Wayne’s Latrell warning as Knights boost confirmed; Sharks stars face final hurdle — Finals Late Mail

Some big names are firming to make their returns for week one of the NRL Finals, but there could still be late changes for this weekend’s blockbuster battles.

It comes as Wayne Bennett moved to ease the pressure on superstar Latrell Mitchell ahead of Souths’ do-or-die clash with Newcastle tonight.

Read below for Finals Week 1 team news and Late Mail!

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights @ Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Rabbitohs Team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Adam Elliott 19. Latrell Siegwalt Res: 21. Talanoa Penitani

Players cut: 20. Liam Le Blanc 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Late Mail:Tallis Duncan (hamstring) is ready to start after being rested last week, returning in the backrow in place of Euan Aitken (shoulder) who is out for the rest of the season. In-form Matthew Dufty returns to fullback ahead of Jye Gray with Wayne Bennett declaring on Thursday “he is our best option there”. Bennett has also lowered expectations around Latrell Mitchell, who plays just his third game back from a worrying nerve problem with his back. “He hasn’t played a lot of football in the last couple of months so my expectations are not high,” Bennett said. “I just want him to have the presence that he has, and he’ll have that. That’s all I’m asking for, nothing special.”

Knights Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter Res: 20. Kyle McCarthy

Players cut: 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Diesel Hagan

Late Mail: In a big boost Francis Manuleleua (elbow) is set to return from a gruesome dislocation with coach Justin Holbrook indicating both he and Phoenix Crossland (knee) will be fit to start as named. “They’re tracking really good. We’re expecting to be 1-19 which is excellent,” Holbrook said on Thursday. “Obviously we’ve had the bye which has given them a bit of time to get right and they should be good to go.” Dominic Young and Tyson Frizell both return from suspension in a welcome boost for the Knights, who lost prop Trey Mooney to a season ending scapula injury in Round 26.

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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins @ Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

Warriors Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 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. Jackson Ford 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Adam Pompey 21. Jett Cleary 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Makaia Tafua

Players cut:

Late Mail:Jackson Ford (pectoral) appears cleared to make his long-awaited comeback off the bench with Warriors coach Andrew Webster on Friday telling New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB it was a “welcome return” for the injury-ravaged side. Webster also revealled Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) was pushing to make his return this week but was not given medical clearance. “He is close but ... we have to wait and make sure with that one,” Webster said. “(It’s) not safe and we’re not allowed to push the button on that one yet.”

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. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Brian Pouniu 22. Tevita Naufahu

Players cut:

Late Mail: Stars Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) all return after being given a chance to freshen up and overcome niggling injuries, while backrower Connelly Lemuelu has been named to come off the bench after returning from a hamstring injury last week.

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 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. Toby Rudolf 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Mawene Hiroti

Players cut:

Late Mail: Five-eighth Braydon Trindall is the big in, set to return just four weeks after dislocating his shoulder. Tom Hazelton (suspension) is also back, with Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton all set to return after being rested last week, although coach Craig Fitzgibbon suggested the final team wasn’t locked in just yet. “There was a host of different reasons last week for players not playing,” Fitzgibbon said on Friday. ”So we’ll get through training today and we’ll finalise our lineup this afternoon but everyone is looking good to go at the moment.”

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. John Bateman 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Coen Hess 18. Kaiden Lahrs 19. Ethan King 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Liam Sutton

Players cut:

Late Mail:Reuben Cotter is free to play after being cleared at the judiciary, although backrower Jeremiah Nanai remains under a slight injury cloud as he battles a knee issue. Griffin Neame (toe) and Zac Laybutt (concussion) are set to return after missing the final round.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters @ CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

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

Players cut:

Late Mail: Penrith’s inspirational skipper Isaah Yeo has been named to start after making his return from a pectoral injury off the bench last week. Lindsay Smith shifts to prop, pushing Liam Henry back to the bench.

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

Players cut:

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