NRL 2022: Round 7 early mail, team changes, injury news
The Broncos will feature a new-look spine in Anzac Round with fresh faces at five-eighth and hooker while the Sharks received some tough injury news.
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The Broncos have been forced into a major reshuffle with Tyson Gamble set to start at five-eighth and Billy Walters facing a move to hooker for Friday night’s must-win clash against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
Gamble ran at second receiver alongside halfback Adam Reynolds at Broncos training on Tuesday, while hooker Jake Turpin is in doubt with a collarbone injury.
Turpin wore a red no-contact bib running with the Renegades, opening the door for Cory Paix and Walters, who shared dummy-half duties as Brisbane look to snap a worrying four-game losing streak against the Bulldogs.
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Gamble has not appeared in the NRL this season after contracting Covid before round one but he is set to get his big break, with Walters tipped to start at hooker with Paix expected to remain on the bench in the No. 14 jumper.
Meanwhile, Broncos comeback king Te Maire Martin has been given the green light by the NRL to make a triumphant return to the top grade in Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
FEAGAI RETAINS SPOT AFTER STRONG FORM
Cody Ramsey is expected to be fit for the Dragons but the winger will miss out on a spot in the top 10 because of the form of Mathew Feagai. Feagai scored two tries in St George Illawarra’s last-start win against Newcastle. Ramsey was picked ahead of Feagai to start the season but his injury setback will cost him a place in the top squad.
CRONULLA ENFORCER FLOORED
The Sharks have suffered a major blow with pack enforcer Braden Hamlin-Uele ruled out for at least the next three-months with a torn pectoral muscle.
The hard-running prop-forward suffered the injury against the Storm last Friday and is due for surgery this week.
Uele had been outstanding in the opening month for the Sharks. He will aim for a late-July return.
The injury setback is unlikely to impact Uele’s negotiations with the Sharks who are eager to retain the off-contract forward.
Sharks captain Wade Graham (ankle) is edging closer to his first game this season, but may be held back one more week.
Briton Nikora (Covid) will return for the Sharks Thursday night clash with Manly at PointsBet Stadium.
Cronulla will also be without Dale Finucane for Thursday night’s blockbuster against Manly but there is every chance captain Wade Graham could make his first appearance of the season as he edges towards a return from injury.
Finucane left the field in the early stages of Saturday night’s game against his former club Melbourne after suffering a head knock trying to tackle Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
He was immediately ruled out of the game by the independent doctor and the Sharks confirmed he would be sidelined for the match against the Sea Eagles because the short turnaround means he will not have time to clear concussion protocols.
The good news for the Sharks is that Graham is on the verge of a return from the ankle problem he suffered in the pre-season.
The Cronulla skipper underwent surgery after suffering a syndesmosis injury but has returned to training and is expected to be named in the squad to face the Sea Eagles.
So will back rower Briton Nikora, who missed the loss to Melbourne with Covid. Nikora will return to training on Tuesday and take his place in the second row against Manly as the Sharks look to bounce back from their loss to the Storm.
While they have been robbed of depth in the forwards, the Sharks are also feeling the pinch in the outside backs. Winger Sione Katoa is a week to week proposition with a knee injury while Connor Tracey is no certainty to play as he works back to fitness from a groin problem.
Manly will also suffer due to the short turnaround given prop Sean Keppie left the field on Saturday afternoon due to a head knock.
Like Finucane, he is unlikely to clear concussion protocols in time to play against the Sharks.
There was better news for the Storm. Officials remain optimistic fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will recover from an ankle injury in time to play against the Warriors on Anzac Day given he finished the win over the Sharks and will benefit from a nine-day turnaround.
TROLLS TARGET PAPENHUYZEN
Papenhuyzen played through the pain barrier after damaging his ankle in a tackle by Sharks forward Cam McInnes.
The Storm No. 1 posted images on social media over the weekend of his injured ankle, the swelling significant.
He also posted abusive messages he had received to his social media accounts accusing him of feigning injury, and calling him among other things a grub and a dog.
Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson looks set for an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering throat cartilage damage in the club’s round five win over Brisbane. Watson is expected to miss four weeks, although according to NRL Physio recovery time can vary from three weeks to three months.
Ryan Papenhuyzen showing off bruising/swelling after suffering a lateral ankle sprain. Ankle was almost at right angle with weight of tackler + twisting, no surprise he was in considerable pain. Was able to play through but was always going to get worse before it gets better pic.twitter.com/P4ruYR0RHv
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 17, 2022
ROUND SEVEN EARLY MAIL
SHARKS v SEA EAGLES
Thursday, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: Changes are expected at the Sharks with Braden Hamlin-Uele expected to spend some time on the sidelines with a pec injury.
Dale Finucane failed his on-field HIA and will have to pass concussion protocols to take his part in the clash with Manly.
With a history of head knocks, he’s in major doubt for the clash with just a five-day-turnaround.
Fortunately, a host of stars are due back from injury. Sione Katoa will push for a return and would replace Mawene Hiroti on the wing.
Wade Graham is also due back from injury. He’ll either start on the edge pushing Teig Wilton to the bench, or he may be eased back off the pine himself.
Connor Tracey and Matt Ikuvalu are listed to return, but with the exceptional form of Siosifa Talakai I don’t expect either to return to the backline.
Tracey will likely come in as the bench utility in place of Braydon Trindall.
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai is in doubt with a suspected AC joint injury. His potential absence would be offset by the likely return of Marty Taupau.
Josh Schuster is listed to return in Round 7, if available he’d start on the edge, pushing Andrew Davey back to bench.
Sean Keppie failed his HIA and will have to pass concussion protocol to take his part in the game.
Morgan Harper will be available for selection having missed last game due to Covid protocols.
Des Hasler has a big decision to make on who misses out between Harper, Tolutau Koula and Christian Tuipulotu.
BRONCOS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Payne Haas and Thomas Flegler both return from suspension in a major boost to the pack.
Tesi Niu faces an extended period on the sideline due to a hamstring injury. This may present an opportunity for Selwyn Cobbo to play fullback.
However, Te Maire Martin was spotted training at fullback on Monday, with Cobbo on the wing.
Herbie Farnworth was a late scratching last round due to a knee injury, he’s expected to return this week, pushing Delouise Hoeter out of the team.
Bulldogs: Braidon Burns is set for another stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Aaron Schoupp will likely come into the backline, while young gun Paul Alamoti is listed to return from injury and may come into consideration.
Chris Patolo will have to pass concussion protocol to take his part in the clash.
Corey Waddell is also expected to return from injury and would start on the edge if cleared to play.
COWBOYS v TITANS
Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Griffin Neame and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are both available for selection after missing last week due to concussion protocols.
However, they’ll struggle to find a spot on the bench following the Cowboys’ impressive come-from-behind victory in the nation’s capital.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will push for a return from injury at fullback, which would likely see Scott Drinkwater drop out of the side.
Titans: Jayden Campbell is due to return from a rib injury which would push Jamayne Isaako out of the side. No other changes are expected at the Titans.
TIGERS v RABBITOHS
Saturday, 7.35pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: To come…
Rabbitohs: No major changes expected at South Sydney following a big victory over the Bulldogs.
KNIGHTS v EELS
Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Adam Clune is expected to return from injury in place of Phoenix Crossland in the halves.
Crossland would revert back to the bench, likely pushing Simi Sasagi out of the squad.
Eels: To come…
PANTHERS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 4.05pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Nathan Cleary avoided suspension for a dangerous contact charge, instead being issued with a fine.
There’s no changes expected at the Panthers, with Brian To’o still a few weeks away from returning from injury.
Raiders: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Xavier Savage are both in doubt for the clash with Penrith due to injuries.
If Nicoll-Klokstad was unavailable, I’d expect Jordan Rapana to deputise at fullback, with Savage either remaining at 14 or dropping out of the squad entirely.
Hudson Young impressed in NSW Cup after being dropped from the top squad, he’s a chance to come back into the 17 this week.
DRAGONS v ROOSTERS
Monday, 4pm, SCG, Sydney
Dragons: No changes expected at the Dragons after snapping a four-match losing streak against the Knights on Sunday.
Zac Lomax escaped with a fine for his contrary conduct incident involving Tyson Frizell.
Roosters: Trent Robinson has a few big decisions to make in the backline after a narrow win over the Warriors.
Billy Smith and Paul Momirovski are both expected to be available for selection following injury.
They’ll compete with Kevin Naiqama and Joseph Suaalii for positions.
Connor Watson is expected to miss at least a few weeks due to injury. This will see Drew Hutchinson named on the bench as the utility, although a game day swap with Sam Verrills into the run on side is likely.
Angus Crichton returned to the starting team in Round 6, with Nat Butcher reverting to the bench.
STORM v WARRIORS
Monday, 7pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered an ankle injury in the win over Cronulla, but is expected to be fine for the ANZAC Day blockbuster.
Jesse and Kenny Bromwich will return to face the Warriors after missing Round 6 due to concussion protocols.
Jesse will start at prop, likely pushing Brandon Smith to the bench. Kenny will start on the edge, shifting Trent Loiero to the bench.
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga returns from suspension, while Matt Lodge is expected to return from injury and would start at prop.
Shaun Johnson and Josh Curran both suffered game day knocks in the loss to the Roosters, but are expected to be fine to face Melbourne.
Reece Walsh retained the goalkicking duties in the clash.
Originally published as NRL 2022: Round 7 early mail, team changes, injury news
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