NRL Early Mail Round 4: Predicted team changes
Warriors young gun Adam Keighran has been dropped for their clash with Gold Coast, while Brisbane has copped an injury blow ahead of their blockbuster against the Roosters.
Warriors young gun Adam Keighran has been dropped for Friday night’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland.
He is replaced in the halves fellow rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Issac Luke (hamstring) is also out with Karl Lawton to come into the side and share the hooking role with Jazz Tevaga.
Regular back-up hooker Nathaniel Roache (calf) is not yet ready for a comeback.
— Tom Sangster
Broncos flyer James Roberts will miss this week’s blockbuster clash with the Sydney Roosters as he continues to battle an ankle injury.
Roberts did not train with the main team during training at Red Hill on Tuesday morning after he picked up an Achilles injury last week.
Broncos captain Darius Boyd confirmed the loss of Roberts and said they needed the speedy centre to return to his best.
“I just think it’s his Achilles,” he said.
“Obviously he’s a bit of a Ferrari. He runs fast and we need him to be at his best. I just think his Achilles is hampering him this week so he’s having a bit of a rest. Hopefully he’ll get it right for next week.”
Young gun Kotoni Staggs is likely to come into the side to replace Roberts.
“Staggs gets his opportunity,” Boyd said.
“He’s a young kid with a lot of talent and very competitive. It’s disappointing Jimmy won’t be there but a good opportunity for Staggs.
“He’s in the prime of his career, Jimmy. In saying that, we need Jimmy at his best. With his Achilles hampering him a bit, it’s a good opportunity to give him a rest and get his body right.”
Front rower Matt Lodge will make his return from suspension this week while Matt Gillett is likely to be shifted back out to the edge.
— Chris Honnery
South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker is racing the clock for Saturday’s clash against the Sea Eagles due to a shoulder injury.
“Cody got caught in an awkward tackle and jarred his shoulder. He played on, had some pain medication throughout the game, finished the game but was quite sore this morning (Monday),” said Jarrod Wade, South Sydney’s head of high performance.
“We expect he’ll miss training early in the week and we’ll see if we can get him into some contact work later in the week in order to play on the weekend.”
To further complicate the situation, back-ups Connor Tracey and Dean Hawkins have missed the last few weeks with injury, while Adam Doueihi (ACL) isn’t due back until next week.
Coach Wayne Bennett may therefore be forced to switch John Sutton to five-eighth.
— Wacko’s Whispers
Exciting Cronulla young gun Bronson Xerri will debut against the Eels on Saturday night.
Matt Moylan (hamstring) is out for six weeks with Josh Dugan switching to fullback and Xerri to play right centre.
— Phil Rothfield
At the Knights, the Kalyn Ponga experiment is over.
Coach Nathan Brown on Monday spoke with Newcastle’s star youngster where it was determined Ponga playing fullback is the best fit for the team.
It’s still uncertain if Connor Watson will return from a knee injury, but former Warrior Mason Lino and Kurt Mann — who switched from fullback to five-eighth against the Raiders — are options to join Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
— Paul Crawley
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett could be without both first-choice centres for Saturday’s clash against the Sea Eagles.
Greg Inglis is racing the clock after missing Sunday’s win against the Titans with a shoulder/neck issue, while Braidon Burns is out for four weeks with a hamstring issue.
Inglis will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness but if ruled out, talented outside back Jacob Gagan is likely to get his call up.
Gagan is 26 and has only played eight NRL games at previous clubs Cronulla and Newcastle, but Wayne Bennett has been impressed by his form in reserve grade and has a rap on his ability.
— Paul Crawley
Wests Tigers five-eighth Josh Reynolds is expected to play his first game of the season in place of the injured Benji Marshall.
Marshall’s hamstring injury is not expected to keep him out long-term but the veteran five-eighth is likely to miss Friday’s match against Penrith.
Reynolds has spent the past two weeks in reserve grade having been overlooked for a round one spot.
— Michael Carayannis
INJURY LIST: Full NRL casualty ward Round 3
ROOSTERS v BRONCOS
7.50pm AEDT at SCG
Roosters: The club hopes hooker Jake Friend (shoulder) will only miss a fortnight. Victor Radley is not only preparing to play hooker, but has told coach Trent Robinson he wants to stay on for the entire 80 minutes. Friend missed Round 2 with a shoulder injury and played just 33 minutes against Parramatta last Friday night before again leaving the field. Halfback Cooper Cronk (hamstring) is set to return for the Thursday Night Football clash. Both Robinson and playmaker Luke Keary have confirmed their star No.7 has recovered from a dodgy hamstring and will be fit for the Broncos clash. Latrell Mitchell reverts to centre with Lachlan Lam likely to drop off the bench.
— Nick Walshaw
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (rib cartilage) is expected to play through the pain despite failing to finish. Lindsay Collins (concussion) is aiming for a comeback in place of Poasa Faamausili on the bench.
Broncos: Centre James Roberts (Achilles) is out, with young gun Kotoni Staggs his likely replacement. Front rower Matt Lodge will make his return from suspension while Matt Gillett could shift back out to the edge.
WARRIORS v TITANS
6pm AEDT Friday at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: Rookie five-eighth Adam Keighran has been dropped, replaced by fellow young gun Chanel Harris-Tavita. Issac Luke (hamstring) is also out with Karl Lawton to come into the side and share the hooking role with Jazz Tevaga. Regular back-up hooker Nathaniel Roache (calf) is not yet ready for a comeback.
Titans: Coach Garth Brennan says first-choice halves Ashley Taylor (quad) and Tyrone Roberts (Achilles) are in contention for the Auckland clash. “Ash and Tyrone will fly from the Gold Coast and meet us there (with the main squad flying from Sydney following the loss to the Rabbitohs). That’s not to say they will definitely play but they trained well yesterday (Saturday). We will probably get a light session on Tuesday in Auckland and then a captain’s run so it’s not ideal but we won’t use it as an excuse.” If Taylor and Roberts play, expect AJ Brimson to move to the bench and Ryley Jacks to drop out.
PANTHERS v TIGERS
7.55pm AEDT at Panthers Stadium
Panthers: Penrith forward Viliame Kikau is firming to play his first NRL game of 2019 after being spotted running at Panthers HQ late last week. Kikau, who injured his knee in a trial win against South Sydney, has always been slated for a Round 4 return and it appears the Fijian heavyweight is on track. His return would be a welcome boost for coach Ivan Cleary’s side, who have dropped two of its opening three to sit 14th.
— Nick Walshaw
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards has been guaranteed a shot at atoning for his horror night night in Bathurst. Playing in just his 27th match of his career, Edwards made a career-high six errors in their 32-2 humbling at the hands of Melbourne. Nathan Cleary is set to resume goalkicking following a minor groin strain.
Tigers: Five-eighth Josh Reynolds is set for a long-awaited NRL return following an injury to Benji Marshall (hamstring). Luke Garner (shoulder) is in doubt with an AC joint injury. He managed to return against the Bulldogs with the aid of a painkilling injection.
SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS
3pm AEDT Saturday at Lottoland
Sea Eagles: No changes following a big win over the Warriors.
Rabbitohs: Centre Greg Inglis (shoulder/neck) is in doubt after missing the Gold Coast clash. Expect him to be named. If out, Wayne Bennett will pull the same switch as Sunday with Dane Gagai moving to centre and Corey Allan coming onto the wing. The left centre spot is also open following an injury to Braidon Burns (hamstring). Adam Doueihi (knee) is also not due back until round five with Jacob Gagan set to be called up. George Burgess (suspension) will play his first NRL game of 2019. Cody Walker (shoulder) is in doubt. Replacement options include Connor Tracey, Dean Hawkins and John Sutton.
COWBOYS v RAIDERS
5.30pm AEDT at 1300Smiles Stadium
Cowboys: Paul Green’s side got through the weekend injury-free. Kyle Feldt (groin) is aiming for round 5-7.
Raiders: Halfback Aidan Sezer (side strain) is racing the clock, although it’s unclear if he’d make the side after Sam Williams starred in his absence. Joseph Tapine (broken thumb) is a chance.
EELS v SHARKS
7.35pm AEDT Saturday at ANZ Stadium
Eels: Forward Tepai Moeroa (calf) may come into contention after a late withdrawal on the weekend.
Sharks: A hamstring injury to Matt Moylan has opened the door for exciting rookie Bronson Xerri to make his NRL debut. Josh Dugan shifts to fullback, allowing Xerri to start at right centre. Skipper Paul Gallen (rib cartilage) is in doubt. He has played through the pain of similar injuries in the past.
STORM v BULLDOGS
4.05pm AEDT Sunday at AAMI Park
Storm: No changes expected following a big win over the Panthers. Joe Stimson (back) played his first match this season over the weekend in Intrust Super Cup.
Bulldogs: Kieran Foran (ankle) is out for up to three months. Jack Cogger comes into the team.
KNIGHTS v DRAGONS
6.10pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Coach Nathan Brown will switch Kalyn Ponga to fullback. Connor Watson (knee) is gunning for a return in the halves. Mason Lino and Kurt Mann are options if Watson fails to recover.
Dragons: Skipper Gareth Widdop’s shoulder injury opens the door for Matt Dufty to return at fullback. With Widdop sidelined the Dragons are also missing a goalkicker, and coach Paul McGregor could be tempted to start Zac Lomax, which could spell trouble for winger Mikaele Ravalawa. If Lomax misses out, the Dragons would need to rely on Tim Lafai or Ben Hunt to kick goals. Tyson Frizell (testicle) is expected to miss at least another week.
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