NRL Early Mail Round 21: All the latest news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
THE Cowboys are set be without star playmaker Johnathan Thurston, while the Titans are facing a hooker crisis. It’s Round 21 NRL Early Mail.
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GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 21 edition of NRL Early Mail.
In the biggest news so far:
* Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston is set to miss his side’s blockbuster clash against the Storm with a hamstring injury
* The Titans are facing a hooker crisis with both Nathan Friend and Nathan Peats unlikely to be available for Monday night’s clash with Cronulla
* Maroons star Matt Gillett is back for the Broncos but Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday have each taken one-week bans as Brisbane’s woes continue
* Five-eighth James Maloney, who was rested against the Knights, will return at the expense of Fa’amanu Brown for the Sharks.
* Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to miss the Roosters’ clash with the Broncos after injuring his knee
· Five-eighth Jarrod Mullen is out for with a hamstring problem for the Knights, who are also set to be without Mitch Barnett as he faces suspension for a shoulder charge.
ROOSTERS v BRONCOS
7.50pm Thursday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves went off early against the Storm with a knee injury and did not return. He’s awaiting the results of scans. If he’s injured look for Sam Moa to replace him in the starting line up and Eloni Vunakece to come in to the team on the bench.
Broncos: Maroons star Matt Gillett will return from a shoulder injury but centre Jordan Kahu is still a week away. Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire have both taken the early guilty plea on their respective charges and will miss one week, meaning Jarrod Wallace will retain his starting spot at prop alongside Joe Ofahengaue while Adam Blair and Alex Glenn are expected to start in the second-row. Youngster Tom Opacic seems likely to replace Glenn at centre.
BULLDOGS v DRAGONS
7.50pm Friday at ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: Just the one change expected for the Bulldogs with Tony Williams tipped to return from a calf injury on the bench at the expense of Danny Fualalo.
Dragons: Paul McGregor might be tempted to dip into the NSW Cup to try and spark his side but given his aversion to making mass changes such a move seems unlikely. The Dragons reported no major injuries from the loss to the Tigers and centre Taane Milne is expected to hold his spot after an impressive performance. However, Leeson Ah Mau is facing three weeks on the sidelines after his high tackle on Tim Grant. He would likely be replaced by Dunamis Lui.
WARRIORS v PANTHERS
3pm Saturday at Pepper Stadium
Warriors: Winger Manu Vatuvei was dragged from the field late in the game after being troubled by a knee injury. If he’s out, David Fusitu’a will likely switch to the wing and Tuimoala Lolohea start at fullback. Bodene Thompson is expected to be fit to return from an ankle injury with Bunty Afoa to drop back to the bench and Jazz Tevaga back to reserve grade. Afoa has been charged with dangerous contact but can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.
Panthers: Five-eighth Te Maire Martin trained this week but won’t return from a shoulder injury until Round 22. He’ll return through reserve grade on Saturday to test his shoulder. Waqa Blake may be unavailable after suffering a heavy concussion against Brisbane.
EELS v TIGERS
5.30pm Saturday at Parramatta Stadium
Eels: Outside back Vai Toutai and half Mitch Cornish are both scheduled to return but the status of Beau Scott and Isaac De Gois are both unknown. Menu Ma’u is facing a one-week suspension for a dangerous throw.
Tigers: Prop Tim Grant might be given a week off following a nasty concussion against the Dragons. Hooker Robbie Farah will again be named in the NSW Cup. Sauaso Sue has been hit with a Grade One dangerous contact charge but can avoid suspension with an early guilty plea.
COWBOYS v STORM
7.30pm Saturday at 1300 Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: North Queensland have been tight-lipped on Johnathan Thurston’s injury but the expectation is he’ll miss two matches with a hamstring strain. Ray Thompson would be the man to replace the reigning Dally M Medallist, with bench utility Rory Kostjasyn and Townsville Blackhawks star Jahrome Hughes other potential replacements. .
Storm: Melbourne’s forward stocks are set to replenished with big man Tim Glasby in the frame to return. Glasby is set to return from a shoulder injury, most likely at the expense of Matt White.
RABBITOHS v RAIDERS
2pm Sunday at ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs: Forward Tom Burgess is facing suspension for a shoulder charge. Burgess was handed a grade one charge by the match review panel on Tuesday for a hit on Manly playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans and will miss one match with an early guilty plea. He risks a two-match ban if he contests the charge. Bryson Goodwin’s return from a broken arm was short-lived with the centre aggravating the injury on Monday night — the extent is still unknown. Ed Murphy will likely come into the side as his replacement.
Raiders: Prop Paul Vaughan was dropped to NSW Cup at the last minute but may force his way back into the team after a strong performance against the Warriors.
SEA EAGLES v KNIGHTS
4pm Sunday at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: Winger Matthew Wright suffered an ankle injury in the second half of Manly’s win against the Rabbitohs on Monday night. He left the field and didn’t return. Brad Parker is the man likely to come into the side if Wright fails to recover in time for Sunday’s clash. Hooker Matt Parcell is also scheduled to return from a hamstring injury. His return, along with Wright’s injury, could see a reshuffle in the backline with Jamie Lyon moving into the centre, Api Koroisau into the halves and Parcell in at hooker.
Knights: Winger Jake Mamo and forward Daniel Saifiti will return from suspension with Mamo a chance of shifting Dane Gagai to his preferred centre position. Jarrod Mullen was cleared of any serious hamstring injury but any time on the sideline will likely mean a recall to first grade for Jack Cogger. Saifiti will come in as a straight replacement for Mitch Barnett, who is facing a two-week suspension for a shoulder charge.
TITANS v SHARKS
7pm Monday at CBUS Super Stadium
Titans: Both hookers are under an injury cloud with Nathan Friend set to miss up to three weeks. Nathan Peats is also in doubt for Monday’s clash with a hamstring injury. Lock Greg Bird will return from suspension, pushing Agnatius Paasi back to the bench and Nathaniel Peteru to Queensland Cup. David Shillington is again listed to return from a pec injury but he’s endured so many false starts its hard to know what will happen.
Sharks: Five-eighth James Maloney was rested against the Knights and will return at the expense of Fa’amanu Brown. Ricky Leutele will also be available after overcoming an ankle injury and may earn a place on the bench.
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