NRL teams for finals week 2: Blake Ferguson injury update, Parramatta Eels

With Parramatta Eels forced into a complete overhaul of their side to take on South Sydney, one comment from Blake Ferguson has caused another selection headache for Brad Arthur.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Sonny Bill Williams of the Roosters trains during a Sydney Roosters NRL training session at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 05, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Brad Arthur says Blake Ferguson “wants to play” but needs to prove his fitness at Friday’s captain’s run to get the green light to take on South Sydney on Saturday.

And Arthur won’t be taking any chances after Ferguson limped from the field with a knee injury in last weekend’s opening finals loss to Melbourne.

If Ferguson can’t get through the pre-match session after missing the whole week of training, Arthur said he would be forced to make the call.

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“We will see how he pulls up,” Arthur said.

“The boys are on a day off (on Thursday). He has had treatment. Obviously he didn’t train (Wednesday) but he didn’t need to.

“The test will be (Friday).”

Asked if Ferguson would be ruled out if he doesn’t train on Friday, Arthur said: “I can’t wait any longer.

Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

“He wants to play.

“But we have prepared either way.”

After naming George Jennings as Maika Sivo’s replacement, it has been speculated Arthur will most likely call up Brad Takairangi to play centre and put Waqa Blake on the wing.

Blake was named at centre as Ferguson’s right edge partner.

But Arthur was keeping his cards close to his chest, saying he has experimented with different options during the week.

It must be said Arthur didn’t sound terribly confident about Ferguson’s chances.

He has also named rookie Haze Dunster in his squad, although the highly rated 21-year-old is yet to make his NRL debut.

And it would be a huge gamble to throw him in against the inform South Sydney left edge for a knockout semi-final given the points they raced in against Newcastle.

Haze Dunster is highly rated. Picture: Daniel Aarons

The Knights jumped to an early 14-0 lead before the Bunnies piled on the next 46 points, before a late Newcastle try.

Meanwhile, Parramatta’s right edge was badly exposed by the Storm.

It would be a huge blow to have Ferguson ruled out on the back of the Sivo’s season-ending injury.

Even though the Eels finished third on the ladder and Souths sixth, the TAB has the Bunnies as $1.45 favourites with Parramatta paying $2.75.

ROOSTERS’ HUGE SONNY CALL

- Nick Campton and Tom Sangster

The Roosters will be fully loaded for the grand final rematch against Canberra with Jake Friend and Sonny Bill Williams returning as the Tricolours look to keep their chances of a third straight premiership alive.

Friend missed last week’s loss to Penrith due to concussion while Williams was ruled out with a neck injury.

Both were sorely missed in the 29-28 defeat with rookie Freddy Lussick and veteran utility Mitchell Aubusson filling in for Friend at hooker.

With Victor Radley and Sam Verrills already sidelined with season-ending knee injuries, Trent Robinson’s hooking stocks were running low.

Friend’s timely return should give the club a major boost while Williams could make an impact as a bench forward.

Aubusson has been retained on the bench as cover for Friend while the Raiders are unchanged from the squad that beat Cronulla last week.

Parramatta have named Blake Ferguson on the wing after he suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Storm.

With Maika Sivo already ruled out for the rest of the season the Eels will be desperate to have Ferguson line up on the flank for Saturday’s semi-final against the Rabbitohs.

Sonny Bill Williams has been recalled by the Roosters.

George Jennings will relieve Sivo while Waqa Blake will switch from centre to the wing should Ferguson be ruled out with Brad Takairangi expected to slot in at centre.

The other new face for the Eels is Ray Stone, who comes in on the bench for the suspended Marata Niukore.

The Rabbitohs have named the same 17 that played in Sunday’s win over the Knights.

MORE TEAMS NEWS

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ROOSTERS V RAIDERS

Friday 9 October, Sydney Cricket Ground, 7.50pm

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joey Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner (c) 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14. Lindsay Collins 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Mitchell Aubusson 17. Sonny Bill Williams

Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher 19. Daniel Fifita 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Lachlan Lam

Analysis: Sonny Bill Williams (neck) returns to add impact to the pack after sitting out last week, although there is conjecture whether he was left out or injured last week. Jake Friend (concussion) is a huge inclusion at hooker, with Freddy Lussick left out of the squad altogether. Nat Butcher drops out of the 17.

Superstar Sydney Roosters recruit Sonny Bill Williams.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Semi Valemi 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Jordan Rapana 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Sia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Micheal Oldfield

Analysis: No changes for the Raiders ahead of the sudden death clash.

EELS V RABBITOHS

Saturday 10 October, Bankwest Stadium, 7:50pm

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson (c) 2. George Jennings 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson TBC 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Andrew Davey 16. Kane Evans 17. Ray Stone

Reserves: 18. Oregon Kaufusi 19. Brad Takairangi 20. Haze Dunster 21. Daniel Alvaro

Analysis: Maika Sivo (knee) is out for the season, replaced by George Jennings on the wing. Blake Ferguson is considered a 50/50 chance with a final decision on the big Parramatta winger not likely until after Wednesday night’s training session. If Ferguson gets ruled out, it most likely would force coach Brad Arthur to shift Waqa Blake onto the wing and play Brad Takairangi in the centres. Parramatta forward Marata Niukore has accepted a two-match ban after receiving a grade-one crusher tackle charge. He will now only play again this season if the Eels make the grand final, with Ray Stone coming onto the bench.

Maika Sivo of the Eels has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Rabbitohs: 1. Corey Allan 2. Alex Johnston 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds (c) 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Keaon Koloamatangi

Reserves: 18. Steve Marsters 19. Hame Sele 20. Troy Dargan 21. Patrick Mago

Analysis: Same 17 but a slight reshuffle with Jaydn Su’A and Liam Knight switching between bench and back row. The Rabbitohs have scored 106 points in the last two weeks.

Originally published as NRL teams for finals week 2: Blake Ferguson injury update, Parramatta Eels