NRL Early Mail round 11: Robbie Farah likely to rule himself out for Tigers, Manly’s selection headaches continue

BENJI Marshall is unlikely for the Dragons, Robbie Farah says he won’t be risking serious damage, while Manly’s Trent Barrett has selection headaches.

Robbie Farah will not play this weekend.

ROBBIE Farah has confirmed he is unlikely to play against Newcastle at Campbelltown on Saturday after being knocked out on the weekend.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday morning, Farah said he was still feeling the effects of his heavy collision with Canterbury five-eighth and close mate Josh Reynolds.

While he’ll do his best to take on the Knights, he admitted it remained a longshot.

“I don’t think I’ll play,” Farah said.

“I was quizzing the medical staff straight afterwards in the hospital asking if I was a chance and they kind of wrote me off straight away.

“Like any player you want to be out there and you don’t like missing games.

“I’ll push the limits, but it’s one of those things you don’t want to risk.

“I’m still wobbling around a bit and not feeling the best, but that’s to be expected.

“It’s only been a couple of days since the game.

“It will take me a few days to get my bearings back and I’ll just rest up and let the head and neck mend a little bit.”

Farah conceded his collision with Reynolds and the ANZ Stadium turf was ‘pretty scary’, but he was comforted by the medical support he received from Tigers and Bulldogs officials.

“I was in good hands - the staff from both teams were outstanding,” he said.

BUSTED: The secret tapes that sunk Parramatta

DIRE: Not even Hayne can save Roosters

“I was pretty calm, but if anything it was a bit scarier for my family seeing me in the state I was in.

“Luckily I still had full movement and feelings in my arms and legs.”

Farah is expected to make a full recovery to take his place in the opening Origin in Sydney on June 1.

In other news ahead of the Round 10 NRL team announcements.

* Dragons halfback Benji Marshall is unlikely to take the field against the Rabbitohs on Thursday as he continues to nurse his ongoing hamstring injury.

* Warriors lock Simon Mannering is expected to return from a facial cut that has kept him out since ANZAC Day.

* Manly continue to find themselves in disarray with Martin Taupau accepting a three week suspension and Brett Stewart remaining a week to week prospect.

* Andrew McCullough, Adam Blair and Alex Glenn will all return for the Broncos.

* Warriors centre Solomone Kata has been suspended for a week following a dangerous contact charge.

Rabbitohs v Dragons

Thursday 7:50pm at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs:Jason Clark and Michael Oldfield both left the field early against Parramatta but are expected to be fit and will likely be named. It remains to be seen if Luke Keary will return to the starting spot at five-eighth and allow Greg Inglis to push out to the centres.

Dragons: Halfback Benji Marshall is unlikely to take the field as he continues to nurse his ongoing hamstring injury.

Marshall was involved in his first win of the season against the Raiders last week but has yet to train ahead of the South Sydney clash.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor said Marshall only played 60 minutes against the Raiders due to the hamstring injury and would be seeing a physiotherapist Tuesday afternoon.

“He is highly unlikely so Josh (McCrone) will come in,” McGregor said.

Joel Thompson was hit with a suspension for his high shot on Blake Austin and will miss one match. Will Matthews is expected to move to second row with Dunamis Lui or Jake Marketo to start at lock.

Cowboys v Broncos

Friday 7:50pm at 1300 Smiles Stadium

Cowboys:Rory Kostjaysn suffered a neck injury on Saturday night but is improving. If the Irish international is out and Paul Green isn’t confident in Jake Granville’s ability to play 80 minutes he could bring in Ray Thompson, who made his comeback from injury last weekend.

Expecting @nthqldcowboys to name Rory Kostjasyn. His neck injury is improving. Matt Scott (ankle) also OK. #NRL @cmail_sport

— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) May 17, 2016

Broncos: Alex Glenn and Adam Blair are both expected to return for the Broncos, which would see Jarrod Wallace and Sam Thaiday go back to the bench and Jai Arrow and Herman Ese’ese move out of the team. Andrew McCullough will be included at hooker, which means Travis Waddell will move back to the Queensland Cup.

Tigers v Knights

Saturday 3:00pm at Campbelltown Stadium

Tigers: An injury in the warm up stopped Sauaso Sue from taking the field against the Bulldogs but he’s expected to play against Newcastle. Robbie Farah’s is definitely out following his concussion last week and could be replaced by Matt Ballin, who made a try-scoring return from injury in the NSW Cup last week.

Knights: Trent Hodkinson is a chance of returning while Nathan Ross is expected to be named. They would replace Jack Cogger and Cory Denniss respectively. The ailments that have kept Jake Mamo out of commission have continued with the speedy outside back still nowhere to be seen.

The Knights could welcome back Trent Hodkinson.

Warriors v Raiders

Saturday 5:30pm at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

Warriors: Simon Mannering will return at lock from the facial cut he suffered on ANZAC Day while Manu Vatuvei could return from medical leave on the left wing, displacing Jono Wright. New Zealandwill be without Solomone Kata after he accepted an early guilty plea for his dangerous contact charge. Konrad Hurrell is the logical replacement but given his fractured relationship with the coaching staff it remains be seen if he’s included.

Raiders: Shaun Fensom is awaiting the results of a shoulder scan. If he’s ruled out Joseph Tapine is expected to move into the starting side at lock but Sia Soliola or Jeff Lima could complicate matters if they return from injury.

BUZZ: I pick my team for Origin I

REVEALED: Eels dirt money trail

Sharks v Sea Eagles

Saturday 7:30pm at Southern Cross Stadium

Sharks: No serious injury concerns, though Paul Gallen did pick up a slight ankle complaint but should be available for selection. Jason Bukuya will return from suspension and could start ahead of Luke Lewis in the backrow. This would see Lewis back on the bench with Joseph Paulo as 18th man.

Sea Eagles:Martin Taupau is facing three weeks on the sidelines, Brett Stewart is a week to week proposition, Api Koroisau is scheduled to return this week and Jamie Buhrer has returned from injury through NSW Cup. If Taupau is suspended then Tom Symonds or Buhrer could come into the starting side. A Stewart and Steve Matai return would see Tom Trbojevic move back to the wing with Matthew Wright and/or Brayden Williame likely to make way. Koroisau is likely to earn a spot on the bench if he’s available for selection.

Brett Stewart has become a week-to-week proposition.

Panthers v Titans

Sunday 2:00pm at Pepper Stadium

Panthers: Hooker James Segeyaro suffered a concussion but will be available for selection. Waqa Blake is likely to return to the centres after missing the Warriors clash due to a passport mishap. This will see his backline replacement Isaah Yeo move into the forwards and James Fisher-Harris back to the bench with Suaia Matagi relegated to 18th man.

Titans: The in-form David Mead will miss the next weight weeks with a PCL injury. Nene Macdonald could return at right centre with Nathan Davis moving to left centre and Josh Hoffman to left wing. Nathan Peats is expected to make his Titans debut at hooker.

Bulldogs v Roosters

Sunday 4:00pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: Bulldogs have no injury concerns going into Sunday’s clash. They’ll be without Will Hopoate (Religious reasons) once again with Sam Perrett to line-up at fullback and Tyrone Phillips retaining his spot on the wing.

Roosters:Shaun Kenny-Dowall missed Monday’s game against the Titans with a foot injury remains a week-to-week proposition.

Curtis Scott could make a comeback to first grade.

Eels v Storm

Monday 7:00pm at Pirtek Stadium

Eels:Beau Scott, Kenny Edwards, David Gower and Isaac DeGois all suffered concussions against the Rabbitohs but are expected to be available in round 11. Halfback Kieran Foran could return from personal leave meaning Brad Takairangi would shift back to the centres with Vai Toutai making way.

Storm: Melbourne’s backline woes continue with makeshift centre Ben Hampton suffering a calf injury against the Cowboys. This will likely see youngster Curtis Scott return to the NRL side. Though there are some concerns for Scott who didn’t play in Melbourne’s feeder side on Sunday because he too went down with a calf injury at training. If he’s unavailable for selection this would see Tohu Harris shift from the backrow back into the centres.

- with staff writers

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 11: Robbie Farah likely to rule himself out for Tigers, Manly’s selection headaches continue