NRL Early Mail Round 18, 2018
AFTER three months on the sidelines, Mitchell Pearce will at last make his comeback for the battling Newcastle Knights - Round 18 team news.
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NRL Early Mail heading into Round 18.
In key news:
- A host of rep stars face quick turnarounds to back up from Wednesday night’s Origin clash with the Panthers and Sharks the most impacted with a two day gap between games.
* Due to the turnaround, James Maloney and Nathan Cleary are likely to be rested following the impressive performances of Jarome Luai and Tyrone May against the Warriors.
* The Dragons, Roosters and Titans rep players are the most likely to back up with a three day gap between games.
* Josh Dugan and Wade Graham are expected to return from injury for Cronulla.
* Penrith fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is out for several weeks after injuring his hamstring in Round 17.
* Canberra’s Joe Tapine faces 1-2 weeks out following a charge in the win over the Bulldogs and will fight the charge, but Jordan Rapana could make an early return from a hamstring complaint..
* Jordan McLean is a chance to make his long-awaited return from a foot injury for the Cowboys.
Panthers v Sharks
Friday 13th July, Panthers Stadium, 6pm
Panthers: Coach Anthony Griffin hinted prior to the strong win over the Warriors he may rest Origin stars James Maloney and Nathan Cleary for the clash with Cronulla.
Following the impressive performances of halves Jarome Luai and Tyrone May it’s likely they will be retained to give their regular halves a much-needed break.
Fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak suffered a hamstring injury on the weekend and will miss 2-3 weeks, he is likely to be replaced by Caleb Aekins, however Luai could also fill the role.
Hooker Sione Katoa suffered a thumb injury but is expected to recover in time for the Cronulla clash.
Sharks: Josh Dugan is expected to return from a leg injury at fullback with Valentine Holmes reverting to the wing and either Sione Katoa or Edrick Lee to make way.
Holmes faces a two day turnaround from Origin to take his part in the clash with Penrith.
Wade Graham is a chance to return from a cheekbone injury in the back-row with Scott Sorensen likely to make way.
Luke Lewis is expected to sit out another week or two with a calf tear.
Knights v Eels
Friday 13th July, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.55pm
Knights: Mitchell Pearce will return for the clash with Parramatta at the likely expense of Jack Cogger.
Daniel Saifiti is also a chance to return from a foot injury.
Kalyn Ponga is out for up to a month, his replacement at fullback is unknown, however Connor Watson could shift to the back with Brock Lamb or Pearce coming into the halves.
Eels: No major changes are expected to Parramatta’s line-up with Manu Ma’u still sidelined with a cheekbone injury.
Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Saturday 14th July, ANZ Stadium, 3pm
Bulldogs: Canterbury are likely to keep a similar team to the one that came within inches of an upset win over the Raiders at Belmore Oval. Marcelo Montoya has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious tendon innury.
Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis is out for 3-4 weeks and will be a straight swap for Adam Doueihi at centre.
Hymel Hunt will likely take Doueihi’s bench utility role.
Angus Crichton and Damien Cook are chances of being rested following Origin III, while Dane Gagai is more likely to back up for the clash with the Bulldogs.
Cameron Murray would come into the starting side for Crichton, while mid-season recruit Matt McIlwrick would make his club debut at hooker for Cook.
Sea Eagles v Storm
Saturday 14th July, Lottoland, 5.30pm
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are expected to stick with the team that upset the Panthers away from home a fortnight ago.
Tom and Jake Trbojevic are expected to back up from Origin for the injury depleted Sea Eagles.
Manase Fainu is expected to be named at hooker after news broke on Friday of an off-field misdemeanour.
Should he miss out, Lewis Brown is a chance to return from injury in his place at number nine.
Storm: Billy Slater, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Tim Glasby must all make it through Origin to play against Manly.
Slater is the most likely to be rested due to issues with his hamstring this season and with the strong form of replacement Jahrome Hughes at fullback.
As per the Round 17 team, Cheyse Blair, Justin Olam, Brodie Croft, Joe Stimson and Brandon Smith are the players who will retain their spots should any Origin rep fail to back up.
Dale Finucane is expected to return at lock with Kenny Bromwich dropping to the bench.
Jesse Bromwich is a chance to return but is likely to be another week away following a hamstring injury.
Stimson suffered a wrist injury in the win over St George with no details yet on the extent of the ailment.
Raiders v Cowboys
Saturday 14th July, GIO Stadium, 7.35pm
Raiders: Brad Abbey suffered a nasty concussion and is likely to miss a week as a result.
Jordan Rapana is a chance to return early from a hamstring tear.
Nick Cotric is expected to shift to fullback in place of Abbey, opening up a vacancy for Rapana’s return.
Shannon Boyd suffered a calf injury and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks of action.
Junior Paulo will return to the starting team with either Charlie Gubb or the currently injured Luke Batemen to come onto the bench.
Sole Origin representative Josh Papalii will likely back up due to Canberra’s standing on the ladder.
Joseph Tapine will fight his suspension and will be out for two weeks if he loses.
Cowboys: Big money recruit Jordan McLean is a chance to return from a long injury lay off for the Cowboys.
Fellow prop Matt Scott is also expected to return to the side following a knee complaint.
Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess are the Cowboys Origin representatives.
Broncos v Warriors
Sunday 15th July, Suncorp Stadium, 2pm
Broncos: Kotoni Staggs was brilliant for Brisbane before leaving the field in the first half with concussion. His strong form could earn him the Broncos’ utility role should he overcome concussion protocol.
Andrew McCullough will return form Origin duties at hooker, while James Roberts will replace Staggs at centre. McCullough’s return would push Alex Glenn back to the second-row, with Tevita Pangai Jnr likely shifting to the bench after starting against the Titans.
In form winger Jamayne Isaako suffered a minor injury late in the game and is in some doubt for the clash with the Warriors.
Warriors: The Warriors tremendous away record was shattered against the baby Panthers in Penrith.
Stephen Kearney will be hesitant to make any abrupt changes, with the injured Leivaha Pulu the only likely alteration to the side should he overcome his ankle injury.
Dragons v Tigers
Sunday 15th July, Jubilee Oval, 4.10pm
Dragons: The Dragons forward pack will welcome back Origin stars Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims should they get through Wednesday night’s clash unscathed.
Given the clash is on Sunday it will allow the quartet ample time to recover from the bumps and bruises expected in Origin.
Jacob Host could miss several weeks with an injured shoulder, which could gift Blake Lawrie a bench role.
Tigers: David Nofoaluma could return from a calf injury on the wing in place of Malakai Watene-Zelezniak who will return to Penrith for the 2019 season.
Benji Marshall is a chance to return but is more likely for Round 20. Ben Matulino is expected to return from injury at prop with Alex Twal to shift to the bench.
Robbie Farah and Moses Mbye will play their second games for the club this season at hooker and fullback respectively.
Titans v Roosters
Sunday 15th July, Cbus Super Stadium, 6.30pm
Titans: Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace must make it through Origin to back up for the Titans. Keegan Hipgrave must overcome concussion protocol to take his part in the clash with the Roosters.
Roosters: James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell should back up from Origin with the four day break.
Mitchell Aubusson will likely return at centre in place of Matthew Ikuvalu after being a late withdrawal in Round 16.
Jared Warea-Hargeaves will return after missing the Roosters last game following a late arrival home from the Denver Test.
He will either return on the bench or at starting prop for Siosiua Taukeiaho, with Sitili Tupouniua to drop off the bench.
Ryan Matterson is expected to miss out again with concussion/wrist issues.
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 18, 2018
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