NRL Early Mail Round 6: Predicted team changes, Jason Saab back, Kieran Foran out
Manly’s depleted backline set to receive a major speed injection as an injury crisis forces the Bulldogs to seek a special exemption from the NRL.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The NRL’s fastest man, Jason Saab, is poised for a shock return in Manly’s big game against Penrith this Saturday.
Saab hasn’t played since sustaining an ACL injury against Gold Coast in round 22 last year.
It was initially thought Saab would not return until round ten.
But a seamless rehab program has the flying winger ready for a comeback against the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium.
Saab completed a fitness test on Tuesday with Manly coach Anthony Seibold declaring he was “likely to play”.
His probable return is a massive boost for Manly.
Saab will be named on the wing in place of Christian Tuipulotu, who has been ruled out for several weeks with a knee injury.
The likely return of Saab coincides with the comeback from injury of rising Sea Eagles star, Josh Schuster.
Schuster and Saab give Manly instant creativity and speed against the Panthers.
Saab has signed a new deal at Brookvale until the end of 2026.
—Dean Ritchie
FORAN OUT, RECRUIT SET FOR DEBUT
Titans five-eighth Kieran Foran has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the Dragons while Super League recruit Kruise Leeming could be rushed into an NRL debut.
Foran will miss the Cbus Super Stadium showdown with St George Illawarra as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
Foran was pushing to not miss any matches after last weekend’s bye, but will be replaced in the No. 6 jersey by Toby Sexton.
Jayden Campbell will start at fullback in place of AJ Brimson, who will miss about a month of action with a hamstring strain.
Leeds recruit Leeming will be named in an extended squad after arriving on the Gold Coast over the weekend.
With hooker Sam Verrills (collarbone) sidelined for two months, Leeming has been signed to help Chris Randall in the dummy-half duties.
—Travis Meyn
BUSTED BULLDOGS FORCED TO SEEK NRL DISPENSATION
Canterbury are in the midst of a $4 million injury crisis that could lead to star forward Tevita Pangai Jr being named to play this weekend – even though he’s not due back for another week.
Unable to pick 21 fit players from their top-30 roster for the club’s Good Friday clash with the Rabbitohs, the Bulldogs will spend Tuesday morning applying for special exemption from the NRL to pick players out of Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup.
Inexperienced forwards Sam Hughes, Jayden Tanner and Kurt Morrin could all be called upon.
Andrew Davey could also play having only played one game in the NSW Cup last weekend.
Jacob Preston (wrist) and Max King (eye) are rated 50-50 chances of playing.
In total, 11 players are unavailable for Canterbury with confirmation also that rampaging prop Franklin Pele (broken arm) will miss the next six weeks.
Top-30 contracted players Viliame Kikau (concussion), Luke Thompson (foot), Nu Brown (elbow), Jayden Okunor (suspension), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion), Chris Patolo (knee), Bailey Biondi-Odo (knee) and Jordan Samrani (knee) are all unavailable.
Pangai Jr could be rushed back for his first game of the year having been sidelined with a lingering calf issue.
The power-forward will meet with high performance staff on Tuesday to determine if he can face South Sydney.
DOLPHINS EYE BACKLINE SWITCH
Anthony Milford is facing a month on the sideline as Wayne Bennett prepares to hand a former Queensland Origin player his Dolphins debut.
Bennett is considering calling up former Maroons flyer Edrick Lee for Friday night’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville.
Lee is yet to play an NRL game for the Dolphins after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season training.
But with the Dolphins on a two-match losing streak, Bennett could recall the experienced winger for the Cowboys derby in place of rookie Jack Bostock.
The Dolphins will field a new-look halves combination after Milford suffered a hamstring injury in last Saturday’s loss to the Dragons.
Scans have revealed Milford will be sidelined for about four weeks, another blow to the Dolphins after halfback Sean O’Sullivan suffered a serious pec injury that will keep him out for four months.
Utility Kodi Nikorima is set to start in the halves alongside rookie Isaiya Katoa, while Bennett could look to recall bench hooker Kurt Donoghoe for some utility value.
—Travis Meyn
SHEENS DITCHES SPINE EXPERIMENT
Tim Sheens is tipped to abandon the Adam Doueihi fullback experiment this week and return Doueihi to partner Luke Brooks in the halves for Wests Tigers’ crucial showdown with Parramatta on Easter Monday.
And that could also open the door for another selection bombshell with Doueihi’s expected move back to five-eighth paving the way for controversial star Daine Laurie’s return to the top grade.
This is despite the angry backlash from Tigers’ fans over Laurie controversially “liking” a video grab of opposition winger Selwyn Cobbo’s try for Brisbane last weekend.
It is believed Laurie and Charlie Staines are locked in a two-way fight to take back the fullback spot from Doueihi.
Meanwhile, with pressure building on everyone at the club on and off the field, there is also huge anticipation over the immediate future of the off contract Brooks.
But it is expected Brooks will remain in No 7 jumper for at least one more week, with young Brandon Wakeham becoming the latest scapegoat.
—Paul Crawley
SCHUSTER SET TO RETURN
Manly star Josh Schuster is poised to make his anticipated comeback against Penrith this weekend – but teammate Ben Trbojevic is in doubt.
Schuster missed last Saturday’s golden point draw against Newcastle in Mudgee due to a quad injury.
“Josh will have a fitness test tomorrow (Tuesday) but is likely (to play),” said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
Trbojevic was due to have a scan on an injured hamstring on Monday afternoon.
He is deemed unlikely to play but a final decision will be reached when Manly reviews the scan results.
—Dean Ritchie
WHO WINS RACE TO REPLACE TEDDY?
The wound from England’s World Cup loss to Samoa has Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley rooting for Joey Manu over Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to replace fullback James Tedesco in Thursday’s clash against Melbourne.
Not that Radley is one to hold a grudge.
Suaalii played at fullback in Samoa’s one-point semi final win over Radley’s England, and the Roosters lock isn’t ready to let his young teammate forget.
“Who do I prefer? I’ll go with Joseph Manu just because Suaalii beat me in the semi against England. Screw him,” Radley joked. “Nah … I’m not holding a grudge.”
Tedesco’s head knock in last week’s win over Parramatta will see the Tricolours fullback sidelined for at least 11 days under the NRL’s new concussion protocols.
With Manu out suspended, Suaalii was shifted to the back after a high shot from Eels winger Bailey Simonsson forced Tedesco from the field after just 24 minutes.
Angus Crichton completed his first training session on Sunday morning after returning to the Roosters’ fold last week. Crichton took time away from the game to seek treatment for bipolar disorder.
Former Eels forward Nathan Brown is edging closer to making his Roosters debut. Brown is managing a hamstring injury and is scheduled for a round seven return but is believed to be making good progress.
—Fatima Kdouh
PONGA COULD BE BACK IN TWO WEEKS
There are hopes Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga will miss just two more games as he prepares to meet with specialists in Newcastle this week to gain a clearer understanding on his rugby league return.
Ponga landed in Sydney on Saturday after spending a week undergoing testing at HealthTech Connex, a Centre for Neurology Studies in Canada.
“Kalyn appears positive,” Newcastle’s head of football Peter Parr told News Corp. “We want to look at it that it’s been a positive trip.
“My expectation is that he will play sooner rather than later but it would be premature for me to put a date on it. We will be guided by the medical advice.”
It is understood there is some hope he may miss just two more games – their clash against the Warriors on Sunday and their following match against the Panthers.
Newcastle are expected to be without his replacement Tyson Gamble for the game against the Warriors after he suffered his own concussion. But they hope to have utility Kurt Mann back from a head knock after missing the golden point draw against Manly on Sunday.
—Michael Carayannis
FULL EARLY MAIL BY TIM WILLIAMS
STORM v ROOSTERS
Thursday, 7:50pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Jahrome Hughes returns from suspension at halfback, with Jonah Pezet likely dropping out of the squad.
After an impressive start to his career he may be given a bench role.
Tepai Moeroa will come into consideration for a bench spot in coming weeks on return from injury.
Roosters: James Tedesco will be unavailable following a concussion against Parramatta.
This is somewhat offset by the return of Joey Manu who is likely to play centre, with Joseph Suaalii shifting to fullback.
Matt Lodge and Nathan Brown are due back from injury in coming rounds.
Franklin Pele X-ray … Not good news … Immediate surgery this afternoon .. Tough lad … Franklin played on with the injury and had a couple of hit ups, until they could organise a replacement .. #proudtobeaBulldogpic.twitter.com/kGQWFPETHh
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 3, 2023
BULLDOGS v RABBITOHS
Friday, 4:05pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Canterbury’s forward injury crisis continued in the golden point win over the Cowboys.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion) and Franklin Pele (broken arm) are unavailable for the clash with South Sydney, joining Viliame Kikau (training concussion) on the sideline.
Tevita Pangai Jnr (calf) is expected to miss one more week with injury also.
Max King (eye) and Jacob Preston (hand) suffered injuries but are likely to lace up for the clash.
Winger-turned forward Jayden Okunbor is facing a one-game ban for a hip drop tackle.
Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston suffered a HIA in the loss to Melbourne and is likely to miss the clash with the Bulldogs.
Taane Milne or Richie Kennar will come into contention for a wing spot.
Jai Arrow is due back from a hamstring injury in coming weeks.
COWBOYS v DOLPHINS
Friday, 8pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater returns from suspension at fullback, pushing Tom Chester out of the 17.
The Cowboys will be hoping Reuben Cotter can make his way back from a knee injury, following the losses of Heilum Luki and Jordan McLean who both suffered hamstring injuries in the loss to the Bulldogs.
If cleared, Cotter would play prop, while any of Mitch Dunn, Taniela Sadrugu or Jack Gosiewski could step into the depleted back-row slot.
Dolphins: Anthony Milford will spend four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
With Sean O’Sullivan already out long-term, this will see Kodi Nikorima deputise in the halves alongside Isaiya Katoa.
Edrick Lee could replace Jack Bostock on the wing.
PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: James Fisher-Harris suffered a suspected MCL injury and is likely to spend time on the sidelines.
Luke Garner and Liam Martin are chances of returning from injury.
The in-form Zac Hosking is likely to retain his edge role, while Martin would replace Scott Sorensen on the other edge. Sorensen would return to the bench.
Soni Luke returns from a HIA on the bench.
Sea Eagles: Christian Tuipulotu suffered a knee injury that will likely see him spend time on the sidelines, alongside Tolutau Koula and Jason Saab.
Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega may earn a call-up onto the wing for the clash with Penrith.
Ben Trbojevic suffered a hamstring injury and is likely to drop off the bench.
Josh Schuster is likely to return from a quad injury, pushing Cooper Johns out of the 17.
LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!
BRONCOS v RAIDERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: No changes expected at the unbeaten Broncos.
Raiders: Matt Frawley suffered a broken hand in the defeat to the Panthers and will be replaced by Brad Schneider in the halves.
Highly touted young fullback Trey Stewart has impressed in NSW Cup and will come into consideration to add some X-factor at the struggling Raiders, while Xavier Savage is nearing a return from a broken jaw.
TITANS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Kieran Foran and AJ Brimson are major outs for the Titans with injury.
Jayden Campbell will slot in at fullback, with Toby Sexton in the halves.
Ken Maumalo and Jojo Fifita will come into contention for backline spots.
Recruit Thomas Mikaele will also come into contention having signed from the English Super League.
Dragons: Jaydn Su’A suffered a calf injury in the win over the Dolphins, this may see Jack Bird shift to an edge and Jack de Belin start at lock.
Jacob Liddle started at hooker as a game day change, with Moses Mbye playing off the bench.
KNIGHTS v WARRIORS
Sunday, 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Tyson Gamble is expected to miss out following a HIA in the draw with Manly.
Phoenix Crossland is likely to replace him in the halves.
Matt Croker suffered a rib injury and is in doubt to face the Warriors.
Kurt Mann is due back from a concussion at lock, pushing Jack Johns to the bench.
Adam Elliott is pushing to return from a groin injury over the next fortnight.
Warriors: The in-form Warriors are hoping to welcome back a number of stars for the clash with Newcastle.
Tohu Harris is a chance to return from a knee injury, while Mitch Barnett is also pushing to get back on deck following a neck injury, although Marata Niukore is facing two weeks on the sideline for his hip drop tackle on Siosifa Talakai.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is nearing his first game of the season after being unavailable with a calf issue.
But who he returns for is the question with the strong form of wingers Marcelo Montoya and Edward Kosi.
TIGERS v EELS
Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: Brent Naden was a late out for the clash with Brisbane due to a leg infection.
He’s likely to come back into the side for Starford To’a, while Tommy Talau is also due back from injury in the next week or two.
Stefano Utoikamanu played off the bench at Suncorp Stadium.
Expect Adam Doueihi to move back into the halves, Daine Laurie or Charlie Staines to play fullback and Brandon Wakeham to drop to the bench or out of the 17.
Eels: Bailey Simonsson is facing a two week suspension for a high tackle on James Tedesco.
He’s likely to be replaced by either Isaac Lumelume or Haze Dunster on the wing.
Shaun Lane is due back from a broken jaw in coming weeks.
BYE:Sharks – Cronulla’s Dale Finucane has been slapped with a 3-4 match ban for a hip-drop tackle in Sunday’s loss to the Warriors.
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.