NRL Round 20 Late Mail: Nathan Cleary’s comeback aborted as Panthers rest Origin stars

The Penrith Panthers have made mass changes for their clash against the Dolphins with star halfback Nathan Cleary ruled out and Origin stars rested.

Bradman Best picked up a calf injury. Picture: AAP

Nathan Cleary’s comeback has been aborted with the star halfback ruled out of Sunday’s clash against the Dolphins.

Cleary was hoping to return after five weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Origin stars Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo have also been rested.

Nathan Cleary is out. Picture: Getty Images.

DOLPHINS V PANTHERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Kayo Stadium

Dolphins

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 19. Valynce Te Whare 16. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 6. Isaiya Katoa 10. Kenny Bromwich 14. Herman Ese’ese 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Josh Kerr

Late Mail: Tesi Niu is replaced on the wing by Valynce Te Whare. Anthony Milford comes into the halves for Isaiya Katoa who drops to the bench. Mark Nicholls starts at prop with Kenny Bromwich moving to the bench.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 20. Luke Garner

Late Mail: Nathan Cleary (hamstring) won’t return. Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo have also been rested.

EELS V TITANS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Matterson

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Waqa Blake 21. Matt Doorey 22. Haze Dunster 23. Isaac Lumelume

Late Mail: Clinton Gutherson played just two minutes in Origin and will back-up.

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Erin Clark 17. Jojo Fifita

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick 20. Keano Kini 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Ken Maumalo 23. Tony Francis 24. Thomas Mikaele

Late Mail: David Fifita is in doubt with a corked hip sustained in Origin. He will be monitored but has the longest possible turnaround. Fifita played only 33 minutes in Origin but did return to the field late. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 46 minutes in Origin and got through a mountain of work, while Moeaki Fotuaika played 25 minutes.

Originally published as NRL Round 20 Late Mail: Nathan Cleary’s comeback aborted as Panthers rest Origin stars