Keaon Koloamatangi’s return from an ankle injury is locked and loaded in a big boost for the Rabbitohs as they fight to avoid the wooden spoon.
Keaon Koloamatangi suffered a high grade syndesmosis injury in Round 20 and had to undergo surgery with the club’s injury report stating that he’d miss the rest of the season.
But the 27-year-old has had a speedy recovery and is a welcomed return to the Bunnies’ pack for an important clash.
Meanwhile, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has revealed one of his key players has required painkilling injections to get through the last few weeks.
Read on for all of the NRL Late Mail for Round 25.
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Bunnies in fight to avoid spoon | 02:24
THURSDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. St George Illawarra Dragons at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Brandon Smith 16. Cody Walker 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Shaquai Mitchell 19. Fletcher Myers
Players cut: 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Lewis Dodd
Late Mail: Coach Wayne Bennett confirmed star forward Keaon Koloamatangi will return from an ankle injury suffered in Round 20. “He was important to us before he got injured and he’ll be just as important to us now,” Bennett said on Wednesday. “Pretty good recovery actually after the operation, to get himself back in about six weeks, he’s done a great job. He was keen to get back and thought he was letting the group down and couldn’t wait to return.” Bennett also said that veteran playmaker Cody Walker will play off the bench again.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jacob Halangahu 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Tyrell Sloan 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Nathan Lawson
Players cut: 19. Viliami Fifita 21. Lachlan Ilias
Late Mail: Expected to be 1-17. Coach Shane Flanagan also revealed on Wednesday that young five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia has required painkilling injections to get through the last few weeks. “We’ve had four or five players that needed painkillers to play and Lyhkan’s been one of those. I’m not one to play players — especially young ones — that need painkillers to play but he’s done it and hasn’t complained,” Flanagan said. “He’s just got on with it, so that shows great courage, determination and the type of attitude that we want. He’s done it under difficult circumstances for a while, I think he’s over that now.”
FRIDAY
Penrith Panthers vs. Canberra Raiders at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee, 6.00pm AEST
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Isaah Yeo 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Danny Levi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at AAMI Park, 8.00pm AEST
Storm team: 1. Cameron Munster 2. Grant Anderson 3. Marion Seve 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ryan Papenhuyzen 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Toby Sexton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Sitili Tupouniua
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
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SATURDAY
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Dolphins at 4 Pines Park, 3.00pm AEST
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Joey Walsh 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 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 14. Trai Fuller 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Peter Hola 21. LJ Nonu 22. John Fineanganofo
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Gold Coast Titans vs. New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Demitric Vaimauga 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Leka Halasima 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Kalani Going 23. Edward Kosi
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Parramatta Eels vs. Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papalii 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Matt Doorey 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Haze Dunster 20. Dan Keir 21. Toni Mataele 22. Joey Lussick
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Junior Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Sandon Smith 22. Tom Rodwell
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
SUNDAY
Newcastle Knights vs. Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2.00pm AEST
Knights team: 1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Francis Manuleleua 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Fletcher Hunt 22. Lachlan Crouch
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jesse Arthars 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Jock Madden 21. Va’a Semu 22. Luke Gale
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Wests Tigers vs. North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, 4.05pm AEST
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Heath Mason 19. Brent Naden 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Luke Laulilii
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Zac Laybutt 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Bye: Cronulla Sharks
