NRL 2022: Campbell Graham compared with Sam Burgess after playing with fractured cheekbone
Souths coach Jason Demetriou has compared Campbell Graham with club legend Sam Burgess after the centre showed great courage to play on with a serious injury.
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South Sydney centre Campbell Graham has drawn comparisons with Rabbitohs legend Sam Burgess after playing more than 40 minutes last Saturday night with a hairline fracture to his cheekbone.
Graham was forced from the field for a head injury assessment in the opening half of his side’s win over Parramatta but returned to the fold and finished the match, only to later be sent for scans that revealed he had fractured his cheekbone.
The Rabbitohs star is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, his absence coming at a crucial juncture in the Rabbitohs season.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou lavished praise on Graham for his courage, comparing it to Burgess’ deed in playing the grand final eight years ago with a fractured cheekbone.
“It’s enormous,” Demetriou said.
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“There is an expectation for players to do that sort of thing but the reality is not everyone can do it. Campbell is that type of player who can push through the pain barrier and keep turning up for his mates.
“There were some heroics from Sam Burgess in a grand final and what he did. It was a huge effort by Campbell.
“It’s an inspiration for the blokes who come in to know what he did. Often in big games you hear about heroics, but you don’t get there without heroics along the way.”
Graham’s absence adds to a lengthening injury toll for the Rabbitohs, who could have up to 11 of their top 30 players sidelined heading into Friday nights game against Newcastle.
Graham aside, the Rabbitohs will head into that game without their three State of Origin representatives – Damien Cook, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray – as well as a handful of injured players.
News Corp understands that winger Alex Johnston and middle forward Mark Nicholls could yet be forced out of the game as well, the former with a quad strain and the latter as he deals with the fallout from a weekend concussion.
New recruit Daniel Suluka-Fifita has been named on an extended bench and could yet come into the side against a Newcastle outfit that welcomes back two of their best players from long-term injury — centre Bradman Best and captain Jayden Brailey.
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BRONCOS UNVEIL 25-YEAR-OLD DEBUTANT
- Peter Badel
Broncos rookie Zac Hosking is set to make his NRL debut and Tesi Niu will return from a hamstring injury for Sunday’s home clash against the Dragons.
The Broncos have been rocked by an injury crisis with up to 10 players, including star prop Payne Haas, to miss the crucial showdown with the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.
That has opened the door for Hosking, the son of former Manly prop David ‘The Mule’ Hosking.
The Broncos will roll out the ‘Baby Mule’ in Hosking, a 25-year-old former carpenter who has impressed in the back row in the Queensland Cup this season.
Brisbane’s 40-26 defeat to the Cowboys in the Queensland derby has had painful ramifications with Haas (shoulder), Te Maire Martin (ribs) and Corey Jensen (calf) ruled out of the round 17 clash against the Red V.
Compounding the injury saga, rampaging forward TC Robati suffered a broken arm playing in the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, while boom back-rower Brendan Piakura sustained a head knock for Brisbane affiliate Norths Devils.
Meanwhile, star trio Pat Carrigan, Kurt Capewell and Selwyn Cobbo will be unavailable for selection due to their Maroons commitments for Origin III, as is teammate Tom Flegler, who has been named Queensland’s 18th man for the Suncorp Stadium.
It leaves Broncos coach Kevin Walters with some selection migraines as he prepares to field a virtual second-string Brisbane outfit for a vital showdown with the Dragons that could shape both sides’ finals fortunes.
SHARKS GET SURPRISE ORIGIN BOOST
Nicho Hynes will be available to face his former club the Melbourne Storm after being named in the NSW Origin extended squad.
The Sharks playmaker and Blues 18th man in games one and two, Hynes will travel into camp as part of the NSW extended squad on Monday.
He will then be allowed to return to train with the Sharks on Tuesday where he will prepare to play on Thursday night against the Storm at PointsBet Stadium.
Hynes will then fly back into Blues camp on Friday as utility and halves cover for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Hynes’ teammate Siosifa Talakai will be unavailable for the Sharks after being again named on the NSW bench.
BRAILEY BACK AFTER LONG LAY-OFF
— Michael Carayannis
Jayden Brailey is expected to play his first game of the season for the Knights on Friday night.
Brailey has not played since rupturing his Achilles in the pre-season. However the Knights co-captain is likely to be named on Newcastle’s bench to play the Rabbitohs.
Newcastle is also expecting Bradman Best to line-up in the centres.
SHARKS v STORM
Thursday, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla
Sharks: As it stands, Nicho Hynes will be available for Cronulla having been named as the Blues 19th man for the Origin decider.
Siosifa Talakai is unavailable having been named on the NSW bench, with Connor Tracey likely to replace him at centre.
Forward Jack Williams is a chance to return from a shoulder injury via NSW Cup.
Storm: Harry Grant will miss out due to State of Origin commitments, with Brandon Smith to start at hooker and Josh King at lock.
Cameron Munster will again be out of action, meaning Jayden Nikorima will partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves.
Felise Kaufusi will be missing again for both Melbourne and Queensland due to family reasons.
KFC SuperCoach wise, all eyes will be on whether cheapie Grant Anderson retains his spot on the wing ahead of Dean Ieremia.
Ryan Papenhuzyzen is likely to regain the goal-kicking duties fulltime having taken over from Nick Meaney late in the loss to Manly.
KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS
Friday, 7.55pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Kalyn Ponga will again be unavailable, this time missing through Origin commitments and not concussion.
This will see Tex Hoy retain his place at fullback, with either he or Anthony Milford to kick goals.
Bradman Best is expected to return at centre, with Enari Tuala likely to make way.
Jayden Brailey is closing in on a return from an Achilles injury and is set to be named on the bench.
Rabbitohs: Big changes at South Sydney with a host of stars on Origin duty, along with some serious injury blows.
Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Jai Arrow are all unavailable due to Origin commitments.
Cook is likely to be replaced by Siliva Havili in the starting side, while Kodi Nikorima is also an option.
Peter Mamouzelos suffered a wrist injury that will see him miss a stretch of footy
Hame Sele suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Eels and is facing a month on the sideline, while Mark Nicholls failed his HIA on Saturday night and must pass concussion protocols to take his place in the game. Tom Burgess will join the starting team.
Of most concern, however, is the loss of gun centre Campbell Graham - who could miss up to two months through injury. He will be replaced by Taane Milne.
With Liam Knight ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, Jason Demetriou could call on mid-season signing from the Roosters Daniel Suluka-Fifita or Michael Chee-Kam, while SuperCoach cheapie Trent Peoples may be given a timely reprieve for owners pending the availability of Sele and Nicholls.
TIGERS v EELS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: Captain James Tamou is a chance to return from a lingering calf injury, he’d likely start at prop with Alex Seyfarth reverting to the bench.
Interim coach Brett Kimmorley will be very tempted to start Adam Doueihi, but how and where he’s injected remains to be seen.
It may well be at the expense of Luke Brooks who was spared the axe last round.
Doueihi kicked goals when on-field in the loss to the Warriors.
Eels: Junior Paulo will be unavailable due to NSW Origin duties, which may be somewhat offset by the likely return of Ryan Matterson from a rib injury, however he will need clearance to return.
BRONCOS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Pat Carrigan, Kurt Capewell and Selwyn Cobbo are all unavailable due to Queensland Origin duty, while Payne Haas is out due to injury.
Jordan Pereira will likely be the man to replace Cobbo on the wing.
Thomas Flegler, Kobe Hetherington and Keenan Palasia are likely to start the game, while the bench remains somewhat of a mystery. With TC Robati (broken arm) and Brendan Piakura (concussion) both unavailable, Zac Hosking is in line to make his NRL debut off the bench alongside Rhys Kennedy.
Te Maire Martin suffered a rib injury in the loss to North Queensland, and will miss the clash.
Tesi Niu is due back from a hamstring injury and would likely be a straight replacement.
Tyson Gamble is available for selection following injury, but the form of Ezra Mam will likely see him retain his place in the halves.
Dragons: Ben Hunt will be unavailable having been selected at hooker for the Maroons.
This will likely see Jayden Sullivan called in to partner Talatau Amone in the halves. Mat Feagai is in major doubt with a quad strain. Tautau Moga is likely to replace him.
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