NRL Late Mail Round 15: SJ, Nicho & Dyl In, Tigers name debutants

By Daniel Lake

Sorry y’all, but Stiles is still away for one more week. It was a big debut for me last week, however I can neither confirm nor deny the rumours that my agent is in negotiations with the Playbook team on a Lolo type contract, where I’m signed on for massive money to pretty much hover around in the background doing very little.

On a more serious note, I forgot just how much goes into what Stylesy does each and every week.

It’s an incredible effort and no one does it better.

I also realised that I fall into this trap every season.

It isn’t lost on me that he’s taken a “holiday” the week after the major bye round and left me to wade through the week following Origin minefield. We got there but I’ll gladly hand back the reins after this weekend.

Round 15 is back to your regularly scheduled programming, with only the Bulldogs missing which should be easy enough to cover in most spots.

Front Row may cause some minor issues though with Josh Curran and Sam Hughes heavily owned in the position and some still holding Poasa Faamausili.

If any other popular SuperCoach props go down, there’s going to be some late panic trading.

As per, all the updates across the round will come via @scplaybook1 on X/Twitter and Instagram.

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Sharks

The final three names from the Sharks reserves dropped off at the 24-hour cuts and the team is looking as though they’ll run out as named on Tuesday.

Daniel Atkinson is still in the squad for now, possibly as Nicho Hynes cover, but Nicho has been training in full this week so he should play barring any final setbacks.

24 hour cuts: Mawene Hiroti, Jayden Berrell, Samuel Stonestreet

Dolphins

Fresh off the bye so the Dolphins are pretty close to full strength.

I don’t foresee any major shuffles on Thursday night, except for maybe Mark Nicholls being swapped into the starting lineup.

Nothing really to worry about from a SuperCoach perspective, this week anyway….

We could see the club debut of one Tevita Pangai Jr as soon as next week though.

24 hour cuts: Sean O’Sullivan, Jarrod Wallace, Tesi Niu

Raiders

As above, the Raiders got a week’s rest to freshen the troops and don’t have any major concerns heading into this one.

I don’t anticipate any changes to the 17 here.

Cowboys

Back to their standard lineup for the Cowboys as they look to bounce back from a Warriors ambush.

The only change up from what they’ve previously been doing is Reuben Cotter being named in the front row, Jason Taumalolo at lock and Griffin Neame on bench.

This could change on game day but the makeup of the 17 shouldn’t.

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Rabbitohs

Huge news at the Bunnies with Cam Murray set to return.

He definitely could come into the starting side, but I believe he’ll start off the bench before pushing Keaon Kolomatangi to an edge throughout the match.

And to raise a potential future issue, Latrell Mitchell is firming for a return to the Origin arena, meeting with Madge to discuss the possibility.

If all goes well, he could be named for NSW for game 2.

A big game here could seal it.

Broncos

Corey Oates suffered a ‘minor’ knee injury during the week, but it’s significant enough to rule him out for the Broncos for Friday night.

Josiah Karapani has been training in his place and will play his 3^rd game.

For those with Xavier Willison along with a front row full of Bulldogs, fear not, the big man just missed last week due to the birth of a child.

He’ll be a handy inclusion and extra number this weekend.

Tigers

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Jordan Miller is set to debut this week, apparently for Alex Twal who’s still struggling with injury.

Miller will come onto the bench with reports circling that another rookie, Heath Mason, is a strong chance to make his NRL debut off the bench for the Tigers, coming on in the halves at some stage.

Other than that, the Tigers should run out largely as named due to the fact that they pretty much have no one left to play.

As great as it is to see Adam Doueihi named in the reserves, he’ll be eased back in through the lower grades.

For those wondering about the Jahream Bula #21 jersey, I’m of the understanding that with it being the first game at Leichhardt since the passing of Golden Boots Keith Barnes, the club is honouring him by “retiring” the number for the round.

A classy move.

Titans

No changes expected here either (this has been so much smoother than last week so far).

Phillip Sami should take his place after dropping out last week, and as such, Beau Fermor and Keenan Palasia will play where they’ve been named.

Unfortunately, so will Jayden Campbell. And I just hope that he’s been working on his right-to-lefts at training this week.

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Warriors

The prodigal son returns.

Shaun Johnson has been all but confirmed to return this week.

The Captain’s run will be the final test, but nothing suggests he won’t be there.

On the other hand, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, despite being named in the reserves, will be given one more week to recover from his hamstring worries and it wouldn’t surprise to see him dropped at the 24-hour mark.

Storm

Another expected 1-17.

The Storm ran out this way in round 14, but were originally named with Christian Welch at prop, Josh King at lock and Trent Loiero on bench, so it could revert.

But after a big win, I’m not anticipating it.

Reimis Smith misses due to the concussion he suffered late last week. It should only be a one-week deal.

Eels

All eyes will be on J’maine Hopgood who’s been having an issue with nerves in his back.

Trent Barrett conceded the lock “probably shouldn’t have played” after Origin and that the Eels may have to manage him this week.

Maika Sivo is also back on the wing, but Daejarn Asi is on the bench as cover should any issues arise.

I imagine it stays this way as hamstrings can be problematic so Asi would cover if Sivo is unable to get through the whole game.

Therefore, Joey Lussick should remain on the outer.

Roosters

As with the Phins and Derrs, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about at the Chooks after the bye.

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Sea Eagles

Another post-Origin concern after Haumole Olakau’atu left the game early due to calf injury.

It was said to be minor and his failure to return “precautionary” so as not to do more damage.

Earlier in the week, Anthony Seibold said it was too early to tell if Guac would play this week, so I’d be wary of a late out here.

Corey Waddell would take his place if need be.

Nothing else of note, except that NRL Physio is reporting that Tom Trbojevic is aiming for a round 18 return, which could cause some round 19 bye round issues for those looking at Lehi Hopoate.

Dragons

Last week, Luciano Leilua was named to start before reverting to the bench for Raymond Faitala-Mariner. That move could be on the cards once more.

Otherwise, the Dragons will be as is.

Knights

There is an early rumour doing the rounds that Kai Pearce-Paul is in doubt, which would see Dylan Lucas return to the starting side and Mathew Croker promoted to the 17.

This is shaping up as a big problem being the last game of the week, because if it comes to fruition, who is left to fill in?

It’s going to be a nervous wait for owners, especially those carrying Guac as well.

It seems like we’ve seen the end of David Armstrong for the time being.

Fletcher Sharpe was, for lack of a better word, sharp in his debut last week and looks to have earned the #1 jersey until Kalyn Ponga returns.

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Panthers

In better news, Dylan Edwards is shaping up as an inclusion, or rather, as not being cut.

And the Panthers could also see Liam Martin return from his foot injury.

He’ll be pushing to play in the Origin 2 lead up, but seeing that he was close to BOG for the Blues, I don’t see that his spot is in jeopardy.