NRL Late Mail round 25: Team news, gossip and SuperCoach tips
JARRYD Hayne is battling calf and neck injuries ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash against Penrith, while the Roosters are set to be without Mitch Aubusson.
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TITANS coach Neil Henry says he will not risk Jarryd Hayne in Saturday’s crucial clash against Penrith if the superstar recruit is not fit.
Hayne has been battling a corked calf and sore neck ahead of the Cbus Super Stadium showdown.
Hayne did not train with his teammates on Wednesday and will have a light session on Friday morning, while Tryone Roberts has been ill all week.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Aubusson (bruised kidneys) is out for the Roosters and set to be replaced by Dale Copley.
STORM V BRONCOS
7:50pm Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: Prop Jordan McLean (ankle) took part in captain’s run and is gunning to be a late inclusion, despite denials from coach Craig Bellamy. Kevin Proctor (knee) wasn’t named and will miss another week. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk won’t be rested.
Broncos: No changes expected, despite plenty of drama during the week. Corey Parker sent a scare through Broncos camp when he rolled his ankle in captain’s run, but he returned to finish the session and is a certain starter. Anthony Milford (general soreness) and Corey Oates (concussion) had light weeks, but also proved their fitness in the final session. James Roberts (Integrity Unit investigation) is free to play after escaping suspension.
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SEA EAGLES V RAIDERS
3pm Saturday at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: Manly welcome back Dylan Walker (shoulder) and Apisai Koroisau from injury, but Jamie Lyon (hamstring) has likely played his last game for the club.
Raiders: Canberra’s premiership aspirations have taken a huge hit, with playmaker Blake Austin (hand) potentially out for the rest of the NRL season. The five-eighth will undergo surgery after a mishap during a defensive drill at training on Wednesday. Sam Williams has been drafted in to partner Aidan Sezer in the halves. Edrick Lee (calf) and Paul Vaughan (sternum) are fit to return, while Josh Hodgson (suspension) also makes a comeback. The Raiders travelled with 19 players, with Shaun Fensom and Brenko Lee also making the trip to the Northern Beaches.
TITANS V PANTHERS
5:30pm Saturday at CBUS Super Stadium
Titans — Updated 12.50pm Friday: Star recruit Jarryd Hayne (calf/neck) is yet to train fully this week, but expected to play. David Mead is on standby. Tyrone Roberts has been down all week with the flu, but is also tipped to take the field. Ashley Taylor (hip/groin) returns after being rested last week.
Panthers: Anthony Griffin’s team travel on Friday and have no injury concerns.
SHARKS V ROOSTERS
7:30pm Saturday at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Cronulla winger Valentine Holmes (ankle) has been cleared of serious injury and insists he’ll be fit to play. Paul Gallen (calf) is a certain starter after missing the last two weeks, while Sosaia Feki (groin) also returns.
Roosters: Utility Mitchell Aubusson (bruised kidneys) is out. He is expected to be replaced at centre Dale Copley (concussion), who has recovered from an injury of his own.
WARRIORS V TIGERS
Sunday 2pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: No changes, with Solomone Kata (hamstring) to return and Ben Matulino (concussion) to pass protocol. Shaun Johnson (quad) will play despite an ongoing injury.
Tigers: Backrower Chris Lawrence (knee) is considered a 50-50 prospect.
KNIGHTS V RABBITOHS
Sunday 4pm at Hunter Sports Stadium
Knights: The club is “hopeful” Jarrod Mullen (knee) will be fit after sitting out last week. Sione Mata’utia (concussion) is a certain starter. Dane Gagai (quad) is on light duties this week as he battles an ongoing injury, but is expected to play out the season. Young gun Dylan Phythian has trained with the top squad this week and is a chance to come onto the bench as a utility.
Rabbitohs: Halfback Adam Reynolds (concussion) is the only doubt, but he is expected to pass protocol. Luke Keary (hamstring) may have played his last game for the Rabbitohs. He is considered no chance to return this week against the Knights and is racing the clock for next week’s final match of the season against the Bulldogs.
EELS V DRAGONS
Monday 7pm at Pirtek Stadium
Eels: Beau Scott (ankle), Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) and Brad Takairangi (hamstring) return to bolster Parramatta.
Dragons: Forward Tariq Sims (ankle) could have played at a pinch last week and is gunning to be a late inclusion. He will run with the team on Friday with an eye to playing. Sims would likely replace Will Matthews (ribs), who has been cleared of a punctured lung, but remains very sore and is in considerable doubt. With the Dragons out of the finals race, Russell Packer (hip/shoulder) and Dunamis Liu (achilles) have been sent for season-ending surgery.
Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 25: Team news, gossip and SuperCoach tips
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