NRL Early Mail Round 2: Predicted team changes
Star Roosters Boyd Cordner and Angus Crichton are aiming for comebacks this weekend as the coronavirus fallout, injuries and suspensions rock the NRL.
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Star Roosters Boyd Cordner and Angus Crichton are aiming for comebacks this weekend after both trained on Monday.
Crichton missed the weekend loss to Penrith Panthers due to pneumonia, but was cleared of coronavirus.
He is back in full contact and will play this Saturday against the Sea Eagles.
Cordner is more doubtful. While he has been training for some time, he is considered more likely for Round 3.
BULLDOGS VS COWBOYS
Thurs. 19 March, ANZ Stadium, 8:05pm
Bulldogs: Were fairly solid in Round 1 losing to Eels in a low-scoring game. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (ankle) and Dylan Napa (head cut) both should be right to play. Jeremy Marshall-King and Joe Stimson picked up knocks while Sione Katoa was a late withdrawal from Canterbury Cup. Sasuao Sue returned from an ACL knee injury in Canterbury Cup and could come in contention for a bench spot. Chris Smith (knee), Kieran Foran (shoulder) and Marcelo Montoya (knee) remain on injury list.
Cowboys: Have Justin O’Neill in doubt after he failed HIA in the Broncos game with Tom Opacic the obvious choice should he fail to recover. Josh McGuire could be an inclusion if he overcomes a knee injury, which could push Josh Asiata back to the bench with Corey Jensen to make way.
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DRAGONS VS PANTHERS
Fri. 20 March, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 6:00pm
Dragons: Tariq Sims could miss two weeks after being hit with a grade one dangerous contact head/neck charge for a hit on Josh Reynolds, with Jackson Ford set to come onto an edge should he fail to beat the charge. The Dragons have a short turnaround from a Sunday evening game to 6pm Friday game. Mikaele Ravalawa suffered a thigh injury which could open the door for either Euan Aitken or Jason Saab to come onto the right wing.
Panthers: Expected to be without Zane Tetevano after he picked up a knee injury on the weekend. Viliame Kikau suffered a shoulder injury in the Roosters game but did recover to score a matchwinning try and could start on the bench again with Kaide Ellis or Billy Burns options to come into the 17. Stephen Crichton is putting pressure on Caleb Aekins for the fullback job after impressing in a 17 minute stint in the final minutes of the game on the weekend. Jack Hetherington could be ruled out for two weeks due to suspension should he take early guilty plea from charge on weekend.
BRONCOS VS RABBITOHS
Fri. 20 March, Suncorp Stadium, 8:05pm
Broncos: Will be without Tevita Pangai after he took the early guilty plea to a grade two dangerous contact charge. But that should be offset by the return of Alex Glenn from a hamstring injury.
Rabbitohs: Adam Reynolds (back) and Alex Johnston (shoulder) are expected to overcome injuries.
WARRIORS VS RAIDERS
Sat 21 Mar, Eden Park, 3:00pm
Warriors: Will be without both Patrick Herbert and Peta Hiku after both decided to travel back to New Zealand. Hayze Perham and Karl Lawton didn’t play Canterbury Cup on the weekend and could come into the side while Taane Milne picked up a knee injury in Canterbury Cup.
Raiders: Have a few players to check on with both Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad and Jarrod Croker in doubt due to concussion, while Josh Hodgson (ribs) and Curtis Scott (shoulder) both picked up injuries and played on.
ROOSTERS VS SEA EAGLES
Sat 21 Mar, Central Coast Stadium, 5:30pm
Roosters: Have Angus Crichton (illness), Matt Ikuvalu (concussion) and Sitili Tupuoniua (knee) all in some doubt. Crichton is set to play after training on Monday. Boyd Cordner (workload management) also trained but is considered more likely for next week.
Sea Eagles: Came through the Storm game with no major injuries with Taniela Paseka an outside chance to return from an ankle injury.
Sitili Tupouniua off with a left knee injury. Contact from teammate during tackle, by video hope for more MCL/meniscus injury with knee rotation/medial collapse but ACL also at risk in these situations. Fingers crossed for him #NRLPanthersRoosters pic.twitter.com/Ju14tihwzF
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 14, 2020
SHARKS VS STORM
Sat 21 Mar, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7:35pm
Sharks: Have Ronaldo Mulitalo in doubt after he failed a HIA, with Bronson Xerri a chance to return after missing the opening round with a shoulder injury and illness. Josh Dugan is closing in on a return from a knee injury but still might be a week or two away. Sharks could be forced to seek an exemption for Jackson Ferris, a development player. Briton Nikora picked up a minor knee injury which was strapped up midgame on the weekend but he should be right to be named.
Storm: Have Brandon Smith close to returning from an eye socket injury. Christian Welch made a successful return in Queensland Cup on the weekend playing approx. 40 minutes and could come into contention for a bench position. Dale Finucane (HIA/concussion) and Jahrome Hughes (head cut) both picked up knocks but are expected to play.
TIGERS VS KNIGHTS
Sun 22 Mar, Leichhardt Oval, 4:05pm
Tigers: Will be without Luke Brooks for four weeks after he was a late withdrawal due to a calf injury suffered at captain’s run, with Josh Reynolds to continue in halves. Elijah Taylor passed game day HIA but will be monitored.
Knights: Got through Round 1 fairly unscathed with Jacob Saifiti (ankle/concussion) expected to be named.
TITANS VS EELS
Sun 22 Mar, Cbus Super Stadium, 6:15pm
Eels: Come into this clash on a 10-day turnaround with no major injury concerns.
Titans: Also have a long nine-day turnaround but a number of players picked up knocks in the Raiders game with Ashley Taylor (shoulder), Tyrone Roberts (shoulder), Tyrone Peachey (leg), Brian Kelly (concussion), Kevin Proctor (shoulder), Sam Lisone (knock) and Bryce Cartwright (shoulder) all expected be right to play. Moeaki Fotuiaka (knee) hopes to return while Shannon Boyd (shoulder), Keegan Hipgrave (concussion), Ryan James (ACL), Beau Fermor (ACL) and AJ Brimson (back) are all unavailable due to injury. Jai Arrow played limited minutes last week due to illness.