NRL Early Mail round 26: Broncos receive Selwyn Cobbo boost, Nathan Brown cops three-week ban
Selwyn Cobbo missed training on Monday but will be available to play Canberra while a fringe Roosters forward will spend three weeks on the sidelines.
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Sydney Roosters forward Nathan Brown has copped a three-match ban after he was sin-binned twice in his return from suspension in NSW Cup.
Brown, who was sent off in his last NRL appearance for the Roosters, was returning from a one-game ban in reserve grade last Friday against his former team Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.
The fiery lock was binned in the 31st and 55th minutes for striking and a high tackle and has taken the early guilty pleas on both charges.
His return match came after the 30-year-old was given his marching orders for collecting Manly’s Ben Trbojevic high in the Roosters’ round 23 win over the Sea Eagles at the SCG.
BRONCOS’ COBBO BOOST
The Broncos have received a boost with star winger Selwyn Cobbo set to face the Raiders on Saturday night in Canberra.
The Queensland Origin flyer missed Broncos training on Monday following the passing of a family member, putting Cobbo in doubt for Brisbane’s difficult road trip to take on the Green Machine.
But Cobbo reported for Broncos training on Tuesday and informed Brisbane’s coaching staff he is keen to be picked for the penultimate regular-season clash at GIO Stadium.
It is a crucial must-win game for the Broncos (17-5), who enter the clash in second spot, but are mathematically still in danger of losing a home semi-final berth to the third-placed Warriors if Brisbane drop their final two matches.
Reynolds strained his calf at an opposed session last Friday and will sit out the round 26 clash, with rising playmaker Jock Madden set to answer an SOS, just as he did in Brisbane’s 30-14 rout of the Cowboys in round 23.
13-MONTH WAIT ALMOST OVER FOR PAPENHUYZEN
The 13-month wait is just about over.
This masthead can reveal Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen is poised to be recalled for Melbourne’s important NRL match against Gold Coast this Saturday.
Storm management wouldn’t reveal on Monday whether Papenhuyzen would be named but conceded he was a “chance.”
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will release his side at 4pm on Tuesday.
Papenhuyzen has told friends he is ready to return after three games for feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
He has not played since July last year.
Papenhuyzen would return either as starting fullback or playing a utility role off the bench.
“There has been no decision made and won’t be until (Tuesday),” said Storm general manager of football, Frank Ponissi.
“He’s a chance, but not guaranteed.”
Papenhuyzen hasn’t played NRL since shattering his knee cap during a game against Canberra in round 18 last season. He collided with Raiders star Jack Wighton.
Melbourne play Gold Coast this Saturday afternoon at AAMI Park.
SEA EAGLES AXE SCHUSTER FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has finally run out of patience with young star Josh Schuster.
The $800,000-a-year utility will be axed to reserved grade for this weekend’s match against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
TO’O CONFIRMED BUT MYSTERY OVER PENRITH RESTINGS
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed Brian To’o will be back for Thursday’s clash against Parramatta after the winger was rested on the weekend against the Gold Coast Titans.
Thomas Jenkins will make way for To’o on the wing.
Back-rower Scott Sorensen also missed Saturday’s game against the Gold Coast and remains in some doubt to make it back in time for the Eels as he battles to overcome a leg injury.
Zac Hosking will again replace Sorensen in the backrow.
Hooker Mitch Kenny has missed Penrith’s last two outings but is expected to make a comeback on Thursday night.
Star centre Izack Tago is also edging closer to a return from a leg injury that has kept him out since round 20.
Utility Tyrone Peachey is the man most likely to make way for Tago. However, Cleary appears to be staggering his restings late in the season, so any number of Panthers could get a spell against the Eels.
HASTINGS BACK FOR IN-FORM KNIGHTS
Newcastle’s charge into the finals will receive a huge boost going into round 26 with halfback Jackson Hastings scheduled to return from an ankle injury.
It was feared Hastings had suffered a serious injury after a hip drop tackle by Canterbury’s Jacob Preston but it is expected the playmaker will be available against Cronulla.
WALKER EYES ROOSTERS COMEBACK
A first-half kicking masterclass from Sam Walker wasn’t enough to get the North Sydney Bears over the line on Sunday, but it might just have earned the halfback a Roosters recall.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson kept a close eye on proceedings at North Sydney Oval, where Walker’s arsenal of kicks was on full display against Penrith.
Despite going down 26-18 to the Panthers, Walker’s boot helped set-up the Bears’ three first-half tries, and he nailed all conversions.
In what would have been pleasing signs for Robinson, Walker got through another 80 minutes unscathed after making a return from a knee injury last weekend.
Walker was dropped after round 7 but then suffered an ACL sprain in reserve grade.
Still alive in the race to a finals spot, the Roosters take on the last-placed Wests Tigers on Saturday which shapes as the perfect way to ease Walker back into the NRL side before they meet South Sydney in the final round.
Teenage centre Robert Toia featured for the Bears for the first time after returning from a broken jaw last month through the Roosters’ reserve grade side.
Toia, who is edging closer to an NRL debut, ran the ball strongly but his attacking opportunities were limited.
Centre Joey Manu is expected to replace James Tedesco at fullback after the skipper suffered a category one head knock against Parramatta.
Siua Wong could shift to the centres for Manu with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii another option but he’s likely to stay on the wing after some outstanding performances on the flank in recent weeks while Corey Allan is also in the frame.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is expected to make his return for the Roosters against the Tigers after missing the Eels game due to neck pain.
FULL LATE MAIL BY TIM WILLIAMS
PANTHERS v EELS
Thursday, 7:50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Brian To’o is confirmed to return and Mitch Kenny is also looking good to play after two weeks out.
Scott Sorensen is also aiming to return but is the most doubtful of the three.
Izack Tago is due to return from injury at left centre in place of Tyrone Peachey.
Ivan Cleary appears to be staggering his restings late in the season, so any number of Panthers could get a spell against the Eels.
Eels: Shaun Lane is a chance to return from an elbow injury on the edge, which would see J’maine Hopgood shift back to lock.
Andrew Davey is a chance to return from a concussion but may be given another week having a history of head knocks.
WARRIORS v DRAGONS
Friday, 6pm, Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga tweaked his hamstring prior to the win over the Sea Eagles which has him in doubt to face the Dragons.
Mitch Barnett is a chance to return from a knee injury in the pack.
Dragons: Zac Lomax is a chance to return from injury at centre.
DOLPHINS v COWBOYS
Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu, Kenny Bromwich and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are all due back from concussions.
Cowboys: No major changes expected at the Cowboys.
STORM v TITANS
Saturday, 3pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to return either as a starting fullback or as a utility off the bench.
Titans: Jayden Campbell suffered a potentially serious knee injury that may see him miss the remainder of the season.
This may be offset by the potential return of Kieran Foran in the halves from a sternum injury.
Phil Sami suffered a suspected Lisfranc injury that will likely see him ruled out of the clash with the Storm.
Jojo Fifita is a chance to return from an ankle injury and would replace him in the backline if cleared to go.
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ROOSTERS v TIGERS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: James Tedesco is unlikely to face the Tigers following a concussion against the Eels.
Joey Manu will shift to fullback, with Junior Pauga likely to come into the backline.
Egan Butcher is expected to return in the back-row from a concussion.
Jared Waerea-Hargeaves is a chance to return after being ruled out late in round 25 due to acute neck pain.
Sam Walker is hoping to return in the halves.
Tigers: Luke Brooks is likely to need another week to return from a calf injury, meaning no changes are expected at the Tigers.
RAIDERS v BRONCOS
Saturday, 7:35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Jack Wighton is an outside chance to return in the halves from a minor hamstring injury, but is likely to need at least another week.
Corey Horsburgh copped a late head knock and will need to pass concussion protocols to take his part in the Broncos clash.
Albert Hopoate is also in doubt after failing to finish the clash with a rib injury.
Broncos: Adam Reynolds is unavailable due to a calf injury, with Jock Madden to come into the halves.
Jesse Arthars is due back from a concussion and will likely replace Deine Mariner on the wing.
Corey Oates is due back from injury soon but may struggle to crack the top grade.
BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES
Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Ryan Sutton and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are chances to return from injury on the bench for the Bulldogs.
Sea Eagles: Josh Schuster has been axed to reserve grade.
Reuben Garrick is in doubt with a back complaint.
Brad Parker is due back from a concussion at centre in place of Morgan Harper.
Ben Trbojevic is due back from a concussion, likely off the bench.
KNIGHTS v SHARKS
Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Jackson Hastings is a strong chance to return from an ankle injury in the halves in place of Adam Clune.
Sharks: No changes expected at the Sharks following their big win over the Cowboys.
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