NRL Early Mail: Team news, tips for Round 12

EARLY MAIL: Injuries and suspensions have combined to cause carnage in the NRL yet again — get all the latest news ahead of Round 12 team announcements.

Early Mail NRL Round 12

GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 12 edition of NRL Early Mail.

Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds appears set to make his return from a shoulder injury in time to face former club Canterbury on Sunday.

Reynolds trained strongly with the side on Monday and appears certain to take his spot for Sunday’s NRL clash with the Bulldogs.

It will be Reynolds’ first time facing his junior club since his off-season move to the Tigers on a four-year deal.

— AAP

Sam Burgess failed to finish the Rabbitohs’ clash with the Cowboys.

In the biggest team news ahead of Round 12:

* Storm star Cameron Smith returns from a one-match suspension for his wishbone tackle on Kevin Proctor. Centre Curtis Scott has been suspended for two weeks for his fight with Dylan Walker and will be replaced by either Young Tonumaipe’a or Cheyse Blair;

* Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess could have returned to the field after injuring his glute against the Cowboys but remained on the sideline as a precaution. He is likely to face the Warriors in New Zealand. Souths fullback Alex Johnston is less likely to make the trip after suffering a hamstring strain in Townsville. The Rabbitohs are also set to be boosted by the returns of Richie Kennar (ankle), Tyrell Fuimaono (toe) and Robert Jennings (hamstring).

*Broncos prop Korbin Sims is out for four to six weeks with a broken jaw, further stretching Brisbane’s forward stocks;

* Manly ace Dylan Walker (eye socket) is out for six weeks and is expected to be replaced in the halves by Trent Hodkinson. Hooker Api Koroisau faces a one-match ban for his part in the brawl against Melbourne with Lewis Brown is the likely replacement;

* Eels enforcer Beau Scott (knee, season) is expected to be replaced by the returning Nathan Brown pack with Manu Ma’u moving back to an edge;

* Knights five-eighth Brock Lamb (fractured cheekbone) is expected to miss up to a month and will be replaced by Jack Cogger. Jacob Saifiti (fractured shoulder) misses the next three months and will likely be replaced in the starting side by Herman Ese’ese;

* Raiders forward Joe Tapine (shoulder charge) faces two weeks out through suspension, meaning highly regarded youngster Jack Murchie could score an NRL debut;

* Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is unlikely to return until after the Round 13 bye, with Mason Lino to again deputise.

Apisai Koroisau has been banned for a week.

BRONCOS v EELS

7.50pm Thursday at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: Korbin Sims is out for four-six weeks following his controversial hit from Dylan Napa. The Broncos completed a light run on Monday with Corey Oates, Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai and James Roberts all on light duties, nursing niggles that shouldn’t keep them out of clash with the Eels. Outside back Jordan Kahu is nearing a return from a sickening broken jaw.

Eels: Beau Scott (knee, season) is expected to be replaced by Nathan Brown in the Eels pack with Manu Ma’u moving back to an edge.

RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES

6pm Friday at GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: Joe Tapine (shoulder charge) has been issued a two-game ban by the NRL match review committee for a shoulder charge, potentially opening the door for highly regarded youngster Jack Murchie.

Sea Eagles: Dylan Walker (eye socket) is out for six weeks and is expected to be replaced in the halves by Trent Hodkinson. Api Koroisau faces a one-match ban for his part in the brawl against Melbourne. Lewis Brown would be the likely replacement at hooker.

COWBOYS v STORM

7.55pm Friday at 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: Prop Matt Scott is awaiting the results of scans on a knee injury. Coach Paul Green will stick with the reshuffled backs set-up that almost secured an NRL victory over South Sydney. Michael Morgan was moved from the halves to fullback with Te Maire Martin playing alongside Johnathan Thurston in the halves.

Storm: Hooker Cameron Smith returns from a one-match suspension for his wishbone tackle on Kevin Proctor. Curtis Scott has been suspended for two weeks for his fight with Dylan Walker and will be replaced by either Young Tonumaipe’a or Cheyse Blair.

ROOSTERS v TITANS

3pm Saturday at Central Coast Stadium

Roosters: To come

Titans: To come

WARRIORS v RABBITOHS

5.30pm Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: To come

Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are expected to be boosted by the returns of Richie Kennar (ankle), Tyrell Fuimaono (toe) and Robert Jennings (hamstring). Sam Burgess (glute) is expected to play, while Alex Johnston (hamstring) is in doubt. Greg Inglis would likely move to fullback, Hymel Hunt to centre and either Jennings or Kennar onto the wing.

PANTHERS v DRAGONS

7.35pm Saturday at Panthers Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: To come

Dragons: To come

KNIGHTS v SHARKS

2pm Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: Five-eight Brock Lamb (fractured cheekbone) is expected to miss up to a month and will be replaced by Jack Cogger. Jacob Saifiti (fractured shoulder) misses the next three months and will likely be replaced in the starting side by Herman Ese’ese.

Sharks: To come

TIGERS v BULLDOGS

4.10pm Sunday at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: Josh Reynolds is expected to return for the Tigers, but how he fits into the side remains to be seen.

Bulldogs: To come

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Originally published as NRL Early Mail: Team news, tips for Round 12