Entering Round 7, some NRL clubs are set to receive significant boosts to their team, while others have lost key players as they look to clinch the two points.
Some big additions this week include Lachlan Galvin, James Tedesco, Reuben Garrick and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, while the losses are headlined by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sione Katoa, and Jayden Campbell.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.
Parramatta Eels vs The Dolphins
The Parramatta Eels may have to make one change for this round despite walking away with the win last week against the Cowboys.
Winger Bailey Simonsson would only play 66 minutes of the match after being removed with a reported leg injury. While the severity hasn't been confirmed, Maika Sivo looms as his obvious replacement if he cannot play.
Coach Brad Arthur confirmed onย NRL 360 that Blaize Talagi will be recalled and named as an impact player off the interchange bench.
โWe're going to use him off the bench this week. He can cover a few different spots for us," Arthur said.
"When it gets fast we might put him on through the middle. We're going to experiment a few things with him because he does provide x-factor for us.
โBlaize is a young kid that has a real ability to find space with the ball. He's still learning the game. He handled the first three games physically for us. He's just got to get on top of some detail."
Matt Doorey (facial fracture), Mitchell Moses (foot) and Toni Mataele (hamstring) are still some time from returning meaning the remainder of the team is set to stay the same.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1.ย Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonssonย 3.ย Will Penisini 4. Morgan Harperย 5.ย Sean Russellย 6.ย Daejarn Asiย 7.ย Dylan Brownย 8.ย Reagan Campbell-Gillardย 9.ย Joey Lussickย 10.ย Junior Pauloย 11.ย Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwrightย 13.ย J'maine Hopgood 14. Blaize Talagiย 15.ย Ryan Mattersonย 16.ย Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi
The Dolphins are forced into even more changes for this week, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) joining Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder),ย and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) on the sidelines.
"He's had a history with hamstrings but hasn't had one for a couple of years he told me," coach Wayne Bennett said post-match.
"It'll be three or four weeks at least I've got to assume."
The Daily Telegraphย has reported that Kodi Nikorima (calf) will also miss the clash with Sean O'Sullivan set to replace him in the halves.
The publication understands that Valynce Te Whare is also expected to play, whileย 9News Queenslandย journalist Adam Jackson has reported that Trai Fuller will replace Tabuai-Fidow in the fullback position and was also seen at training in the fullback spot.
The club's casualty ward also consists of Kurt Donoghoe (suspension) and Tom Gilbert (knee). Anthony Milford is unavailable after being hit with a two-week suspension in his return to the NRL.
However, Max Plath (suspension) and Connelly Lemuelu (knee) will be available for selection.
Trai Fuller set to play for fullback for Dolphins against the Eels on Friday night with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out injured.
— Adam Jackson (@AdamJackson_9) April 15, 2024
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Trai Fullerย 2.ย Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averilloย 4.ย Tesi Niuย 5.ย Jack Bostock 6. Sean O'Sullivanย 7.ย Isaiya Katoaย 8.ย Jesse Bromwichย 9.ย Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenneath Bromwichย 12.ย Euan Aitken 13. Max Plathย 14.ย Josh Kerrย 15.ย Jarrod Wallace 16. Ray Stone 17. Valynce Te Whare
