Storm boost as superstar eyes return; Walters shuts down Reynolds ...

Storm coach Craig Bellamy is optimistic that Ryan Papenhuyzen will be cleared to face the Wests Tigers on Saturday night despite fears the star fullback would miss another week due to a heel injury.

Papenhuyzen missed last week’s win over the Raiders but has been named for the trip to Sydney after getting through some work in Friday’s captain’s run in Melbourne.

It’s been a luckless few years for the electrifying fullback who missed a number of weeks earlier in the season after he suffered a lower-leg fracture.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has trained this week after missing the win over Canberra. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty ImageSource: Getty Images

“He didn’t train earlier in the week, but he’s done a little bit today and a little bit on Thursday,” Bellamy said, with young gun Sua Fa’alogo the obvious replacement if Papenhuyzen is ruled out.

“I think he’ll be OK, but it’ll be more of a matter of how he feels when he cools down.”

Meanwhile, Broncos coach Kevin Walters has shot down suggestions star halfback Adam Reynolds wouldn’t be fit to return to the field in 2024 as he battles a biceps rupture.

The 33-year-old suffered the injury in early May, and reports circulated this week that the veteran playmaker wouldn’t take the field again this season.

Brisbane, after making the grand final in 2023, currently sit in 10th place, and Walters is certain Reynolds will be back to spearhead a charge into the top eight.

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“I’m not sure where the rumour came from, but he’s as happy and as healthy as I’ve seen him, we expect him back in Round 22, Round 23,” Walter said to reporters.

Elsewhere, Des Hasler will be without two of his star men for his side’s clash against the Sharks, while Craig Fitzgibbon has opted to drop one of his star props to reserve grade.

New Zealand Warriors skipper Tohu Harris has been sidelined indefinitely and coach Andrew Webster has revealed his Roger Tuivasa-Shock could be set for a shock positional switch this round.

And Tigers coach Benji Marshall has confirmed powerhouse centre Justin Olam will return from a knee injury this weekend — just in time to go up agianst his formeer club, the Storm, for the first time.

Read on for all the Round 18 Late Mail.

FRIDAY

Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans, 6pm AEST at C.ex Coffs Harbour Stadium

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Daniel Atkinson 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 17. Teig Wilton 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Tom Rodwell 22. Jayden Berrell

Players cut: 16. Toby Rudolf 18. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Late Mail: Toby Rudolf has been cut from the Sharks bench at the 24-hour team list update, with the club’s website stating the middle forward has been “omitted to play for the Jets.” Tuku Hau Tapuha replaces Rudolf on the bench for Cronulla’s must win match against the Titans.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 5. Jojo Fifita 18. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Josiah Pahulu 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Joe Stimson 22. Jaylan De Groot 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

Players cut: 4. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 21. Ken Maumalo

Late Mail: In a massive blow for Des Hasler’s side both AJ Brimson and Philip Sami have been ruled out of the Titans’ clash with the Sharks.After being named at five-eighth, Brimson has been removed from the side at the 24-hour team list update, with club doctors opting to rest the former Origin star as he recovers from a groin injury. Sami is out with a calf strain suffered ahead of the Titans’ captain’s run on Thursday. Tanah Boyd returns in the half while Jacob Alick-Wiencke will take Sami’s place in the centres.

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Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers, 8pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Tristan Sailor 20. Cory Paix

Players cut: 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Cory Paix 21. Blake Mozer 22. Kotoni Staggs

Late mail: Kotoni Staggs has been officially ruled out due to personal reasons. Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas all return after being rested following Origin II.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider . Luke Sommerton

Players cut: 19. Luron Patea 20. Trent Toelau 21. Casey McLean 22

Late Mail: To come.

SATURDAY

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors, 3pm AEST at Accor Stadium

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jeral Skelton 22. Harry Hayes

Players cut: 20. Jake Turpin 21. Blake Taaffe 23. Jack Todd

Late Mail: To come.

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 15. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford 22. Bunty Afoa 20. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Leka Halasima

Players cut: 13. Tohu Harris 18. Jacob Laban 21. Ali Leiataua

Late Mail: Captain Tohu Harris has been sidelined indefinitely due to a wrist injury. Dylan Walker replaces him at lock with Bunty Afoa joining the bench. Meanwhile, coach Andrew Webster has revealed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be in line for a shock positional switch against the Bulldogs. The 31-year-old veteran was named at centre but according to NRL.com, could switch to the wing on game day as the Warriors coach looks for ways to get the former Dally M Player of the Year more involved. “Nothing is out of the question... the wingers actually get more ball these days than the centres,” Webster said. “That’s part of my responsibility, to give him more opportunities to show what he can do.”

Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm, 5:30pm AEST at Leichhardt Oval

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam

Players cut:

Late Mail: Coach Benji Marshall confirmed on Friday that Justin Olam will return from a knee injury. Olam will slot in at centre with Solomona Faataape to shift out to the wing and Luke Laulilii dropping out of the 17. It will be the first time 30-year-old Olam comes up against his former club, the Melbourne Storm, which he spent six seasons at. Marshall told reporters that Olam has “no point to prove” and “he’s just got to do his job.” He also added: “I think it’s pretty fair to say that every game he’s played for us, he’s given everything. He brings energy and intent with the way that he plays, and that’s what we love about him.

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Players cut:

Late Mail: Storm coach Craig Bellamy is optimistic Ryan Papenhuyzen will be cleared to face the Wests Tigers on Saturday night as he looks to return from a heel problem. “I think he’ll be OK, but it’ll be more of a matter of how he feels when he cools down,” Bellamy said on Friday.

Papenhuyzen isn’t the only injury concern at the Storm, with Queensland star Harry Grant sitting out the second game in a row with a sternum injury. Melbourne has already lost their other Maroons representative to injury, with Xavier Coates facing 6-8 weeks out with a serious hamstring injury, while Nick Meaney will miss the trip to Sydney with a calf issue.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles, 7:35pm AEST at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue

Players cut:

Late Mail: To come.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James

Late Mail: To come.

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SUNDAY

Sydney Roosters vs St. George Illawarra Dragons, 2pm AEST at Allianz Stadium

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong 20. Sandon Smith 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi

Players cut:

Early Mail: To come.

Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird

Players cut:

Early Mail: To come.

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights, 4:05pm AEST at GIO Stadium

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru

Players cut:

Early Mail: To come.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant

Players cut:

Early Mail: To come.