NRL Early Mail Round 16: Predicted team changes

State of Origin and the bye will wreak havoc on the Round 16 NRL teams. Get the full lowdown on the upcoming selections.

Xavier Coates is set for an NRL debut.

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is set to return for the premiers on Friday night against the West Tigers.

Keary suffered a serious concussion back in Round 11 against Newcastle and hasn’t played since, with the club unwilling to risk the playmaker.

But forward Jared Waerea Hargreaves confirmed Keary has been training well for the last couple of weeks and is firming to make his return this week.

Hooker Jake Friend is also close to returning from a ruptured bicep injury suffered in Round 7 against St George Illawarra.

It’s understood Friend put his hand up to return for last week’s clash against Melbourne but club medical staff decided to hold him back for at least one more week.

The normal recovery period is 3-4 months.

Keary’s return will see Latrell Mitchell move back into his usual spot in the centres.

— Fatima Kdouh

Jake Friend and Luke Keary are closing in on returns. Picture: Brett Costello

DRAGONS V STORM

Thurs, 4 July, WIN Stadium

Dragons: Paul McGregor’s side is short on troops with Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Ben Hunt and Queensland debutant Corey Norman on Origin duty. Tariq Sims is also out, either through NSW selection or suspension. James Graham (broken leg) and Gareth Widdop (shoulder) are not yet ready for returns.

Expect Korbin Sims, Blake Lawrie and Luciano Leilua to start in the forwards in place of Vaughan, Frizell and Sims. Josh Kerr and Lachlan Timm are frontrunners for bench spots. Jai Field and Darren Nicholls are set to be the new halves pairing in place of Hunt and Norman. Tim Lafai (ankle) came up just short in his comeback bid last week but is set to score the centre spot of Lachlan Maranta.

Corey Norman will make his Origin debut.

Storm: Mass changes. Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch, Josh Addo-Carr and Dale Finucane are on Origin duty. Addo-Carr is set to be replaced on the wing by Sandor Earl. Marion Seve (shoulder) returns to the backline after missing last week. He essentially replaces Chambers, forming a centre combination with last week’s late inclusion Justin Olam.

Expect Jahrome Hughes (back) to return in the halves for Munster, allowing rising star Ryan Papenhuyzen to continue at fullback. Joe Stimson and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are set for starting spots in place of Kaufusi and Welch. Fringe players Tino Faasuamaleaui, Albert Vete, Max King, and Tom Eisenhuth will come into contention for spots in the 17.

TIGERS V ROOSTERS

Fri, 5 July, Bankwest Stadium

Tigers: Josh Aloiai (illness) is expected to be named at prop after a late withdrawal against the Rabbitohs, with Oliver Clark the likely omission. Moses Mbye is on Origin duty, with Paul Momirovski to come into the side at centre.

Roosters: Luke Keary and Jake Friend are eyeing returns. Keary’s comeback at five-eighth allows Latrell Mitchell to move back to left centre. Joseph Manu is set to play fullback in place of NSW star James Tedesco. Expect Angus Crichton to return to the starting side with Boyd Cordner on Origin duty.

Siosiua Taukeiaho (concussion) will be named but must pass protocol. “Taukeiaho was taken from the field for a HIA assessment during the match,” the Roosters said on Monday. “He will undergo standard HIA protocol leading into Round 16.” Lindsay Collins and Sitili Tupouniua are set to earn bench spots after sitting out last week.

NRL CASUALTY WARD: All weekend injuries

Moses Mbye is on Origin duty.

KNIGHTS V WARRIORS

Sat, 6 July, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga (calf) was a pre-game withdrawal against the Broncos. Scans showed he will miss two weeks, meaning he is out of the Origin decider. Kurt Mann will continue at fullback with Mason Lino in the halves, as per Saturday’s late changes. David Klemmer could be a shock NSW omission, freeing him up to play. Winger Edrick Lee (broken arm) is expected to be ruled out.

Warriors: Nathaniel Roache (suspected ACL) is expected to be ruled out, with Issac Luke the likely replacement on the bench. Lachlan Burr (soreness) is due back and will likely start at lock, with Jazz Tevaga reverting to the bench.

SHARKS V BRONCOS

Sun, 7 July, PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: To come ...

Broncos: Brisbane’s season from hell plummeted to new depths with Red Hill confirming Anthony Milford could be out for up to 12 weeks with a knee injury.

The Broncos’ million-dollar man suffered left-lateral knee damage during last weekend’s loss to Newcastle with club medics reporting Milford would be sidelined indefinitely.

Full story by Chris Honnery and Lachlan Grey here

Meanwhile, a teen sensation and an English soccer prospect are likely candidates to help the Broncos get their season back on track. Corey Oates (Origin), Richie Kennar (injury) and Jamayne Isaako (personal reasons) are unlikely to be available for Brisbane’s crucial match against Cronulla on Sunday, forcing the club to test the depth of their outside backs stock.

Rising teenage star Xavier Coates has been earmarked as a potential fill-in on the wing while Oates heads into Origin camp, while Manchester United prospect Herbie Farnworth is also in the mix to make his NRL debut.

Xavier Coates is set for an NRL debut.

Coates, 18, has had a stunning rise to success in 2019, earning man-of-the-match honours in the Queensland Under-18s State of Origin win and a call-up into the PNG Kumuls international squad over a week ago.

Farnworth was a talented soccer player in his younger days, even signing with Manchester United on a two-year deal at the age of 10, before switching his focus to rugby league.

Full story by Chris Honnery here

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 16: Predicted team changes