NRL Late Mail round 1, predicted team changes: Tigers star Terrell May hospitalised
Wests Tigers star Terrell May has undergone treatment in hospital for a staph infection in his knee, but the club is adamant he will play next week. See all the predicted round one team changes.
Terrell May has undergone treatment in hospital for a staph infection in his knee but the Wests Tigers insist he is certain to play against North Queensland when the club opens its season next week.
This masthead understands that May was placed on a drip earlier this week but has made a rapid recovery, easing any concerns over his availability to face the Cowboys in round two – they have the bye in round one.
That news will come as a relief to coach Benji Marshall given May was one of the Tigers’ best performers last season, winning the club’s player of the year award and pushing for State of Origin recognition.
The Tigers are coming off a year of significant improvement, and May played a huge role in their climb up the ladder after his move from the Sydney Roosters.
His form was so good that the club opened preliminary talks over a contract extension when former chief executive Shane Richardson was in charge.
It is understood those talks have since gone cold, although it is believed the Tigers still want to meet with May and his manager David Rawlings to finalise a long-term deal and ensure he remains at the club.
DOLPHINS INJURY BLOW
The Dolphins have been forced into a re-shuffle with new recruit Brad Schneider set to make his club debut at hooker.
Kurt Donoghoe has been ruled out, leaving Schneider named to start at dummy half despite playing a large chunk of his NRL games in the halves. He joined the Dolphins from Penrith this year.
The Dolphins are already without regular hooker Jeremy Marshall-King while Max Plath returned from a knee injury in Queensland Cup.
TOIA RULED OUT
The Sydney Roosters have suffered a major blow on the eve of their first game, losing centre Robert Toia for the clash against the Warriors in Auckland on Friday, with Junior Pauga replacing him.
Toia, who had a breakout year in 2025 making his Origin debut for Queensland, has sustained a foot injury, and Roosters officials want to take precautions.
It’s the Roosters’ second major blow after losing new recruit, hooker and NSW representative Reece Robson, to a broken thumb, which is expected to keep him out until at least Round 7.
The Roosters will be hoping to have Toia back for next week’s clash against bitter rivals South Sydney and a match up with Latrell Mitchell.
WHY SULLIVAN WAS SNUBBED
Rabbitohs utility Jayden ‘Bud’ Sullivan’s interrupted pre-season led to a shock omission from the halves in round one.
Named in jersey 18 for the Rabbitohs’ clash against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sullivan may take the field at some point, but has initially been overlooked at both halfback and the No. 14 jersey after missing most of the pre-season.
Sullivan returned to training and by all accounts has looked good since overcoming a broken leg he picked up in a NSW Cup game last June.
Teammate Euan Aitken believes he could still play on Sunday, but the club is taking its time with the utility.
“I think he’d be there, thereabouts, to be honest,” Aitken said regarding Sullivan’s chances of playing on Sunday.
“Bud’s had a really disrupted pre-season, but he’s been training the last couple of weeks and he seems fit out there at the moment, even with the limited training he’s had.”
ARROW’S NRL FUTURE UNCERTAIN
The playing future of Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow remains uncertain with the club confirming their high-profile member will be sidelined for at least the next six weeks.
The Queensland State of Origin forward has been plagued by a shoulder issue that is causing nerve pain into his neck.
“Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has undergone a series of investigations over the past four-to-six weeks on his shoulder,’’ a club statement reads.
“The results of those investigations are inconclusive.
“Arrow saw a specialist today and he will undergo a course of treatment with the specialist over the next four-to-six weeks to see if the nerves in his shoulder settle.
“He will see the specialist again in six weeks’ time for further review.’’
SHARPE RETURN DATE REVEALED
Newcastle have confirmed that Fletcher Sharpe is targeting a return in round three after undergoing scans on his knee.
Sharpe was forced off the field in the opening half of the Knights’ win over North Queensland in Las Vegas amid fears that he had suffered a long-term injury.
He was initially diagnosed with a PCL problem which has now been confirmed after undergoing further tests on his return to Australia.
“Sharpe will now commence his rehabilitation and will be targeting a return to action in Round 3,” the Knights said in a statement.
NRL LATE MAIL ROUND 1
DOLPHINS V RABBITOHS
Sunday March 8, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 14. Brad Schneider 10. Tom Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles.
Interchange: 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Trai Fuller 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brent Woolf 20. Lewis Symonds
Reserves: 21. Tevita Naufahu
Players cut: 9. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Brian Pouniu
Late Mail: The Dolphins have lost Kurt Donoghoe to injury, with new recruit Brad Schneider coming into the starting side at hooker, with Lewis Symonds joining the bench. Tom Flegler will make his long-awaited NRL return after nearly two years out with a career-threatening shoulder injury, while Tom Gilbert is back from a serious pectoral injury.
Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) fell short this week but should play next week.
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitkin 13. Cameron Murray.
Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa
Reserves: 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Players cut: 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Thomas Fletcher
Late Mail: Teammate Euan Aitken says Jayden Sullivan may still be a chance to play despite missing the No. 7 and No. 14 spots.
Sullivan experienced a rough pre-season due to an infection in the leg he broke last season.
Alex Johnston (hamstring) is hoping to return after missing the final trial.
Brandon Smith (calf) will miss at least the first two rounds, while uncertainty surrounds Jai Arrow’s NRL future due to a nerve issue in his shoulder.
Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 1, predicted team changes: Tigers star Terrell May hospitalised