Crunch fitness test set for Roosters skipper; shock reason for star’s omission — Early Mail

North Queensland’s finals hopes have taken a hit after the club confirmed a new injury blow to a State or Origin forward.

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Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels have revealed the surprising reason Dylan Walker won’t play this weekend, and confirmed halves prodigy Jonah Pezet has picked up yet another injury.

Elsewhere, the St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed a young forward and former Under-19s NSW Blues representative will make his NRL debut this weekend.

THURSDAY AUGUST 6

Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys, 7.50pm @ Cbus Super Stadium

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Adam Christensen 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Sialetili Faeamani 22. Jett Liu

Early Mail: The Titans have confirmed rookie halfback Zane Harrison (hamstring) will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a high-grade strain, with Lachlan Ilias named to replace him.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Griffin Neame 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Ethan King 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. John Bateman 21. Liam Sutton 22. Ronald Philitoga

Early Mail: Not only are the Cowboys without Tom Dearden at the moment, but they will now lose Jeremiah Nanai (hamstring) for the next two to three weeks after picking up an injury in the club’s loss to the Sydney Roosters last week.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7

New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers, 6pm @ Go Media Stadium

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Morgan Gannon 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Luke Metcalf 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Riley Price 22. Makaia Tafua 23. Adam Pompey

Early Mail: The club has confirmed forward Demitric Vaimauga (ribs) has been sidelined indefinitely after picking up an injury in the Warriors’ final training session on the Gold Coast last Friday. Meanwhile, Rocco Berry (hamstring) is set to be available for selection next week while Jackson Ford (pectoral) is set to return in time for this year’s finals series.

Panthers team: 1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Jack Cole 19. Blaize Talagi 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luron Patea 22. Kalani Leuluai-Going

Early Mail: To come.

Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 8pm @ Allianz Stadium

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Billy Smith 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Egan Butcher 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Rex Bassingthwaighte 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Delasalle Vaa

Early Mail: Skipper James Tedesco is set to undergo a crunch fitness test on Thursday to determine whether he’ll be right to face the Bulldogs. Tedesco didn’t play the second half of last week’s win against NQ after suffering a minor ankle injury. While he’s expected to take his place, if he isn’t cleared, Cody Ramsey will start at fullback.

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Jake Turpin 21. Alekolasimi Jones 22. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Jonathan Sua

Early Mail: To come.

SATURDAY AUGUST 8

Melbourne Storm vs. Manly Sea Eagles, 3pm @ HBF Park

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Hayden Watson 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Shawn Blore 16. Davvy Moale 17. Angus Hinchey 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Gabriel Satrick 21. Stanley Huen 22. Manaia Waitere

Early Mail: To come.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Blake Wilson 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Simione Laiafi 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Jackson Shereb 19. Josh Feledy 20. Onitoni Large 21. Nicholas Lenaz 22. Hugo Hart

Early Mail: In a horror blow for the Sea Eagles, forward Kobe Hetherington (ruptured bicep) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a training mishap on Monday. The middle forward will undergo surgery next week before commencing his rehabilitation process to get him ready for the 2027 season.

Dolphins vs. Brisbane Broncos, 5.30pm @ Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brad Schneider 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Jake Averillo

Early Mail: To come.

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Va’a Semu 16. Ben Talty 17. Gehamat Shibasaki 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Hayze Perham 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Aublix Tawha

Early Mail: To come.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Parramatta Eels, 7.35pm @ Allianz Stadium

Souths team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Moala Graham-Taufa 22. John Radel

Early Mail: To come.

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Luca Moretti 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Saxon Pryke 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sean Russell 22. Ryley Smith

Early Mail: Dylan Walker has not been named but the club says the bench utlity is not injured and is instead being rested for this week. This comes as Jonah Pezet’s (shoulder) injury troubles have continued, with the young halfback set to spend the next two weeks on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Bailey Simonsson (ankle), who was originally listed to make his return last week, remains sidelined indefinitely.

SUNDAY AUGUST 9

Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights, 2pm @ GIO Stadium

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Savelio Tamale 19. Matt Nicholson 20. Coby Black 21. Mark Tuialii 22. Vena Patuki-Case

Early Mail: To come.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Brodie Jones 20. Toby Winter 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Diesel Hagan

Early Mail: The club has confirmed that Harrison Graham missed last week’s match due to hamstring tightness. However, the utility will make his return to the field this week. This comes as veteran Tyson Frizell has been named to start in the front-row for his 300th NRL match.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Cronulla Sharks, 4.05pm @ Jubilee Stadium

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Ryan Hutchinson

Early Mail: Named on the extended six-man bench, the Dragons have confirmed that Jacob Webster will make his debut this week. A former Under-19s NSW Blues representative, Webster is having a breakout season in NSW Cup this year, averaging 131 metres and making 672 total tackles at over 95 per cent efficiency.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Michael Gabrael 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Early Mail: The club has announced that the omission of KL Iro (concussion) is due to injury. And this could open up the door for youngster Michael Gabrael to make his NRL debut off the extended six-man interchange bench.