NRL Early Mail Round 6

The latest on Cronulla stars Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen as well as a Warriors star who looks unlikely to face the Cowboys — check out all the player news and tips ahead of the Round 6 team announcements.

All the NRL team news heading into Round 6.

SHARKS V PANTHERS

Thurs 18 Apr, PointsBet Stadium, 7.50pm

Sharks: Sharks prop Andrew Fifita is expected to be named after suffering hamstring tightness in the loss to the Roosters. He’ll be given until game day to prove his fitness. Paul Gallen (ribs) will also return after missing a week.

— Fatima Kdouh

Shaun Johnson (quad tightness) could regain the goal-kicking duties after offloading to halves partner Chad Townsend last week. Wade Graham (ACL) is back running with the team and isn’t too far away.

Panthers: Wayde Egan (concussion) is expected to return, which would push Jarome Luai off the bench. Isaah Yeo (shoulder) is expected to be ruled out, which could push Hame Sele to the edge.

Andrew Fifita has a hamstring injury, Jai Arrow has an ankle injury.

BULLDOGS V RABBITOHS

Fri 19 Apr, ANZ Stadium, 4.05pm

Bulldogs: Canterbury prop Sauaso Sue is facing a three-game NRL ban after being charged for two separate incidents in Sunday’s loss to St George Illawarra. Sue was stung with a dangerous contact charge for separate tackles on Jordan Pereira in the 37th minute, and then Paul Vaughan in the 52nd. He can reduce the ban to two games with early guilty pleas on both charges.

Rabbitohs: No changes expected. Greg Inglis announced his retirement on Monday.

STORM V ROOSTERS

Fri 19 Apr, AAMI Park, 7.55pm

Storm: The returns of Curtis Scott (shoulder) and Suliasi Vunivalu (suspension) will boost Melbourne’s backline. Sandor Earl and Marion Seve will make way for the strike pairing.

Roosters: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) is expected to return. Zane Tetevano moves to the bench. Joseph Manu is facing a one-game suspension which would see Mitchell Aubusson move to centre. Brett Morris is an outside chance at returning from a knee injury in place of Matt Ikuvalu or Manu if suspended.

FULL NRL CASUALTY WARD ROUND 5

WARRIORS V COWBOYS

Sat 20 Apr, Mt Smart Stadium, 5.30pm

Warriors: Warriors coach Stephen Kearney wants to make an early decision on the status of key playmaker Blake Green (groin), who looks set to sit out their NRL home match against North Queensland.

The veteran halfback Green skipped Tuesday’s training session because of the groin injury that saw him miss last Saturday’s 28-24 loss to South Sydney on the Sunshine Coast.

Rookie five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita took the chief playmaking duties in just his second appearance, while regular centre Peta Hiku joined him in the halves.

Kearney said the 20-year-old will have learned plenty from the experience and had faith in Harris-Tavita and Hiku starting in the same roles against the Cowboys on Saturday, if Green can’t recover.

- AAP

Cowboys: Nene Macdonald (ankle) is out long-term, but Kyle Feldt (groin) is closing in on a return. John Asiata (elbow) is in doubt despite playing on over the weekend. Scott Bolton looms as the obvious replacement on the bench, with his disciplinary suspension now over.

John Asiata (left) and Nene Macdonald both went down in the same play.

DRAGONS V SEA EAGLES

Sat 20 Apr, WIN Stadium, 7.35pm

Dragons: Paul Vaughan (ankle) came off with a minor injury against the Bulldogs. He would have returned if the game was close and he’ll be named by the Dragons on Tuesday.

Jack de Belin is ineligible to be named to return this weekend for St George Illawarra as he prepares to confront a highly intense second day in the Federal Court.

De Belin is currently challenging the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy before the courts after he was stood down over aggravated sexual assault charges.

The Daily Telegraph has learned the Dragons won’t name de Belin with the club prepared to continue to adhere to the policy.

Sea Eagles: Addin Fonua-Blake (high tackle) is facing a two game ban. Expect Toafofoa Sipley to start at prop. Young gun Albert Hopoate ruptured a second ACL over the weekend and is out long-term.

TITANS V KNIGHTS

Sun 21 Apr, Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm

Titans: Garth Brennan’s team has Jai Arrow (ankle) and Shannon Boyd (hamstring) in doubt, while Jarrod Wallace (shoulder charge) is facing a 2-3 week suspension. Ash Taylor (leg) is expected to miss 1-3 weeks while AJ Brimson (broken thumb) is expected to sit out 3-6 weeks. Ryley Jacks will likely earn a repreive in the halves alongside Tyrone Roberts.

Knights: Aidan Guerra had surgery on Monday and will miss an extended period of around four months. “He’s got a dislocated fracture of his ankle,” Head of Physical Performance, Balin Cupples said. “He’s going in for surgery (on Monday) afternoon.” Sione Mata’utia, who missed the weekend clash due to a burner in his shoulder, is expected to return. Mitchell Pearce looks set to overcome a head-knock.

RAIDERS V BRONCOS

Sun 21 Apr, GIO Stadium, 4.05pm

Raiders: Joseph Tapine (ankle) is out long-term. Corey Horsburgh is the likely replacement on the bench.

Broncos: After being named on an extended bench last week, James Roberts (Achilles) is an outside chance to return from injury at the expense of Kotoni Staggs who would shift to the bench.

EELS V TIGERS

Mon 22 Apr, Bankwest Stadium, 4pm

Eels: Blake Ferguson (ribs/nose) is expected to miss out. Josh Hoffman, Ethan Parry and Greg Leleisiuao are the possible replacements. Manu Ma’u (knee) returns after a long lay-off.

Tigers: To come ...