NRL 2025, Late Mail, round 3, injuries, team updates, late changes

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 20 Mar 2025, 02:19 PM

Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo is set to complete his comeback from a Lisfranc injury as a host of big names return this weekend.

The representative forward suffered the injury playing for Tonga in the Pacific Championships and made a successful return to the field through Queensland Cup last week.

Now, he is set to line up for North Queensland in Friday night's derby with the Broncos at a heaving Suncorp Stadium.

Elsewhere, Manly are confident Daly Cherry-Evans will line up on Sunday, however fullback Tom Trbojevic is in doubt for the clash with the Raiders.

The Roosters are preparing to welcome back Spencer Leniu, Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins on Friday night.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 3 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 3

Storm v Panthers, Thursday 8.00pm (AEDT) at AAMI Park

Storm: Big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been added to the bench 24 hours out from kick-off in his return from the suspension that forced the forward to miss last year's grand final. Lazarus Vaalepu drops out. Halfback Jahrome Hughes will make his 150th appearance for the Storm and will again link up with Cam Munster in the halves. Kiwi Will Warbrick has been ruled out of the match with a concussion and has been replaced by Grant Anderson on the wing.

Panthers: Tom Jenkins has come into the side at fullback with Dylan Edwards nursing a groin injury and the man originally named to replace him, Daine Laurie, dropping out due to injury on Wednesday. New recruit Isaiah Papali'i is set for his first match since the club's Las Vegas opener and has been named on the bench in his return from a hip injury. The reshuffle has seen Brad Schneider come on to the bench with Blaize Talagi the 18th man.

Round 3 - Thursday 20th March

9:00am

Storm

Panthers

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

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Warriors v Roosters, Friday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: Captain James Fisher-Harris is set to lead from the front as the Warriors chase a second-straight victory. Coach Andrew Webster has named a settled side for Friday's clash with the Roosters, with no changes to the 17 that beat the Sea Eagles last week.

Roosters: Young forward Salesi Foketi will miss the match after an unsuccessful trip to the judiciary on Tuesday night, with concreter Taylor Losalu among the options to come on to the bench in his place. Star forwards Spencer Leniu, Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins have been named to return to the field in a major boost for Trent Robinson's side.

Round 3 - Friday 21st March

7:00am

Warriors

Roosters

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

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Broncos v Cowboys, Friday 8.00pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: Coach Michael Maguire has named the same 17 as the one that went down to the Raiders last weekend, however, Kotoni Staggs is pushing for a late call up. The star centre has been listed in the reserves in his comeback from a quad injury. Halfback Adam Reynolds requires 11 points to climb into third on the NRL's all-time point scorers list.

Cowboys: Star forward Jason Taumalolo is set for his first NRL game of the season after completing a successful comeback through Queensland Cup last weekend. North Queensland will also welcome back Jeremiah Nanai after he was demoted to Queensland Cup last week. Jake Clifford is set for his first match of the season, having overcome a hernia that hampered his pre-season. Thomas Duffy has dropped back to the reserves as a result. Braidon Burns will miss the match with a hamstring injury, with Robert Derby to start on the wing in his place.

Round 3 - Friday 21st March

9:00am

Broncos

Cowboys

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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Sharks v Rabbitohs, Saturday 3.00pm (AEDT) at Sharks Stadium

Sharks: Tom Hazelton will miss a second-straight week due to back soreness, with Tuku Hau Tapuha to remain on the bench as his replacement. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon expects the same squad that beat the Cowboys to line up for the side's first game at Sharks Stadium for the year.

Rabbitohs: A cloud hovers over Tallis Duncan, who was named at lock despite picking up a hamstring injury last weekend. The forward will likely have until Friday's captain's run to prove his fitness. New recruit Mikaele Ravalawa is in the mix to play his first match for the club after being named 18th man for Saturday's clash. The winger only joined South Sydney on Sunday after being granted a short-term release by the Dragons. Jack Wighton is set to return from suspension, with Fletcher Myers shifting back to the wing and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape dropping out.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

4:00am

Sharks

Rabbitohs

Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney

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Dolphins v Wests Tigers, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at Kayo Stadium

Dolphins: Jack Bostock is pushing for his first taste of NRL action this season as he nears a return from a knee injury suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge. The outside back has been named in the reserves, alongside Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who has been progressing through the concussion protocol. Veteran Kenny Bromwich is a chance of a late inclusion and has been listed on the extended bench.

Wests Tigers: Heath Mason is on standby should fullback Jahream Bula succumb to a foot injury that forced him from the field last weekend. Bula has been named at fullback and will take his place if he gets through the week unscathed.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

6:30am

Dolphins

Wests Tigers

Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

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Titans v Knights, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: David Fifita has been named on the bench for the second-straight week but is a chance of a late call up to the starting side as Des Hasler looks for an extra spark up front. Alofiana Khan-Pereira could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Tony Francis while Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui comes on to the bench for the injured Jaimin Jolliffe.

Knights: Coach Adam O'Brien confirmed on Thursday that back-rower Dylan Lucas had tweaked a hamstring and would miss the match with Jermaine McEwen coming in for his debut. Prop Leo Thompson has been ruled due to a knee injury in a double blow for the Knights after Kai Pearce-Paul was suspended. The duo's absence has caused a reshuffle, with Brodie Jones to start at prop, Adam Elliott at lock and Thomas Cant joining the squad.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

8:35am

Titans

Knights

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

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Eels v Bulldogs, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium

Eels: Josh Addo-Carr is in the mix to make his Parramatta debut against his former club after serving a suspension for an off-field indiscretion. The winger has been named in the reserves but is a chance of a late inclusion. Ryan Matterson is 18th man and is also a chance of lining up for his first game of the year. Ronald Volkman has dropped out of the side, with Dean Hawkins starting at halfback.

Bulldogs: Bailey Hayward is set to start at five-eighth for the first time in his NRL career after Matt Burton was ruled out with a knee injury. Viliame Kikau will also miss the clash, Sitili Tupouniua preparing to start in his place. Kurt Morrin and Daniel Suluka-Fifita have come on to the bench.

Round 3 - Sunday 23rd March

5:05am

Eels

Bulldogs

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

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Sea Eagles v Raiders, Sunday 6.15pm (AEDT) at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Fullback Tom Trbojevic (hamstring tightness) must pass a fitness test later in the week if he is to play on Sunday evening. Given his history of hamstring injuries, Manly will take a cautious approach after he failed to finish last week's loss to the Warriors. In more positive news, Daly Cherry-Evans (back spasms) is expected to play, while centre Tolu Koula is also set to feature after missing Round 2 with a corked thigh and Siosiua Taukeiaho will return from a knee injury.

Raiders: Zac Hosking has been ruled out with a broken hand, with Morgan Smithies moving to the starting side in his place and Trey Mooney added to the bench. Matthew Nicholson remains in the back row, while fullback Xavier Savage is set to return from suspension. Albert Hopoate has dropped back to the extended squad as a result.

Round 3 - Sunday 23rd March

7:15am