NRL Early Mail Round 2, 2020: Predicted team changes
By far the biggest Early Mail of the year. A trio of NRL big guns return with a combined total of 27 Origins and 37 Tests, but there are also a host of key outs.
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South Sydney centre Dane Gagai has been put into lockdown after he picked up a stomach bug.
Gagai was advised to stay home from training and away from other players while he recovers.
He’s expected to line up against arch rivals the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook revealed Gagai didn’t show any of symptoms of coronavirus and has not taken a COVID-19 test, in line with current medical advice.
“I think that’s just Gags, he’s not here most Mondays. He’s got a bit of a stomach bug and anyone else who would have that, not just because of the coronavirus, anyone who had it last year they were told to stay at home so that didn’t give anyone else a stomach a bug so it’s the same scenario at the moment. But obviously it’s a touchy subject with the coronavirus at the moment,” Cook said.
Cook also confirmed Latrell Mitchell will be named at fullback despite strong recent criticism.
— Fatima Kdouh
Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga is facing a two-game NRL ban.
Ponga was on Monday stung with a grade-one charge for his 72nd-minute hit on Corey Thompson, but can accept a one-match suspension if he takes the early guilty plea.
Parramatta forward Nathan Brown is also looking at being ruled out for two games at most for his shot on Gold Coast centre Dale Copley.
Brown was hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge, which would normally attract a one-match ban if he entered an early guilty plea.
However, loading from a previous non-similar offence, as well as 42 carry-over points, means Brown would miss two games even with the early plea.
In other judiciary news, Titans forward Moeaki Fotuaika is facing a one-game suspension for making dangerous contact with Eels halfback Mitchell Moses. Fotuaika was only slapped with a grade-one charge, however, loading from a previous offence means he too will be sidelined for one game with an early plea.
Wests Tigers second-rower Luciano Leilua also landed in hot water for his elbow on Ponga but can escape a ban with an early guilty plea.
— David Riccio and AAP
Hearing @NRLKnights Kalyn Ponga is facing a two week suspension - one week with early plea - for shoulder charge on @WestsTigers Corey Thompson. @telegraph_sport
— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) March 23, 2020
Meanwhile, NRL big guns with a combined total of 27 Origins and 37 Tests are set to return in Round 3.
Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner (15 Origins, 20 Tests), Cronulla’s Josh Dugan (12 Origins, 12 Tests) and Melbourne’s Brandon Smith (five Tests) are all expected to be named.
Cordner missed the World Club Challenge and first two rounds due to “load management” but coach Trent Robinson has confirmed his skipper is certain to be selected for the upcoming round.
Dugan sat out most of the off-season due to a knee issue but has trained strongly in recent weeks and could score a backline spot at the Sharks, who have lost Josh Morris to the Roosters effective immediately.
Storm bench player Smith will return from a facial fracture sustained during his man-of-the-match performance for the Maori All Stars.
In other Early Mail:
* In a huge boost for the 13th-placed Dragons, skipper Cameron McInnes (knee) will return following a knee injury sustained at the Nines.
* Cronulla forward Wade Graham (foot), Broncos halfback Brodie Croft (AC joint) and teammate Corey Oates (ribs) are racing the clock.
* The Paul Momirovski-Harry Grant swap is finally complete. Centre Momirovski is now available for the Storm, while Grant is available for the Tigers. Grant’s arrival at Concord could spike popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie Billy Walters.
RAIDERS V DRAGONS
Thurs 26 Mar, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 8.05pm
Raiders: With a short turnaround, Siliva Havili is expected to be ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury on the weekend, with either Ryan Sutton or Tom Starling to come onto the bench. Joseph Tapine passed gameday HIA and Corey Horsburgh left for HIA in the last 15 minutes and both will be monitored. Sia Soliola will play after only copping a fine for a hit on Adam Blair.
Dragons: Will receive a massive boost with Cameron McInnes set to return from a knee injury. He will start at hooker pushing Issac Luke to the bench with Billy Brittain dropping out. Zac Lomax (shoulder), Brayden Wiliame (knee) and Josh Kerr (passed gameday HIA) all picked up knocks but should be right to play. Mikaele Ravalawa hopes to be fit after missing Round 2 due to a quad injury.
SEA EAGLES V WARRIORS
Fri 27 Mar, Lottoland, Sydney, 6pm
Sea Eagles: Sean Keppie and Brad Parker are both racing the clock after failing gameday HIAs with a tight six-day turnaround, whilst Danny Levi hobbled off late. Corey Waddell (hamstring, 2-3 weeks), Tony Williams (hamstring, 1-2 weeks), Taniela Paseka (syndesmosis, 3-4 weeks) and Jack Gosiewski (lower back surgery + infection, indefinite) are all still on injury list.
Warriors: Will have to make do with the same 21 as last week due to travel restrictions but the cavalry should be available next week with Gerard Beale (broken leg), Jazz Tevega (ankle), Agnatius Paasi (ankle), Patrick Herbert (family) and Josh Curran (calf) all travelling back to Australia and are in quarantine. Lachlan Burr failed gameday HIA and will be monitored whilst Adam Blair and Eliesa Katoa both passed gameday HIA.
Eliesa Katoa and Joseph Tapine off for HIA’s after head clash. Visible swelling already collecting around cheekbone of Katoa, fingers crossed no fracture #NRLWarriorsRaiders pic.twitter.com/Z6Hq7YN4GP
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 21, 2020
RABBITOHS V ROOSTERS
Fri 27 Mar, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 8.05pm
Rabbitohs: Cody Walker (leg) and Cameron Murray (knee) are in doubt but both are expected to overcome knocks to play. The biggest question mark is if Wayne Bennett moves Latrell Mitchell to centre with Alex Johnston a chance to start at fullback, pushing Braidon Burns back to bench, although Latrell will be named at fullback on Tuesday.
Roosters: Will receive a massive boost with Boyd Cordner set to play his first game of the year, as confirmed by coach Trent Robinson. New signing Josh Morris is set to be named at centre which will see Angus Crichton drop back to the bench. Poasa Faamausili and Matt Ikuvalu drop out of the 17. Nat Butcher was either dropped or out due to an un-disclosed injury after being omitted from the squad on the weekend.
SHARKS V KNIGHTS
Sat 28 Mar, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 3pm
Sharks: Say goodbye to Josh Morris after he played his last game for the Sharks on the weekend with Bronson Xerri set to play his first game of the year after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Josh Dugan is close to returning after a knee injury and could replace either Will Kennedy at fullback or Sione Katoa on the wing. Wade Graham failed to finish on the weekend due to a foot injury but hopes to be fit. Briton Nikora was a late omission on the weekend due to a knee injury and is a chance to play. Shaun Johnson was limited in training last week due to bumps and bruises as well as illness but should be OK to play.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga will miss the match unless he fights his charge at the judiciary and wins. Both Mitch Barnett (shoulder) and Herman Ese’ese (ankle) are in doubt, whilst Sione Mata’utia should return after recovering from knee injury.
STORM V PANTHERS
Sat 28 Mar, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 5.30pm
Storm: Josh Addo-Carr (knee) is in some doubt. Brandon Smith is expected to return from injury and would come into the 17 for Tom Eisenhuth, with Christian Welch close to being named after recovering from ACL knee injury. New Loanee Paul Momirovski a chance to replace Marion Seve at right centre.
Panthers: Jack Hetherington is set to return from suspension and should replace Billy Burns on bench. Fullback Dylan Edwards has returned to training after recovering from a syndesmosis injury. He only did non-contact work but Ivan Cleary has said he is a chance to return, replacing Caleb Aekins at fullback. Mitch Kenny has returned to full fitness after recovering from off season elbow surgery and could come onto the bench.
COWBOYS V EELS
Sat 28 Mar, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 7.35pm
Cowboys: No major injuries and should be unchanged.
Eels: Lock Nathan Brown is facing a two-game ban. Reed Mahoney failed to finish on the weekend due to a left leg injury and is expected to be ruled out with either Rhys Davies or Will Smith to come in (also wouldn’t be surprised to see a second hooker on bench). Michael Jennings failed to finish and is in some doubt.
TIGERS V BULLDOGS
Sun 30 Mar, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney, 4.05pm
Tigers: New loanee Harry Grant is expected to make his club debut from the bench with Billy Walters to retain hooking duties for now. Thomas Mikaele (injury) and Luke Garner (ribs/leg) are in doubt with Matt Eisenhuth and Oliver Clark options to come into the 17, with Lawrence or Chee-Kam to start should Garner be ruled. Adam Doueihi may be named to start at fullback with Corey Thompson moving to the wing and Robert Jennings moving to centre after they switched things up during the Knights game. Luke Brooks is still a couple of weeks away.
Bulldogs: Joe Stimson is in some doubt after he copped knock in the Cowboys game and failed to finish, with Dean Britt to be named in 2RF if Stimson is ruled out. Lachlan Lewis was hooked in second half but is expected to keep his position. Kerrod Holland may return after missing the Cowboys game due to knee injury.
TITANS V BRONCOS
Sun 30 Mar, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 6.15pm
Titans: Titans once again have been hit hard by injuries with Kevin Proctor (hamstring), Tyrone Roberts (leg) and Dale Copley (ribs) all in some doubt, whilst Brian Kelly passed gameday HIA and Tyrone Peachey is managing an ankle injury. Moeaki Fotuaika is facing a one-game suspension for making dangerous contact with Eels halfback Mitchell Moses.
Broncos: Broncos halfback Brodie Croft has escaped serious injury but coach Anthony Seibold will not hesitate to throw teenage playmaker Tom Dearden into Brisbane’s famous No. 7 jersey if needed.
Brodie Croft off with R shoulder injury. A few concerns by video, mostly AC joint sprain/shoulder subluxation. Best case just a stinger/burner but worry for structural injury. Fingers crossed better than it looks #NRLBroncosSouths pic.twitter.com/N6A6M5cmxl
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 20, 2020
Croft may not miss any games after suffering an AC joint (shoulder) injury in Brisbane’s gritty 22-18 win against South Sydney on Friday night. “We’ve got young Tom Dearden sitting there who I’ve got a lot of confidence in,” coach Anthony Seibold said.
“He’ll come into the side (if needed). I’ll back him. I’ve got a great deal of confidence in him.” Corey Oates (ribs) is also racing the clock with Herbie Farnworth on standby to come onto the wing.