NRL Early Mail: Big guns back; shock switches for Broncos, Storm
Penrith, South Sydney and the Roosters welcome back three of the NRL’s brightest stars while Brisbane and Melbourne are set for overhauls. Keep up to date with all the team news!
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Keep up to date with all the tips and news ahead of the Round 5 NRL team announcements.
In big news so far:
* Benji Marshall will be dropped by Tigers coach Michael Maguire with Josh Reynolds to take his place in the halves.
* Craig Bellamy is weighing up whether to shift Cameron Smith to halfback following an injury to Jahrome Hughes
* Winger Corey Oates is set to be shifted to second-row in one of seven changes as Anthony Seibold overhauls his Broncos side
* James Tedesco (virus) returns for the Roosters after he was a game-day withdrawal
* Penrith will welcome back star halfback Nathan Cleary from suspension
* Star five-eighth Cody Walker returns for South Sydney
* Tex Hoy is in the frame for Newcastle’s five-eighth role, along with fellow young gun Phoenix Crossland, as Kurt Mann battles an ankle injury
* The Cowboys, who are already sweating on the fitness of Jason Taumalolo, who was sidelined with bone bruising to his knee, will be without utility John Asiata for 4-6 weeks
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SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS
7.50pm Thursday at Central Coast Stadium
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles escaped Saturday’s loss to Parramatta without too much damage - although prop Addin Fonua-Blake (shoulder) finished the match in some pain after taking a knock. He isn’t expected to be in any doubt, saying the ‘burner’ was to his good shoulder - and not the one he had off-season surgery on. Curtis Sironen (knee) failed to finish the game with Jack Gosiewski his likely replacement if not able to recover in time for the Broncos.
Broncos: Anthony Seibold is expected to make up to seven changes, starting with moving Corey Oates to the back-row. Other changes include Xavier Coates taking Oates’ place on the right wing, Herbie Farnworth moving to left wing and Kotoni Staggs returning from suspension to replace centre Jesse Arthars. Forwards Matt Lodge and Joe Ofahengaue are to be promoted to the starting side with Jamil Hopoate, Ethan Bullemor and Tom Flegler all facing the bench, one is to be dropped as will Rhys Kennedy.
Read the full story on all the Broncos changes from Rikki-Lee Arnold and Robert Craddock.
WARRIORS v COWBOYS
6pm Friday at Central Coast Stadium
Warriors: The Warriors pack could welcome back Lachlan Burr (concussion) and bench prop Agnatius Paasi, after he missed their round 4 loss to Penrith through suspension. Paasi had also suffered a concussion in Round 3, but is expected to be fit for selection. Peta Hiku (ribs) is expected to return replacing Hayze Perham at left centre.
Cowboys: Coach Paul Green already sweating on the fitness of Jason Taumalolo, who missed last week’s match with bone bruising on his knee, has lost another hit to his pack, with versatile forward John Asiata facing 4-6 weeks on the sideline. Asiata injured his knee in Saturday’s loss to the Sharks and will have surgery on Wednesday. There was some good news though with tility Reece Robson revealing that Tongan international Taumalolo trained with the squad on Monday morning. “Jase did a bit of training on the side,” Robson said. “It was more of a recovery run through today. He did what he had to get through and I think he looked pretty well.” Coen Hess (ankle) was a late withdrawal last week while Mitchell Dunn (concussion) is also a concern having failed to complete the first half of Saturday night’s loss to Cronulla. Tuesday’s session will determine the fitness of Taumalolo, Hess and Dunn.
EELS v PANTHERS
7.55pm Friday at Bankwest Stadium
Eels: Paramatta had Mitchell Moses (cork), Ryan Matterson (ankle) and Maika Sivo all pick up minor injuries in first half of the game on the weekend and all were checked at halftime but they all played the game out and will be right to play this weekend. Nathan Brown returns from suspension which will see Marata Niukore dropping back to the bench with late inclusion on the weekend Oregon Kaufusi set to drop out of the 17. Brad Takarangai should be raring to go after failing to see any minutes last week.
Panthers: Coach Ivan Cleary faces a selection headache as halfback Nathan Cleary returns from suspension. Cleary will slot straight back into his No.7 jersey but whether Matt Burton or Jarome Luai, who started the season at five-eighth, will partner him is the big question. Wacko is tipping Burton to win the nod. Fullback Dylan Edwards and forward Liam Martin are also expected to return from injury at the respective cost of Caleb Aekins and Billy Burns.
RABBITOHS v TITANS
3pm Saturday at Bankwest Stadium
Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett gets a welcome boost with Cody Walker back from suspension and centre James Roberts also expected to slot straight back into the starting side after regaining his fitness following a short stint in rehabilitation during the COVID-19 break. Walker will replace Troy Dargan at five-eighth while Roberts’ return will see a reshuffle with Campbell Graham moving back to wing with Alex Johnston dropping back to the bench and either Tom Amone or Keaon Koloamatangi dropping out of the 17. Jaydn S’uA picked up a knock is the game and could be in some doubt.
Titans: The Titans are coming off their first win in 365 days after beating the Tigers on Sunday night with match winning try scorer Phillip Sami recovering from a rib injury to score the game sealing try. After coach Justin Holdbrook switched things up leading into game I don’t foresee any changes. Tyronne Roberts continues to be close to returning from ankle injury and has been a late withdrawal from the last two matches.
KNIGHTS v STORM
5.30pm Saturday at Central Coast Stadium
Knights: Five-eighth Kurt Mann (ankle) is in doubt, opening the door for young gun Tex Hoy to nab a starting spot. Fellow teenager Phoenix Crossland is also back training after recovering from a groin injury, while Mason Lino would be the more experienced option. “We’ve got Tex, young Mason and Phoenix,” coach Adam O’Brien said after the Knights game on Sunday afternoon. “Phoenix is back training now and has been really impressive. His contact work is very good.” Should Hoy win the start, young hooker Chris Randall will come onto the bench. Kalyn Ponga failed to finish the match due to an HIA but is expected to play on Saturday.
Storm: Cameron Smith could start at halfback for the first time in six years with Storm coach Craig Bellamy declaring his veteran hooker is in line to replace the injured Jahrome Hughes. Bellamy is facing a crucial decision with Hughes ruled out for up to three weeks with a broken hand. While Ryley Jacks is the likely replacement, Bellamy has revealed that veteran hooker Smith was in the mix, with Brandon Smith to start at hooker in that scenario. Cooper Johns is another option the Storm could deploy in the halves. Melbourne will also have giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona back from a week’s suspension while centre Brenko Lee is set to retain his place ahead of Marion Seve and Paul Momorovski after making his Storm debut. Tui Kamikamica may come into selection contention if he can recover from hamstring injury.
TIGERS v RAIDERS
7.35pm Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium
Tigers: The Wests Tigers main concern is around the fitness of Luke Garner after he copped an elbow to the throat from Ash Taylor on Sunday. If Garner is ruled out we could see either Chris Lawrence or Michael Chee-Kam come onto right edge after Garner and Luicano Leilua switched edges when the competition resumed after COVID-19 enforced break. Benji Marshall will be dropped by Tigers coach Michael Maguire, with Josh Reynolds to start at five-eighth.
Raiders: The Raiders have a few injuries concerns with Josh Hodgson (arm) and Joseph Tapine (knock) picking up minor injuries to go along with Jack Wighton who failed his game day HIA. All will be monitored during week but no major changes are expected provided all players are fit to play.
BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS
4.05pm Sunday at Bankwest Stadium
Bulldogs: Reimis Smith is waiting to see if he will be charged after being put on report during game. Jesse Sue passed a gameday HIA but will be monitored during week. Following the club’s first win of the season look for Dean Pay continue with Will Hopoate at fullback and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing.
Roosters: Star fullback James Tedesco was a game-day withdrawal from last Thursday’s clash with Brisbane but is set to return. “With Teddy, I think it was just a stomach bug,” Roosters captain Boyd Cordner said. “He’s fine. He will be in over the next couple of days.”
Tedesco’s return will push Brett Morris back to the wing and Ryan Hall out of the 17. Victor Radley suffered an elbow injury in Thursday’s game but thanks to the nine day turnaround he should be fit to play. Isaac Liu failed his game day HIA and will be monitored and required to pass HIA protocols to play. Mitch Aubbuson will return after missing the last two games due to personal reasons with either Nat Butcher or Isaac Liu to make way. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves only played one stint in game on Thursday with no official reports as to if was due to injury or just management with the way the game blew out.
DRAGONS v SHARKS
6.30pm Sunday at Campbelltown Stadium
Dragons: They will be without Brayden Williame (calf) with Euan Aitken expected to come in at right centre. Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host and Tristian Sailor are options to come on to the bench but following their fourth-straight loss don’t be surprised to see further changes.
Sharks: The Sharks had Josh Dugan, Sione Katoa and Blayke Brailey all receive on field treatment due to copping knocks on the weekend but the trio are expected to recover and be named to play. Chad Townsend (hamstring) and Andrew Fifita (calf) are only rated outside chances to be named.