NRL Early Mail Round 15
Massive edition of Early Mail including the full wash-up from Origin, plus a host of players set to return after resting up over the representative round.
Early Mail heading into NRL Round 15.
* Cronulla prop Aaron Woods (foot)is expected to be named in Cronulla’s 21-man squad for Sunday’s clash with Canterbury. It would be his first game since Round 4.
* The Raiders have confirmed England international Josh Hodgson (broken thumb) has been cleared to return and will tackle the Eels.
* Knights and NSW enforcer David Klemmer (broken wrist) is also closing in on a return, with coach Nathan Brown saying “at this stage I think Klem will play.”
* Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga (knee) picked up a knock in Origin and is racing the clock for Saturday’s clash against the Broncos.
“Kalyn’s got a cork just above his knee so it’s going to take a fair bit of application from him this week to make sure he’s right and good to go,” said Newcastle’s head of physical performance Balin Cupples.
Ponga was among a host of Queensland squad members who caught the red eye back from Perth immediately following Origin 2. He arrived at Sydney Airport early Monday morning alongside Tim Glasby, Kurt Capewell and Corey Norman.
The Knights also confirmed Queensland forward Glasby suffered a medial elbow ligament injury. The club is unsure of the severity, with scan results expected early Tuesday.
* Nathan Cleary (ankle) is set miss 4-6 weeks due to an injury sustained in Origin 2. He will have scans on Monday night.
* Cowboys lock Josh McGuire is facing a one-match ban for a hit on James Maloney in Origin 2.
* Queensland centre Michael Morgan (shoulder) is in doubt for the Cowboys. The injury is not serious but he could miss 1-2 weeks.
* Tyson Frizell (neck) has revealed he is battling an ongoing injury that almost forced him to pull out of Origin. He faces being rested by the Dragons.
* The Rabbitohs are hopeful of having Adam Reynolds (back fracture) on deck for Friday’s clash against the Dragons.
* Titans halfback Ash Taylor (personal leave) is set to return.
* Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown (back) is set to play his first match since Round 3.
* Andrew Fifita is out until Round 17 following his failed judiciary bid.
* Former Melbourne fullback Scott Drinkwater has officially joined the Cowboys, effective immediately.
TIGERS V RABBITOHS
Thurs 27 Jun, Bankwest Stadium, 7.50pm
Tigers: No changes expected from the side that accounted for the Cowboys last round. Moses Mbye will be named after playing just 14 minutes for the Maroons, despite the tight four-day turnaround and his near-death experience during Origin camp. Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, David Nofoaluma, Robbie Farah, Michael Chee-Kam and Josh Aloiai have five-day turnarounds from rep round, but will be named. Alex Twal is well-rested after sitting out Lebanon’s Test due to a heavy workload.
Rabbitohs: Adam Reynolds (back fracture) has returned to training and is hopeful of playing. He would replace Adam Doueihi at halfback, with Doueihi set to drop to a bench utility role. The Rabbitohs are also confident Braidon Burns (hamstring) will make his long-awaited return in place of Kyle Turner at left centre. Both Reynolds and Burns trained strongly on Monday. Coach Wayne Bennett in on the record saying he will need to rest Origin players at some stage. “The issue is who we rest, when we rest, and how often we back them up,” Bennett said. “I think I’ll have to (rest players). It just depends but I think I’ll have to ... The jury’s out on it at the moment. I just think I’ll have to see how they play, what the games are like, what type of mental and physical state they’re in when they come back.”
Damien Cook, Dane Gagai and Cameron Murray backed up 48 hours after Origin 1, so all are resting candidates this week, even with the longer five-day turnaround. Cook in particular faces a rest after playing 80 minutes for the Blues and topping the tackle count with 38. Gagai also played the full 80 minutes, while Murray was only required for 32 minutes. Alex Johnston (leg) is in doubt for the clash. Tom Burgess (ankle) and Sam Burgess (shoulder) are aiming to return after next week’s bye.
DRAGONS V COWBOYS
Fri 28 Jun, WIN Stadium, 6pm
Dragons: Origin players Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims are set to be named. However, Frizell could be rested after admitting he almost made a dramatic withdrawal from State of Origin 2 on game day because of a neck injury. Hunt may also be rested due to a huge workload — he played 80 minutes and made 44 tackles. Vaughan played 36 minutes and Sims played 25. Cameron McInnes (concussion) is expected to be named despite lasting just 22 minutes last round. Zac Lomax (broken thumb) and Tim Lafai (ankle) are eyeing Round 17.
Cowboys: Mass changes. Paul Green’s team are set to be without Josh McGuire (facing suspension), Michael Morgan (shoulder), Kurt Baptiste (ACL) and Coen Hess (knee). Queensland forward McGuire is facing a one-game ban regardless of plea for an 80th minute hit on James Maloney. Morgan (shoulder) is in doubt due to an injury sustained in Origin 2. The injury is not serious but he could miss 1-2 weeks. The Cowboys have confirmed Baptiste will go for a knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL playing for PNG in rep round. Rookie Mackay product Reuben Cotter, who debuted in Round 13, is the likely replacement on the bench. Hess went down last round and could miss six weeks.
In positive news, former Origin forwards Matt Scott (shoulder) and Jordan McLean (hamstring) are closing in on returns, while Melbourne pre-season sensation Scott Drinkwater has signed with the club, effective immediately.
ROOSTERS V STORM
Fri 28 Jun, Adelaide Oval, 7.55pm
Roosters: Brett Morris (knee) has returned to full training and will push Ryan Hall for a wing spot. Expect Origin players James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner to be named. Tedesco is a strong chance to play after being rested in Round 14. However, Cordner is yet to be rested this year and may sit out. Jake Friend (bicep) is ahead of schedule and aiming for Round 17-18. Luke Keary (concussion) has revealed he is available for Origin 3 if the Blues want him, although he wouldn’t play any footy beforehand.
Storm: Expect Origin players Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi to be named pending further assessment. Tom Eisenhuth (fractured larynx) made a successful return for the Easts Tigers two weeks ago, his first game since playing NRL in Round 1. Melbourne have been busy before the June 30 deadline. Warriors centre Solomone Kata and Titans forward Max King have joined the club, while Scott Drinkwater has left for the Cowboys. All three deals are effective immediately.
TITANS V SEA EAGLES
Sat 29 Jun, Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Titans: Veteran Gold Coast winger Anthony Don has backed teammate Ash Taylor to “walk straight back in” to NRL footy this weekend if that’s the course of action coach Garth Brennan opts for. Taylor was back at training on Monday morning after a short break from the game to deal with personal matters. It has been a rough 2019 for the marquee halfback but he was all smiles on return to the club’s Parkwood headquarters.
Now a decision looms for Brennan whether to stick with Ryley Jacks, who has been solid the past two games, and take Taylor down a gradual comeback path or to immediately restore Taylor’s place in the No.7 jersey. Don believes the 24-year-old will be up to the task if selected to face Manly at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday. “If he gets picked and is the man that Garth thinks is right for the spot, he’ll definitely be good enough to come in,” Don said.
Full story by Connor O’Brien at Gold Coast Bulletin
Sea Eagles: Api Koroisau (ankle) is out until Round 18-19, with Manase Fainu to start in the No. 9. Origin players Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Jake Trbojevic got through Origin unscathed and are expected to back up.
KNIGHTS V BRONCOS
Sat 29 Jun, McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.30pm
Knights: Newcastle front-row enforcer David Klemmer is making a miraculous recovery from a broken wrist, putting him in the frame for an early return for the Knights and NSW. Coach Nathan Brown told The Daily Telegraph on Monday night Klemmer resumed training last Saturday and would be running with the NRL squad this week in a bid to play in Saturday’s match against Brisbane in Newcastle. “At this stage I think Klem will play,” Brown said. “He’s keen to get back out there against the Broncos’ pack and we’ll check him out later in the week.”
Full story by Phil Rothfield here
Queensland representatives Kalyn Ponga (knee) and Tim Glasby (elbow) caught the red eye back from Perth following Origin. Both are in doubt, although their injuries are not considered serious. Mitchell Pearce (hip, groin) is expected to be named despite pulling out of the Origin side. Samoan representative Mason Lino is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea to a dangerous contact charge. Mitch Barnett (suspension) is out for three weeks due to a crusher tackle ban. Expect Sione Mata’utia to come into the starting back row with Aidan Guerra, who returned from a serious ankle injury in NSW Cup last week, to come onto the bench. Edrick Lee is available despite withdrawing from Maroons camp with a leg injury.
Broncos: Payne Haas (hamstring) is expected to be named after missing the Origin squad with a minor tear. Joe Ofehangaue (knee) and Alex Glenn (knee) are also gunning for returns. Corey Oates, Matt Gillett and David Fifita are aiming to back up from Origin. Gillett appears the most likely candidate for a rest after playing 80 minutes and topping the tackle count with 47 in Perth.
EELS V RAIDERS
Sat 29 Jun, TIO Stadium (Darwin), 7.35pm
Eels: Young superstar Dylan Brown (back) is expected to be named for his first match since Round 3. He returned to full contact training last week. “I’m fully back with the boys which is good for my head space,” Brown said. “Unless something crazy happens, I should be playing this week.”
Full story by Michael Carayannis here.
With Brown back, expect Jaeman Salmon to shift from the halves to centre and Josh Hoffman to drop out. The other option is for Salmon to shift to the bench. Michael Jennings (knee) was ruled out for Tonga but expected to take the field for the Eels after resting up. Blake Ferguson will be named to back up.
Raiders: Canberra have a huge in with international hooker Josh Hodgson (broken thumb) to return. Siliva Havilii drops to the bench with youngster Tom Starling to miss out. Young prop Corey Horsburgh (elbow) is also a chance to return, but Nick Cotric (ankle) is out after going down last round. Michael Oldfield and Sebastian Kris are the contenders to come into the backline. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) is expected to be fit despite being ruled out for Cook Islands. Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii have a six-day turnaround from Origin.
WARRIORS V PANTHERS
Sun 30 Jun, Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm
Warriors: Hard man Adam Blair is free to play after being cleared at the NRL judiciary. Blair was found not guilty of dangerous contact on Titans playmaker Tyrone Roberts. Tohu Harris (knee/ankle) is right to go for the Warriors after being ruled out of New Zealand’s Test against Tonga.
Panthers: Early reports suggest Nathan Cleary (ankle) will miss 4-6 weeks after failing to return in the second half of Origin 2. NSW hero James Maloney will move into the No. 7 with Jarome Luai to play five-eighth. Josh Mansour (shoulder) is right to go after sitting out for Lebanon.
BULLDOGS V SHARKS
Sun 30 Jun, ANZ Stadium, 4.05pm
Bulldogs: Adam Elliot (ankle) is available for selection after resting an existing injury over rep round. Jayden Okunbor (foot) is back in full training and expected to return. Kerrod Holland (knee) is also an outside chance. Dylan Napa (broken wrist) struggled through 22 minutes in Origin, making just 27 metres, and his status for the Bulldogs is unknown. Sauaso Sue is free to play following a successful trip to the judiciary where he avoided a two-week dangerous contact suspension. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jack Cogger will both be named following recent concussions. DWZ passed his HIA on game day last round but didn’t return due to a swollen eye.
Sharks: Cronulla prop Aaron Woods is expected to be named in Cronulla’s 21-man squad for Sunday’s clash with Canterbury. The former Test and State of Origin prop, who has been sidelined with a foot injury, trained with the team on Tuesday morning.
— Phil Rothfield
Andrew Fifita (suspension) is out until Round 17 following his failed trip to the judiciary. Bronson Xerri (concussion) will be named despite failing to finish last match. Wade Graham has a long turnaround from Origin and is expected to play.
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