NRL 2024 team news, Late Mail, Round 18 team news, team changes, team lists, latest team updates and injury news for this week's games

NRL Late Mail: Round 18 - Warriors skipper ruled out; Olam set to return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 5 Jul 2024, 07:43 PM

Star fullbacks Ryan Papenhuyzen and Kalyn Ponga are both on track to return from injury in Round 18 while Tom Trbojevic is also locked in to play his comeback game in the centres.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 18 of the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 18

Bulldogs v Warriors, Saturday at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs: Connor Tracey (concussion protocols) is back in the No.1 jersey so Jacob Kiraz reverts to the wing and Jeral Skelton slides to 18th man. There's still no Jacob Preston (ankle), while Josh Curran could come into the run-on side on game day with Bailey Hayward named to start at lock for now. No changes 24 hours before kickoff, with Skelton and Harry Hayes the two reserves in the extended squad.

Warriors: The Warriors have been dealt a major blow with captain Tohu Harris ruled out of the match and set for an indefinite stint on the sidelines with a wrist injury. Dylan Walker comes into start at lock, with Bunty Afoa coming on to the bench in jumper No.22.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 6 Jul

5:00 am

Bulldogs

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward

Lock for Warriors is number 15 Dylan Walker

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jackson Ford
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange for Warriors is number 22 Bunty Afoa

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jeral Skelton

Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry Hayes

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Leka Halasima

Connor Tracey
Kurt Mann

Bunty Afoa
Leka Halasima
Taine Tuaupiki

Blake Taaffe

Moala Graham-Taufa
Tohu Harris

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 7/5/2024 5:26:03 PM

Wests Tigers v Storm, Saturday at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: Coach Benji Marshall confirmed on Friday that Justin Olam will make his return from a knee injury at centre after being initially listed in the reserves. As a result, Solomona Faataape moves to the wing and Luke Laulilii drops out of the 17. John Bateman returns to the starting side and will start on an edge.

Storm: No changes to the 17 on Friday night, with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen set to return after a week out with a foot injury so Sua Fa'alogo reverts to the bench. Jack Howarth remains in the starting side despite picking up a moderate glute strain last weekend. Alec McDonald and Dean Ieremia remain as 18th and 19th man, with Reimis Smith dropping out of the squad.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 6 Jul

7:30 am

Wests Tigers

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam Doueihi

Centre for Storm is number 3 Grant Anderson
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 22 Justin Olam

Centre for Storm is number 4 Jack Howarth
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines

Winger for Storm is number 5 Kane Bradley
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Justin Matamua

Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath Mason

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 David Klemmer

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Joe Chan

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 20 Solomon Alaimalo

Replacement for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Reuben Porter

Reserve for Storm is number 20 Dean Ieremia

Charlie Staines
Justin Olam
Solomon Alaimalo

Alec MacDonald
Ryan Papenhuyzen

Brent Naden
Luke Laulilii

Xavier Coates

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 7/5/2024 7:56:04 AM

Cowboys v Sea Eagles, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: No late changes expected with Origin reps Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson all back on deck. Tom Mikaele, Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue were the three players to drop out of the 22-man squad one day out from the game.

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic will line up at centre in his return from a hamstring injury with Tolu Koula at fullback and Reuben Garrick back from concussion in the other centre position. With Josh Aloiai back, Nathan Brown goes back to the bench with Jake Trbojevic at lock, with the Blues captain likely to push into a front row role when Brown comes on to the field. Karl Lawton will spell Jake Simpkin at hooker after being named on the bench alongside utility Lehi Hopoate. One day out from the game, Caleb Navale, Aitasi James and Aaron Schoupp have been omitted from the squad.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 6 Jul

9:35 am

Cowboys

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tom Trbojevic
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy Talau
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lehi Hopoate
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jake Granville

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Braidon Burns

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Jeremiah Nanai
Murray Taulagi
Reece Robson
Reuben Cotter
Tom Dearden
Valentine Holmes

Daly Cherry-Evans
Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Haumole Olakau'atu
Jake Trbojevic
Josh Aloiai
Reuben Garrick
Tom Trbojevic

Jake Clifford
Jaxon Purdue
Thomas Duffy
Thomas Mikaele
Tom Chester

Aaron Schoupp
Aitasi James
Ben Condon
Caleb Navale
Corey Waddell
Jaxson Paulo

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 7/5/2024 11:56:05 AM

Roosters v Dragons, Sunday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Veteran Michael Jennings gets the call up to re-join the backline in the centres where he will take the place of Joey Manu (hand) on the right edge. Lindsay Collins takes back his starting role after coming off the bench in Round 17 post-Origin II, with Terrell May reverting to the interchange.

Dragons: Zac Lomax returns after being rested last weekend to get over a niggling shoulder issue while Jack Bird is listed among the reserves as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered in Round 12. Bird would come into the centres if available, taking the place of Max Feagai.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 7 Jul

4:00 am

Roosters

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Michael Jennings

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Sitili Tupouniua

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Terrell May

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Siua Wong

Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Fa'amanu Brown
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Sandon Smith

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Ryan Couchman
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Blake Steep

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Savelio Tamale
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Salesi Foketi

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Jack Bird

Blake Steep
Michael Jennings
Salesi Foketi
Sandon Smith
Siua Wong

Fa'amanu Brown
Jack Bird
Michael Molo
Savelio Tamale
Zac Lomax

Joseph Manu

Mathew Feagai

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 7/2/2024 11:50:24 AM

Raiders v Knights, Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Expected to remain as per program with Ricky Stuart opting for the same lineup as last week's late change – Kaeo Weekes starts fullback, Jordan Rapana on the wing, Albert Hopoate in the centres and Adam Cook at halfback.

Knights: A massive boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga named to return from the foot injury that has sidelined him since Round 7 while Leo Thompson (achilles) is also back on deck in the front row. Hooker Phoenix Crossland (concussion protocols) will miss the match so Jayden Brailey starts in the No.9 jumper and Fletcher Sharpe fills the utility role off the bench.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 7 Jul

6:05 am

Raiders

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Adam Cook

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Fletcher Sharpe
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Sebastian Kris

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Mat Croker
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Zac Woolford

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Jack Hetherington
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Emre Guler

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Jack Cogger
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 James Schiller

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Krystian Mapapalangi
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Hohepa Puru

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Thomas Cant