NRL Late Mail: Round 16 – Papenhuyzen, Fifita set to return

Ryan Papenhuyzen, David Fifita, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Lachlan Galvin and Dominic Young headline a host of big names set to make their return from injury in Round 16. 

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 16 of the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 16

Dolphins v Storm, Friday at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: No late changes expected. Tevita Pangai jnr will play his first game for the club off the bench and is expected to feature as a middle forward. Jesse Bromwich returns from a rib injury at prop for Felise Kaufusi, who is away alongside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Origin duties for the Maroons.

Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen will play his first game since Round 9 while Will Warbrick (hip flexor) is also good to go. Reimis Smith has been named on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion for Grant Anderson, which could see him take the place of Joe Chan or Jack Howarth on the bench. Craig Bellamy will make a call on Smith at Thursday’s final training session.

Titans v Warriors, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: David Fifita is set to play after missing last week with a minor ankle injury. Isaac Liu could move into the run-on side at lock with Erin Clark named in the number 13 jersey, while Keenan Palasia will start with Moeaki Fotuaika at Origin.

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the big inclusion for Andrew Webster’s side, with the star centre set to play after missing over a month with an ankle injury. Dylan Walker starts in the second row with Kurt Capewell returning to the Origin arena, with Tohu Harris shifting to lock. 

Roosters v Bulldogs, Saturday at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: Dominic Young broke down at training last week with a hamstring strain but is good to go this week with his inclusion a needed one with Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson all away with Origin duties. Nat Butcher and Victor Radley start in the back row with Siua Wong on the bench. Blake Steep will play after being withdrawn from the Blues’ U/19’s squad.

Bulldogs: Josh Curran returns from HIA protocols to start in the back row with Jacob Preston sidelined by a foot injury, but could drop back to the bench with Viliame Kikau a potential late inclusion following finger surgery. His inclusion would likely see Lipoi Hopoi drop out, with coach Cameron Ciraldo to make a call on the Fijian star’s availability at the side’s final training run on Friday.

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles, Saturday at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: Jye Gray makes his return from an ankle injury, taking over at fullback from Blues rep Latrell Mitchell. Jai Arrow has been named but is in doubt with a rib injury, which could see another debutant named from the reserves with rookie Liam Le Blanc listed already on the interchange list.

Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles have Karl Lawton at halfback but that could change late with Jamie Humphreys named on the reserves and not named in Manly’s NSW Cup team this weekend. Nathan Brown starts at lock after a string of impressive performances off the bench.

Wests Tigers v Raiders, Sunday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: Young gun Lachlan Galvin returns from a hand injury at five-eighth and is expected to play in a boost for Benji Marshall’s side. After making his comeback from a knee reconstruction via NSW Cup last week star playmaker Adam Doueihi is listed among the reserves as he chases an NRL return but is tipped to again feature in reserve grade as he gets his minutes up.

Raiders: No late changes expected. Zac Woolford joining the bench in place of Tom Starling (concussion) in the only change from last week’s team.