NRL Early Mail: Team news, tips for Round 14
BLUES brothers Tom and Jake Trbojevic will fly to New Zealand immediately following Origin to back up for the struggling Sea Eagles next week.
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BLUES brothers Tom and Jake Trbojevic will fly to New Zealand immediately following Origin to back up for the struggling Sea Eagles.
Trent Barrett’s side is scheduled to take the field at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday just 63 hours after the Origin opener in Melbourne.
“They (the Trbojevic brothers) are coming (to New Zealand to play the Warriors),” coach Trent Barrett said. “If they don’t play we probably won’t be able to field a team. And they want to play.”
The Sea Eagles are in the midst of a crippling injury crisis and desperately need their star players on the park following Thursday’s 26-12 defeat to the Cowboys.
Curtis Sironen (ACL, season), Kelepi Tanginoa (ACL, round 18), Lachlan Croker (ACL, season), Dylan Walker (eye socket, round 18) and Jack Gosiewski (broken arm, round 19) are unavailable.
Shaun Lane and Jorge Taufua (concussion) will be monitored during the week following heavy head knocks.
NRL CASUALTY WARD: Round 13 injury list
RAIDERS V PANTHERS
Friday 8 June, 6pm, GIO Stadium
Raiders: Ricky Stuart’s team is fresh from the bye. Only Josh Papalii (Queensland) will be backing up from Queensland duties. Nick Cotric was 19th man for the Blues but won’t play on Wednesday unless there is a late injury.
Panthers: NSW players James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tyrone Peachey have a tight turnaround from Wednesday’s Origin match. Peter Wallace (shoulder) is expected to return at hooker, while Waqa Blake (ankle) is getting close after a long lay-off.
TITANS V RABBITOHS
Friday 8 June, 7.55pm, Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow are backing up from Queensland duty. Kevin Proctor (groin), Jack Stockwell (shoulder) and Phillip Sami (calf) are expected to play after resting up over the bye.
Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Angus Crichton return from Origin duty. Alex Johnston (hamstring) will get close but Braidon Burns (knee) is no chance after picking up an injury on the weekend.
SEA EAGLES V WARRIORS
Saturday 9 June, 3pm, AMI Stadium (Christchurch)
Sea Eagles: Coach Trent Barrett has confirmed Tom Trbojevic and Jake Trbojevic will travel to New Zealand immediately following Origin. They will back up provided they get through Wednesday’s game unscathed. Jack Gosiewski (broken arm, round 19) is out with Taniela Paseka (ankle) likely to take his spot in the 17 as he returns from injury. Shaun Lane and Jorge Taufua (concussion) will be monitored during the week.
Warriors: The club has confirmed Shaun Johnson (ankle) will return, allowing Peta Hiku to revert to his favoured centre role with Gerard Beale dropping out. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ankle) is right to go after resting up over the bye.
KNIGHTS V ROOSTERS
Saturday 9 June, 5.30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Herman Ese’ese (suspension) returns in place of Josh King or Chris Heighington (concussion).
Roosters: Dylan Napa, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner are backing up. Ryan Matterson (concussion) is expected to return.
EELS V COWBOYS
Saturday 9 June, 7.30pm, TIO Stadium (Darwin)
Eels: Mitchell Moses (knee) has been cleared of serious injury but will miss a fortnight. Will Smith (hamstring) and Tepai Moeroa (facing 3-5 week suspension) will also miss out. Bevan French (concussion) must pass protocol but is expected to be named. After being injured last match at fullback, Corey Norman (foot) is set to return to the halves in place of Moses. Coach Brad Arthur has also stated he expects Tim Mannah (eye socket) and Jarryd Hayne (hip flexor) back from injury.
Cowboys: Gavin Cooper, Michael Morgan and Coen Hess return from Origin duty. Scott Bolton (rib cartilage) is expected to miss at least another week after a late withdrawal on the weekend, Matt Scott (suspension) returns at prop.
SHARKS V TIGERS
Sunday 10 June, 2pm, Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Valentine Holmes is the only Cronulla player on Origin duty. He is set to return on the right wing in place of Sione Katoa. Wade Graham (concussion) will be monitored following a sickening head knock, which could open the door for youngster Scott Sorensen (broken hand) to play on the left fringe. Josh Dugan (stress fracture to the leg) is confirmed out until at least round 16 following his late withdrawal last week.
Tigers: David Nofoaluma (calf) is expected to miss out after limping off against the Roosters. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak and Kevin Naiqama are in contention for the spot. The Tigers are unaffected by Origin.
STORM V BRONCOS
Sunday 10 June, 4.10pm, AAMI Park
Storm: Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Josh Addo-Carr are backing up from Origin. Billy Slater (hamstring) has been ruled out of Origin and is also out for the Storm with Jahrome Hughes likely to play fullback. For the first time since 2003, Cameron Smith won’t be backing up from the interstate blockbuster after retiring from representative football.
Broncos: Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire and James Roberts are backing up from Origin. Roberts is the biggest doubt after carrying an Achilles injury into the game. Alex Glenn (knee) and Jack Bird (sternum) are expected back.
BULLDOGS V DRAGONS
Monday 11 June, 4pm, ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: David Klemmer is the only Canterbury player backing up from Origin. Aiden Tolman (ankle) is nearing a return while 2018 revelation Raymond Faitala-Mariner is available for selection following a knee injury and a concussion. Moses Mbye will go into the game on a high after 18th man duties for the Maroons.
Dragons: Ben Hunt, Jack De Belin, Tyson Frizell and Paul Vaughan are backing up from Origin, while Tariq Sims is 18th man for the Blues. Hunt (cork), Sims (cork) and De Belin (hip) all carried minor injuries into Origin camps.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail: Team news, tips for Round 14
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