NRL teams finals week 1 2022: Full squads for weekend action

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary is the big inclusion but the biggest question marks heading into week one of the finals surround a host of injured stars.

Jahrome Hughes is aiming to hand the Storm a huge finals boost by being named to start against the Raiders.

The Kiwi international and Melbourne playmaker was rested from the club’s last round loss to Parramatta due to a calf complaint.

Hughes has worked overtime to rectify the issue with a crucial training session on Wednesday set to dictate his chances of playing against Canberra in Saturday’s elimination final.

Hughes was named in the Storm starting line-up and run with the team in Melbourne on Wednesday.

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A host of stars are racing the clock for week one of the NRL finals.

Sharks hopeful on Talakai

The Sharks are sweating on Siosifa Talakai ahead of Saturday’s final against the Cowboys.

The NSW Origin representative injured his ankle late in last week’s win over the Knights.

But in positive signs, he was spotted walking without the aid of a moon boot at Cronulla training at Pointsbet Stadium on Tuesday (video below).

Talakai didn’t wear a “no-contact” bib. Dale Finucane (ribs), Toby Rudolf (knee), Will Kennedy (ankle) and Connor Tracey (concussion) all trained.

.@cronullasharks Siosifa Talakai out of moon boot and into footy boots (and towel) for Tuesday training. @telegraph_sportpic.twitter.com/yHrGFpq1wN

— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) September 6, 2022

Siosifa Talakai off with an ankle injury. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Souths, Roosters sweat on stars

Two Sydney Roosters stars are racing the clock to take the field despite being named for Sunday’s elimination showdown with South Sydney.

Five-eighth Luke Keary said winger Daniel Tupou was able to finish Tuesday afternoon’s training session but will be given until game day to prove his fitness.

“He’s alright, he was having a run... I didn’t think he was playing this week so he is obviously getting closer so I reckon they will give him up until game day,” Keary said.

“He’s pretty experienced so he’ll slot straight in.”

Tupou missed last week’s victory against the Rabbitohs after suffering a groin injury playing Melbourne in round 24.

Victor Radley also missed the Rabbitohs clash after a nasty head knock against the Storm left the lock forward convulsing on the field.

Keary said Radley, who was named on Tuesday, is still waiting on a clearance from an independent doctor.

Luke Keary is under an injury crowd. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

“Rads was sweet, he had a good week last week, went through the protocols,” Keary said.

“Obviously the big turn around helps him, it’s probably been two and a half weeks now.

“He seems fine but still has to get ticked off by the independent doctor.”

Teen sensation Joseph Suaalii is poised to overcome a shoulder complaint after coach Trent Robinson opted to ‘rest’ the 19-year old last weekend.

“He’s good. I think Suaalii could have played last week if the medical staff pushed him. Obviously, the short turn around, big year, pretty young... so it was smart to give him the week off,” Keary said.

Keary isn’t expecting Suaalii to shift from the wing, where he has played all season, into the centres.

Instead, Robinson has opted for Paul Momirovski at centre in the absence of Joey Manu, who is out for up to three weeks after suffering a calf strain last weekend.

But Robinson has named utility back Adam Keighran on the bench, in a sign the Roosters could be in a late re-shuffle in the backline.

Baby steps but looks like there’s hope Daniel Tupou might play against the Rabbitohs? pic.twitter.com/f5ZXhB0Kjw

— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) September 5, 2022

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is confident he will overcome a concussion to face fierce rivals the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. The final call won’t be made until Murray meets with an independent doctor in the next two days.

“This type of thing is kind of out of your control,” Murray said.

Murray’s tackling technique has come under question after the forward was knocked out in similar fashion in the first minute of the Origin decider in July.

“It feels fine,” Murray said. “We have a long turnaround this week so I had a couple of days to rest up. I am symptom free so that is good.

“I came to pretty quick. I was frustrated. It was the second tackle and there was a lot of hype around that game.”

Cameron Murray is confident of playing despite suffering a head knock in Round 25. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Baby steps but looks like there’s hope Daniel Tupou might play against the Rabbitohs? pic.twitter.com/f5ZXhB0Kjw

— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) September 5, 2022

May banned but cleared for finals

Penrith winger Taylan May has been suspended for the opening two games of next season but has been cleared to play in the finals.

May was found guilty of assault last week following an incident on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast late last year, the magistrate labelling his actions “reprehensible” and “cowardly”.

He was ordered to pay his victim $1000 in compensation and a $1000 fine. He did not have a conviction recorded against him and crucially for Penrith, he has been cleared to play against Parramatta on Friday night.

More here …

Taylan May is free to play finals despite being banned. Picture: Patrick Woods

NRL teams: Finals week one

1st Qualifying Final (1 v 4)

Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels

Fri September 9 2022, 7:55pm, BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Charlie Staines 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Chris Smith

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson

Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Nathan Brown 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell

1st Elimination Final (5 v 8)

Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders

Sat September 10 2022, 5:40pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Trent Loiero 17. Chris Lewis

Reserves: 18. Young Tonumaipea 19. Jordan Grant 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Cooper Johns 22. Grant Anderson

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Peter Hola 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2nd Qualifying Final (2 v 3)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys

Sat September 10 2022, 7:50pm, PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Miller 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Luke Metcalf

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Tomas Chester 20. Jake Granville 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Hampton

Elimination Final (6 v 7)

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Sun September 11 2022, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Adam Keighran 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Terrell May 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Fletcher Baker 22. Siua Wong

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili

Reserves: 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Davvy Moale 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Josh Mansour

Originally published as NRL teams finals week 1 2022: Full squads for weekend action