Teams: Latrell role confirmed; Panthers make contentious selection call

Latrell Mitchell has been named to make his long-awaited return from injury for the Rabbitohs, but the superstar centre has a new role.

The 29-year-old hasn’t played since round nine due to back and calf issues, and has been named on the bench to face Gold Coast on Saturday.

He won’t be the only major name added to South Sydney’s team list either, with Jai Arrow named to run out for the final two rounds, allowing him to bring up 100 games for the club after being forced to retire due to a motor neurone disease diagnosis.

Former teammate Adam Reynolds will not receive a farewell game, however, with the Broncos denying their retiring captain the chance to play.

In other news, the mystery surrounding Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco and his ankle injury has continued for another week, while the Bulldogs have a number of players in doubt due to a COVID outbreak at the club.

Manly have copped a huge blow to their very slim finals hopes, while Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has made a big call on the five-eighth role.

Nine.com.au has all the NRL team news for round 26 below.

Read more

How ‘emotional’ Rabbitohs players learned of ‘beautiful’ Arrow act

Thursday

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium (7.50pm)

Broncos team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Ben Hunt 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Va’a Semu 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Ben Talty 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Luke Gale

Broncos team news: No changes from Michael Maguire, with retiring captain and halfback Adam Reynolds left out of the squad.

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Tyran Wishart 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Angus Hinchey 19. Marion Seve 20. Davvy Moale 21. Hugo Peel 22. Hayden Watson

Storm team news: Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) returns at halfback, pushing Tyran Wishart to the centres.

Friday

Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Brookvale Oval (6pm)

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Clayton Faulalo 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Corey Waddell 17. Caleb Navale 18. Onitoni Large 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jackson Shereb 22. Hugo Hart

Sea Eagles team news: Tolu Koula (ankle) is sidelined, with Josh Feledy named at centre and Onitoni Large on the bench for a potential NRL debut.

Dragons team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Setu Tu 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Kade Reed 22. Ryan Hutchinson

Dragons team news: Jacob Liddle (calf) will miss the final two rounds, with Damien Cook named at hooker and Connor Muhleisen on the bench.

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs, CommBank Stadium (8pm)

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luke Garner 17. Billy Phillips 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Jaxen Edgar 20. Kalani Leuluai-going 21. Tom Ale 22. Jesse McLean

Panthers team news: Ivan Cleary has resisted calls to bring Blaize Talagi in at five-eighth, going with Jack Cole in the halves after Jack Cogger (suspension) was handed a three-game ban. Talagi and young gun Jaxen Edgar are on the bench.

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Jake Turpin 15. Alekolasimi Jones 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jack Underhill 21. Logan Spinks 22. Jed Reardon 23. Cooper Toy

Bulldogs team news: Enari Tuala (knee) returns on the wing in place of Jonathan Sua, while utility Kurt Mann (groin) has been sidelined and will be replaced by Jack Underhill. No casualties from the club’s COVID outbreak at this stage,

Saturday

Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cbus Super Stadium (3pm)

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Klese Haas 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Josh Patston 12. Kurtis Morrin 13. Cooper Bai 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Chris Randall 16. Bodhi Sharpley 17. Luke Sommerton 18. Sialetili Faeamani 19. Arama Hau 20. Max Feagai 21. Jett Liu 22. Adam Christensen

Titans team news: Beau Fermor (abdominal) is out and will be replaced by Josh Patston (concussion), who returns in the back-row.

Rabbitohs team: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Junior Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 23. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Adam Elliott 19. Latrell Mitchell 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Ed Kosi 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Rabbitohs team news: Latrell Mitchell (calf/back) has been named on the six-man bench and is set to play his first game since round nine. Jamie Humphreys (ankle) and Adam Elliott (groin) are also in line to play after overcoming injuries. Jai Arrow will “start” the game at lock after a special initiative from the NRL.

Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins, Allianz Stadium (5.30pm)

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Billy Smith 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Rex Bassingthwaighte 22. Toby Rodwell

Roosters team news: James Tedesco (ankle) has been named for a third-straight week, but there is no certainty he will take the field. Victor Radley (concussion) has been ruled out, with Nat Butcher named to start at lock.

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Francis Molo 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Brian Pouniu 18. Brad Schneider 19. Jake Averillo 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. Sebastian Su’a 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Dolphins team news: No changes at this stage, however Kurt Donoghoe (thumb) has been named among the reserves and could be a late inclusion.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers, QCB Stadium (7.35pm)

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Cowboys team news: Tom Dearden (ankle) makes a welcome return at halfback, with Jaxon Purdue shifting to centre and Zac Laybutt on the wing. Jeremiah Nanai (hamstring) has also been named to return in the back-row.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Faaletino Tavana 21. Charlie Murray 22. Vaka Aho

Tigers team news: Alex Twal (concussion) is out after leaving the field less than a minute into the side’s win over the Roosters, with Alex Seyfarth named at lock. Sunia Turuva (knee) is on the six-man bench after missing last weekend.

Sunday

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights, Go Media Stadium (2pm)

Read more

‘It was my call’: Reynolds denies Madge rift after farewell snub

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Adam Pompey 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Luke Hanson 23. Jett Cleary

Warriors team news: Te Maire Martin (hamstring) returns at halfback in a major boost, with Luke Hanson dropping out of the side. Luke Laulilii will replace the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) on the wing, while Ali Leiataua comes in at centre and pushes Adam Pompey to the bench.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Harrison Graham 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Thomas Cant 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Toby Winter 19. Diesel Hagan 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Brodie Jones

Knights team news: Dane Gagai (hamstring) returns at centre, with Fletcher Hunt moving to the wing in place of Dom Young (suspension). Tyson Frizell (suspension) and Phoenix Crossland (knee) are also out, while Francis Manuleleua (concussion) returns in the back-row. Harrison Graham is the new hooker.

Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)

Eels team: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Saxon Pryke 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Ryda Talagi 16. Teancum Brown 17. Dylan Walker 18. Jack de Belin 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Kelma Tuilagi 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Ryley Smith

Eels team news: Ryda Talagi will make his debut off the bench, while Dylan Walker (wrist) has been named to return. Bailey Simonsson (ankle) is on the six-man interchange in what would be his first NRL game since round five.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Niwhai Puru 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Riley Jones 21. Riley Pollard 22. Toby Rudolf

Sharks team news: No major changes this week for Craig Fitzgibbon’s side.