NRL round 5 Late Mail: Injuries, team news, SuperCoach predictions

PAUL Gallen is a certainty to play for the Sharks after overcoming a knee injury, while Robbie Farah has been assured of starting for Wests Tigers.

Tom Sangster and AAP

4 min read

April 1, 2016 - 5:16PM

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PAUL Gallen has been declared a definite starter in Cronulla’s NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Saturday.

NSW and Cronulla skipper Gallen spent the last three weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury suffered in round one but Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said on Friday he was certain to play in the Campbelltown Stadium match.

Meanwhile coach Jason Taylor has confirmed Robbie Farah will be a certain starter for Wests Tigers.

Paul Gallen is a certainty to return for the Sharks. Picture: Wesley Monts

TITANS V BRONCOS

7:50pm AEDT Friday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Five-eighth Tyrone Roberts (bone bruising to the knee) has been ruled out. He is expected to be replaced by Cameron Cullen, who trained in the halves on Thursday. Coach Neil Henry also has the option of using Greg Bird as a playmaker. Nathan Friend (concussion) is a certain starter after missing last week, while Ryan James will play after being cleared by the judiciary. Will Zillman (calf) completed most of Thursday’s session in a push to be a late inclusion, although Henry said he was “unlikely”. Kierran Moseley did not train with the top squad and will drop off the bench.

Broncos: Winger Corey Oates (shoulder), Jordan Kahu (shoulder) and Jack Reed (eye) have been cleared for the derby, with the Broncos to be unchanged. Kahu raised eyebrows when he emerged at training on Thursday wearing a neck brace, but he won’t wear it during the game.

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STORM V KNIGHTS

3pm AEDT Saturday at AAMI Park

Storm: Marika Koroibete (suspension) is out, with a replacement yet to be confirmed. Depth is thin, with Billy Slater, Curtis Scott, Cheyse Blair and Jeremy Hawkins all injured. Don’t be surprised if Tohu Harris is pushed into the backs once again. Kevin Proctor (thigh) is racing the clock and will need to prove his fitness on Friday.

Knights: Expect changes. Four players have flown to Melbourne to meet up with the NRL side — Akuila Uate (chest), Daniel Saifiti (knee), Will Pearsall and Jack Stockwell, who returned from a shoulder injury in NSW Cup last week. All will come into contention. Nathan Ross is free to play after taking the early guilty plea at the judiciary.

TIGERS V SHARKS

5:30pm AEDT Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium

Tigers: Coach Jason Taylor has confirmed Robbie Farah will be a certain starter in Saturday’s NRL clash against Cronulla.

Farah was a last-minute withdrawal from the run-on side in last week’s shutout loss to Parramatta, one of two hookers Taylor had on his bench against the Eels.

Taylor stuck by his decision to field three hookers against the Eels, but says the former captain will be in the starting line-up against the Sharks at Campbelltown.

Tim Grant (concussion) is on track to be passed fit.

Sharks: Paul Gallen (knee) has trained all week and is certain to return. He even completed a 15-20 minute extras session on Wednesday.

David Fifita (golden staph) wasn’t named in any grade after recently spending seven days in hospital. He trained on Wednesday and could come into contention, although he may be eased back through NSW Cup.

COWBOYS V DRAGONS

7:30pm AEDT Saturday at 1300SMILES Stadium

Cowboys: No changes expected apart from the usual hooker switcheroo between Jake Granville and Rory Kostjasyn. As per Tuesday’s team, Javid Bowen will make his NRL debut at centre in place of Kane Linnett (shoulder, round seven).

Dragons: No changes, with Josh McCrone to drop off the bench. Benji Marshall (hamstring) has trained and is certain to return. Euan Aitken (thigh) was forced from the field with a nasty cork last week, but has pulled up well and is expected to prove his fitness in Friday’s captain’s run. Ben Creagh (knee) has gone for minor surgery on a chronic issue.

ROOSTERS V WARRIORS

2pm AEDT Sunday at Central Coast Stadium

Roosters: The full squad is fit, but expect Jayden Nikorima to again drop to the bench, with Aidan Guerra to start at five-eighth. That said, Nikorima will score considerably more game time than the 19 minutes he played last week.

Warriors: Centre Solomone Kata and prop Albert Vete have pulled up well from leg knocks and will play. Bodene Thompson (ribs) is racing the clock, but “unlikely” to be a late inclusion according to coach Andrew McFadden.

EELS V PANTHERS

4pm AEDT Sunday at Pepper Stadium

Eels: Prop Tim Mannah (shoulder) is out for three weeks. He will be replaced at prop by Danny Wicks, who has been cleared of a fractured eye socket, with Peni Terepo to join the bench. Manu Ma’u will play after being cleared by the judiciary. Nathan Peats (elbow) will miss at least another week.

Panthers: No changes. Bryce Cartwright (thumb) and Matt Moylan (back) both trained on Thursday and are set to take their spots.

Cartwright is set to take the field despite dislocating his thumb last weekend.

Cartwright trained on Thursday and is expected to take the field with a protective guard.

“He’ll probably play,” coach Anthony Griffin told Fox Sports.

“We got a good report on him.

“The finger popped back in without a fracture.”

Cartwright is the 14th most popular player in NRL SuperCoach.

BULLDOGS V RAIDERS

7pm AEDT Monday at Belmore Sports Ground

Bulldogs: Hooker Michael Lichaa (knee) trained with the top squad on Thursday and is expected to be a late inclusion. Craig Garvey trained with NSW Cup and had a heavily strapped knee. Tony Williams (concussion) is expected to be cleared.

Raiders: Set to be 1-17. Blake Austin (knee) and Aidan Sezer (eye socket) both trained on Thursday and will play. Joseph Leilua (suspension) returns, while Edrick Lee (thumb) has been cleared of a fracture and will play.