NRL Early Mail Round 22: All the latest news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
GET all the latest team news and talking points ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 22 edition of NRL Early Mail.
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GET all the latest team news and talking points ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 22 edition of NRL Early Mail.
In the biggest news so far:
* Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston is pushing to return from a hamstring injury to face the Wests Tigers;
* The battling Broncos will be boosted by the returns of Queensland State of Origin stars Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire;
* Matt Parcell, Jamie Lyon and Nate Myles will all return for the Sea Eagles as Manly get close to full strength.
* Hooker Nathan Peats is expected to return from a hamstring injury for the Titans, but five-eighth Tyrone Roberts is battling a knee complaint;
* Sharks five-eighth James Maloney is facing up to three weeks out through suspension after being charged by the NRL match review committee
* Captain Greg Inglis will return for the Rabbitohs, replacing the injured Luke Keary at five-eighth
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DRAGONS v BRONCOS
7:50pm Thursday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Second-rower Joel Thompson will miss the game due to suspension but Tyson Frizell plans to fight the contrary conduct charge levelled against him. Fullback Josh Dugan is still listed as a couple of weeks away.
Broncos: Maroons stars Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday will both return from suspension while Matt Gillett is expected to recover from a nagging shoulder injury. The club is also hopeful about Jordan Kahu being available.
EELS v SEA EAGLES
7:50pm Friday at Pirtek Stadium
Eels: Centre Michael Jennings and back-rower Beau Scott are both pushing to return from injury while Manu Ma’u will be back from suspension. Jennings would replace John Folau at right centre while Scott is expected to slot it at lock for Peni Terepo. Ma’u will send Kenny Edwards back to the bench.
Sea Eagles: Hooker Matt Parcell is scheduled to return from a hamstring injury and will likely come off the bench. Jamie Lyon and Nate Myles will be fit after being late withdrawals against Newcastle.
KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS
3pm Saturday at Hunter Sports Stadium
Knights: Five-eighth Jarrod Mullen should return from a hamstring injury to replace Jack Cogger and Tyler Randall will replace Chris Adams on the bench.
Bulldogs: Forward Greg Eastwood’s status is still unknown after he hurt his hamstring against the Dragons. If fit, Tony Williams would come into the side but if he’s unavailable look for Asipeli Fine to get the call.
SHARKS v RAIDERS
5:30pm Saturday at Southern Cross Stadium
Sharks: Five-eighth James Maloney is facing up to three weeks out through suspension after being charged by the NRL match review committee. He has until tomorrow to respond to his dangerous contact charge, and would be replaced in the halves by Fa’amanu Brown if he missed any time.
Raiders: Winger Edrick Lee went off early against the Rabbitohs with a calf problem and will miss 2-3 weeks. Brenko Lee will replace him on the right wing. Paul Vaughan and Shaun Fensom are expected to stay in NSW Cup.
STORM v RABBITOHS
7:30pm Saturday at AAMI Park
Storm: No changes expected for the Storm with forwards Jordan McLean and Nelson Asofa-Solomona still a few weeks away.
Rabbitohs: Lock Sam Burgess has been charged with dangerous contact but an early guilty plea will mean he’s right to play. Greg Inglis will replace Luke Keary (hamstring) at five-eighth and Hymel Hunt is expected to slot in at centre. Tom Burgess has served his shoulder charge suspension and is available but may play NSW Cup.
TITANS v WARRIORS
2pm Sunday at CBUS Super Stadium
Titans: Hooker Nathan Peats is expected to return from a hamstring injury for the Titans, but five-eighth Tyrone Roberts is battling a knee complaint. If Roberts is ruled out, Cameron Cullen would likely start in the halves alongside Ashley Taylor.
Warriors: No changes expected for the Warriors.
COWBOYS v TIGERS
4pm Sunday at Leichhardt Oval
Tigers: Playmaker Jack Littlejohn seems the prime candidate to replace the injured Luke Brooks given his experience in the halves. Robbie Farah is expected to overcome a calf complaint and be available for selection, but whether he is called up remains to be seen.
Cowboys: Halfback Johnathan Thurston should be back to face the Tigers. The star playmaker trained last Friday in a last-ditch attempt to play on Saturday night. While his hamstring failed him, it is expected he should recover in time for this weekend.
PANTHERS v ROOSTERS
Monday 7pm at Pepper Stadium
Panthers: Prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard could be a late inclusion if he recovers from an elbow injury. Look for Te Maire Martin to return to first-grade after a successful comeback in the NSW Cup last week. He’ll push Bryce Cartwright back to second-row, James Fisher-Harris to the bench and Moses Leota out of the team.
Roosters: Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is tipped to return from an ankle injury, likely at the expense of Isaac Liu.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 22: All the latest news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
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