THE Titans have failed in their bid to rush new recruit Dale Copley in to face Parramatta, leaving their backline stocks dangerously low.
In other Late Mail:
* Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is out of Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs due to concussion.
* Bryce Cartwright (bone bruising) is yet to train and considered highly unlikely;
* James Roberts (knee), Jordan Kahu (corked hip), Tevita Pangai Jnr (ankle), Matt Gillett (concussion), Josh McGuire (soreness) and Alex Glenn (birth of child) are all set to take the field following a stressful week for the Broncos on the injury front;
* Billy Slater (shoulder) is a confirmed starter for the Storm, while Jesse Bromwich (thumb) is considered a strong chance.
STORM v BRONCOS
8.05pm AEDT Thursday at AAMI Park
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster7. Cooper Cronk 8. Tim Glasby 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Christian Welch 15. Joe Stimson 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Vincent Leuluai 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Jesse Bromwich
Players cut from squad: Young Tonumaipea, Mark Nicholls
Late Mail: Billy Slater (shoulder) is a confirmed starter, slotting in at fullback with Cameron Munster moving to the halves. Jesse Bromwich (dislocated thumb) is considered a strong chance to return at prop, which would see Tim Glasby drop to the bench. Bromwich will be allowed to make the final call on whether he will make an early return. “If medical staff give him the tick it’s basically up to Jess,” coach Craig Bellamy said. “He’s done enough around here and earnt the respect to know when he’s right.”
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (c) 2. Corey Oates 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. Sam Thaiday 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Alex Glenn 15. Tevita Pangai 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Jai Arrow 18. Benji Mashall 20. David Mead
Players cut from squad: George Fai, Jonus Pearson
Late Mail: Strike centre James Roberts has hobbled through Brisbane’s final training session with a heavily-strapped right knee but coach Wayne Bennett insists he will be fit for Thursday night’s NRL blockbuster against the Storm. Roberts looked uncomfortable at various times during Wednesday’s captain’s run at Red Hill but Bennett said the The Jet would be ready to fly against Melbourne.
“It was just a hyperextension of his knee but no one thinks it’s a problem,” Bennett said after the session. “We have some tape on it just to stabilise it but everyone is confident he will be right to play.” Utility Alex Glenn was a no-show at the training due to the imminent birth of his child, but will travel to Melbourne to take his place against the Storm.
That keeps big-name recruit Benji Marshall, who ran with the squad on Wednesday, on the sidelines for another week. Kiwi Test utility Jordan Kahu completed the captain’s run on the right wing and looks certain to overcome a corked hip to take on the Storm at AAMI Park. Interchange young gun Tevita Pangai Jnr also moved well at training after injuring his ankle against the Cowboys.
Matt Gillett (concussion) and Josh McGuire (soreness) trained with the rehab group earlier in the week but are certain starters.
Full lowdown at the Courier Mail.
BULLDOGS v WARRIORS
6pm AEDT Friday at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Bulldogs: 1 Brad Abbey 2 Brett Morris 3 Josh Morris 4 Brenko Lee 5 Marcelo Montoya 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Greg Eastwood 13 David Klemmer. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Danny Fualalo 16 Adam Elliott 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19 Craig Garvey 20 Matt Frawley 21 Francis Tualau 23 Reimis Smith
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: Canterbury debutant Brad Abbey is expected to take on the goal-kicking duties for the Bulldogs in Friday’s NRL clash with the Warriors. The Bulldogs are without an experienced goal-kicker in their 17, after regular sharp-shooter Kerrod Holland was ruled out for at least a month with a shoulder injury. Holland was taken from the field early in last week’s four-point loss to the Sydney Roosters, which was decided by goal-kicking.
Both sides scored five tries but replacement kicker Moses Mbye could only slot home two conversions from five attempts in the loss. It’s believed 20-year-old Abbey will take over the duties this Friday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
“He’s a really good goal-kicker actually,” forward Josh Jackson said of Abbey. “So I think he’ll take over that.” Abbey was the Warriors second-choice kicker in Under-20s two seasons ago and kicked 30 goals in last year’s NSW Cup on moving to the Bulldogs. He has been sitting behind Rhyse Martin as a kicker in reserve grade this year.
Abbey is one of two Bulldogs making their debut this weekend. Marcelo Montoya, 21, will come onto the wing in place of Holland, after impressing most judges over the pre-season at the Bulldogs. “He was unlucky not to play round one,” Lichaa said.
“I was pretty impressed with the way he ran the ball. When we were doing opposed sessions at 100 per cent he was running the ball back. “Sometimes I thought I could give him a bit of a shot and he’d just bump me off. He wasn’t scared.”
Warriors: 21 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 Ken Maumalo 3 David Fusitu’a 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Mafoa’aeata Hingano 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Albert Vete 9 Issac Luke 10 Jacob Lillyman 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman (C) 13 Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14 Erin Clark 15 Sam Lisone 16 Charlie Gubb 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Blake Ayshford 20 James Gavet
Players cut from squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion), Mason Lino
Late Mail: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion) is out, replaced at fullback by Tuimoala Lolohea. Ryan Hoffman takes over the captaincy duties.
SuperCoach: Winners & Losers2:42
NRL: Tom Sangster has the winners and losers following round two.
TITANS v EELS
8.05pm AEDT Friday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: 1. Tyler Cornish 2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis 3. Dan Sarginson 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. William Zillman 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Tyrone Roberts 10. Ryan James (c) 11. Kevin Proctor (c) 12. Chris McQueen 13. Agnatius Paasi . Interchange: 14. Ryan Simpkins 15. Nathaniel Peteru 16. Leivaha Pulu 17. Joe Greenwood 18. Paterika Vaivai 19. Max King 20. Eddy Pettybourne 21 Karl Lawton
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: The Titans have had their application to rush Roosters recruit Dale Copley into Friday’s match against Parramatta rejected.
Copley signed with the Titans on Wednesday, a day after the club had to name its 21-man squad for the Eels game.
For Copley to face the Eels the Titans had to gain a special exemption from the NRL under its new team list rules.
The Titans were privately confident Copley would be cleared to play given he was unable to be named in the 21-man squad as he was not part of the club.
But the NRL rejected the submission on the grounds there were not exceptional circumstances.
Before hearing of the NRL’s decision, Titans coach Neil Henry said he was confident Copley would be cleared to play.
“We really are depleted in the outside backs,” Henry said.
“I can’t really see a reason (for it to be rejected).
“We couldn’t name him in a 21 because we weren’t sure if he was able to come.
“That was out of our hands. Now he’s here, we’ve done all the formalities.”
The NRL’s decision has left Henry scratching for players on the back of the club’s injury crisis.
Dan Sarginson (knee) was named at centre, but did not train and will be replaced by Chris McQueen.
Henry will have to shuffle his bench, especially after naming Karl Lawton in the 21-man squad despite the fact he will miss at least three games with a shoulder injury.
— Travis Meyn
Eels: 1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Clint Gutherson 7. Jeff Robson 8. Suaia Matagi 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tim Mannah (c) 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott. Interchange: 14. Nathan Brown 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Rory O’Brien 17. Frank Pritchard 18. David Gower 19. Marata Niukore 20. Kirisome Auva’a 21. Siosaia Vave
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS
4.30pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Nathan Ross 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson (c) 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Luke Yates 15. Jack Stockwell 16. Sam Stone 17. Jacob Saifiti 18. Jacob Gagan 19. Joe Wardle 20. Josh King 21. Anthony Tupou
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Braidon Burns 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Robert Jennings 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Robbie Farah 10. Jason Clark 11. John Sutton 12. Kyle Turner 13. Sam Burgess (c). Interchange: 14. Damien Cook 15. Angus Crichton 16. Robbie Rochow 17. George Burgess 18. Siosifa Talakai 19. Anthony Cherrington 20. Cameron Murray 21. Tom Burgess
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
PANTHERS v ROOSTERS
7pm AEDT Saturday at Pepper Stadium
Panthers: 1. Matt Moylan (c) 2. Dean Whare 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dylan Edwards 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14. James Fisher-Harris 15. Leilani Latu 16. Viliame Kikau 17. Sitaleki Akauola 18. Moses Leota 19. Tim Browne 20. Peta Hiku 21. Dallin Watene Zelezniak
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: Bryce Cartwright (bone bruising) didn’t train on Wednesday and is considered highly unlikely. He would be replaced on the right edge by James Fisher-Harris. Panthers forward Trent Merrin confirmed Cartwright was likely to spend at least a week on the sidelines. “I don’t think he’ll in there this week but he’ll be back sooner rather than later,” Merrin told Big Sports Breakfast.
Roosters: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend (c) 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner (c) 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra. Interchange: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Connor Watson 18. Chris Smith 19. Paul Carter 20. Lindsay Collins 21. Mitchell Cornish
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES
9pm AEDT Saturday at 1300Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Javid Bowen 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Patrick Kaufusi 9. Jack Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. TBC. Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. John Asiata 16. Coen Hess 17. Sam Hoare 18. Shaun Fensom 19. Gideon Mosby-Gela 20.Corey Jensen 21. Ben Spina
Players cut from squad: Jason Taumalolo
Late Mail: Jason Taumalolo (suspension) is out for two weeks following an unsuccessful challenge at the judiciary. Recruit Shaun Fensom is expected to come into the 17, although it’s unclear whether he will start or come off the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Nate Myles 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Cameron Cullen 15. Lewis Brown 16. Jarrad Kennedy 17. Shaun Lane 18. Jonathan Wright 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Matthew Wright 21. Bill Bainbridge
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
RAIDERS v WESTS TIGERS
4pm AEDT Sunday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson (c) 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Iosia Soliola 16. Clay Priest 17 Dave Taylor 18. Jordan Turner 19. Dunamis Lui 20. Jeff Lima 21. Scott Sorensen
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Michael Chee-Kam 5. Moses Suli 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods (c) 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagi 11. Sausao Sue 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14. Tim Grant 15. Josh Aloai 16. Joel Edwards 17. Jack Littlejohn 18. Junior Tatola 19. Justin Hunt 20. Kyle Lovett 21. Matt Ballin
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
SHARKS v DRAGONS
6.30pm AEDT Sunday at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: 1. Jack Bird 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. Joseph Paulo 18. Tony Williams 19. Valentine Holmes 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Gerard Beale
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 17. Kurt Mann 18. Jai Field 19. Taane Milne 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Hame Sele
Players cut from squad: TBC
Late Mail: To come
Originally published as NRL Late Mail: Copley blow for Titans