NRL Early Mail Round 12: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
THEY might have the bye this week but Penrith have lost Peta Hiku for the rest of the year. Get all the latest team news in the Round 12 edition of NRL Early Mail.
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GET all the latest team news in the Round 12 edition of NRL Early Mail.
With Origin wreaking havoc regarding team lists, several clubs will be forced to dig deep into their lower grades to fill the gaps this weekend.
In the biggest team news so far:
* The Panthers might not be playing this week but have been struck by injuries all the same. Kiwi outside back Peta Hiku’s season is over following an ACL injury last week while promising backrowr James Fisher-Harris is out for six to eight weeks with a broken thumb.
* Newcastle have lost promising five-eighth Brock Lamb to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury.
Lamb 19, suffered the injury before halftime in the loss to Wests Tigers last weekend but battled on and finished the game with the ankle heavily strapped.
Scans on Monday revealed he suffered a grade three syndesmosis and is expected to undergo surgery in the next few days.
“It’s disappointing he will be out for a long period but that’s the nature of this sport,” coach Nathan Brown said.
“But I’m really happy with the way he has developed which is the key and he’ll get back in time to finish the back end of the year.”
Jaelen Feeney is likely to be named as Lamb’s replacement at five eighth for Monday night’s clash against Parramatta at Hunter Stadium.
* Canberra will welcome back veteran forward Sia Soliola in a straight swap for Origin-bound backrower Josh Papalii.
* Eels halfback Kieran Foran went off early in the defeat to the Storm with a shoulder injury.
* Brisbane will field a bare bones pack this weekend against the Tigers on Friday with Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Corey Parker all absent.
* Tony Williams could return for the Bulldogs after a couple of weeks in reserve grade.
*The Cowboys might roll out makeshift halves duo Ray Thompson and Rory Kostjaysn on Saturday against the Dragons.
Broncos v Tigers
Friday 7:50pm at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos:Maroons stars Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker will all be out due to Origin, meaning the Broncos have a major reshuffle on their hands. Greg Eden and Lachlan Maranta are the likely candidates to fill in on the wings with Jordan Kahu to move to fullback. Joe Ofahengaue will start at lock and Jarrod Wallace at prop while Jai Arrow, Francis Molo, Tevita Pangai Junior, Joe Boyce and Salesi Funaki are all candidates to drop in on a very young bench. Herman Ese’ese is expected to start at second row alongside Alex Glenn.Adam Blair will captain the side.
Tigers: Hooker Robbie Farah is out due to Origin with Matt Ballin or Mania Cherrington set to start in the No. 9 jersey. Ballin will need to overcome a concussion sustained in his club debut against the Knights. Tim Grant is expected to fill in for Aaron Woods in the front row.Starfullback James Tedesco is not expected back until Round 13.
Dragons v Cowboys
Saturday 7:30pm at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Fullback Josh Dugan is off on State of Origin duty and he’s expected to be replaced by Adam Quinlan. Back-rower Tyson Frizell has been named in the Blues squad but seems likely to miss out.
Cowboys: Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill, James Tamou and Matt Scott are all out for the Cowboys, so it’ll be a bare bones unit that travels to Wollongong. Rory Kostjaysn has started in the halves in the past and Ray Thompson has made a return from injury and will likely play his first game of the season. Ben Hannant and Scott Bolton are the likely starters at prop with Coen Hess a possibility to get a game off the bench. Javid Bowen will replace O’Neill on the right side.
Raiders v Bulldogs
Sunday 4:00pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders: Canberra’s sole Origin rep is Josh Papalii and he’ll be replaced by Sia Soliola, who returns from a broken arm.
Bulldogs: Forwards Josh Jackson and David Klemmer are both out due to Origin and will be replaced in the starting side by Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Sam Kasiano, although Tony Williams could be a chance at a first grade recall. Josh Morris is expected to play despite being named in the Blues’ 19-man squad.
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Knights v Eels
Monday 7:00pm at Hunter Sports Stadium
Knights:Dane Gagai has been named on the wing for the Maroons, which opens a spot at fullback that could be filled by Jake Mamo or Nathan Ross. Cory Denniss might slot in as their replacement. Jeremy Smith and Brock Lamb have both been ruled out, and could be replaced by Robbie Rochow, who is a chance of returning from an arm injury, and Jaelen Feeney.
Eels: Kieran Foran left the Eels defeat to the Storm early with a shoulder injury. Given his current off field issues, he’s surely in some doubt. If he were to miss the match the usual reshuffle would occur with Brad Takairangi moving into the halves and Corey Norman to halfback. Vai Toutai would slot in at right centre.
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 12: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
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