NRL Late Mail round 27: Matt Timoko withdraws from Dolphins clash

Kain Anderson will make his debut. Anderson’s brother Grant plays for Melbourne.

The Raiders will now have four debutantes with Anderson joining Michael Asomua, Joe Roddy and Manaia Waitere with the minor premiers resting most of their big guns.

Newcastle are also expected to give NSW under-19 prop Cody Hopwood his first shot in the top grade.

– Michael Carayannis

NRL ROUND 27 TEAMS

DOLPHINS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Kayo Stadium

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 20. James Walsh 19. LJ Nonu

Players cut: 18. Kenny Bromwich 21. Peter Hola 22. Herbie Farnworth

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) was named on the extended bench but any thoughts of an early return have been put to bed, especially given the Dolphins are mathematically out of the finals race.

Raiders

1. Chevy Stewart 2. Savelio Tamale 4. Sebastian Kris 16. Manaia Waitere 5. Michael Asomua 6. Adam Cook 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Ata Mariota 11. Noah Martin 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 17. Joseph Roddy 18. Kain Anderson

Reserves: 19. Vena Patuki-Case

Players cut: 3. Matthew Timoko 20. Shaun Packer 21. Ethan Alaia 22. Myles Martin

Late Mail: After already resting a host of stars, there has been another late change, with Matthew Timoko ruled out. His withdrawal see’s Manaia Waitere elevated from the bench into the centres, with Kain Anderson the new face on the bench.

Jamal Fogarty, Joe Tapine, Josh Papalii and Hudson Young are among seven players rested.

Ethan Strange (neck), Keao Weekes (calf) and Simi Sasagi (leg) have been ruled out due to injury but are set to play week one of the finals.

EELS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Matt Doorey16. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani

Reserves: 22. Joash Papalii 20. Toni Mataele

Players cut: 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Dan Keir 21. Joey Lussick

Late Mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update.

Knights

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 13. Tyson Frizell 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 15. Mathew Croker

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Salesa Leaumoana 19. Cody Hopwood

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Lachlan Crouch

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Players cut: 10. Leo Thompson

Late Mail: Leo Thompson (personal reasons) is a late out for the Knights, with Tyson Frizell shifting to prop, Mathew Croker coming into the starting side at lock and Cody Hopwood coming onto the bench for his NRL debut.

BYE: COWBOYS