NRL Late Mail Round 4: Predicted team changes, job security boost for Jackson Ford

Ford’s money-making prospects appear strong after Warriors coach Andrew Webster confirmed Josh Curran will play NSW Cup.

“Josh’s form isn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination,” Webster said. “It’s just that there are a couple of things we want him to work on. He knows that, he’s comfortable with it.”

Curran can play both middle and edge and was considered a threat to Ford’s job security and game time.

However, with Curran plying his trade in the lower grades, Ford’s only real threat for minutes this week comes from Bayley Sironen in jersey No. 15.

Ford is owned by 15 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches.

PANTHERS SHOCK LATE CHANGE

—Dean Ritchie

In a shock late change, Penrith’s World Cup forward Liam Martin has been ruled out of tonight’s big game against Parramatta.

Martin has a hamstring injury with Panthers officials deciding to rest the star edge forward.

Former Knights forward Zac Hosking will make his club debut for the Panthers.

Martin’s withdrawal is a late blow for the Panthers.

BENNETT CONFIRMS LAST-MINUTE SWITCH

Wayne Bennett remains hopeful rookie pivot Isaiya Katoa will be cleared to play as the Dolphins prepare to blood another debutant in Friday night’s historic derby clash with the Broncos.

The suspension of Felise Kaufusi has cleared the path for former Roosters forward Poasa Faamausili to make his Dolphins debut before 52,000 fans at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.

And Bennett will give Katoa every chance to feature in the Battle of Brisbane, with the injured young gun showing signs of improvement on his injured elbow after running at the Dolphins’ captain’s run on Friday.

The 27-year-old Faamausili, who played 39 games for the Roosters, will debut off the bench, with Jarrod Wallace expected to be promoted to start at prop and Kenny Bromwich set to be shifted to the edge to replace Kaufusi.

Former Broncos $1 million man Anthony Milford is on standby for Katoa but Bennett says he has confidence in the three-game rookie to handle a Brisbane baptism at Suncorp.

“We will bring ‘Po’ in for Felise and we will see what we do with Katoa,” Bennett said. He is a bit better than the other day, he is pretty close to playing but whether he plays or not we will see. He will either be fit or he isn’t.”

—Peter Badel

ROOKIE STARTS FOR STORM AS MUNSTER FIRMS

Young gun Jonah Pezet has been called into the Melbourne halfback hot seat after Jahrome Hughes copped a two-week shoulder charge ban at the judiciary.

Pezet made an impressive debut last week against the Titans with a try and two try assists.

Star five-eighth Cameron Munster is a near certainty to make his return from a fractured finger.

Munster had the pin in his hand taken out on Wednesday and Storm officials are now confident he will be right to return to the struggling side.

—Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

FULL LATE MAIL FOR ROUND 4

EELS v PANTHERS

Thursday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Matt Doorey 15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur

Players cut: 19 Jirah Momoisea 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Toni Mataele 22. Haze Dunster

Late Mail: Ryan Matterson (suspension) returns and will play outside Mitchell Moses on the right edge. Matt Doorey (knee) is firming to play despite initial concerns over an ACL injury. Hooker Brendan Hands will make his NRL debut. No changes in the 24-hour team update.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 19 Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18 Matt Eisenhuth

Players cut: 12. Liam Martin 20 Tyrone Peachey 21 Jack Cogger 22 Tom Jenkins

Late Mail: No changes expected for the Panthers after resting up over the bye with Scott Sorensen (concussion) to return. No changes in the 24-hour team update.

STORM v TIGERS

Friday, 6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 22 Jonah Pezet 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Bronson Garlick

Reserves: 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19 Grant Anderson

Players cut: 7 Jahrome Hughes 20. Aaron Pene 21. Sualauvi Faalogo

Late Mail: Young gun Jonah Pezet will fill the halfback hot seat after Jahrome Hughes (shoulder charge) copped a two week ban at the judiciary. Cameron Munster is near-certain to return from a fractured finger. He had a pin removed on Wednesday and just has to make it through captain’s run on Thursday to be cleared.

Tigers

1. Adam Doueihi 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Alex Twal 16. Shawn Blore 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Starford To’a 20. Justin Matamua

Players cut: 19. Joe Ofahengaue 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin

Late Mail: Adam Doueihi is not expected to train until captain’s run as he nurses turf toe. He has been named at fullback with Brandon Wakeham at five-eighth. Isaiah Papali’i returns from a one-week suspension in the back row where he forms a formidable combination with recruit John Bateman. Daine Laurie (knee) is right to go after missing last week and has been named on the bench. Don’t be surprised if Jake Simpkin (concussion) is a late inclusion on the bench after missing last week.

DOLPHINS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Mason Teague

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Late Mail:Felise Kaufusi is out for four weeks after losing at the judiciary. Kenny Bromwich switches to Kaufusi’s right edge, Jarrod Wallace is promoted from bench to starting prop and Poasa Faamausili comes onto the interchange. Young playmaker Isaiya Katoa (elbow) took part in Thursday’s captain’s run with a decision to be made on game day. Anthony Milford is on standby.

Broncos

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

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

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

Late Mail: No concerns for the top-of-the-table Broncos.

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COWBOYS v TITANS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Tom 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. Griffin Neame 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Mitchell Dunn 21. Laitia Moceidreke 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Late Mail: No changes expected. The Cowboys have plenty of talent back in deck in the next fortnight in Peta Hiku (suspension, round 5), Reuben Cotter (knee round 6) and Scott Drinkwater (suspension, round 6).

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. Jo Vuna 16. Erin Clark 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

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

Late Mail: No changes expected. The job security of SuperCoach cheapie Alofiana Khan-Pereira has improved following the release of outside back Patrick Herbert on Thursday. Hooker Aaron Booth is back running nearly eight months after devastating injuries to his ACL, PCL and MCL, although he’s still many months off returning to the field.

RABBITOHS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

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. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Davvy Moale 17. Jed Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Ben Lovett 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Tallis Duncan 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Late Mail: Jacob Host (calf) must make it through training to take his spot but all signs point to him returning. Jai Arrow (hamstring) suffered a setback over the weekend and could miss an extended period. Don’t be surprised to see a tweak or two on the bench with only one middle forward named, despite an injury crisis in that position. Blake Taaffe made way last week and that could happen again.

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Morgan Harper 21. Karl Lawton 22. Ben Condon

Late Mail: No changes. Josh Schuster suffered from cramp last weekend but is certain to line up.

WARRIORS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 2pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Josh Curran 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Rocco Berry 23. Demitric Sifakula

Late Mail: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jackson Ford (both concussion) are on track to return. Talk of Josh Curran coming onto the bench is off the mark. Curran will play reserve grade this week. “Josh’s form isn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination,” coach Andrew Webster said. “It’s just that there are a couple of things we want him to work on. He knows that, he’s comfortable with it.” The cavalry returns for the Warriors next week with Mitch Barnett (neck), Wayde Egan (concussion) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (calf) all due back.

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. Jayden Tanner 17. Fa’amanu Brown

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

Late Mail: No changes expected. Kyle Flanagan will continue in the goalkicking role after taking the duties from Matt Burton last week. Tevita Pangai (calf) was originally due back this week but his return has been delayed until round 6.

KNIGHTS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mathew Croker 17. Jack Johns

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Adam Clune 20. Thomas Cant 21. Enari Tuala 22. Tyson Frizell

Late Mail: Kurt Mann trained in a non-contact pink singlet on Tuesday and remains in doubt as he aims to return from a shoulder injury, but benefits from a long turnaround. Jayden Brailey (concussion) will play after missing last week. Tyson Frizell (ankle) is unlikely despite being named in reserves. Greg Marzhew will make his club debut with Dom Young dropped.

Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Matt Frawley 19. Brad Schneider 20. Trey Mooney 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Late Mail: Josh Papali’i (calf) will play his first match of the season. “It’s like the new kid’s back on the block,” said five-eighth Jack Wighton. “When Papa’s energy’s around the team you can really feel it and the boys have got a buzz about them.”

DRAGONS v SHARKS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

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 (concussion) is expected to return, while Jack De Belin (calf) is aiming for next week. Five-eighth Talatau Amone is lurking in reserves.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 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. Braydon Trindall

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

Late Mail: Nicho Hynes (calf) is gunning for a return. Braydon Trindall (ankle) is racing the clock and may yet drop off the bench.

BYE: ROOSTERS

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 4: Predicted team changes, job security boost for Jackson Ford