Ponga to return despite conflicting reports; star Raider ruled out in huge blow: Late Mail
There was confusion over Kalyn Ponga after conflicting reports surrounding his fitness. Ponga was named to return from injury only for reports to emerge he had been ruled out. However, the star fullback will take his place and hop to push for a spot in the Maroons squad for Game III.
Elsewhere, Ricky Stuart will be without one of his star forwards for his side’s crucial match with Newcastle while the Roosters have named a debutant.
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Read on for all the Round 18 Late Mail.
SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs St. George Illawarra Dragons, 2pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 20. Sandon Smith
Players cut: 19. Siua Wong 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi 14. Naufahu Whyte
Early Mail: Ethan King has been confirmed to make his NRL debut off the bench with Naufuha Whyte the man to make way.
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 12. Jaydn Su’A 17. Luciano Leilua 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 19. Fa’amanu Brown 18. Michael Molo
Players cut: 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird 20. Ryan Couchman
Early Mail: Dragons edge Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been ruled out of the ANZAC Day rematch with back spams. Luciano Leilua is promoted to the starting side with Michael Molo joining the bench. Jack Bird will need to wait at least another week to make his return from an ankle injury after dropping out of the side at the 24-hour update.
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights, 4:05pm AEST at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 15. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 20. Emre Guler 18. Sebastian Kris
Players cut: 11. Hudson Young 19. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
Early Mail: Hudson Young was withdrawn from Ricky Stuart’s squad at the 24-hour team list update. In his place Ata Mariota starts with Emre Guler moving from the reserves to the bench. Adam Cook retains the halfback role for another week.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Mathew Croker 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 19. Jack Hetherington
Players cut: 22. Thomas Cant 13. Adam Elliott 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi
Early Mail: There was confusion over Kalyn Ponga after conflicting reports surrounding his fitness. Ponga was named to return from injury only for reports to emerge he had been ruled out. However, the star fullback will take his place and hop to push for a spot in the Maroons squad for Game III. Elsewhere, Adam Elliot is out of the Knights side to face the Raiders with Mat Croker promoted to start at lock.