Entering Round 9, 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 Victor Radley, Sunia Turuva and Selwyn Cobbo, while Moeaki Fotuaika, Moses Suli and Nelson Asofa-Solomona headline the losses.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4 pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in team news and rumours.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers
Fresh off a bye, the Bulldogs will receive a well-timed boost in the return of second-rower Jacob Preston. Preston returns to the team after spending the past few weeks on the sidelines and will slot straight into the starting team.
Considering they are also coming off a victory against the Newcastle Knights, it's hard to see Cameron Ciraldo shake-up his squad too much and the team will likely remain the same apart from Preston coming in for the injured Chris Patolo.
The club's injury list currently includes Chris Patolo (knee), Kurt Mann (hand),ย Ryan Suttonย (knee),ย Daniel Suluka-Fifitaย (knee) andย Karl Oloapuย (neck).
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kirazย 3. Bronson Xerri 4.ย Stephen Crichtonย 5.ย Josh Addo-Carrย 6.ย Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max Kingย 9.ย Reed Mahoneyย 10.ย Samuel Hughesย 11.ย Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13.ย Jaeman Salmonย 14.ย Bailey Haywardย 15.ย Kurtis Morrin 16. Josh Curran 17. Blake Taafee
Theย Wests Tigers won't be forced into any changes this weekend but may decide to switch up their halves after a disappointing performance against the Broncos.
Post-match, Benji Marshall disclosed that his halves needed to be better with their last play options; however, it is hard to see him dropping either Galvin or Sezer.
A potential option could see Aidan Sezer move to the interchange bench and call-up Latu Fainu into the starting halves. Jayden Sullivan is another potential option.
โI thought our last play options were terrible,โ Marshall said.
โI thought some of our sets were clunky and looked like we were just making it up on the spot. Yeah, it was disappointing"
The club will also be sweating on the fitness of skipper Apisai Koroisau but he is expected to start.
Api Koroisau was ruled out tonight with nerve pain in his back.
Was initially reported as a โback corkโ, mechanism shows heavy contact onto back during tackle. Can cause joint/nerve irritation & muscle spasm, but Tigers confident he will be available next week. pic.twitter.com/wQGpoO2WZr
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 27, 2024
The club's injury list also currently includes Junior Tupou (foot), Starford To'a (ankle) and Adam Doueihi (knee).
Projected Round 9 Team: 1.ย Jahream Bulaย 2.ย Charlie Stainesย 3.ย Justin Olam 4. Brent Nadenย 5. Solomon Alaimoloย 6.ย Lachlan Galvin ย 7. Latu Fainu 8.ย Stefano Utoikamanuย 9.ย Apisai Koroisauย 10.ย David Klemmerย 11.ย Isaiah Papali'i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Batemanย 14. Aidan Sezer 15.ย Alex Twalย 16.ย Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole
