NRL Late Mail Round 3: Patrick Carrigan to play Dragons, Storm rookie Jonah Pezet to start

Speaking exclusively to News Corp, Carrigan says he has made a swift recovery from dental surgery in a major boost for the Broncos as they chase a third consecutive win against the Red V.

There were fears the Queensland Origin star could be ruled out of the round 3 showdown after being admitted to hospital on Monday to remove two wisdom teeth that have troubled him since last November’s World Cup.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters had described Carrigan as “doubtful”, but the Maroons workhorse took part in Friday’s captain’s run and has been given the green light by Brisbane medicos.

While there was still visible swelling to the left side of Carrigan’s face, the 25-year-old pledged to play through the pain barrier as he chases a win that would propel the Broncos to the top of the league.

“I will play,” Carrigan said.

“Training went well (on Friday) and I’m feeling OK.

“There’s still some pain there. My face is still a bit swollen. It has gone down a lot. I came in the other day and the boys were laughing at me because my face had totally blown up, but it’s a lot better than it was.

“In my head, I am playing from right now.

“Unless I take a turn with the antibiotics, I will definitely play. I feel much better. The first couple of days I was pretty busted, but the doctors decided to remove it (wisdom teeth) now and hopefully I’ll be right for the rest of the year.”

The Broncos last week lost winger Corey Oates to a broken jaw, but Walters is confident Carrigan’s face can withstand a Dragons onslaught.

“Patty is smart,” he said.

“We have the medical clearance for him to play, so we are not going against medical advice.

“It just depends on Patty and whether he feels he has done enough to take the field.

“He trained well, so we will see how he pulls up tomorrow and we will give him until kick-off to make a decision.

“It will be his decision, not ours, on whether he plays or not.”

STORM YOUNG GUN SET FOR SHOCK START

Rookie playmaker Jonah Pezet is set to be thrust into the Melbourne Storm five-eighth hot seat for Saturday’s clash against the Titans.

The 20-year-old was on Tuesday named to debut from the interchange, but it’s understood Pezet will come into the starting side with Tyran Wishart dropping to the bench.

The son of former NRL player Troy Pezet is considered one of the best young playmaking talents yet to debut in the NRL and starred for NSW in last year’s Under 19 Origin series.

D-DAY FOR BRANDON SMITH

Brandon Smith is no certainty to face the Rabbitohs on Friday night and will need to get through a full session and physio work on Thursday after suffering a muscular injury in last week’s win over the Warriors.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed his star recruit had only managed to get through a portion of training earlier in the week and that the team would make a call on their No.9 on Thursday.

Smith played 24 minutes last weekend before he was forced off after injuring himself while tackling winger Marcelo Montoya.

There were fears he’d hurt his ribs or his lower back, but Robinson said it was more of a muscular issue.

Jake Turpin is on standby if Smith is ruled out of the Friday night blockbuster.

“We’ll find out today, to be honest,” Robinson said. “He trained a bit the other night, but he hasn’t done a full session yet so we’ll find out more today through physio and through the session.

“It’s more muscular. We thought it was a rib, but it’s more muscular than that.”

—Martin Gabor

DOUBTS GROW AFTER DOUEIHI SETBACK

Star Wests Tigers playmaker Adam Doueihi was forced to watch on for part of training on Wednesday as he nurses foot bruising.

Star recruit John Bateman (ankle) also missed the session and appears at long odds to play despite being named in the 23-man squad on Tuesday.

Brandon Wakeham trained in Doueihi’s place at five-eighth.

The Lebanon international is still considered a strong chance to take on the Bulldogs at Belmore on Sunday.

Doueihi is owned by a massive 39 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams.

KNIGHTS v DOLPHINS

6pm Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson

Bench: 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 17. Dylan Lucas 22. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 19. Enari Tuala 20. Oryn Keeley

Players cut: 16. Jack Johns 18. Greg Marzhew 21. Ben Talty

Late Mail: No changes at the Knights who didn’t name any of their injured stars for Round 3.

Tyson Frizell has been cleared of serious injury and is set to miss one to two weeks.

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 14. Connelly Lemuelu 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague

Reserves: 22. Robert Jennings 24. Poasa Faamausili

Players cut: 10. Jarrod Wallace 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford

Late Mail: Jarrod Wallace is out for the Dolphins due to personal reasons, with Mason Teague to come onto the bench. Kodi Nikorima debuts for the Dolphins where he’ll share the hooking duties with Kurt Donoghoe.

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ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS

8pm Friday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong

Players cut: 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 22. Siua Wong

Late Mail: Brandon Smith remains in serious doubt with a muscle injury. If unavailable, Jake Turpin would start at hooker for the Roosters, with Naufahu Whyte likely the man to join the bench.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Players cut: 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Late Mail: The Rabbitohs are expected to run out as named, with Hame Sele (calf) and Tevita Tatola (concussion) returning for the clash with the Roosters.

TITANS v STORM

3pm Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

Late Mail: No changes expected to the Titans 17. Prop Jaimin Jolliffe will miss three to four months with a ruptured pec, while Jojo Fifita is also unavailable due to injury.

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Kane Bradley

Late Mail: Returning cattle Tariq Sims, Justin Olam, Xavier Coates and Tui Kamikamica are all strong chances to return from injury, but must all get through Friday’s captain’s run unscathed to be cleared. Rookie playmaker Jonah Pezet has been named to debut off the bench but is expected to start at five-eighth come game day, with Tyran Wishart reverting to the bench.

COWBOYS v WARRIORS

5:30pm Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

Late Mail: There’s an outside chance Valentine Holmes shifts to fullback on game day, however rookie Tom Chester is expected to play his second NRL game in the No.1 jumper.

If the switch did happen, Brendan Elliot would come into the team at centre.

Heilum Luki is nearing a return from an ACL injury having been named at 18th man.

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Jazz Tevaga 23. Rocco Berry

Late Mail: Josh Curran must get through captain’s run on Friday to take his place on the bench following a minor hip injury in the loss to the Roosters. Jazz Tevaga returned from injury via NSW Cup last week and is a strong chance to come onto the bench, either for Curran if unavailable or Bayley Sironen.

BRONCOS v DRAGONS

7:35 Saturday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

Late Mail: Patrick Carrigan will play despite being earlier rated as ‘unlikely’ by Kevin Walters to face the Dragons due to an infected wisdom tooth.

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

Late Mail: Toby Couchman must pass final concussion protocols to take his place on the bench at Suncorp.

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Tanner

Late Mail: No changes at the Bulldogs following their big win over the Storm.

Wests Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula

Late Mail: Adam Doueihi remains in major doubt to face the Bulldogs due to a foot injury, he’s considered a 50/50 chance to play at best.

Brandon Wakeham is on standby to replace him in the halves if required.

John Bateman is considered unlikely to make his club debut due to an ongoing ankle injury.

Justin Matamua may come onto the bench on game day.

RAIDERS v SHARKS

6pm Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Late Mail: No changes expected at the Raiders as they chase their first win of the season.

Tom Starling entered the game at lock in the loss to the Dolphins, with Danny Levi remaining at hooker, expect this experiment to continue against the Sharks.

Trey Mooney will make his second NRL appearance off the bench, replacing the injured Ata Mariota.

Josh Papali’i is expected to return in the next one to two weeks.

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes told David Riccio he’s likely to return from a calf injury next week. Jack Williams returns from a concussion to make up a four forward bench, which sees utility Connor Tracey drop off the bench.

BYE: Panthers

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 3: Patrick Carrigan to play Dragons, Storm rookie Jonah Pezet to start