NRL Early Mail round 7: Blaize Talagi returns for Eels, Murray Taulagi suffers hamstring injury
Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed one of the club’s most promising rookies will return to the side, while a Cowboys Origin star is in doubt for round 7 with a hamstring injury.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur will re-call boom rookie Blaize Talagi after the youngster was dropped last weekend.
Talagi was named at five-eighth alongside Dylan Brown in the halves after halfback Mitchell Moses went down long term with a broken foot.
But after two straight losses against the Wests Tigers and Canberra, Arthur opted for Daejarn Asi in the halves against the Cowboys with Talagi omitted from the side.
But Arthur confirmed Talagi would be named against the Dolphins as an impact player off the bench.
“We’re going to use him off the bench this week. He can cover a few different spots for us. When it gets fast we might put him on through the middle. We’re going to experiment a few things with him because he does provide x-factor for us,” Arthur said on NRL 360.
“Blaize is a young kid that has a real ability to find space with the ball. He’s still learning the game. He handled the first three games physically for us. He’s just got to get on top of some detail.
QLD STAR IN DOUBT FOR COWBOYS
- Peter Badel and David Riccio
Queensland’s Origin stocks have taken another hit with Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi in doubt for this week’s clash against Cronulla.
Taulagi injured his hamstring in last Saturday’s loss to the Eels and is racing the clock to be fit for Sunday’s showdown with the Sharks in Sydney.
Taulagi will undergo scans and while it’s uncertain how serious the injury is at this stage, it’s a setback the Maroons can do without with this year’s Origin series on the horizon.
The NRL today launched the 2024 Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Maroons have already been rocked by a number of injury blows, with star forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleuai and Tom Gilbert to miss the entire series with knee injuries.
Queensland coach Billy Slater will be hoping Taulagi is available for Origin I on June 5 in Sydney, especially after Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hurt his hamstring last week and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
Taulagi was a key member of the Maroons last year, playing all three games as Queensland clinched back-to-back series wins.
LODGE RETURNS AMID INJURY CRISIS
Matt Lodge’s return from knee surgery is set to come at the perfect time for Manly as they deal with the loss of a handful of stars to injury and suspension heading into Saturday night’s game against Gold Coast.
Lodge hasn’t played since round 23 last season but will come straight back into the Sea Eagles squad as they head to the glitter strip searching for their fourth win of the year.
His return helps compensate for the absence of Tof Sipley (knee) and Josh Aloiai (suspension).
Back rower Ben Trbojevic will also miss the Titans clash with a hamstring problem, picked up in Manly’s draw with the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.
—Brent Read
FULL EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS
ROOSTERS v STORM
Thursday, 7:50pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Provided he passes concussion protocols, James Tedesco will return at fullback, with Joey Manu shifting back to centre and Junior Pauga dropping out of the team.
Sam Walker returns in the halves, pushing Connor Watson to the bench.
Sitili Tupouniua will be unavailable following a head knock.
Sandon Smith is pushing to return from an elbow injury in coming weeks.
Storm: Tui Kamikamica is expected to miss the clash with a calf injury, with Christian Welch likely to start at prop.
DRAGONS v WARRIORS
Friday, 6pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons: Jack Bird is likely to miss the clash due to a concussion, with Savelio Tamale, Mat Feagai or Max Feagai to come in at centre if required.
Mikaele Ravalawa is also in doubt due to an ankle injury.
Luciano Leilua missed the clash with the Tigers due to a calf injury and will push to return on the edge in round 7.
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga will miss the clash due to a hamstring injury, with Dylan Walker a potential replacement on the bench if cleared to return from a knee injury.
EELS v DOLPHINS
Friday, 8pm, TIO Stadium, Darwin
Eels: No changes expected at the Eels following their win over the Cowboys.
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is set for an extended stint on the sideline due to a hamstring injury, with Jake Averillo a chance to shift to fullback and Valynce Te Whare to come into the team at centre.
Kodi Nikorima suffered a calf injury and is likely to be replaced by Sean O’Sullivan in the halves.
Anthony Milford has been suspended for two weeks for dangerous contact.
Max Plath will return from suspension, likely starting at lock.
Connelly Lemuelu is a chance to return from a knee injury, while Tom Flegler is unlikely to feature again due to an AC joint injury.
PANTHERS v TIGERS
Saturday, 3pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst
Panthers: Scott Sorensen is a chance to return from a knee injury on the edge, pushing Luke Garner to the bench.
Jarome Luai is in some doubt with a knee concern, but is likely to play.
Nathan Cleary is expected to miss at least another week with a hamstring injury.
Tigers: Lachlan Galvin returns from suspension at five-eighth in place of Jayden Sullivan.
John Bateman returns from a head knock on the edge, pushing Alex Seyfarth to the bench.
Samuela Fainu returns from suspension on the bench.
David Klemmer was placed on report twice in the loss to the Dragons but has avoided suspension.
TITANS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Jayden Campbell suffered a knee injury that has him in doubt to face the Sea Eagles.
If unavailable, Keano Kini may play fullback, or AJ Brimson could shift to the No.1 jersey, with Tanah Boyd coming back into the halves.
Keenan Palasia is a chance to return from a quad injury on the bench.
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai is facing a one to two match suspension for a dangerous contact charge.
Ben Trbojevic will miss the clash due to a hamstring injury, with Reuben Garrick to replace him at centre on return from a concussion.
Toa Sipley is out with a knee injury, while Lachlan Croker may miss the clash due to a shoulder injury.
If unavailable, this would likely see Gordon Chan Kum Tong start at hooker, while Karl Lawton and Jamie Humphreys are also options to start.
Jason Saab is a chance to return from a hamstring injury on the wing in place of Tommy Talau.
Matt Lodge returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.
BRONCOS v RAIDERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Payne Haas is likely to return from injury over the next fortnight
Raiders: Zac Hosking suffered a shoulder injury in the clash with the Titans that’ll likely see him unavailable in Round 7.
If Elliott Whitehead isn’t cleared to return from injury, Ata Mariota will play on the edge.
Albert Hopoate is due back from a burn to the hand, but may do so via NSW Cup due to the form of James Schiller.
BULLDOGS v KNIGHTS
Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Blake Taaffe will return from a concussion at fullback, creating a healthy selection headache for Cameron Ciraldo.
Connor Tracey may shift to the outside backs in place of Bronson Xerri, although he impressed in the narrow loss to Melbourne and may hold his spot.
Max King is a chance to return from a wrist injury at prop.
Kurtis Morrin returns from suspension.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga suffered a hip pointer injury in the loss to the Roosters but is expected to face the Bulldogs.
Tyson Frizell will push to return in coming weeks from a hamstring injury.
SHARKS v COWBOYS
Sunday, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: Sione Katoa faces a one to two match ban for a high tackle charge, with Samuel Stonestreet a chance to come into the team on the wing.
Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) and Dale Finucane (facial injury) are chances to return from injury.
Cowboys: No changes expected at the Cowboys.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 7: Blaize Talagi returns for Eels, Murray Taulagi suffers hamstring injury
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.