NRL Early Mail Round 12: Predicted team changes
It’s another bumper edition of Early Mail with a Sharks supersub leading the race to replace the injured Chad Townsend and a host of key KFC SuperCoach players in serious doubt.
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Cronulla supersub Connor Tracey is the front-runner to replace Chad Townsend in the halves when the Sharks take on the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night.
The halfback suffered a calf strain last weekend against the St George Illawarra Dragons and is set to miss up to six weeks.
Braydon Trindell is expected to come onto the bench in a utility role.
Cronulla skipper Wade Graham confirmed Josh Dugan will be named but he is still a touch and go chance of taking the field on Friday night.
Dugan missed his 200th match against his former side, the Dragons, with a minor hamstring strain.
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Try scoring machine and SuperCoach CTW pod Sione Katoa is expected to play after he passed all HIA protocol.
Centre Jesse Ramien remains unlikely after he failed to finish the Dragons match after picking up a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, the Dragons are set to switch up their spine for Thursday’s clash against the Rabbitohs with Ben Hunt to return to halfback.
Hunt switched to hooker seven weeks ago which coincided with the Red V winning their only four matches this season.
But a concussion to Adam Clune will likely see Hunt revert to the halves, with Cameron McInnes back to hooker.
And only days after losing David Fifita to the Titans, the Broncos face an agonising decision on when to play the boom backrower as a handy injection to their struggling season.
Fifita trained with the starting 17 for the first time since the season resumption at Red Hill on Monday morning before shifting back with the reserves.
He finished the session unscathed after recovering from knee repair surgery.
The 20-year-old is a real chance of playing his first NRL game since March this weekend if the club opt to inject the backrower in a bid to turn their form around.
It comes as Darius Boyd trained at fullback in place of Anthony Milford — who was nursing a suspected hamstring injury.
Payne Haas was also in the Brisbane rehab group on Monday morning in what would be a huge blow for the club ahead of Friday’s game.
In some good news for the club, Jake Turpin is set to return this weekend following a month-long stint on the sidelines with a leg injury.
— Chris Honnery
In other news:
* Both last week’s top KFC SuperCoach cheapies are in doubt — Daejarn Asi (knee) and Jaxson Paulo (return of Latrell Mitchell).
* The Warriors have been forced into a complete overhaul after four players left the country for personal reasons. Parramatta loan players Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings will make club debuts.
* Ryan Matterson is in considerable doubt for the Eels due to concussion. He has history of head knocks, forced to sit out six games 2018.
* The Knights will be forced to call on a fourth-choice hooker following a string of injuries in the cursed No. 9 jumper. Andrew McCullough (hamstring) and Connor Watson (Achilles) went down for the season on Sunday, while original first-choice hooker Jayden Brailey (ACL) only lasted two matches at the start of the season.
Coach Adam O’Brien has the option of sticking with Sunday’s fill-in Kurt Mann or promoting one-game NRL rookie Chris Randall.
* Apisai Koroisau (elbow) is no chance for the Panthers. He will be “given at least a couple of weeks.”
* The Sharks have been ravaged by hamstring injuries with four stars set to miss the weekend clash through the injury. Already without Matt Moylan and Andrew Fifita, Josh Dugan went down at training during the week, while Jesse Ramien limped off in Round 11.
* Broncos prop Matt Lodge has suffered a fresh injury scare to his knee and is in doubt.
* Melbourne Storm loanee Paul Momirovski (finger) has been ruled out for 12 weeks after having surgery
* Cronulla are in the hunt for a new half with Chad Townsend (calf) set for an extended period on the sidelines.
Significant concern for a significant achilles injury for Connor Watson. Non-contact pushing off mechanism, even looks behind to see who “kicked†him (common feeling with achilles rupture). Will be easy test for medical staff in sheds, if confirmed surgery & 5+ months recovery pic.twitter.com/Vw36ttOQ98
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 26, 2020
Andrew McCullough off with nasty looking left hamstring injury. A few unfortunate points, up high on the hamstring & a “stretch†strain. Both require longer recovery typically, & concern for at least partial tear or tearing of tendon off the bone. Likely lengthy recovery ahead pic.twitter.com/HWO8DfkG4J
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 26, 2020
DRAGONS V RABBITOHS
Thurs 30 July, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 7.50pm
Dragons: Both teams come into this game with a five-day turnaround with Dragons coming off a bruising affair against Sharks with a number of players picking up injuries. Trent Merrin and Adam Clune both failed gameday HIAs and will need to pass required protocols. However, both are unlikely to play which will see Ben Hunt move into the halves and Cameron McInnes to hooker.
Zac Lomax (leg), Mikaele Ravalawa (knee), Euan Aitken (ribs) and Matt Dufty (dislocated finger) will all need to be checked before teams are named. Brayden Wiliame is close to returning from a calf injury and could be named on the extended bench.
Rabbitohs: Welcome back Latrell Mitchell from suspension. Who drops out will be determined by if Alex Johnston is fit to play after he failed to finish the game on weekend due to concussion. If fit, either Jaxson Paulo or Corey Allen would make way but they could hold positions if Johnston is ruled out. Hame Sele was replaced at halftime on the weekend and didn’t return and has been ruled out for a couple of weeks due to shoulder injury. Jack Johns passed gameday HIA and will be monitored but should be fit to play.
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TIGERS V WARRIORS
Fri 31 July, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 6pm
Tigers: Expected to be without Michael Chee-Kam after he suffered a nasty concussion which saw him taken to hospital last Thursday night. But in good news he was discharged from hospital and will be monitored in his recovery. Adam Doueihi failed game day HIA and will need to pass required protocols to be named with Moses Mbye to play fullback if Doueihi is ruled out. Josh Reynolds is eligible for selection after serving a two-game suspension.
Harry Grant will play despite a knock to the shoulder early in the Eels game. He was able to play on for the full 80. Russell Packer has been ruled out after taking an early guilty plea for grade one dangerous contact to the head/neck for a tackle on Clint Gutherson. He is suspended for one week with Thomas Mikaele to return after missing Eels game as he manages a knee injury.
Luke Garner should return providing he passes required protocols after missing last week’s game due to concussion. Alex Twal (knee) and Robert Jennings (hamstring) should both be fit for selection. Matt Eisenhuth is in some doubt after suffering a knee injury in the Eels game. Sam McIntyre passed game day HIA and will be monitored but should be fit to play.
Warriors: Will have a number of changes with both wingers David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo plus injured pair King Vunivayawa (broken hand) and Agnatuis Paasi (shoulder) all returning home. But in some good news they have secured Eels pair Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings on a four-week loan with both to come straight into the 17.
Panther Jack Hetherington’s loan is up but could be extended if both clubs can come to an agreement. Patrick Herbert should return from concussion to take up the right wing position with Jennings on left wing with Gerard Beale another option. Hooker Nathaniel Roache is closing on returning from an ACL injury in coming weeks. Wayde Egan could return if he can recover from a hip injury.
Thank you everyone for the well wishes and all the love. Safely home and very grateful it wasn’t anything too serious
— Michael Chee Kam (@chee_kam) July 24, 2020
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BRONCOS V SHARKS
Fri 31 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.55pm
Broncos: Brisbane’s most senior prop Matt Lodge has revealed he has a torn meniscus and is racing the clock for the Broncos’ clash against the Sharks this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold was hopeful of having Lodge on deck for the Round 12 showdown with the Sharks but Lodge appears an unlikely starter as Brisbane’s injury curse continues.
Lodge sustained a partial tear of the ACL in his left knee on the eve of Round 1 in March and he suffered a fresh setback last month when he injured his right knee in Brisbane’s 30-12 loss to the Titans.
Broncos will welcome back Isaac Luke after he missed the Storm game on Friday due to suspension with Tyson Gamble the player to make way. David Fifita (knee), Jake Turpin (leg), Matt Lodge (knee) and Jesse Arthurs are all close to returning from injuries but will need to prove fitness. Anthony Milford should be right to play after recovering from a minor hamstring injury to play against Storm last Friday.
— Wacko’s Whispers
Sharks: Expected to be without both Jesse Ramien (hamstring) and Chad Townsend (calf) after they suffered injuries in the win over Dragons on weekend. Ramien may miss just a week away, but Townsend’s injury is far more serious and he is expected to miss up to six weeks. With Matt Moylan still a week away, Connor Tracey looks the logical option to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves with either Billy Magoulias or Braydon Trindall to come onto the bench. Briton Nikora returns after missing the game on the weekend due to suspension.
Josh Dugan was ruled out on the weekend due to a hamstring strain suffered last Wednesday night when the Sharks trained under lights at Shark Park. It’s only minor but he will be touch and go to play which could see Siosifa Talakai move to centre. Sione Katoa is also in some doubt due to failing gameday HIA. He will be monitored with Nene Macdonald on standby.
ROOSTERS V TITANS
Sat 1 August, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 3pm
Roosters: The Roosters will be without Boyd Cordner after he suffered a concussion at training last week and was late withdrawal. Matt Ikuvalu failed to finish on weekend and is in some doubt with Ryan Hall to come onto the wing if Ikuvalu fails to recover. Luke Keary (head knock/knee), Joseph Manu (knock), Sitili Tupouniua (eye) and Brett Morris (hip) should all be right to be named.
Titans: Coach Justin Holbrook switched things up on Sunday making three changes with Nathan Peats, Jai Whitbread and Sam Stone coming in for Erin Clark, Sam Lisone and Keegan Hipgrave. Hipgrave and Lisone were both carrying niggles and could come back into the side, but the Titans came through the Panthers game with no injuries. AJ Brimson is closing in on returning from a back injury and could be named on the extended bench.
COWBOYS V RAIDERS
Sat 1 August, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 5.30pm
Cowboys: Could be without Josh McGuire after he was charged with grade one dangerous contact to the head or neck. He would need to go to the judiciary and be found not guilty to play or be suspended for one game. Jordan McLean could return if fully fit from a calf injury. Daejarn Asi suffered a knee injury early in the Sea Eagles game but was able to play the game out.
Connelly Lemuelu missed the game due to a corked thigh and could return while Esan Marsters was dropped on weekend and could be facing an uphill battle to come back into the side. Murray Taulagi and Coen Hess copped knocks on the weekend but should be right to play.
Raiders: Expected to be without Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after he suffered a finger injury on the weekend with likely replacement Jordan Rapana having to pass required concussion protocols after failing to finish on weekend. Curtis Scott will be assessed before teams are named but could come into the side. Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine would need clearance from QLD Government to travel to QLD to play due to flu vaccination issue. New signing Corey Harawira-Naera was at the game on the weekend and I expect he will be named. However, he is only an outside chance to play as he looks to build up his fitness. John Bateman is closing on returning after recovering from a shoulder injury.
SEA EAGLES V PANTHERS
Sat 1 August, Lottoland, Sydney, 7.35pm
Sea Eagles: Could be without Joel Thompson after he picked up an ankle injury early in the Cowboys game on weekend. Reports were he could have returned in the second half but wasn’t needed. If ruled out Jack Gosiewski or Corey Waddell would replace him on the edge. Martin Taupau suffered a toe injury during the game. He got it strapped up and played the game out and should be fit to play. Cade Cust (neck) and Danny Levi (ribs) should recover from knocks to play. Dylan Walker is closing on returning from an ankle injury and could be named on the extended bench.
Panthers: Came through the victory over the Titans with no injury concerns. The only change to the 17 could be late withdrawal Viliame Kikau a chance to return after suffering a minor calf injury at training last week. However, Apisai Koroisau (elbow) is no chance with Mitch Kenny to continue in the No. 9. “Koroisau will be given at least a couple of weeks’ rest to allow sufficient healing and then we’ll look to get him strengthening and moving ASAP before rejoining the team,” said Panthers physiotherapist Pete Green.
BULLDOGS V EELS
Sun 2 August, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 2pm
Bulldogs: Came through the Knights game with not only the win but no injury concerns with the same 17 set to be named again. Will Hopoate is still a couple of weeks away from returning from ankle injury.
Eels: Could be without Ryan Matterson after he suffered a concussion in the Tigers game on Thursday. He will be monitored but has history of concussion and may be rested. However, the Eels have a 10-day turnaround which could help. If ruled out either Andrew Davey or Brad Takairangai would start on the right edge with Kane Evans recovering from a calf injury to take a bench spot. Maiko Sivo (knee), Blake Ferguson (knee), Nathan Brown (hip) and Mitchell Moses (calf) will all be right to go after coming through the Tigers game.
STORM V KNIGHTS
Sun 2 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast, 4.05pm
Storm: Cameron Munster failed to finish on the weekend after copping a knock in the final 15 minutes and was taken off for HIA. But with a nine-day turnaround he should be right to play. Paul Momirovski has been ruled out for 12 weeks after having surgery on the finger injury he picked up in the final minutes of the game on the weekend, with Brenko Lee also ruled out due to fractured hand. Marion Seve will in at centre with options of Nicho Hynes, Ryley Jacks or Chris Lewis to come onto bench.
Knights: The injury curse at hooker continues with Andrew McCullough (hamstring) and back up Connor Watson (Achilles) both suffering season ending injuries on the weekend. Chris Randall will likely start at hooker with Mason Lino, Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland options to take the bench utility role. Kurt Mann suffered a knock to the same ankle he injured earlier in the season and could be in some doubt. Sione Mata’utia failed to finish the game on the weekend due to a knee injury and could also be in some doubt.