NRL Early Mail Round 22: Predicted team changes
Just four rounds of the regular season to go and the race for the finals is hotting up. Check our predicted NRL teams for Round 22.
Boyd Cordner has declared himself fit to return for the Sydney Roosters’ run to the NRL finals, starting with Sunday’s game against Warriors at the SCG.
The Roosters captain is expected to recover from a calf injuryfor the defending premiers, however, Sio Siua Taukeiaho is no certainty to recover.
“The calf is fine, it’s obviously one of those things. With soft tissue they are pretty temperamental. But it’s recoveredreally well ... I’m aiming to play this week against the Warriors,” Cordner said.
St George Illawarra forward Tariq Sims has undergone season-ending groin surgery that will also keep him out of contention for a Kangaroos call-up.
Sims had been battling groin issues for most of the year and, with the Dragons out of finals contention, went under the knife on Monday.
“The timeframe for recovery unfortunately means he will not play again in season 2019. Tariq will rehabilitate over the off-season and be ready to play come the commencement of the 2020 NRL premiership,” Dragons head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth said.
Australia are scheduled to host New Zealand in late October at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, the home base of the joint venture.
Sims was seemingly an outside chance of being selected for his debut, however his latest injury setback rules him out.
It is a disappointing end to a rollercoaster season for Sims, who was heartbreakingly rubbed out of this year’s State of Origindecider at the judiciary.
INJURY LIST: Full NRL casualty ward
ANALYSIS: 10 things we learned from last week
The 29-year-old has been among the Dragons’ best this year, averaging 100 metres and 28 tackles in almost 80 minutes per game across 18 matches. Sims’ absence is likely to allow coach Paul McGregor to give more minutes to youngsters Luciano Leilua, Patrick Kaufusi and Jackson Ford. The Dragons end their season with games against Cronulla, the Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast.
— Matt Encarnacion
South Sydney’s top four hopes have received a triple boost with Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess and Braidon Burns all aiming to take on the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Reynolds sent a scare through camp in Sunday’s loss to the Storm as he hobbled through the final moments with a back injury.
However, the Rabbitohs say Reynolds “improved overnight” and he’s now aiming to return to training later in the week and take the field against in-form Canterbury, who have won four from six.
“He’s got back stiffness and soreness that’s been lingering since that back fracture earlier in the year,” said Jarrod Wade, South Sydney’s Head of High Performance.
“We’ve been managing it week to week, day to day, so he’s been on that rollercoaster.
“He was significantly hampered by the end of the game last night but we had no changes left so we couldn’t take him off the field. He did a really good job to tough it out for the team at the back end of the game.
“He’s much improved overnight. This morning he was moving around a lot better and it’s a day to day proposition from here. We are hopeful he will be able to get into some training later this week and the fact he’s improved overnight means he’s some chance for the weekend.”
Star backrower Burgess (quad) and boom centre Burns (hamstring) were late withdrawals against the Storm.
But both are on track to take on the Bulldogs, aiming to return to training on Wednesday.
The Rabbitohs are also confident Kyle Turner (cork to hamstring) will be fit for the coming weekend despite failing to finish against the Storm.
SEA EAGLES V TIGERS
Thurs 15 Aug, Lottoland, 7.50pm
Sea Eagles: Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle) will be named and is set to play despite limping through Friday’s loss to the Warriors. However, Brad Parker (knee) and Curtis Sironen (hamstring) are both set to miss 1-2 weeks.
Coach Des Hasler has a number of backline options to call on in place of Parker including Brendan Elliott and Abbas Miski. Or Dylan Walker could switch from halves to centre with Lachlan Croker or Cade Cust coming in at five-eighth. Expect Jack Gosiewski or Corey Waddell to start in the back row in place of Sironen.
Tigers: Robbie Farah has been diagnosed with a fractured fibia. He is hopeful of playing again this season but is definitely out against the Sea Eagles. Jacob Liddle is a ready-made replacement at hooker, while Elijah Taylor can also play No. 9. The Tigers say they will name Moses Mbye (hip) and give him every chance to play. He picked up the injury in the warm up before aggravating it while setting up a try in the eighth minute. Back rower Luke Garner is fighting a one-week dangerous contact suspension at the judiciary in a bid to play.
TITANS V EELS
Fri 16 Aug, Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm
Titans: Centre Brian Kelly (dangerous throw) and utility Tyrone Peachey (high tackle) have taken early guilty pleas and are free to play. Michael Gordon (hamstring) is still a few weeks away while Ash Taylor is set to continue in Queensland Cup.
Eels: Prop Kane Evans (illness) is set to come straight back into the 17 after a late withdrawal last week, with Peni Terepo the likely omission.
BRONCOS V PANTHERS
Fri 16 Aug, Suncorp Stadium, 7.55pm
Broncos: Broncos coach Anthony Seibold faces a welcome selection headache this week when playmaking duo Tom Dearden and Sean O’Sullivan come back into the fray. The two halves have impressed in their return from injury in the Intrust Super Cup and could be pitchforked back into Broncos colours against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night as Brisbane battle to keep their NRL finals dreams alive.
Dynamo utility Jake Turpin has been a standout in the Broncos No.7 jersey, scoring two tries since being shifted to the famed playmaking role, including a matchwinner against the Cowboys on Thursday night. But he faces the possibility of being shifted back to hooker as Seibold aims to fix a “frantic” attacking performance by the Broncos halves against the Cowboys. Veteran backrower Matt Gillett is also hoping to make his return this weekend after missing the past month with niggling injuries, while Alex Glenn is aiming to return from a minor knee injury.
Full story by Chris Honnery here
Panthers: Star playmaker James Maloney (suspension) returns, which will push impressive debutant Matt Burton either to the bench or out of the team. Utility Jarome Luai (eye) and hooker Wayde Egan (shoulder) will be re-assessed this week after missing last round.
KNIGHTS V COWBOYS
Sat 17 Aug, McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm
Knights: Tim Glasby (concussion) is out. “In terms of the actual head knock over the weekend, it was not of a serious nature, but due to the amount of head knocks Tim’s had over the past few weeks, he’s had two in three games now, as per NRL protocol, he’ll have a stand down period for this week’s game against the Cows,” said Newcastle Knights Head of Physical Performance Balin Cupples. Glasby’s spot will likely be taken by James Gavet, who returns from a hamstring injury.
Cowboys: Josh McGuire is out for three weeks after taking the early guilty plea for his facial on David Fifita. However, the Cowboys have another international forward to take McGuire’s place with Jordan McLean (calf) expected back following a late withdrawal on the weekend.
STORM V RAIDERS
Sat 17 Aug, AAMI Park, 5.30pm
Storm: To come ...
Raiders: Set to be unchanged following a close loss to defending premiers the Roosters.
RABBITOHS V BULLDOGS
Sat 17 Aug, ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm
Rabbitohs: Halfback Adam Reynolds (back) has been cleared of serious injury despite hobbling through the Storm game. “We are hopeful he will be able to get into some training later this week and the fact he’s improved overnight means he’s some chance for the weekend,” the club said. Sam Burgess (quad) and Braidon Burns (hamstring) will be named and are on track to play following late withdrawals last week. Kyle Turner (cork to hamstring) is also set to be fit.
Bulldogs: Adam Elliott (finger) is pushing for a return and could come into the 17 for Raymond Faitala-Mariner. Lock Chris Smith (dangerous contact) is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea.
ROOSTERS V WARRIORS
Sun 18 Aug, Sydney Cricket Ground, 2pm
Roosters: Hooker Sam Verrills (thigh) failed to finish against the Raiders, but has been cleared of serious injury and will be named to take on the Warriors. Boyd Cordner (calf) is expected to return but Sio Siua Taukeiaho (also calf) could miss another week.
Warriors: Coach Stephen Kearney has a tough decision on his starting five-eighth. Kodi Nikorima (ankle) is due back but replacement Chanel Harris-Tavita had a blinder in the win over Manly.
SHARKS V DRAGONS
Sun 18 Aug, PointsBet Stadium, 4.05pm
Sharks: Andrew Fifita (knee) failed to finish on the weekend. However, coach John Morris is hopeful Fifita’s injury is only minor as he has been dealing with chronic issues in his knee for the past two seasons. Fifita has no PCL in his left knee, which he manages with ongoing rehab and heavy strapping for each game. Matt Prior (ribs) is also in doubt, which could bring Braden Hamlin-Uele or Jack Williams into the starting side. Matt Moylan (concussion) will be a welcome inclusion. Expect Josh Dugan to switch from fullback to right centre, Josh Morris to shift to the wing, with rookie Ronaldo Mulitalo to make way.
Dragons: Forward Tariq Sims (groin) is out for the season. Expect Luciano Leilua or Jackson Ford to start in the back row with Blake Lawrie coming onto the bench. Star youngster Zac Lomax (hamstring) came up just short last week and could force his way into the backline.
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