NRL Early Mail Magic round: Billy Walters ruled out, Tigers lose Bateman and To’a
The Broncos will field a new-look spine for Magic Round while the Wests Tigers have lost some big names to injury and suspension. SEE THE LATEST NEWS
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The Broncos have suffered another injury blow with Billy Walters set to be ruled out of Friday night’s Magic Round clash against Manly.
Walters hurt his wrist in last week’s win over the Eels and wore a red no-contact bib at training on Tuesday in the strongest sign he will be scratched for the Sea Eagles showdown.
Tyson Smoothy is set for a promotion to the No. 9 jumper after running with the main squad, while young gun Blake Mozer will be elevated to the bench for his second NRL game after his debut last year.
Halfback Jock Madden is running at halfback and will start in the No. 7 jumper, edging out Josh Rogers, who did a fine job replacing Adam Reynolds (bicep) against the Eels.
INJURIES, SUSPENSION HIT WESTS TIGERS
- Fatima Kdouh
The Wests Tigers have suffered a double blow with backrower John Bateman ruled out with injury long term.
Bateman is set to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks after scans confirmed a serious pectoral injury, but the Englishman won’t require surgery.
Centre Starford Toa is also expected to spend time on the sideline after suffering a hamstring injury against Newcastle.
Fellow forward Isaiah Papali’i also won’t be available for this week’s clash against the Dolphins in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
Papali’i accepted a one match ban for tripping Newcastle’s Leo Thompson.
Coach Benji Marshall is likely to turn to Alex Seyfarth in the backrow and has the option to name Fonua Pole at lock.
To’a suffered a hamstring injury against the Knights that is set to keep him out for around 8 weeks.
Marshall has a number of outside back options including Solomon Alaimalo, Solomona Faataape and boom rookie Josh Feledy.
SUNDAY FOOTY LEAVES CARNAGE IN ITS WAKE
They’re dropping like flies.
On Sunday the NRL injury toll rose by another handful heading into Magic Round this week, adding Warriors trio Shaun Johnson, Dylan Walker and Freddy Lussick as well as Titans guns Phillip Sami, Kieran Foran and AJ Brimson to a growing list of casualties across the game.
Johnson was heavily strapped at halftime of Sunday’s 38-18 loss to the Roosters at Allianz Stadium, but bravely tried to soldier through a pec injury he suffered in a first half tackle.
He was then taken off the field in the 67th minute in agony.
“It’s a pec, we don’t know if it will be right next week,” said Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
“He wanted to come back on, I’m proud of him the way he wanted to do that but as a result, where he’s at, we don’t know.
“If it was going to end up in a ruptured pec or something I would not have allowed him to go back on.”
Johnson is the latest high-profile player grounded during round 10, joining Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic and Nicho Hynes on the sidelines.
Wests Tigers duo John Bateman (pec) and Starford To’a (hamstring) underwent scans on Sunday afternoon with the club expected to receive results on Monday morning.
Both are expected to miss the Tigers’ Magic Round clash with the Dolphins on Sunday but the severity of injury could see Bateman miss between two to six weeks depending if it’s a strained or torn pec.
Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble will be sidelined for 10 weeks after having an operation to repair a broken bone in his foot. Gamble limped from the field during Newcastle’s win against the Tigers last Saturday night. It means Jack Cogger will earn a recall.
FULL EARLY MAIL VIA TIM WILLIAMS
RAIDERS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Raiders: Corey Horsburgh and Jordan Rapana are both chances to return from injury.
If Rapana is cleared, he’d likely play fullback in place of Albert Hopoate.
Bulldogs: No major changes expected at the Bulldogs, although Jacob Preston is a strong chance to come into the starting team in the back-row.
SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS
Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic is set to miss seven weeks with a hamstring injury.
This will see Tolutau Koula or Reuben Garrick shift to fullback, with Koula preferred in-game in Round 10.
Jason Saab suffered an AC joint injury and will also spend time on the sidelines.
Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega and Jaxson Paulo are likely to join the backline, while Ben Trbojevic is also an option to shift to centre.
Lachlan Croker returns from a head knock at hooker, pushing Karl Lawton to the bench.
Haumole Olakau’atu returns from suspension in the back-row, pushing either Ben Trbojevic or Corey Waddell to the bench.
Nathan Brown is a chance to return from a quad injury on the bench.
Broncos: Billy Walters is in doubt for Magic Round with a wrist injury.
If unavailable, Tyson Smoothy will start at hooker.
Jock Madden is a chance to return from a pec injury, if cleared he’d replace Josh Rogers at halfback.
TITANS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Titans: Kieran Foran (hamstring), AJ Brimson (groin), Phil Sami (hamstring) and Harley Smith-Shields (pec) all failed to finish the game in the win over the Cowboys.
This leaves the Titans with an injury crisis in the halves with Tom Weaver and Tanah Boyd both unavailable due to injury.
Aaron Schoupp and Ken Maumalo are likely to come into the backline.
Knights: Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble will be sidelined for 10 weeks after having an operation to repair a broken bone in his foot. Gamble limped from the field during Newcastle’s win against the Tigers last Saturday night. It means Jack Cogger will earn a recall.
Daniel Saifiti faces one to two weeks on the sideline for a careless high tackle.
Brother Jacob Saifiti is a chance to return in his place from injury.
SHARKS v ROOSTERS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sharks: Nicho Hynes remains in doubt with a minor calf concern.
If unavailable, Blayke Brailey may again deputise in his place, while Kade Dykes could also come into the halves.
Toby Rudolf is set to miss a month with a knee injury.
Roosters: Brandon Smith is a chance to return from a calf injury at hooker, which would likely push Connor Watson to the bench and Sandon Smith out of the team.
Joey Manu suffered a head knock late in the clash with the Warriors and must pass concussion protocols to take his place against the Sharks.
RABBITOHS v COWBOYS
Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston is a strong chance to return from a hamstring injury on the wing, pushing Gehamat Shibasaki out of the team.
Cowboys: Jordan McLean and Murray Taulagi are both chances to return from hamstring injuries in Round 11.
WARRIORS v PANTHERS
Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Warriors: Shaun Johnson is in major doubt due to a pec injury, if unavailable Te Maire Martin would shift to halfback, with Dylan Walker a chance to shift to five-eighth.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck faces two to six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Panthers: Nathan Cleary is set to miss two months with a hamstring injury.
Regular halfback replacement Brad Schneider was injured in NSW Cup over the weekend and is in doubt, meaning Jack Cole will start in Cleary’s place should Schneider be ruled out.
Izack Tago returns from suspension at centre, pushing Paul Alamoti out of the team.
Scott Sorensen continues his push to return from injury.
STORM v EELS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Storm: Xavier Coates is a chance to return from a hamstring injury on the wing in place of Grant Anderson.
Jahrome Hughes will likely sit out another week as he deals with a calf injury.
Eels: Mitchell Moses is a chance to return from a foot injury in the halves in place of Ethan Sanders.
Bryce Cartwright is a chance to return from a rib issue.
TIGERS v DOLPHINS
Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tigers: Starford To’a is likely to miss some action with a hamstring injury, with Solomona Faataape likely to replace him at centre.
John Bateman is expected to spend some time on the sidelines with a pec injury, while Isaiah Papali’i is facing a one to two week suspension for a dangerous contact charge.
This is likely to see Fonua Pole start at lock and Alex Seyfarth start in the back-row.
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is set to return from a hamstring injury at fullback, with the in-form Trai Fuller likely to drop out of the 17 unless Wayne Bennett can find a spot for him on the bench.
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