NRL Early Mail Round 4: Predicted team changes
Cheapie Alert! The struggling Dragons are set to turn to a rookie half with the axe hanging over Corey Norman and Ben Hunt, while there are big issues at the Broncos, Knights and Sharks.
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Our mail man Wacko’s Whispers reveals his predicted NRL team changes for Round 4.
Key points:
* Last week’s most popular KFC SuperCoach buy Kotoni Staggs has copped a one-game ban. He is replaced in the 17 by a teen sensation rated Brisbane’s finest fullback talent since Darren Lockyer.
* Double blow for the Sharks with Chad Townsend (hamstring) and Andrew Fifita (calf) set to miss out. Townsend’s injury sees Matt Moylan return in the halves, handing popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie Will Kennedy another game at fullback.
* Complete carnage at the Knights with key players Connor Watson (ankle) and Mitchell Pearce (concussion) in serious doubt.
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DRAGONS TO AXE STAR PLAYMAKER FOR ROOKIE HALF
By David Riccio
Under-pressure Dragons coach Paul McGregor has turned to a 25-year-old NRL debutant to help save his coaching career.
Attacking livewire and 2019 NSW Cup halfback of the year, Adam Clune, will be named to make his NRL debut against Canterbury in what is a must-win game for both sides next Monday.
Clune’s inclusion is likely to impact heavily on representative five-eighth Corey Norman.
While Norman is expected to be included in McGregor’s 21-man squad named on Tuesday afternoon, The Daily Telegraph understands the 29-year-old, at this stage, is favoured to be the fall-guy for the arrival of Clune.
Heavily criticised by commentators after the Dragons 18-0 nil loss to the Warriors, halfback Ben Hunt is expected to survive the axe.
In what is a deeply troubling time for the Red-V, Clune’s debut is a terrific story of patience and persistence.
A member of the Dragons 2014 and 2015 NYC squad’s, Clune has failed to give up on his NRL dream despite watching many of his junior representative teammates including Matt Dufty, Jacob Host, Luciano Leilua, Jackson Hastings and Hame Sele forge their way into the NRL.
Clune is coming off a breakout 2019 campaign in the Canterbury Cup NSW which saw him produce 28 try-assists and 27 line-break assists in just 22 appearances, and was deservedly crowned Halfback of the Year.
He recently earned a contract extension with the Red V that saw him upgraded into the club’s Top 30 squad.
BRONCOS V ROOSTERS
Thursday 4 June, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Will be without Kotoni Staggs (suspension), Alex Glenn (leg laceration) and Jake Turpin (groin injury). Teen Tongan sensation Tesi Niu is in line to make his NRL debut from the bench, while The Courier-Mail understands Jesse Arthars will be shifted from the wing to replace Kotoni Staggs at right centre. British flyer Herbie Farnworth, Brisbane’s bench utility in the opening three rounds, will step-up for Arthars after training on the right wing on Sunday.
Glenn’s back-row spot on the left edge will be taken by rookie forward Ethan Bullemor, while Cory Paix will get the nod to start at hooker for the injured Turpin.
Full story by Peter Badel here
Alex Glenn will undergo surgery tomorrow after calf laceration was deep enough to reach tibia (lower leg bone). Indication is surgery mainly to clean/stitch up wound. Would be good news & is common; want to prevent deep infection. If minimal muscle/tendon damage, most = 2-4 weeks pic.twitter.com/WmeXq0qyqs
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 28, 2020
Roosters: Sweating on the judiciary to see if Victor Radley will be allowed to play. He faces the panel on Tuesday night after entering a not guilty plea to a grade one dangerous throw on Dane Gagai last Friday night. Jake Friend passed game day HIA and should be right to go while Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who missed last week’s game due to hamstring injury, could come into contention should he prove his fitness.
PANTHERS V WARRIORS
Friday 5 June, 6:00pm, Campbelltown Stadium
Panthers: Head into this game coming off a five-day turnaround after a 90-minute golden point game against the Knights on Sunday, which ended in a draw. They have no major injury concerns with Kurt Capewell (neck) and Viliame Kikau (shoulder) picking up knocks but both playing the game out. Brent Naden was a late withdrawal with no information as to if he was dropped or injured. Liam Martin was ruled out due to a leg injury and could come into contention if he passes the required fitness tests. Jack Hetherington becomes available for selection following suspension. Nathan Cleary remains suspended for another game.
Warriors: Expected to be without Peta Hiku after he suffered a rib injury on the weekend. Coach Stephen Kearney is unlikely to throw David Fusitu’a into the team given he only came out of quarantine last week and has had limited preparation, with Hayze Perham or Adam Pompey options to come in at centre.
Lachlan Burr was a late withdrawal on the weekend after suffering a head knock at training. He will come back into the 17. Agnatius Passi was charged on the weekend for a hit on Corey Norman and unless the Warriors fight the charge at the judiciary he will miss one game with an early guilty plea. Adam Blair and Eliesa Katoa both passed game day HIA tests and will be monitored but should be OK to play. King Vuniyayawa was taken off late in the game due to concussion/neck injury which could provide an opportunity in the 17 for new loanee Poasa Faamausili, who only joined the club on Sunday on a four-week loan from the Roosters. Jack Murchie picked up a knock to his knee during the game but played on, so he should be fit to play this week.
STORM V RABBITOHS
Friday 5 June, 7:55pm, AAMI Park
Storm: Came through the Raiders game fairly unscathed except for their ringing eyes after receiving a spray from Craig Bellamy after a un-Storm-like performance. Tui Kamikamica is recovering from a hamstring injury and could come into contention if fit. The only change to the 17 I could see is Paul Momoirovski replacing Marion Seve at right centre. Tino Faasuamaleaui will be right to play providing he pleads guilty after he received a dangerous contact charge for a hit on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Nelson Asofa-Solomona however will miss one game after taking an early guilty plea for his dangerous contact charge on Dunamis Lui.
Rabbitohs: Expected to welcome back James Roberts after he missed Round 3 due to a lack of match fitness, which will allow Campbell Graham to move back to the wing and Alex Johnston dropping back to bench. Junior Tatola, Liam Knight, Bailey Sironen and Ethan Lowe all passed game day HIAs. They will be monitored during the week but all are expected to be fit. Patrick Mago could come into contention if he can prove fitness in his recovery from a pectoral injury. Cody Walker remains suspended for another game with Troy Dargan to retain the five-eighth role.
EELS V SEA EAGLES
Saturday 6 June, 5:30pm, Bankwest Stadium
Eels: No real injury concerns and expected to name the same 17 as last week, with Nathan Brown still suspended. Mitch Moses was in some doubt for last weekend’s game due to a calf injury but got through the game OK and should be right to play.
Sea Eagles: Corey Waddell and Taniela Paseka both made successful returns from injuries on the weekend. Sea Eagles got through the game with no injury concerns and no changes to the 17 are expected.
COWBOYS V SHARKS
Saturday 6 June, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: Came through their game with no injury concerns and the same 17 is expected to be named. Gavin Cooper only starting running last week after he suffered a calf injury on return to training and he is not expected to be available.
Sharks: Set to be without Chad Townsend after he suffered a hamstring injury towards the end of the Tigers game. We will see Matt Moylan come into the halves to partner Shaun Johnson with Connor Tracey coming back onto the bench. Andrew Fifita was a late withdrawal due to a calf injury and is only rated an outside chance to recover. Blayke Brailey (sternum) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (head) picked up knocks but played the game out and should be available for selection.
RAIDERS V KNIGHTS
Sunday 7 June, 4:05pm, Campbelltown Stadium
Raiders: Coming off a good win in Melbourne with an eight-day turnaround, the main issue is the fitness of Bailey Simonsson after he withdrew with a leg infection on the weekend. If fit coach Ricky Stuart will need to make a call as to if he leaves Michael Oldfield, Jordan Rapana or Simonsson out of the 17. Nick Cotric (ribs) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) both picked up knocks but should be right to go.
Knights: Major concerns with captain Mitchell Pearce suffering a nasty concussion in the opening minutes. He failed game day HIA and will need to pass required protocols. This news is offset by the return of Kalyn Ponga at fullback after missing last week due to suspension. If Pearce is ruled out, coach Adam O’Brien needs to make a tough call as to if he allows rookie Tex Hoy to move into the halves or bring in a like-for-like change in Mason Lino. Lachlan Fitzgibbon was ruled out from Round 3 due to a hamstring issue. Connor Watson’s ankle injury opens the door for Andrew McCullough to make his club debut and record-breaking rookie Chris Randall to hold a bench position.
Connor Watson is done for the day, concern by video for syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain) as right foot gets caught in turf and externally rotated. Attempted to run it off but unsuccessful. Even minor sprain often requires 2-3 weeks, moderate to severe sprain: 4-8 weeks pic.twitter.com/CvtTEmP5ww
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 31, 2020
TITANS V TIGERS
Sunday 7 June, 6:30pm, Suncorp Stadium
Titans: Have concerns over both Anthony Don (knee) and Tyrone Roberts (ankle) who were late withdrawals on the weekend. Ash Taylor (shoulder), Phillip Sami (ankle), Jonus Pearson (head) and Jai Arrow (concussion) also picked up knocks on the weekend. Mitch Rein and Bryce Cartwright were left out of the 17 but could come into contention.
Tigers: Came out of the Sharks with no injuries concerns and expected to name the same 17.
BULLDOGS V DRAGONS
Monday 8 June, 4:05pm, Bankwest Stadium
Bulldogs: Have concerns over both Reimis Smith and Adam Elliot who failed game day HIAs. Both will need to pass required protocols to be named to play, with Morgan Harper an option if Smith is ruled out and Ofahiki Ogden the option if Elliot is ruled out.
Dragons: All eyes are on coach Paul McGregor’s team selection after a disappointing performance against the Warriors. I don’t expect major changes because it would mean an admission that he got it wrong in the first place. Trent Merrin, Isaac Luke and Tim Lafai all missed selection for Round 3 and could come into contention. Ben Hunt was hampered in the second half on the weekend due to a boil on his right leg and will be monitored, while Josh Kerr picked up knock to the knee but played on and should be available for selection.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 4: Predicted team changes