NRL Early Mail Round 14: Pressure mounts on Shaun Johnson, Titans backline reshuffle
New Warriors coach Stacey Jones admits he will name Shaun Johnson in the team for this week, but says that is far from a guarantee that the veteran will actually play on the weekend.
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Interim Warriors coach Stacey Jones says he’s unclear whether he wants to play battling veteran Shaun Johnson.
Johnson has been under immense pressure after failing to consistently fire for the Warriors this season.
In his first press conference since taking over from departed coach Nathan Brown, Jones said Johnson would likely be selected in the Warriors 22-man squad – but couldn’t confirm if the star half would play against the Sharks at Redcliffe on Sunday.
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“We’ve got a 22-man squad, I’ve said that to the team,’’ Jones said.
“Yes, I know Shaun is under pressure. He would be the first to put his hand up that he hasn’t been where he needs to be.
“I’ll have a good think about it with the coaches tomorrow.
“At the minute, I’m thinking we need to keep things a bit stable and I’ll talk to Shaun where he’s at.
“At this stage, we’re a little bit undecided, but I’ll have a clearer idea tomorrow about it.’’
RETURN OF TIGERS’ PLAYMAKER ON HOLD
Adam Doueihi will not return for the Tigers despite suggestions he would play his first game of the year.
Doueihi had been slated to make his comeback this week as he recovers from a second knee reconstruction. While the five-eighth is keen to return to the paddock, the Tigers have opted to take a cautious approach. It is unclear when he will take to the field again but it is expected to be delayed further.
The battling Gold Coast Titans have been dealt a massive blow with gun fullback Jayden Campbell to miss two months of footy with a hamstring injury.
Campbell suffered a high-grade hamstring tear in last Thursday’s 32-6 loss to North Queensland at Cbus Super Stadium.
Scans revealed he will miss eight weeks of action, putting another nail in the Gold Coast’s finals coffin.
TITANS LOSE LIVEWIRE CAMPBELL
Campbell has been one of the few shining lights for the 15th-placed Titans in 2022, with his attacking spark at fullback.
Coach Justin Holbrook said the Titans lost any sort of attacking threat when Campbell left the field in the second half of the Cowboys loss.
With their finals hopes all but over, the Titans are now fighting to avoid the wooden spoon without their most dynamic player.
Holbrook may have to shift winger Jamayne Isaako to fullback, beginning with Saturday’s home game against South Sydney, until Campbell is ready to return.
RAIDERS FLYER COPS BAN
Canberra winger Jordan Rapana has been hit with a grade two dangerous contact charge for kicking Sydney Roosters forward Egan Butcher in the face.
Rapana will miss Saturday’s clash with Brisbane if he takes the early plea but would be ruled out for two games should he fight the charge and lose at the judiciary.
Rapana lashed out at defender Butcher and controversially avoided the sin bin despite the forceful contact in the first half of the Raiders’ win over the Roosters in Canberra on Sunday.
LATRELL’S Covid SETBACK
South Sydney have officially delayed Latrell Mitchell’s comeback after the superstar fullback tested positive to Covid-19.
The Rabbitohs released a statement on Monday morning confirming Mitchell would be unavailable for selection in round 14 after testing positive on Sunday.
“Mitchell will not train this week as he isolates from the team,” the statement said.
ROUND 14 EARLY MAIL
COWBOYS v DRAGONS
Friday, 7.55pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: No major changes as a result of injury or suspension expected at the Cowboys, however with a number of players on Origin duty there’s a large chance of restings.
Provided they get through unscathed, Valentine Holmes and Tom Dearden are likely to back up and start against the Dragons.
There’s a strong chance that both Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai play off the bench, with Heilum Luki and Coen Hess starting the game.
Holmes will regain goalkicking duties from Scott Drinkwater.
Dragons: Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims back up from Origin on the two day turnaround and will be strong rest candidates pending how they get through Wednesday’s clash.
I do expect both to play barring knocks, with Hunt to start and Sims to play off the bench, meaning Tyrell Fuimaono would start on the edge.
TITANS v RABBITOHS
Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Jayden Campbell is set for a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
With Will Smith having been immediately released by the club, it means Jamayne Isaako is likely to start at fullback.
Tino Fa’ausuamaleaui will likely back up from Origin but is a decent chance to play off the bench, with Isaac Lui starting at lock.
Rabbitohs: Tevita Tatola returns from a concussion lay-off at prop, with either Tom Burgess or Mark Nicholls dropping to the bench and Shaq Mitchell out of the 17.
Damien Cook and Cam Murray are the Origin duo aiming to back up, and with South Sydney fighting for a top eight spot I expect both to back up provided they get through okay.
I expect Cook to start, with Murray likely to play off the bench, with either Saliva Havili or Nicholls to start at lock.
Kodi Nikorima is expected to start at fullback again, with Blake Taaffe used as the bench utility.
ROOSTERS v STORM
Saturday, 5.30pm, SCG, Sydney
Roosters: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is due back from injury at prop, with Fletcher Baker moving to the bench.
James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Lindsay Collins are the Origin trio, with all a chance at a rest with quality options able to deputise in their absence if required.
Joey Manu would again fill in at fullback if required, with either Kevin Naiqama or Billy Smith to drop out for Tupou if returning.
Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona is due back from a knee injury at prop, with Tui Kamikamica moving to the bench.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is due back in the next fortnight, which will see Nick Meaney shift to the wing and Dean Ieremia out of the team.
Whether or not Papenhuyzen regains goalkicking duties from Meaney remains to be seen.
Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Felise Kaufusi are aiming to back up from Origin on a three day turnaround.
Battling minor injuries, Grant is the most likely to be rested. Even if playing, I’d expect Brandon Smith to start at hooker, with Grant off the bench.
BRONCOS v RAIDERS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Adam Reynolds is due back from a hamstring injury in the halves, with Ezra Mann likely the man to drop out of the halves.
Provided his hamstring is fully recovered, Reynolds will regain the goalkicking duties from Staggs.
Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Kurt Capewell and Patrick Carrigan are all on Origin duty.
I expect all to push to back up, with the three forwards a decent chance of playing off the bench pending minutes in the Origin opener.
Raiders: Corey Harawira-Naera will be available for selection after missing Round 12 due to Covid protocols, however he’s unlikely to be selected in the 17 regardless.
Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii are likely to back up from Origin, with Matt Frawley and Trey Mooney to drop out of the 17.
Papalii is likely to play off the bench, with Corey Horsburgh to again start at prop.
TIGERS v SEA EAGLES
Sunday, 2pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Tigers: Adam Doueihi is expected to be a huge inclusion for his first game of the season.
Where he plays is the big question, with the versatile back capable of playing in numerous positions.
Once fully fit, I’m expecting him to play at five-eighth alongside Jackson Hastings, with Luke Brooks shifting into a hooking role.
However it’s likely Doueihi is eased back off the bench following a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
David Nofoaluma should return on the wing in place of Asu Kepaoa, but must pass concussion protocols to take his place.
James Roberts is due back from injury but will struggle to displace any of the backline for a spot.
Sea Eagles: Karl Lawton is expected to miss with a suspected ACL injury, though Des Hasler is expected to call on prop Taniela Paseka after he made a successful comeback in reserve grade following a long lay-off with an MCL injury.
Barring knocks, Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to back up and take his place in the halves, pushing Josh Schuster back to the second-row.
KNIGHTS v PANTHERS
Sunday, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: No major changes at the Knights, although Hymel Hunt and Kurt Mann are pushing to return from injury.
Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai are backing up from Origin but are expected to take their place with the lengthy turnaround.
Panthers: With no injuries to worry about, and the four day turnaround from Origin, there’s no changes expected at the Panthers should their rep stars get through unscathed.
WARRIORS v SHARKS
Sunday, 6.15pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Warriors: Josh Curran is due back from a knee injury and will likely play off the bench, while Addin Fonua-Blake is also a chance, but is more likely for a Round 15 return.
Sharks: Jesse Ramien returns from suspension, which will likely see Connor Tracey play as the bench utility and Braydon Trindall drop out of the 17.
Wade Graham is due back from injury and will likely play off the bench, with Teig Wilton to retain a starting spot, and Round 12 debutant Tom Hazleton dropping out of the side.
BULLDOGS v EELS
Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Luke Thompson is due back from a concussion, while Tevita Pangai Jnr is set to return from a back injury.
This will see Thompson start at prop and Ava Seumanufagai move to the bench.
Pangai Jnr is likely to return off the bench.
Despite being named as Matt Dufty’s fullback replacement against the Panthers, Corey Allan played in the outside backs, with Jake Averillo at fullback, which is expected to be maintained.
Eels: Maika Sivo scored a hat-trick in NSW Cup on the weekend and is likely to return for his first NRL game of the season on the wing, pushing Waqa Blake to centre and Tom Opacic out of the team.
Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson will all back up from Origin duty.
All are chances to play off the bench, but with the beneficial five day turnaround they will all be in contention for starting roles.
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