NRL Early Mail Round 8: Corey Oates tipped to return, Jordan Riki in doubt
The Broncos will get one star back while another is under an injury cloud for the Darwin clash against the Eels while North Queensland has been hit with a massive injury blow.
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Broncos winger Corey Oates is set to return from a broken jaw for Friday night’s torrid road trip to face the Eels in Darwin.
But key back-rower Jordan Riki could be racing the clock to take on Parramatta as he battles a minor leg injury.
Riki has been carrying a leg ailment in recent weeks and came off in the latter stages of Brisbane’s defeat of the Titans last Saturday.
Riki started off with light running drills at training before later joining the top squad at the Broncos’ opposed session.
Oates, meanwhile, is close to a return from the broken jaw he suffered in round 2 against the Cowboys.
The Queensland winger is desperate to retain his Origin jumper and the sight of him stationed on Brisbane’s left flank is a sign he is set to get the green light from medicos for the Eels showdown.
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds sat out training, but vice-captain Kurt Capewell says the champion halfback is only suffering general soreness and will be fit to face the Eels.
“He just needs a bit of WD-40,” Capewell joked. “He’s a bit sore from the weekend but he will be OK to play.”
COWBOYS COP LOLO BLOW
North Queensland’s horror start to the year has continued with confirmation representative forward Jason Taumalolo will undergo knee surgery this week.
It comes as Cowboys prop Jordan McLean will, on Tuesday, step up his bid to make his NRL return from a hamstring injury.
Taumalolo has been carrying the injury through the early part of the season, with surgery set to sideline him for up to six weeks.
“Jason Taumalolo will have surgery on a knee cartilage injury on Thursday,” the club said in a statement.
“After consultation with club medical staff it was decided the injury had reached the point where surgery was required.”
The 29-year-old played 55 minutes in last weekend’s 22-14 loss to New Zealand as the Cowboys limped to a 2-4 record after reaching last year’s preliminary final.
While resigned to being without the Tongan international for a crucial part of their season, North Queensland officials are hopeful McLean will provide some respite to their threadbare forward stocks.
McLean will take part in a crucial training sesison on Tuesday ahead of Cowboys coach Todd Payten naming his team to face Newcastle at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday evening.
The 31-year-old has missed the Cowboys’ past two games with a hamstring issue and his return will help offset the loss of Taumalolo, who will miss a minimum of four games.
That will rule him out of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle, which is set to be former Cowboy Kalyn Ponga’s NRL return following concussion issues, as well as fixtures against Cronulla and the Roosters (both away) and St George Illawarra (home).
He could also miss games against Wests Tigers (away) and Parramatta (away). The Cowboys’ forward stocks are being stretched with Heilum Luki (hamstring), Griffin Neame (throat), Luciano Leilua (no-fault stand down) and James Tamou (foot) all sidelined.
Their injury crisis is so bad that Jake Granville was forced to play in the front row just two years after he was running around at fullback.
It’s going to be hard for the Cowboys to turn things around, with North Queensland now in 16th spot and only ahead of the Wests Tigers after falling one game short of last year’s grand final.
Jason Taumalolo will miss the next 4-6 weeks, requiring surgery on a knee cartilage injury. Suffered the injury earlier in the season & played through it, but has now reached the point where surgery is required. Usually involves keyhole removal of damaged portion of meniscus pic.twitter.com/mB2HpIOkaY
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 17, 2023
PANTHERS PUZZLED BY MYSTERY MARTIN INJURY
—Fatima Kdouh
Penrith medical staff are investigating Liam Martin’s ‘mystery’ hamstring troubles with the backrower in doubt for Thursday night’s clash against South Sydney.
Martin is set for another stint on the sidelines after coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the club is trying to determine the exact cause of the hamstring complaint that has limited the NSW Origin forward to just three games this season.
Martin was sent for scans on Monday to determine the severity of the injury after he only managed 34 minutes against the Knights, in what was his first game in a month.
Speaking on Monday morning, Cleary said Martin could be suffering a secondary injury that is causing the hamstring issues.
The Panthers coach was reluctant to call it a mystery injury but conceded medical staff were still searching for answers.
“Sometimes when it’s like that it might be a neural thing or something from his back,” Cleary said.
“We are looking into that at the moment. The fact he can play...I used the word mystery which is probably unfair because there are people who know more than me. We’ll work it out.
“I feel sorry for Marto, it’s probably better if you know exactly what you have got.”
Martin was a late withdrawal from round four’s clash against Parramatta after first tweaking his hamstring.
At the time, medical staff were hopeful he would return the following week but was instead delayed until round seven. The NSW Origin forward has only played three games so far this season.
Fellow backrower Scott Sorenson is set to overcome a minor calf complaint to take the field.
Sorensen is the frontrunner to replace Martin on Thursday night, joining Zac Hosking in the second row.
Backrower Luke Garner will also be available for selection after the forward returned from a rib injury through NSW Cup on the weekend.
THE YOUNG GUNS IN LINE TO REPLACE KIRAZ
—Martin Gabor
Canterbury’s injury crisis has worsened with Jacob Kiraz facing several weeks on the sidelines after he injured his knee in Sunday’s 30-4 loss to the Eels.
The Bulldogs’ backline stocks are being tested after fellow winger Josh Addo-Carr was ruled out for up to two months with ankle and knee injuries after getting his foot caught in the Accor Stadium turf a week ago.
The club says Kiraz has injured the MCL in his right knee after he was caught awkwardly in a three man tackle. He is expected to miss three weeks.
The Bulldogs just can’t take a trick at the moment and will have to turn to either Braidon Burns, Declan Casey or former sevens star Jeral Skelton who could make his NRL debut after some strong performances in NSW Cup.
They were already so short that Jayden Okunbor – who has been playing in the middle this year – started on the left wing and then shifted to the right edge where he played alongside Jake Averillo who was hampered by a right knee complaint.
Jacob Kiraz - Right knee grade 2 MCL
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 16, 2023
Player tackled low Force valgus stress to right knee. Immediate pain. Left the field. Felt a pop and pain at the medial knee. On examination no swelling tender proximal MCL. Knee brace. Likely three weeks return to play.
Jacob Kiraz off with a right knee injury, contact mechanism causing knee to collapse in. Puts MCL most at risk of damage, ACL can be stressed if enough force. Thankfully initial assessment from the Eels suggest isolated MCL sprain - if partial tear most = 3-6 weeks recovery pic.twitter.com/QRNiE52H82
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 16, 2023
RABBITOHS, BLUES ROCKED BY INJURY NEWS
—Dean Ritchie
South Sydney has been rocked by a long-term injury to key forward and NSW candidate, Keaon Koloamatangi.
Koloamatangi sustained syndesmosis during a tackle in last Thursday night’s match against the Dolphins in Brisbane.
He is expected to be missing for six to eight games but that could extend to 10 matches if surgery is required.
It will end Koloamatangi’s bid to play for NSW in State of Origin I on May 31.
Despite suggestions the tackle which injured Koloamatangi was a hip drop, Dolphins forward Ray Stone avoided any change from NRL match review committee.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou has several options in his bid to replace Koloamatangi.
Backrowers Jai Arrow or Jed Cartwright could move from the bench to the starting pack for Koloamatangi with Michael Chee Kam a candidate to enter the final 17.
NEW-LOOK TIGERS HALVES REVEALED
—Michael Carayannis
Brandon Wakeham is expected to be given a starting reprieve as the Wests Tigers plan for the rest of the season without star five-eighth Adam Doueihi.
The Tigers have limited options to replace Doueihi (ACL), with Wakeham and Luke Brooks the only fit halves available in their top 30 squad.
Veteran Will Smith is part of the club’s NSW Cup side but would need to be upgraded to a top 30 spot to play. The Tigers have one spot left in their roster should they want to fast-track a player into the top grade.
The other option is Daine Laurie. The fullback has been out of the top grade and looks set to play second fiddle to Charlie Staines at least in the short-term.
He spent some time during the pre-season training in the halves but struggled during a short stint there in a recent NSW Cup match.
Keaon Koloamatangi is expected to miss at least 6 weeks after suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 7 (via @BulldogRitchie). Surgical repair in these cases usually results in 6-8 weeks recovery in NRL players, so likely to be a moderate to high grade sprain for Keaon pic.twitter.com/CEcItq1gNy
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 16, 2023
RABBITOHS V PANTHERS
Thursday, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi suffered a syndesmosis injury in the win over the Dolphins and is out for six to eight weeks.
Izaac Thompson is a chance to return from an ankle injury and would replace Taane Milne on the wing.
Panthers: Liam Martin aggravated a hamstring injury on return to the NRL.
Luke Garner or Scott Sorenson will replace him on the edge.
EELS v BRONCOS
Friday, 8pm, TIO Stadium, Darwin
Eels: Josh Hodgson is expected to return from illness at hooker, pushing Brendan Hands back to the bench.
Bailey Simonsson is set to return from a back injury this week or next and may replace Haze Dunster on the wing.
J’maine Hopgood started at lock against the Bulldogs, with Ryan Matterson going to the edge and Bryce Cartwright the bench.
Broncos: Jordan Riki failed to finish the game last week with a tight groin. He trained this week with light running drills before later joining the top squad at the Broncos’ opposed session. Corey Oates,is set to return from a broken jaw and Tom Flegler returns from a concussion.
BULLDOGS v SHARKS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz suffered a knee injury against the Eels that’s set to sideline him for three matches.
Braidon Burns is a chance to return from a foot injury and would replace Kiraz on the wing, while rookie Jeral Skelton is another option.
Jake Averillo is also in doubt with a knee injury, adding futher woes to the Bulldogs injury crisis.
If unavailable, Burns would likely play centre, with Skelton on the wing.
Sharks: No major changes expected at the Sharks, with Oregon Kaufusi starting at prop against the Roosters and Royce Hunt coming off the bench.
Braidon Burns: missed game with foot pain. Been lingering for weeks. It worsened this week. Oedema of anterior calcaneus. As it’s a load issue, he has been off running last 3 days.Â
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 16, 2023
He reported pain free today. But still painful on hop so not ready to run. Day by day assessment.
COWBOYS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 7:35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo is out for four to six weeks with a knee injury. Jordan McLean is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Reuben Cotter is likely to start at prop with Jake Granville shifting to the bench.
Jack Gosiewski started on the edge in the loss to the Cowboys, with Coen Hess at prop.
Knights: The big watch will be on Kalyn Ponga who is a strong chance to return from a lengthy concussion break at five-eighth.
This would likely see Tyson Gamble shift to a bench utility role, with Kurt Mann a chance to start at lock.
Jacob Saifiti is due back from suspension, while Brodie Jones suffered a quad injury against the Panthers and is likely to be unavailable.
DOLPHINS v TITANS
Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Kenny Bromwich has copped a one game ban for dangerous contact.
This will be somewhat offset by the return of Felise Kaufusi from suspension.
Tesi Niu is a chance to return from an ankle injury and would replace Robert Jennings on the wing if cleared.
Jarrod Wallace returns from a concussion.
Titans: AJ Brimson is a chance to return from a hamstring injury at fullback in place of Jayden Campbell, who would move to the bench.
Toby Sexton is unavailable for a month with a wrist injury.
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TIGERS v SEA EAGLES
Sunday, 4:05pm, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: Adam Doueihi is out long-term with an ACL injury, with Brandon Wakeham likely to get first crack at replacing him at five-eighth.
Brent Naden will miss two to four weeks with an AC joint injury, with Tommy Talau a chance to return from injury at centre.
Sea Eagles: Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega has copped a two game ban for a shoulder charge.
He’d drop out regardless, with Reuben Garrick due back from a concussion on the wing.
Kelma Tuilagi will miss the Tigers clash due to a concussion, with Ethan Bullemor a chance to replace him on the edge.
Mystery surrounds Josh Schuster’s injury, he remains a chance to return in the halves after being named on the extended bench last round.
If cleared, he’d replace Cooper Johns at five-eighth.
ROOSTERS v DRAGONS
Tuesday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Nat Butcher has copped a one-match ban for dangerous contact.
Angus Crichton and Sitili Tupouniua have both returned through NSW Cup and could be thrust back into the top grade to replace him.
Fletcher Baker is due back from a concussion lay off.
Dragons: Jack de Belin was placed on report but avoided charge. No changes expected.
Good lesson in the unpredictability of concussion with Nick Meaney. Taken off for a HIA with Category 2 signs, passes testing & returns. Then developed delayed concussion symptoms in days following game. pic.twitter.com/4fk94Jn5xy
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 13, 2023
STORM v WARRIORS
Tuesday, 7pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Nick Meaney is set to return from a concussion break at fullback, pushing Cameron Munster to the halves and Jonah Pezet out of the 17.
Tui Kamikamica is facing two to three weeks out due to a dangerous contact charge.
Tom Eisenhuth is in doubt with a hip/groin injury.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is due back from a knee injury within the next few weeks.
Warriors: Marata Niukore returns from suspension on the edge, with Josh Curran likely reverting to the bench.
Wayde Egan may return from a concussion break at hooker, but having had multiple knocks this season the club may take a cautious approach and give Freddy Lussick another week at nine.
Mitch Barnett is due back from a neck injury either this week or next.
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