NRL Early Mail round 9: Mass changes as injury strikes
CANTERBURY coach Dean Pay is set to wield the selection axe — get the NRL team lowdown in the biggest edition of Early Mail this season.
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THE Bulldogs are set for a shake-up in their spine with coach Dean Pay axing hooker Michael Lichaa.
The Daily Telegraph understands Pay will move Jeremy Marshall-King to the No. 9 jersey for Thursday night’s clash against Brisbane, with Matt Frawley coming into the side in the halves.
Frawley initially started the season as Canterbury’s first choice five-eighth but his inability to gel with new recruit Kieran Foran saw him replaced by Marshall King.
Pay’s selection shock is designed to spark his side’s attack which has scored less points to start the season than under Des Hasler last year.
Lichaa didn’t travel with the team to Brisbane on Tuesday morning.
— Fatima Kdouh
Meanwhile, a massive casualty ward means massive team changes.
A total of 21 players were injured over the weekend and NRL coaches are now scrambling to fill their squads for round 9.
In the biggest news:
* ISSAC Luke (knee) is out for a month, but Shaun Johnson (groin), Tohu Harris (concussion) and Solomone Kata (ankle) return for the Warriors.
* BRONCOS hooker Andrew McCullough could make a stunning return from an elbow injury.
* EXILED playmaker Jackson Hastings will be named in Manly’s 21-man squad following the injury to Lachlan Croker (ACL, season), although it’s unclear if he’ll retain the spot on game day.
* THE Storm are without Tim Glasby (broken thumb, round 14-15) and Curtis Scott (ankle, round 11), who will be replaced by returning stars Dale Finucane (thumb) and Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring).
* THE Panthers are on the hunt for a fullback after Dylan Edwards (dislocated shoulder) was ruled out for six weeks, but Tyrone May (ACL) and Peter Wallace (neck) are set to return.
* JOSH Dugan (foot) has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks, but Wade Graham (hamstring) will return.
* THE injury to Rabbitohs winger Richie Kennar (ankle/foot) may not be as bad as first thought after initial fears he may be ruled out for the season. Kennar may only miss a fortnight in great news for the club following his strong start to the season.
NRL CASUALTY WARD: Lowdown on weekend of carnage
BRONCOS V BULLDOGS
Thursday 3 May, Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm
Broncos: Hooker Andrew McCullough was supposed to be sidelined for four to six weeks but is pushing to make a shock early return. McCullough trained at dummy-half on Monday morning along with Kodi Nikorima and Todd Murphy. McCullough replaces Josh McGuire (ankle) in the starting side, with McGuire out for 4-6 weeks.
James Roberts (knee) and Matt Lodge (ribs) will be named as they battle ongoing injuries. 18-year-old Payne Haas will retain his bench spot following an impressive debut.
Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are set for a shake-up in their spine with coach Dean Pay axing hooker Michael Lichaa. Jeremy Marshall-King will move to hooker, with Matt Frawley coming into the side in the halves.
KNIGHTS V RABBITOHS
Friday 4 May, McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm
Knights: No injury concerns out of the win over Manly.
Rabbitohs: The injury to winger Richie Kennar (ankle/foot) may not be as bad as first thought after initial fears he may be ruled out for the season. Kennar may only miss a few weeks, with Hymel Hunt to come into the backline at centre, with Dane Gagai shifting to the wing.
In some good news it appears Richie Kennar’s scans came back better than expected, and he is only expected to miss 1-2 weeks. A relief for him and @SSFCRABBITOHS after initial reports were a Lisfranc injury & 12+ weeks on the sideline
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) 29 April 2018
PANTHERS V COWBOYS
Friday 4 May, Carrington Park, 7.55pm
Panthers: The Panthers face a huge test of depth following a serious injury to fullback Dylan Edwards (dislocated shoulder). Penrith supremo Phil Gould says Edwards will skip surgery for now, with the young fullback to rehab for six weeks before playing out the season. He will then go for surgery, which requires a six-month recovery. The Panthers are already missing a host of backs including Nathan Cleary (knee, round 13), Waqa Blake (ankle, round 14) and Josh Mansour (facial fractures, round 19).
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be named at fullback, which opens a centre or wing spot. Coach Anthony Griffin has a number of options including blooding youngster Tom Eisenhuth. Tyrone May is also set to be available for his first game since rupturing his ACL in last year’s finals. He will meet the surgeon on Monday for a final clearance, although it’s unclear where he would fit in. One option is to play May at five-eighth, allowing Tyrone Peachey to switch to left centre, where he played much of last season. Peter Wallace (neck) will return, which will see Sione Katoa drop to the bench and Wayde Egan relegated to reserves.
Cowboys: No injury concerns out of the loss to the Raiders, although it remains to be seen if coach Paul Green swings the axe on his 15-placed side.
RAIDERS V TITANS
Saturday 5 May, GIO Stadium, 3pm
Raiders: To come.
Titans: No changes expected, with coach Garth Brennan indicating he will persist with Bryce Cartwright in the halves despite a lacklustre display in the loss to the Sharks. Jai Arrow (back) and Will Matthews (concussion) are both set to be named despite picking up injuries on the weekend. Matthews failed his HIA test and didn’t return, while Arrow experienced a flare-up of back spasms. He returned to the field and will be monitored during the week.
WARRIORS V TIGERS
Saturday 5 May, Mt Smart Stadium, 5.30pm
Warriors: Issac Luke (knee) is out for a month. The injury opens the door for Jazz Tevaga and recruit Manaia Cherrington to share the hooking role. The club expects Test trio Shaun Johnson (groin), Tohu Harris (concussion) and Solomone Kata (ankle) to return.
Tigers: To come.
SHARKS V EELS
Saturday 5 May, Southern Cross Group Stadium, 7.35pm
Sharks: Josh Dugan (foot) is out for 4-6 weeks. Valentine Holmes is set to play fullback with Sione Katoa coming onto the right wing. Wade Graham (hamstring) is set to return after a late withdrawal on the weekend, which would see Kurt Capewell or Scott Sorensen relegated from the starting side. Sorensen (concussion) must pass testing. He didn’t have time to return after a late knock against the Titans. Gallen (knee) is at least two weeks away, while Luke Lewis (calf) could miss another month.
Eels: Tony Williams (knee) failed to finish against the Tigers. Tepai Moeroa is the likely replacement after missing the 17 on Sunday.
DRAGONS V STORM
Sunday 6 May, Jubilee Oval, 2pm
Dragons: No changes yet again for the table-toppers.
Storm: Tim Glasby (broken thumb) is out for 4-6 weeks, but the Storm have a proven replacement in Dale Finucane, who returns from a thumb injury of his own. Curtis Scott (ankle, round 11) is expected to miss a fortnight and is set to be replaced by Young Tonumaipea, with Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) to return on the right wing after a late withdrawal on the weekend.
ROOSTERS V SEA EAGLES
Sunday 6 May, Allianz Stadium, 4.10pm
Roosters: No injury concerns out of the Anzac Day clash against the Dragons and expected to be unchanged.
Sea Eagles: Coach Trent Barrett’s side are in dire straits on the injury front with only 21 fit players — the bare minimum for naming a squad. Exiled playmaker Jackson Hastings will be named somewhere in the squad, with Barrett to decide later in the week whether to include the 22-year-old in the Sea Eagles’ 17-man match-day team. Hastings is a prime candidate to replace Lachlan Croker (ACL), who will go for this third knee reconstruction. Other options include moving Dylan Walker from centre to five-eighth or elevating NSW Cup player Tom Wright.
Barrett says he is unlikely to move Apisai Koroisau from hooker into the halves. “I’d rather not, he’s our best hooker,” Barrett said when asked if Koroisau was an option to move into the No.6. “He’s putting himself in contention to play for NSW. We’ll do whatever’s best for the side, Api will play wherever we want him to play. We’ve got a few options, not many, but we’ll be OK.” Barrett must also find a replacement for edge forward Jack Gosiewski (hand, round 12). Frank Winterstein is the frontrunner. Matthew Wright (concussion) must pass protocol after failing to finish, while Jono Wright (broken hand) was injured playing NSW Cup. Manly’s injury list also includes Jorge Taufua (collarbone, round 12), Curtis Sironen (ACL, season), Kelepi Tanginoa (ACL, season) and Brad Parker (knee, round 12).
Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 9: Mass changes as injury strikes
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