All late mail from round 17 of the NRL Telstra Premiership 2022.
NRL Late Mail: Round 17
Sharks v Storm, Thursday at 7:50 p.m. at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Nicho Hynes and Toby Rudolf are out after giving positive to COVID. Braydon Trindall is the new migback and Andrew Fifita joins the starting side up close. The new man on the bench is Braden Hamlin-Uele, who is returning after a chest injury. With Siosifa Talakai in the service of Origin Connor Tracey enters the centers.
Storm: No late changes are expected for the storm. Dean Ieremia joins the band and Nick Meaney moves to five-eighths with Jayden Nikorim falling to 18th. Brandon Smith will start as a hooker, Josh King is the new lock and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will start close with Tui Kamikamica going to the bench.
Knights v Rabbitohs, Friday at 7:55 p.m. at McDonald Jones Stadium
Gentlemen: Jayden Brailey will return from a long-term Achilles injury on the bench, while Bradman Best will play on his return from an elbow injury, replacing Dane Gagai (Origin) in the centers. Tex Hoy is once again wearing the No. 1 jersey instead of Kalyn Ponga, who is also out with the Maroons.
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell will captain the Rabbitoh for the first time with Cameron Murray in the Origin service. Mark Nicholls has been appointed to take over from Murray on the block, but he seems unlikely to play, as he still has symptoms of concussion after failing an HIA last week. His place on the sidelines could be taken by Daniel Suluka-Fifita, who joined the club on Monday after the Roosters granted him an early release.
Wests Tigers v Eels, Saturday 7.35pm at Leichhardt Oval
Wests Tigers: Patron James Tamou returns after retiring late from the Warriors game with a calf injury. Adam Doueihi starts in the centers for James Roberts, while Justin Matamua will debut in the NRL from the bench.
Eels: Enforcer Junior Paulo will be on the Blues field, so Marata Niukore enters the starting side on the prop and Ryan Matterson returns to the block after losing round 16 with a rib injury. Skipper Clint Gutherson is part of NSW’s expanded Brad Fittler squad, but will be released to lead the Eels who are expected to finish according to the program.
Broncos vs. Dragons, Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Tesi Niu takes over from Te Maire Martin (ribs); Jordan Pereira enters for Band Selwyn Cobbo (Origen); while Keenan Palasia and Ryan James are the new accessories for Payne Haas (shoulder) and Corey Jensen (calf). Tyson Gamble is included on the bench with Cory Paix.
Dragons: Winger Mat Feagai has been appointed to play despite suffering a knee injury on Sunday and is expected to be right to play, although Tautau Moga and Jonathon Reuben have both been included in the reserve. Jayden Sullivan takes over midfield in the only change to the side that beat the Raiders