Manly have been dealt an untimely injury blow, with electric fullback Tolu Koula set to miss the next six weeks after injuring his knee last weekend.
The 21-year-old had scans following his side’s victory over the Cowboys and will undergo surgery on Tuesday night for an MCL injury.
Koula’s absence has led to a major change for the Sea Eagles, with marquee man Tom Trbojevic named at fullback after playing centre in his round 18 return.
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Anthony Seibold isn’t short of options, with rookie fullback Lehi Hopoate also in the mix, but the injury to Koula has prompted the coach to move Trbojevic back to his usual role.
Tom Trbojevic during his return for Manly. Getty
Cronulla’s recent woes have continued, with star halfback Nicho Hynes set for a stint on the sidelines ahead of their must-win clash against the Tigers.
Elsewhere, a host of big names will be unavailable due to State of Origin commitments, with the likes of Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Newcastle to be heavily affected.
Here’s all the team news ahead of round 19.
THURSDAY
Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Redcliffe Stadium (7.50pm)
Jai Arrow is struggling with a shoulder injury. Will Russell/Getty Images
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O’Sullivan 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Robert Jennings
Dolphins team news: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi will both be unavailable due to State of Origin commitments. Jack Bostock is in line for a return, while hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is sidelined for the next two months with a foot injury.
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Siliva Havili 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Thomas Fletcher
Rabbitohs team news: Latrell Mitchell is out of action with a foot injury, while Cameron Murray is in NSW camp. Jai Arrow will play his last game before undergoing surgery.
FRIDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers, Pointsbet Stadium (8pm)
Nicho Hynes will miss this weekend’s game. NRL Images
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Chris Veaila 20. Billy Burns 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell
Sharks team news: Nicho Hynes is set to be sidelined with an ankle injury in a major blow for the free-falling Sharks, while utility Siosifa Talakai is out due to suspension.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Alexander Lobb 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Fonua Pole 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Reuben Porter 18. Justin Matamua 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Starford To’a 21. Josh Feledy 22. Jordan Miller
Tigers team news: No major changes for Benji Marshall’s side this week.
SATURDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels, Cbus Super Stadium (5.30pm)
AJ Brimson is expected to be named for the Titans. Getty
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Josiah Pahulu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Phillip Sami 18. AJ Brimson 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Jaylan De Groot
Titans team news: Moeaki Fotuaika will be away in Queensland camp this week, but David Fifita will line up for the Titans after being overlooked for the Origin decider. AJ Brimson has been named in the squad, while Jayden Campbell is in the halves.
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Lorenzo Mulitalo 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Matt Doorey 13. Charlie Guymer 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Shaun Lane 16. Luca Moretti 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Isaac Lumelume 20. Joey Lussick 21. Morgan Harper 22. Wiremu Greig
Eels team news: Mitchell Moses won’t play this week ahead of the Origin decider, with Daejarn Asi set to come into the halves. Junior Paulo is out long-term with a foot injury.
Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium (7.35pm)
Jaydn Su’A has been overlooked for the Origin decider. Getty
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Joshua Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Tyson Smoothy 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Vaa Semu 19. Cory Paix 20. Israel Leota
Broncos team news: Jock Madden is out with a hamstring injury, opening the door for Josh Rogers at halfback. Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Selwyn Cobbo will all be out this weekend due to Origin commitments, but strike centre Kotoni Staggs should be back on deck. Jordan Riki is also due back from suspension in a timely boost.
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Jack Bird 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Michael Molo
Dragons team news: Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax are away in their respective Origin camps, but Jaydn Su’A is named to line up after being dropped by the Maroons. Hame Sele has been named to return on the bench, replacing the injured Blake Lawrie.
SUNDAY
Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights, Brookvale Oval (4.05pm)
Tolutau Koula is out with a knee injury. NRL Images
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Nathan Brown 14. Clayton Faulalo 15. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Corey Waddell 18. Caleb Navale 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Dean Matterson 21. Ben Condon 22. Aitasi James
Sea Eagles team news: Tolu Koula is out due to a knee injury, which will see Tom Trbojevic move from the centres and back to the No.1 jumper after his return last weekend. Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic are both away in Origin camp.
Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Krystian Mapapalangi 3. Dylan Lucas 4. Thomas Cant 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Jack Cogger 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Riley Jones 22. Thomas Jenkins
Knights team news: Bradman Best, Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga are all unavailable in round 19 due to Origin commitments. Phoenix Crossland is expected back from concussion at hooker, pushing Jayden Brailey to the bench.
