NRL Early Mail Round 9: Izack Tago injury hits Panthers, Karl Oloapu eyes debut for Bulldogs
Tuesday’s Anzac Day games have exacted a heavy toll while Penrith will be without a backline star for an extended period. See full early mail here.
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Anzac Day turned into a battleground with the injury toll hitting double figures in a brutal evening of rugby league.
The Warriors were the worst hit with forward leader Tohu Harris aggravating an MCL injury that recently kept him out for a fortnight, while there are fears utility Jazz Tevaga sustained a serious Achilles injury.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad failed a HIA, his second concussion of the season, and the Warriors were forced to finish with no players on the bench when Bailey Sironen copped a head knock late without enough time to return.
At the Storm, Eliesa Katoa failed a HIA, while Alec MacDonald (elbow) and Tom Eisenhuth (hip flexor) were ruled out pre-game.
The Roosters are set to be without Daniel Tupou for multiple weeks due to a hamstring injury, while Brandon Smith picked up an ankle injury late but struggled through to finish the game.
For the Dragons, Tautau Moga was forced off after 66 minutes after injuring his shoulder in the act of scoring a try.
TAGO OUT FOR PANTHERS
Penrith have been dealt a major blow with centre Izack Tago sidelined for about six weeks with a pectoral injury. Tago will miss the clash against the Tigers after injuring himself in the dying stages of last Thursday’s game while attempting to make a tackle.
Tago has been in good form for the Panthers in 2023 averaging over 150 metres per game and has scored three tries.
OLOAPU SET TO MAKE DEBUT
The door is open for Canterbury’s teenage sensation Karl Oloapu to make his highly- anticipated NRL debut this weekend, at the expense of under-pressure half Kyle Flanagan.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal a major decision looms for coach Cameron Ciraldo on Wednesday morning as he continues to look for ways to spark the Bulldogs’ attack.
Flanagan is on the verge of being dropped to NSW Cup on the back of three straight losses.
Ciraldo attempted to shake up the Bulldogs’ halves last week, shifting Matt Burton to halfback and Flanagan to five-eighth.
Although Canterbury managed three tries in their 33-20 loss to Cronulla, it doesn’t appear enough to keep Flanagan in the NRL side.
That could thrust Oloapu, 18, into an NRL debut against St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Sunday, just months after Canterbury paid Brisbane a stunning $500,000 transfer fee to secure his signature.
Fa’amanu Brown has emerged as another option for Ciraldo to replace Flanagan, after he recovered earlier than expected from an elbow injury that was expected to keep him out for an extra fortnight.
Brown has shown he can play in the halves, dummy half and at lock and his return gives the Bulldogs some options amid an injury crisis.
Ciraldo will make a call on his halves pairing on Wednesday morning, ahead of the 10am deadline for teams to submit their squads for round 9.
Utility Josh Reynolds could move into the starting side but, at 34, there are concerns about his physicality in lasting a full 80 minutes.
Ciraldo has got great service out of Reynolds as an impact player off the bench in shorter stints, which may be diluted in a starting role.
Oloapu has impressed in NSW Cup, where coach David Tangata-Toa has paired him up in the halves alongside fellow rising star Khaled Rajab, guiding the Bulldogs to second on the ladder with six wins.
Tangata-Toa has been rotating his spine players in different positions, anticipating they may be called upon to fill the No.14 role in Ciraldo’s NRL squad.
For Flanagan, who is off contract at the end of this year, he faces a stint in the NSW Cup set-up where he started the 2022 season.
Ciraldo was mindful of putting Flanagan first throughout the entire pre-season, giving him the opportunity to nail down a position in the halves alongside Burton.
However, after eight rounds and a shift to five-eighth last week, it appears Ciraldo is now looking elsewhere for answers.
Flanagan played the first four weeks in NSW Cup last year, before then-coach Trent Barrett recalled him to the NRL squad.
HODGSON RETAINS SPOT, DUNSTER REPRIEVE
—David Riccio
Josh Hodgson is set to retain his spot in the Eels line-up despite increasing pressure from fellow hooker Brendan Hands.
Hodgson, signed by Parramatta to replace Reed Mahoney, managed just 31-minutes in last week’s loss to the Broncos before being replaced by Hands.
With Hands rolling the ruck, the Eels clawed their way back into the match after trailing 22-6 at halftime. Parramatta lost the match 26-16, but the impact of Hands was telling.
However, Eels coach Brad Arthur is set to stick with both dummy-halves for their clash with Newcastle on Friday night.
Winger Haze Dunster will replace Bailey Simonsson in the backline, who will miss Friday night’s match after suffering a concussion against the Broncos.
TRBOJEVIC TO BE NAMED DESPITE GROIN ISSUE
—Brent Read
Tom Trbojevic’s injury is not as bad as first feared with the Sea Eagles superstar a chance to play this weekend.
Scan results on Monday revealed a minor groin strain that won’t sideline Trbojevic for long, if at all.
He’ll be named and face a fitness test on Friday, but the Sea Eagles won’t be taking any risks on game day.
“It’s very, very minor adductor [tear],” coach Anthony Seibold said.
TRIPLE BRONCO BLOW
The Broncos are sweating on the fitness of key back-rower Jordan Riki after losing star trio Corey Oates, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam for Friday night’s blockbuster against South Sydney.
Riki has carried an upper leg injury for several weeks and the Kiwi Test hopeful’s training load was closely monitored by Brisbane trainers at Broncos training on Tuesday.
TIGERS DEBUTANT EARNS TICK OF APPROVAL
—Tom Sangster
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has confirmed young gun Jahream Bula’s spot for next week.
Bula made 21 runs and busted five tackles in an impressive debut.
“He was good, very good,” Sheens said. “Getting out of the in-goal wasn’t easy to do, to beat the people that he did. He got to every kick, and he put one down which he’ll be disappointed with, but he wasn’t the only one. In the conditions, I thought he was very good for his debut.
“He’ll be there next week, don’t worry about that.”
SUPERCOACH PANIC MODE AS QUARTET GO DOWN
—Tom Sangster
On top of doubts over Tom Trbojevic (above), three more SuperCoach-relevant players copped blows over the weekend.
Manly teammate Josh Schuster, owned by more than half of SuperCoaches, visibly struggled with a quad injury during the Sea Eagles’ shaky win over the Tigers.
Meanwhile, boom cheapie Sunia Turuva is in doubt for Penrith’s trip to Bathurst due to an ankle injury.
Turuva was forced from the field after 70 minutes against the Rabbitohs on Friday night, although the injury is not expected to sideline the Fijian international long-term.
In-form prop Payne Haas has pleaded guilty to a “hip drop” tackle on Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard and will miss one week.
Tom Trbojevic failed to finish the game today after suffering what appeared to be a left groin injury. Minor groin strains usually not a major concern, often day to day. But takes on new meaning with the smoke & mirrors around the hip pointer/back spasms from a few weeks ago pic.twitter.com/2FsZ7MxQl3
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 23, 2023
FULL ROUND 10 EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS
SHARKS v COWBOYS
Thursday, 7:50pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: No changes expected to Cronulla’s 17 after the win over the Bulldogs.
Cowboys: No changes expected following the gritty win over the Knights.
Two games back from injury, Reuben Cotter may start in the middle with Jake Granville shifting to the bench.
EELS v KNIGHTS
Friday, 6pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Reagan Campbell-Gillard suffered a groin injury that’s set to sideline him for a while, with Wiremu Greig likely to start at prop.
Bailey Simonsson failed a HIA and must pass concussion protocols to face the Knights.
If unavailable, Haze Dunster would likely come in on the wing.
Josh Hodgson will retain his hooking spot despite pressure from Brendon Hands.
Knights: Adam Elliott is due back from a groin injury and is likely to be eased back off the bench.
Kalyn Ponga is a strong chance to start at five-eighth after being eased back himself from concussion against the Cowboys.
This would see Tyson Gamble shift to a bench role.
BRONCOS v RABBITOHS
Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Corey Oates (PCL) is set to be replaced by Jesse Arthars.Payne Haas and Ezra Mam will both miss a week due to dangerous tackle charges.
Corey Jensen starts at prop for Haas, with Jock Madden joining Adam Reynolds in the halves. Keenan Palasia comes onto the bench. Jordan Riki (leg) is in doubt.
Rabbitohs: Izaac Thompson is due back from an ankle injury and will likely replace Taane Milne on the wing.
Tevita Tatola is set to return from a knee injury, which would push Hame Sele to the bench.
Liam Knight is also pushing to return from injury for the Rabbitohs.
RAIDERS v DOLPHINS
Saturday, 3pm, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga
Raiders: Jordan Rapana is due back from injury on the wing and will replace Nick Cotric who is set to miss out with a hamstring injury.
Dolphins: The Dolphins have several players due back after the stunning come-from-behind win over the Titans.
Tesi Niu is in line to return from a knee injury and would replace Robert Jennings on the wing if cleared.
Kenny Bromwich is due back from suspension and will join the side in the back-row.
Anthony Milford is also due back from a hamstring injury within the next fortnight.
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SEA EAGLES v TITANS
Saturday, 5:30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (groin) will be named but remains in considerable doubt.
Either Reuben Garrick or Kaeo Weekes would deputise at fullback if he’s ruled out.
Christian Tuipulotu is a chance to return from a knee injury, while Tolutau Koula is expected back in the next fortnight from a knee injury.
Brad Parker failed to finish the game with a knee injury, so Manly are likely to see significant movement across their backline.
Titans: No changes expected at the Titans 17.
PANTHERS v TIGERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst
Panthers: Sunia Turuva is in doubt with an ankle injury, with either Tom Jenkins or Jesse McLean likely to replace him on the wing if ruled out.
Nathan Cleary gave the goal-kicking duties to Stephen Crichton in the loss to South Sydney as he manages a groin niggle.
Tigers: No major changes expected at the Tigers, although Brent Naden is pushing to return from injury at centre.
WARRIORS v ROOSTERS
Sunday, 2pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Tohu Harris (knee) and Jazz Tevaga (Achilles) are all but out. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Bayley Sironen (both concussion) are in doubt.
Roosters: Daniel Tupou (hamstring) is out with Corey Allan in line to replace him on the wing. Roosters coach Trent Robinson has refused to guarantee Luke Keary and new five-eighth Joey Manu would be his halves for Sunday’s game against the Warriors in Auckland.
DRAGONS v BULLDOGS
Sunday, 4:05pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons: Tautau Moga (shoulder) is set to be ruled out.
Bulldogs: No major changes expected, although gun rookie Karl Oloapu is closing in on an NRL debut after impressing in NSW Cup.
It’s unclear whether the club would ease the highly regarded teenager in off the bench or straight into a starting role for Kyle Flanagan.
BYE: Storm
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 9: Izack Tago injury hits Panthers, Karl Oloapu eyes debut for Bulldogs
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