NRL Late Mail: Jack Wighton ruled out with Covid, Luke Keary ruled out after head knock

In a massive blow for the NSW Blues, one of their biggest stars is set to be ruled out of action after going down with Covid. SEE FULL LATE MAIL.

Luke Keary is set to play for the Roosters this weekend after copping a head knock last week. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Jack Wighton has been ruled out of State of Origin II in Perth with Covid in a major blow for the NSW Blues.

The Canberra Raiders star had been feeling unwell and returned a positive result on Friday afternoon, to be ruled out of the Canberra Raiders side for the game against Newcastle.

Blues coach Brad Fittler will be looking for a new centre, most likely Penrith Panthers star Stephen Crichton. He was on the bench for Origin I.

Wighton was the Blues best player in the loss to Queensland in the opening game of the series.

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Jack Wighton is set to be out of action for the Raiders in Round 15 and the Blues for State of Origin Game II. Picture: Getty Images.

Fittler and his selection advisor Greg Alexander will meet on Saturday to discuss a replacement for the bench.

The Blues coach confirmed on Friday night that Wighton would miss and said South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell had not been considered for selection.

“This is what you’re dealing with Covid hanging around and lingering,” Fittler said on Channel 9

Fittler confirmed Latrell Mitchell would not be considered for selection.

“He was knocked around (by Covid),” Fittler said. “He has only had one proper session. Latrell won’t be available.”

They have ruled out flying Wighton to Perth next Saturday when he will be out of isolation.

Canterbury Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton, who can also play centre and at edge forward, is well in contention for a role on the bench. He has been one of the best players in the competition this year in a struggling Bulldogs outfit.

The Blues are expected to make at least two changes to the side that was beaten in the opening game. St George-Illawarra forward Tariq Sims and Parramatta Eels star Ryan Matterson are fighting to retain their positions.

ROOSTERS PUT A LINE THROUGH KEARY

Luke Keary has been scratched from the Sydney Roosters side for Saturday afternoon’s game against Parramatta. Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed Keary had trained during the week but the club had made the decision to give him the weekend off after he was forced from the field for a head injury assessment against Melbourne last weekend.

“He got through training quite well but it just wasn’t quite enough to have him play tomorrow night,” Robinson said.

Luke Keary will not play this weekend. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“He passed a lot of the protocols but the decision was made not to play him.”

The Roosters have a history of taking a cautious approach with head knocks - former captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordnder both retired over concussion concerns. Keary has suffered multiple head knocks himself and there were initial concerns over his future after the latest incident.

“It’s really simple,” Robinson said.

“Let the process take its course and support the player. They want to know that they’re cared for and they’ll be cared for. You’ve just got to have the right system in place and moral compass about the way that you handle it.”

PONGA CLEAR TO PLAY

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed star fullback Kalyn Ponga is set to shake-off a head knock to face the Raiders on Sunday.

Ponga failed to see out last week’s loss to Penrith after being flattened when attempting to make a tackle on Panthers powerhouse Viliame Kikau.

Kalyn Pongais expected to play this weekend. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Ponga showed no symptoms of serious concern after the match, but due to a recent history of head knocks, the Knights took a precautionary approach to his recovery.

O’Brien said his on-field leader was tracking well in readiness for a trip to the Nation’s Capital on Sunday afternoon.

“He’s good,’’ O’Brien said. “He’ll go through the seven day protocols, so he’s not featuring in anything physically (at the moment). He’ll go through those guidelines with the medical staff, but he seems fine and I expect him to play.’’

PLAN FOR DOUEIHI REVEALED

There has been much discussion on where Adam Doueihi plays on his return from an ACL injury.

The plan is for the Lebanese international to be injected at centre off the bench.

ROUND 15 LATE MAIL

SHARKS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour

Sharks

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Royce Hunt, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Braydon Trindall, 16. Teig Wilton, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Dale Finucane

Players cut: 20. Lachie Miller, 21. Jesse Colquhoun, 22. Kade Dykes

Late mail: Dale Finucane is pushing to return from injury should he get through captain’s run on Friday. With the representative round looming, the club may take a cautious approach on his return and give him another week off. If cleared, any of Royce Hunt, Aiden Tolman or Andrew Fifita would drop off the bench with Cronulla nearing a full strength roster.

Braydon Trindall appears to be Craig Fitzgibbon’s preferred bench utility over Connor Tracey.

Titans

1. AJ Brimson, 2. Greg Marzhew, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Paul Turner, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Sam McIntyre, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Sam Lisone

Reserves: 18. Sosefo Fifita, 20. Aaron Booth

Players cut: 19. Herman Ese’ese, 21. Kevin Proctor, 22. Esan Marsters

Late mail: No major changes expected at the struggling Titans. Kevin Proctor is a chance to come into the side on return from injury having been named on the extended bench.

WARRIORS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors

1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Shaun Johnson, 10. Jazz Tevaga, 9. Wayde Egan, 23. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 8. Bunty Afoa, 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Bayley Sironen

Reserves: 20. Eliesa Katoa, 21. Rocco Berry

Players cut: 15. Aaron Pene, 18. Freddy Lussick, 22. Daejarn Asi

Late mail: Addin Fonua-Blake is back for the Warriors. He will start at prop, with Bunty Afoa dropping back to the bench.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Taylan May, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 19. Matt Eisenhuth, 21. Soni Luke

Players cut: 18. Robert Jennings, 20. Chris Smith, 22. Thomas Jenkins

Late mail: No changes to the Panthers who are enjoying a clean bill of health across the squad.

Isaah Yeo is back for the Panthers after being rested last weekend. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

EELS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 21. Ky Rodwell

Reserves: 17. Nathan Brown, 19. Jake Arthur

Players cut: 18. Tom Opacic, 20. Bryce Cartwright, , 23. Sean Russell

Late mail: Nathan Brown, who has been given permisssion to negotiate with other clubs, has been shifted to the reserves. Ky Rodwell takes Brown’s place on the bench.

Roosters

James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Sam Walker, 15. Drew Hutchinson, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Nat Butcher

Bench: 14. Connor Watson, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Fletcher Baker, 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Reserves: 20. Paul Momirovski, 21. Terrell May

Players cut: 7. Luke Keary, 18. Lachlan Lam, 22. Adam Keighran

Late mail: Luke Keary has been rested after copping a head knock last week. Drew Hutchison will partner Sam Walker in the halves. Daniel Suluka-Fifita has been added to the bench.

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Xavier Savage, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. TBC, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. Corey Horsburgh

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider, 19. James Schiller, 20. Trey Mooney, 21. Semi Valemei, 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Players cut: 6. Jack Wighton

Late mail: Jack Wighton is out after testing positive to Covid.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Simi Sasagi, 15. Leo Thompson, 16. Mat Croker, 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. Phoenix Crossland, 19. Tex Hoy, 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 21. Adam Clune, 22. Hymel Hunt

Players cut:

Late mail: Barring any late concussion symptoms, Kalyn Ponga is expected to be cleared to face Canberra after his head knock last round. If unavailable, Tex Hoy would be a straight swap at fullback. No other changes are expected at the Knights.

Adam Doueihi will make his return for the Tigers against the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Corey Allan, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Tevita Pangai Jr

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Matt Dufty, 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 21. Jayden Tanner, 22. Isaac Lumelume, 23. Jackson Topine

Players cut:

Late mail: No major changes expected at the Bulldogs following the upset win over rivals Parramatta. Jacob Kiraz has again been named on the wing, but will spend his time at centre, with Corey Allan on the flank. Kurtis Morrin is set to make his NRL debut off the bench. Kurtis is the nephew of former Bulldog Brad Morrin.

Tigers

1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Asu Kepaoa, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Fa’amanu Brown, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Adam Doueihi, 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Jake Simpkin, 19. Fonua Pole, 20. Austin Dias, 21. Junior Tupou, 22. Tyrone Peachey

Players cut:

Late mail: With Jackson Hastings dealing with an ongoing foot issue, Luke Brooks is expected to continue on with the goalkicking duties.

Adam Doueihi makes his long-awaited return from an ACL injury. While there’s numerous options for how he’s injected, it’s expected he comes on in the centres off the bench.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail: Jack Wighton ruled out with Covid, Luke Keary ruled out after head knock