NRL 2022 Round 16 Early mail: Predicted team changes, injuries
There’s mixed news for the Broncos and Storm after Origin II while Parramatta have a key player in serious doubt. Full predicted round 16 team changes
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The Broncos and Blues have received a huge boost with NSW Origin enforcer Payne Haas set to face the Cowboys this Saturday night in Townsville.
News Corp can reveal Haas has told Broncos coach Kevin Walters he wants to play this week despite suffering a lower leg injury in NSW’s 44-12 defeat of Queensland in Origin II.
Haas appeared to suffer a nasty cork to his left leg after colliding with Maroons hooker Ben Hunt but it is understood results of scans showed a minor high-ankle sprain.
Brisbane’s No. 1 prop is prepared to play through the pain barrier and has told the Broncos he wants to face the Cowboys this week with a view to taking part in the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.
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Haas is already hampered by AC joint damage in both shoulders, but a fresh ankle injury is unlikely to stop him facing a Cowboys side which inflicted a humiliating 38-12 defeat on the Broncos in the Queensland derby in round 3.
There were fears Haas could miss the Origin III but his availability for the Blues – pending him getting through the Cowboys clash – shapes as a huge shot in the arm as NSW look to defy history by defeating the Maroons in the Suncorp decider.
Meanwhile, Haas’ Maroons rival, star pivot Cameron Munster, is unlikely to back-up for Melbourne in Thursday night’s clash against Manly at Brookvale.
While Munster damaged his shoulder in Origin II, it is understood the damage is not as severe as initially feared, with the Queensland five-eighth confident of being fit for the Suncorp decider in a major fillip for the Maroons.
In further bad news for the Storm, forward Felise Kaufusi will miss Thursday’s game against Manly because of family reasons. The Maroons enforcer will fly to the US on Tuesday to be with his father Taniela who has been hospitalised in Los Angeles.
EELS PREPARE TO PLAY WITHOUT MATTERSON
— Michael Carayannis
Parramatta are expected to name Ryan Matterson but he is unlikely to play because of an ongoing rib injury.
It is understood Matterson played with a badly damaged rib cartilage in the final stages of Parramatta’s last start win against the Roosters.
He is now in extreme doubt to take on the Rabbitohs on Saturday night which would have been his first clash since being dumped from the NSW team.
YOUNG TIGER TO DEBUT
— Brent Read and David Riccio
Rookie front rower Fonua Pole is set to be handed his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers against the Warriors at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
The Victorian-born prop, who re-signed with the Tigers for a further two years in February, has been blooded by interim coach Brett Kimmorley for the daunting trip across the Tasman.
Pole came through the club’s feeder system and has been earmarked as one of their players if the future. He was named SG Ball forward of the year by Balmain last season but now gets the chance to test himself in the NRL.
Kalyn Ponga was removed for a HIA late in Origin 2, with reports suggesting he was deemed to have shown category 1 symptoms of concussion. If confirmed he won’t play in Round 16 with a 5 day turnaround, and will require a specialist review after 2 concussions in the past 3 weeks pic.twitter.com/jDwd43iyDh
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 27, 2022
KEY TIGER DODGES AXE BUT ROOSTER STILL GROUNDED
Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks will get another chance to silence his critics in Auckland this weekend but Luke Keary’s return from concussion is expected to be put on hold for another week as the Sydney Roosters take a cautious approach with their star half.
Brooks spent time training in multiple positions for the Tigers on Monday in a pointer towards his involvement for the club in Auckland, where they will be the support act to the Warriors’ homecoming.
There was speculation last week that Brooks may be axed after a poor performance against Canterbury but interim coach Brett Kimmorley is expected to include his million-dollar half in the 22-man squad he names on Tuesday.
While Brooks looks set to hold his spot, Keary’s return appears likely to be delayed for another week as he works his way back from the concussion he suffered against Melbourne in round 14.
Keary has a history of head knocks and the Roosters will continue to take a conservative approach with their star half despite the importance of the upcoming games for the club.
The Roosters are locked in a dogfight for a spot in the top eight but even the need for wins won’t trump the club’s desire to ensure Keary is in the right place to return to the NRL.
PAP BACK FOR STORM
— Brent Read
Ryan Papenhuyzen will make his return for Melbourne on Thursday night but the jury remains out on Cameron Munster as Storm officials await his return to Melbourne.
Papenhuyzen hasn’t played since round nine after suffering knee and hamstring problems. He then caught Covid-19, ruining any chance of returning for the Storm and forcing his way into the NSW side for the second State of Origin game.
However, he will make his long-awaited comeback against the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park, giving him one game to force his way into Blues calculations for the decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Papenhuyzen was in sensational form before injury struck — he was leading the Dally M award when he went down.
CLEARY CLEARED FOR PANTHERS
— Brent Read and Travis Meyn
Penrith captain Nathan Cleary will be free to play on Friday night against the Sydney Roosters and in the deciding game of the State of Origin series after the Panthers confirmed he avoided a charge for his tackle on Kalyn Ponga on Sunday night.
On the back of 10 errors and 54 missed tackles, the Maroons gave Cleary far too much time and space in Perth and the crafty No. 7 put Queensland to the sword to set up a Suncorp Stadium decider on July 13.
Cleary was placed on report after Ponga was forced from the field for a head injury assessment in the second half of the Blues’ thrashing of Queensland at Optus Stadium, prompting fears the Blues star could be charged by the match review committee.
While Ponga is expected to be scratched from the Newcastle side for their game on Friday night, Cleary will be free to play after the Panthers posted a tweet which read: “No Panthers players charged following last night’s Origin match”.
CONCUSSION WOES FOR BULLDOGS, TIGERS
— Michael Carayannis
The Bulldogs will still be without Luke Thompson. Thompson has not played since round 12 and is currently in the UK for a personal matter
The Tigers are expecting Stefano Utoikamanu to make his return after being given extra time to recover from an ankle injury. Teammate Alex Twal will meet with a specialist to determine when he will be cleared to play again. It has been reported he could miss the rest of the season because of repeated concussions.
SEA EAGLES v STORM
Thursday, 7.50pm, Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai failed a HIA during the representative round and is unlikely to face Melbourne on the short turnaround.
Taniela Paseka is likely to be elevated back into the 17 as he continues his return from injury.
On the four day back up from Origin, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic are likely to play having reportedly got through Origin unscathed.
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen will return from injury/Covid layoff. Whether he starts at fullback or is eased back off the bench remains to be seen.
If starting at fullback, Nick Meaney would shift to the wing, with either Dean Ieremia or Grant Anderson dropping out of the team.
Cameron Munster suffered a suspected AC joint injury and is in major doubt, with Jayden Nikorima or Tyran Wishart likely to deputise in the halves.
Harry Grant and Felise Kaufusi will all be closely monitored on the quick back up from Origin.
KNIGHTS v TITANS
Friday, 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Kalyn Ponga is a big out for the Knights having suffered another head knock in Origin. He’s likely to be replaced at fullback by Tex Hoy.
Bradman Best is due back from an elbow injury at centre, with Edrick Lee likely dropping out and Enari Tuala shifting to the wing.
Tuala may be a straight replacement though should Adam O’Brien opt that way.
Daniel Saifiti is due back from a knee injury which would complete a near full-strength forward pack for the Knights.
Titans: David Fifita and Kevin Proctor are both due back from injury and are likely to return off the bench.
Corey Thompson should also be available following a knee injury, but may not be selected as Justin Holbrook continues to agonise over his strongest backline make-up.
Paul Turner failed to finish Round 15 with a calf injury and will be monitored.
PANTHERS v ROOSTERS
Friday, 7.55pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: In relation to injury/suspension, Penrith aren’t expecting any changes to their 17 at this stage.
However, with almost their entire 17 active during the rep round, including Origin players on the five day turnaround, coach Ivan Cleary may opt to rest some of his stars pending on how they pull up from the weekend.
Early reports suggest their rep contingent all got through okay, and Cleary has a history of backing up his players from higher honours, so we’ll see if he sticks to his plan this week.
Roosters: Luke Keary is expected to return in the halves in place of Drew Hutchinson, but will have to pass concussion protocols to take his place.
Lindsay Collins left the field for Queensland for a HIA which he passed, he’ll undergo concussion protocols throughout the week but is expected to play.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is pushing to return from a hamstring injury that has seen him miss an extended period.
Victor Radley will return at lock, pushing Nat Butcher to the bench.
Both Nat and Egan Butcher suffered head knocks in Round 15, however they’re both expected to take their place against the Panthers.
BULLDOGS v SHARKS
Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Bulldogs: English star Luke Thompson is still suffering from lingering concussion symptoms and is expected to miss the clash with Cronulla.
Round 15’s try-scoring debutant Kurtis Morrin suffered a dislocated shoulder in the win over the Tigers and will spend some time on the sidelines.
Sharks: No major changes expected at Cronulla, with Jack Williams pushing to return from a shoulder injury.
COWBOYS v BRONCOS
Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Reuben Cotter was a late scratching from the win over Manly with a hamstring injury that’ll see him miss around a month of footy.
Tom Gilbert is due back from an eye injury and is expected to start on the edge, pushing Coen Hess to the bench.
Kyle Feldt is expected to return from a knee injury in either Round 16 or 18 post bye, which will leave coach Todd Payten with a big decision on who he replaces in the backline.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is likely to drop to the bench in a utility role. With Cotter unavailable as hooking cover for Robson, it may see Jake Granville keep his spot for the time being.
Luciano Leilua’s immediate arrival in Townsville will likely see him make his club debut off the bench.
Broncos:Adam Reynolds is due back from a rib issue, with Tyrone Roberts to drop out of the halves.
Tesi Niu is closing in on a return from a hamstring issue and is expected to be eased back through QLD Cup where he’ll fight to regain a spot in a thriving Broncos backline.
Payne Haas will have scans to determine the extent of a reported ankle injury.
He’s in major doubt for the clash, and the Origin decider, so he appears unlikely for the derby.
This will likely see Thomas Flegler promoted into the starting side in the front-row.
RABBITOHS v EELS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell will start at fullback in his first game since Round 5.
Hooked early on in the loss to the Dragons, Lachlan Ilias is expected to start in the halves according to coach Jason Demetriou.
Should he stick to his word, this will likely see Blake Taaffe dropped, and Kodi Nikorima play as the bench utility.
Cameron Murray suffered a head knock during Origin and will be monitored throughout the week.
Eels: No major changes expected at the Eels with their rep contingent reportedly all getting through the weekend unscathed.
WARRIORS v TIGERS
Sunday, 2pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: The Warriors return to Mt Smart for their first game since Covid struck.
Euan Aitken is due back from a concussion on the edge with Josh Curran, which will likely see Jack Murchie drop to the bench and Tohu Harris play lock.
Tigers: Alex Twal (concussion) and Starford Toa (ankle) are both in doubt for the clash, although Toa is likely to take his place at centre.
Twal may be out for an extended period, with Stefano Utoikamanu to replace him on return from a foot injury.
Luke Brooks has reportedly been dropped by interim coach Brett Kimmorley, with Adam Doueihi to start in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings.
DRAGONS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 4.05pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons: No major changes expected at the Dragons following their strong win over South Sydney.
Raiders: Jack Wighton will return after missing last round due to Covid protocols.
He’ll partner Jamal Fogarty in the halves, with Matt Frawley dropping out of the team.
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Originally published as NRL 2022 Round 16 Early mail: Predicted team changes, injuries
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