NRL Early Mail Round 24: Predicted team changes, Tom Dearden ruptured testicle
The race for the NRL premiership is getting serious with a number of Test and Origin stars set to return for blockbuster clashes this weekend.
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Queensland Origin backrower Kurt Capewell has been cleared to face Parramatta on Thursday night as Broncos coach Kevin Walters resisted making mass changes.
Capewell was in doubt for the crucial Suncorp Stadium clash after suffering an ankle injury in Brisbane’s 60-12 loss to Melbourne last Friday.
But the Maroons star is set to overcome the injury in time for the Eels game, which Brisbane is hoping to win to secure a finals berth.
Despite being hammered by the Storm and losing three of their past four games, Walters will not be making wholesale changes to the Broncos.
Centre Brenko Lee is a chance of replacing Delouise Hoeter if he can overcome a hamstring injury at Wednesday’s captain’s run while backrower Zac Hosking is set to come on to the bench.
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KAUFUSI BACK FOR STORM
Queensland back-rower Felise Kaufusi will return for the Melbourne Storm for Friday’s blockbuster game against the Roosters.
Kaufusi has missed the past two matches after his father passed away, with the club giving him time to grieve and to spend time with his family.
It’s expected Kaufusi will start on the right edge against the Roosters with wrecking ball Nelson Asofa-Solomona likely to go back to the middle as the Storm close in on a spot in the top four.
DEARDEN HAS TROUBLE WITH HIS TACKLE
The Cowboys have suffered a blow to their push for a top-two finish with star playmaker Tom Dearden rushed to hospital for surgery on a ruptured testicle.
The Queensland State of Origin half suffered the injury in the Cowboys big win over the Warriors on Friday night.
Remarkably, Dearden attended the Cowboys post-match function before questioning the pain he was in with the club’s team doctor the following morning at their recovery session.
Dearden was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery on Saturday night.
The classy five-eighth is likely to be ruled out for North Queensland’s important clash against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night in Sydney with the hope of returning for the final round of the season.
Fresh boost as Roosters fly into finals
By Fatima Kdouh
Luke Keary believes the Sydney Roosters’ gruelling run home will test the side’s premiership credentials, as the Tricolours prepare to receive a double boost ahead of Friday’s blockbuster against Melbourne.
Forwards Lindsay Collins and Sio Siua Taukeiaho are primed to return from injury against the Storm as the sixth placed Roosters attempt to seal a finals berth.
Taukeiaho, who is headed to French Super League club Catalans Dragons next year, suffered several small fractures to his cheekbone in round 18 against St George Illawarra.
It’s believed Taukeiaho has one final fitness test to pass during the week but is expected to receive the all clear from Roosters medical staff.
“He’s (Taukeiaho) a huge in, the two big boys Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) and (Matt) Lodge have done a really good job but to get Siua back into that rotation is going to add a fair bit to us I think,” Keary said.
“Hopefully they can get through this week fine and both trot out there against Melbourne.”
Collins hasn't played since suffering a concussion in successive matches, first in the Origin decider for Queensland then in Roosters’ round 20 win against Manly.
Mid-season signing Lodge has added much needed grit to the forward in the absence of engine room regulars Collin and Taukeiaho.
Keary believes Lodge’s recruitment has provided a perfectly timed injection of energy leading into finals series.
“He’s put his head down straight from the word go and has been working really hard,” Keary said.
“Obviously, he is playing some really good footy which helps too. He’s really good to have around the group, he has brought us some energy … he didn’t play in the middle of the year for four to six weeks so he’s ready to go.”
Lodge lobbed at Bondi in July after a controversial split with former side New Zealand Warriors. The signing raised eyebrows given Lodge’s volatile past, where the prop arrested in New York after a home invasion in 2015.
But Keary said Lodge has flourished at the Roosters and backed the former Brisbane big man to extend his time at the club with Taukeiaho bound for France at season’s end.
“Definitely,” Keary said when asked if Lodge had a future at the Roosters.
“He is doing everything right at the moment. Obviously big T (Taukeiaho) is off to France at the end of the year. I’m not sure what will happen there but we all love him here. I didn’t know Lodgy before he come here … there are a fair few stories about him, he’s done some not so good stuff in his past. But he has come to us and has fit in really well.”
BRONCOS v EELS
Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Kurt Capewell was in doubt with an ankle injury, but will take his place against the Eels.
Brenko Lee is due back from a hamstring injury and is likely to replace Delouise Hoeter at centre.
Kevin Walters continues to shuffle Jake Turpin and Billy Walters between hooker and bench, while Ryan James has been a game day starter at lock in place of Kobe Hetherington over the past fortnight.
Eels: No major changes expected at the Eels.
Bailey Simonsson played centre in NSW Cup last week, suggesting Tom Opacic may have jumped him in the pecking order at the Eels.
Ryan Matterson was a late switch to the bench in the win over the Bulldogs, with Marata Niukore starting at lock.
PANTHERS v WARRIORS
Friday, 6pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: James Fisher-Harris returns from suspension at prop, pushing Matt Eisenhuth to the bench.
Scott Sorensen is a chance to return from a calf injury off the bench, but with the minor premiership wrapped up there’s every chance he’s given one more week to recover.
Warriors: No major changes expected at the Warriors, although Jesse Arthars and Chanel Harris-Tavita are expected to be available for selection after missing numerous weeks with injury.
STORM v ROOSTERS
Friday, 7.55pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Xavier Coates must pass concussion protocols after failing a HIA in the huge win over Brisbane.
Dean Ieremia suffered a hamstring injury in QLD Cup on the weekend, meaning Grant Anderson is likely to play on the wing if Coates is ruled out.
Tyran Wishart suffered a syndesmosis injury on the weekend and is likely to spend a lengthy period on the sideline.
Tui Kamikamica is in doubt for the clash with the Roosters due to a back injury.
Felise Kaufusi is set to return after the death of his father.
Roosters: Paul Momirovski is a chance to return after being a late scratching from the win over the Tigers.
If cleared, he’d play centre in place of Drew Hutchinson, who would shift to the bench in place of Oliver Gildart.
Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) are likely to return for the blockbuster clash with the Storm.
RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 3pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: No major changes expected at the Raiders, although Zac Woolford is likely to start at hooker, with Tom Starling shifting to the bench.
Sea Eagles: Andrew Davey is a chance to return in the back-row, if cleared he’d push Ethan Bullemor to the bench and Kurt De Luis out of the team.
Daly Cherry-Evans took over the goal-kicking duties in the absence of Reuben Garrick who will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.
SHARKS v BULLDOGS
Saturday, 5.30pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks: Kade Dykes missed the win over Manly with a calf injury. If cleared to return, Lachie Miller would move to the wing, with Matt Ikuvalu dropping out of the team.
Siosifa Talakai is a strong chance to return from injury at centre, which would see Connor Tracey move to the bench.
Bulldogs: No major changes at the Bulldogs, with Tevita Pangai Jnr and Luke Thompson both returning last weekend in the loss to the Eels.
RABBITOHS v COWBOYS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Tom Burgess is due back from a groin injury, which will see Daniel Suluka-Fifita drop to the bench or potentially out of the 17 entirely.
Cowboys: Tom Dearden ruptured a testicle in the win over the Warriors and is unlikely to play again before finals.
Ben Hampton is likely to come into the halves to partner Chad Townsend.
TIGERS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 2pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: Luke Garner played just three minutes in the heavy loss to the Roosters before failing a HIA.
His likely replacement Alex Seyfarth suffered a shoulder injury and is also in major doubt to face the Dragons.
Adding further woes to the line-up will be the absence of James Tamou who is set to miss two to three matches for a contrary conduct charge.
This will likely see Joe Ofahengaue start at prop, with Fonua Pole or Thomas Freebairn start at lock.
Ken Maumalo failed to finish the game on the weekend due to a groin injury. He’s unlikely to feature in Round 24, with Junior Pauga or James Roberts likely to come into the backline.
Pauga may get the nod after scoring a double for the Magpies in NSW Cup on the weekend.
Luke Brooks is an outside chance to return from a calf injury, but is more likely for Round 25.
Dragons: Moses Mbye is facing two to three matches out for a careless high tackle. He also suffered a hamstring injury and was in major doubt to play anyway.
This will likely see Jack Bird shift to centre, with either Billy Burns or Tyrell Fuimaono starting on the edge.
Andrew McCullough suffered a knee injury in the win over the Titans and is unlikely to play, with Jayden Sullivan a chance to start at hooker.
Francis Molo is facing a four to five week suspension for a careless high tackle.
TITANS v KNIGHTS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Phillip Sami failed a HIA in the loss to the Dragons, he’ll need to pass concussion protocols to take his place against the Knights.
If unavailable, Brian Kelly or Corey Thompson would likely come into the backline.
Erin Clark is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Knights: Daniel Saifiti is expected to return after missing the loss to Canberra having undertaken Covid protocols.
He’ll come into the starting side, with Sauaso Sue shifting to the bench.
Tyson Frizell is expected to return in the back-row after being a late scratching on the weekend due to a rib injury.
This will see Matt Croker drop back to the bench.
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