NRL Late Mail Round 5: Papalii steps up; Afoa left out
Young gun Joash Papalii will step in at fullback for the Eels on Easter Monday with Isaiah Iongi nursing an ankle injury.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 5 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.
NRL Late Mail Round 5
Eels v Wests Tigers, Monday 4.05pm (AEST) at CommBank Stadium
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Faaletino Tavana
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia Turuva
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi Makasini
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah PezetFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack WilliamsProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Charlie GuymerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Luca MorettiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 19 Apa Twidle
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Reserve for Eels is number 18 Jack De BelinReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jeral Skelton
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan Hope
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Eels: No late changes on game day for Jason Ryles who was forced to navigate another week of injuries. Young gun Joash Papalii steps in at fullback in place of Isaiah Iongi (ankle) while the newly re-signed Charlie Guymer comes on to the bench after Matt Doorey went down with an ACL injury. Veteran forward Jack de Belin and fullback Apa Twidle were also added to the six-man interchange.
Wests Tigers: Tristan Hope has been added to the six-man bench 90 minutes before kick-off with Bunty Afoa making way and lining up in the NSW Cup curtain-raiser. Young gun Faaletino Tavana retains his place on the wing, with Sunia Turuva to line up in the centres for the third-straight week.
