NRL Round 20 Early Mail: Latest team news ahead of Tuesday team announcements
KANGAROOS utility Michael Morgan will return from injury to boost the Cowboys. Get all the latest Round 20 team news.
Footy Form
Don't miss out on the headlines from Footy Form. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 20 edition of NRL Early Mail.
In the biggest news so far:
* Cowboys star Michael Morgan will return from the knee injury that kept him out of Origin III
* Skipper Corey Parker returns from suspension but the Broncos are sweating on the fitness of fellow Maroons Origin star Matt Gillett
* The Knights quest for another win just got that little bit harder with Robbie Rochow ruled out for the season, Sione Mata’utia breaking his jaw and Jake Mamo and Daniel Saifiti facing suspension
* Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds will be back from the quad injury that saw him miss last week’s clash with the Broncos
* Panthers young gun Te Maire Martin is close to returning from a shoulder injury
* The Eels’ injury woes might be alleviated a little with the possible club debut of Mitch Cornish but they’ll be without Michael Jennings for at least a couple of weeks.
Cowboys v Bulldogs
Thursday 7.50pm at 1300 Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: Maroons utility Michael Morgan is expected to return from the knee injury that kept him out of Origin III. He’ll push Ray Thompson out of the side while Tautau Moga or Javid Bowen are likely to replace the suspended Kyle Feldt on the wing.
Bulldogs: Apart from Adam Elliott and Chase Stanley the Bulldogs have a full squad of players to choose from. Brett Morris is expected to remain on the wing and Will Hopoate at fullback.
Broncos v Panthers
Friday 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Skipper Corey Parker will return from suspension but Brisbane is sweating on the fitness of fellow Maroons star Matt Gillett, who missed last week’s clash against the Rabbitohs with a shoulder injury. Centre Jordan Kahu is definitely out with another pec injury. He could be replaced by Jack Reed but Marion Seve is a chance of making his first grade debut in place of the Kiwi international.
Panthers: Injured playmaker Te Maire Martin is set to make a surprise return from what was set to be a season-ending shoulder injury. Martin has returned to contact training at the Panthers and could be free to return to the NRL in time for the club’s round 21 game against the Warriors, according to hooker Peter Wallace. That would allow Bryce Cartwright to return to the back-row, but he’s likely to remain at five-eighth for this week.
Raiders v Warriors
Saturday 3pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders: Back-rower Josh Papalii will return after missing Origin III with a slight ankle injury. The return of Jeff Lima from a hip injury and Luke Bateman from suspension means that bar hooker Kurt Baptiste, Ricky Stuart has a full complement of players at his disposal. Stuart may opt for an all-forward bench but if he does want a utility former Knight Adam Clydsdale could be in the frame for his first match with the Raiders.
Warriors: Prop Charlie Gubb is facing a lengthy suspension but Jacob Lillyman and Bodene Thompson are both due to return from ankle injuries.
Titans v Eels
Saturday 5.30pm at CBUS Super Stadium
Titans: Lock Greg Bird faces a one-week NRL ban for his high shot on Gareth Widdop. Prop Dave Shillington is scheduled to return from a pec injury but his comeback has been prophesied and delayed so many times it seems smarter not to rely on him playing. Will Zillman is a chance of returning but he’ll do well to crack the top side given the strong form of David Mead at fullback last week.
Eels: A hamstring injury to Michael Jennings is a serious blow as the Eels are already incredibly thin on outside backs. Brad Takairangi could return from a hamstring complaint and Mitch Cornish is listed to return from a knee injury, which would allow Clint Gutherson to move out wider. Playmaker Corey Norman’s availability remains uncertain after he was stood down following his court appearance last week.
Storm v Roosters
Saturday 7.30pm at AAMI Park
Storm: Winger Marika Koroibete went off with an ankle injury against the Knights but is expected to be fit. If he doesn’t make it Young Tonumaipea and Ryan Morgan are candidates to fill in while Tim Glasby is scheduled to return from a shoulder injury.
Roosters: To come
Sharks v Knights
Sunday 2pm at Southern Cross Stadium
Sharks: Blues Origin prop Andrew Fifita returns from suspension in what will likely be Cronulla’s only change as they chase 15 wins in a row.
Knights: With Jake Mamo facing suspension, expect Dane Gagai to slot straight back in at fullback. Mickey Paea is expected to replace Daniel Saifiti should he be suspended while Robbie Rochow’s season is over after he was confirmed to have torn his pectoral muscle against the Storm and Sione Mata’utia has broken his jaw, which means Pauli Pauli and Jacob Saifiti are set to return to first grade.
Dragons v Tigers
Sunday 4pm at ANZ Stadium
Dragons: Halfback Benji Marshall will be fit for his 250th NRL game after recovering with a hamstring injury but no other changes are expected for the Dragons.
Tigers: Outside backs Jordan Rankin and Josh Addo-Carr will duke it out for a spot on the right wing now that James Tedesco is back while fellow Blues Origin stars Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah will relegate JJ Felise and Jacob Liddle to NSW Cup. Given the success the ploy has yielded in recent weeks, Farah may start from the bench again.
Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles
Monday 7pm at Allianz Stadium
Rabbitohs: Halfback Adam Reynolds will return from a quad injury which will push John Sutton back to the forwards, Dave Tyrell to the bench and Damien Cook out of the team. Ed Murphy is expected to retain his place until Greg Inglis serves his suspension.
Sea Eagles: Winger Brayden Williame is back from suspension and Nate Myles should return after missing the Warriors’ clash, while hooker Matt Parcell’s status is still up in the air.
Originally published as NRL Round 20 Early Mail: Latest team news ahead of Tuesday team announcements
Get your 2019 NRL tipping chart
Whether you’re getting the office together or just organising the family tipping competition, you’re going to need a tipping chart. We’ve got you covered. DOWNLOAD YOUR CHART HERE.
Storm’s new iceman sledges Cronk
WITH Cooper Cronk’s departure last season, Cameron Munster has emerged as Melbourne’s clutch hero in 2018, and the playmaker let his former teammate know all about his new-found talent.