani Latu 16. Tim Browne 17. James Fisher-Harris 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Dean Whare

Players cut: Viliame Kikau, Sitaleki Akauola

Late mail: Bryce Cartwright will come into the 17 after returning from injury in NSW Cup last week and playing 50 minutes.

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Chase Stanley 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Frawley 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Moses Mbye 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Adam Elliott 13. David Klemmer. Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Michael Lichaa 19. Francis Tualau 20. Kerrod Holland

Players cut: Asipeli Fine, Brenko Lee

Late mail: James Graham (neck) has been cleared to return, but Brett Morris is expecterd to miss out, with Kerrod Holland the logical replacement.

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Hearing Brett Morris out of Bulldogs side v #10yearplanners tonight #NRLPanthersBulldogs

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) July 27, 2017

Originally published as Late Mail: Burgess cleared, Smith firms

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