NRL Late Mail round 26: Patrick Carrigan injured, Reuben Garrick and Nicho Hynes out

Patrick Carrigan missed the Raiders game and now doubt are circling as to whether the star will be available for Brisbane’s first final in a couple of weeks. UPDATED LATE MAIL

The Broncos face a nervous wait with star forward Pat Carrigan racing the clock to be fit for the finals after missing Saturday night’s clash against the Raiders in Canberra.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters confirmed Carrigan and injured skipper Adam Reynolds (calf) will both be ruled out of Thursday night’s final regular-season clash against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

Walters is hoping another week’s rest will have Carrigan and Reynolds on deck for the start of the finals, but he isn’t giving any guarantees as Brisbane’s medical staff prepare to work overtime.

“I don’t think ‘Reyno’ will be available (for the Storm clash) and neither will Patty Carrigan, but I have confidence in the boys to do the job,” Walters said after Brisbane’s 29-18 disposal of Canberra.

Patrick Carrigan will miss the match against the Storm on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if the pair will be available for week one of the finals, Walters said: “That’s what we’re thinking but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“Patty has had some scans and there’s some ligament damage in his foot ... he certainly won’t be playing on Thursday night (against the Storm).”

Carrigan was a surprise eleventh-hour scratching for the Raiders showdown at GIO Stadium after appearing to injure his foot at Brisbane’s captain’s run on Friday morning.

The Queensland Origin lock reported foot soreness to Broncos medicos and underwent scans on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury.

While Carrigan has been cleared of a serious season-ending injury, it is understood he faces two to three weeks on the sidelines — putting the Broncos ironman in danger of missing Brisbane’s opening finals clash.

“I spoke to Kevin Walters (Broncos coach) and he is saying two to three weeks,” former Brisbane skipper Corey Parker said on Fox League.

“Carrigan is an integral player for their side, so it’s a concern.”

The potential loss of Carrigan for the first week of the playoffs would be a huge blow for a Broncos side already sweating on their No.1 playmaker Reynolds, who also sat out the Canberra clash with a calf strain.

The worst-case scenario would see Origin and Test middle forward Carrigan return for week two of the finals, but the Broncos are confident he will return earlier with the right treatment on his foot.

Adam Reynolds will also miss the clash with the Storm. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

On a positive note, scan results cleared the 25-year-old of a Lisfranc injury, which would have required a four-to-five month recovery and ended his season on the eve of the finals.

It is understood Carrigan only has a mild strain to his ligament and will be rested from this Thursday’s final round clash against Melbourne as a precautionary measure.

Carrigan is the heart and soul of Brisbane’s pack with Payne Haas and the Broncos need him on deck to challenge for the premiership this season.

Carrigan took part in Brisbane’s captain’s run on Friday and had seemingly finished the session without a problem, with the Broncos workhorse later flying to Canberra with his Brisbane teammates.

But Carrigan later felt pain in his foot and relayed his concerns to Brisbane’s medical staff, who ordered he return home to Brisbane on Saturday morning for immediate scans.

Carrigan has been in supreme form this season, running for 3150 metres at an average of 157m per game and amassing 667 tackles at 33.3 per match to prove one of the NRL’s hard-working forwards.

BULLDOGS MAKE MAJOR BACKLINE SURGERY

Canterbury’s Paul Alamoti has been thrown a final chance to push for a contract with the Bulldogs after being given a late call-up into their starting side to take on Manly.

Alamoti is off-contract at the end of the season and is still without a deal for next year. He has played just one game in first grade in the past eight weeks.

The Bulldogs were given clearance by the NRL to rush Alamoti into the starting side despite not being named in the extended squad on Tuesday. Burns suffered a setback at training which has left him unable to play.

Hayze Perham has also been a last-minute call-up into the side after Jacob Kiraz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem.

GARRICK CAN’T PLAY THROUGH PAIN BARRIER

Manly flyer Reuben Garrick has succumbed to a broken back and won’t be able to take his place to play the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Garrick wanted to play against Canterbury despite fracturing his back in a controversial incident against the Warriors last week. However, coach Anthony Seibold said Garrick will miss the game.

“He nagged me until I put him in jersey 22,” Seibold said. “He has a fracture (in his back). It is only a pain management thing. He can’t do any more damage. He is OK but he won’t play next week.

“He conceded the other day (that he can’t play) and he might’ve got ahead of himself. It’s too sore for him to play this week.”

Manly star Reuben Garrick will not play against the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imagery

STORM STAR MAKES RETURN

Ryan Papenhuyzen is back. The Melbourne star will make his much-awaited return for the Storm on Saturday after coach Craig Bellamy confirmed his place in the squad to take on the Titans.

Papenhuyzen, who played his last game in the NRL more than 12 months ago, forced his way back into calculations after making a successful comeback for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup three weeks ago.

He is expected to make his return to the NRL off the interchange bench as Bellamy eases him back into the top grade. While there is no need to rush him back given fullback Nick Meaney has deputised in his absence and done a brilliant job, Bellamy knows a fit and firing Papenhuyzen shapes as a wildcard for the Storm heading into the finals.

His return will be one of the stories of the NRL season. His career was thrown into turmoil against Canberra last year when he shattered his kneecap in a collision with Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will come off the bench for the Storm. Picture: NRL Imagery

He spent time in America with renowned trainer Bill Knowles as part of his rehabilitation before stepping up his comeback with a series of hit-outs for the Falcons.

After initially starting on the interchange bench, he played the entire 80 minutes in his past two games and Bellamy has pulled the trigger as the Storm look to sew up a spot in the top four heading into the finals.

After the Titans, the Storm face Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in a game which could have significant meaning for both sides. The Broncos are in the mix for the minor premiership while the Storm are clinging to a place in the top four.

HYNES OUT, KNIGHTS SUFFER DOUBLE INJURY BLOW

Newcastle are poised to suffer a double injury blow with halfback Jackson Hastings and utility Kurt Mann set to be ruled out of their side’s crucial clash with Cronulla.

Backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is also in doubt with a shoulder complaint.

Hastings was hoping to return from an ankle injury suffered two weeks ago.

However is yet to complete a full team training session and adequate running loads. Adam Clune will replace Hastings in the halves.

Mann is struggling with soreness from last Sunday‘s clash with South Sydney.

Reserves Dylan Lucas and Brodie Jones are tipped to come into the side for Mann and Fitzgibbon, if he’s ruled out.

The Sharks will also be understrength, with Nicho Hynes set to miss the game due to a quad strain.

In a major blow for Cronulla’s top four hopes, Hynes has been kept on ice throughout the Sharks preparations this week.

The injury isn’t believed to be serious and his omission is of a precautionary stance with an eye on Hynes being available for the club’s final match of the season against Canberra.

Matt Moylan is the frontrunner to replace Hynes and join Braydon Trindall in the halves for Cronulla.

NRL LATE MAIL ROUND 26

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ROOSTERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Corey Allan 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Egan Butcher

Players cut: 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Naufahu Whyte

Late Mail: No changes expected. Sam Walker returns to the top grade while Joseph Manu will play fullback in place of James Tedesco (concussion).

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Will Smith 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Justin Matamua 15. Shawn Blore 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Aitasi James

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 21. Kit Laulilii

Players dropped: 16. Alex Twal, 20. Josh Feledy 22. Tommy Talau

Late Mail: Prop Alex Twal is in extreme doubt to play the game. Twal is battling an illness and is considered a long shot to be able to take his place in side. Aitasi James is the player most likely to take his spot.

RAIDERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 7:35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

21. Sebastian Kris 1. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 20. Jack Wighton7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 6. Matt Frawley 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Brad Morkos

Players cut: 2. Albert Hopoate 16. James Schiller 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Late Mail: The Raiders have injury concerns over Albert Hopoate (ribs), Corey Horsburgh (concussion) and Jack Wighton (hamstring).

Coach Ricky Stuart was noncommittal on Thursday.

“I’ll leave that to the medical boys.”

Horsburgh is the most likely of the three.

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 19. Keenan Palasia

Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 20. Martin Taupau

Players cut: 13. Patrick Carrigan 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Deine Mariner

Late Mail: Corey Oates returns from a knee injury for his first game since round 18.

Adam Reynolds (calf) has declared he will be fit for the finals.

He may even return next week for the final regular season round.

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 22. Hayze Perham 24. Hayze Perham 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Harrison Edwards

Interchange: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves: 19. Jayden Okunbor 21. Jeral Skelton

Players cut: 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 20. Samuel Hughes 23. Joseph O’Neill

Late Mail: Both starting centres Jacob Kiraz and Braidon Burns have been cut.

Sea Eagles

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Kelma Tuilagi 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Dean Matterson

Players cut: 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Reuben Garrick

Late Mail: Reuben Garrick (back) remains the big question mark after being named on the extended bench.

It’s understood Garrick’s injury is a pain tolerance issue and he could potentially play with the help of painkilling injections.

Ben Trbojevic and Brad Parker are both back from concussions.

KNIGHTS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Fa’amanu Brown

Late Mail: Jackson Hastings (ankle) is the only doubt for the Knights. However, he is expected to play.

Sharks

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Matt Moylan

Reserves: 18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: No changes for the Sharks as they gun for a top four spot.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 26: Patrick Carrigan injured, Reuben Garrick and Nicho Hynes out