NRL teams Round 4 2022: Roosters, Raiders, Warriors hit by Covid

The Roosters, Raiders and Warriors have been hit by Covid, while there’s trouble in Brisbane’s pack and good news for Penrith, Melbourne and Wests Tigers.

Joseph Suaalii could return to the top grade.

The Sydney Roosters will push ahead with a mini-camp in Townsville after Trent Robinson tested positive for Covid, forcing the coach into isolation.

Lock forward Victor Radley revealed the Roosters would still travel to far north Queensland early to acclimatise to humid conditions before Saturday’s clash against the Cowboys.

“I‘m excited to get away, we are all going away together for a couple of days up in Townsville, so that always helps. Keen to get away and hopefully put a good performance in and keep building our season,” Radley said.

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Robinson confirmed he was in isolation on Tuesday morning, under NSW public health orders.

“I’m feeling fine and am very comfortable with the plans we have in place, and I’ll be back at the club next week,” Robinson said.

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson will not make the trip to Townsville. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

With Robinson unavailable for the trip, Roosters assistants Jason Ryles and Matt King are likely to take charge of the side.

Robinson isn‘t the first coach to be ruled out of a match with the virus, former Tricolours assistant turned Cronulla head coach Craig Fitzgibbon missed his debut game in charge in round one after testing positive.

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Like Fitzgibbon, Robinson is likely to keep a close eye on his troops during the week through daily Zoom and video calls.

Tricolours forward Fletcher Baker is out of the match with a ‘stomach bug’. Daniel Suluka-Fifita will fill in Baker on the bench.

Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary (shoulder) will make his long awaited return in Friday night’s grand final replay against South Sydney. Scott Sorensen will play on the edge vacated by Chris Smith, who has not passed return to play protocols after an ugly high shot from Newcastle’s Mitch Barnett.

The Rabbitohs are unchanged from the side that beat arch rivals, the Roosters, in round three.

Cronulla coach Fitzgibbon has backed wrecking ball Siosifa Talakai at centre against Newcastle with Connor Tracey (groin) out injured.

Nathan Cleary returns for the Panthers’ clash with South Sydney. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

In a boost for the Knights, captain Kalyn Ponga (knee) will line-up against the Sharks.

Brodie Jones is favoured on the edge as the replacement for Barnett, who is facing time on the sideline for an ugly high shot on Penrith’s Smith.

Melbourne’s ‘Mr Fix It’ Nick Meaney makes way for Xavier Coates (hamstring) on the wing, while hooker Harry Grant has passed Covid protocols, pushing Brandon Smith to the pine against Canterbury. Corey Waddell has received the call-up for Jack Hetherington (shoulder) in the Bulldogs backrow. Luke Thompson is at prop.

Canberra cannot catch a Covid break after winger Sebastian Kris, the sixth Raider to miss a match due to the virus, was forced into isolation ahead of Saturday’s clash against Manly. But it‘s a case of one man out, one man in with winger Nick Cotric (quad) back in the side.

The Sea Eagles are unchanged with forward Josh Aloiai (suspension) on the reserves list.

Wests Tigers flyer James Roberts (quad) takes his place in the centres with boom forward Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) named in the backrow against the Gold Coast. Zane Musgrove has been promoted into the starting side to replace prop Stefano Utoikamanu (ankle), who is out for at least eight weeks.

Jamayne Isaako will make his Titans debut against Wests Tigers.

Former Brisbane back Jamayne Isaako will cover for Jayden Campbell (ribs) at fullback in his first game for the Titans.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has made two changes on his bench for the clash against St George Illawarra with Bryce Cartwright and Ryan Matterson in for Ray Stone (ACL) and Wiremu Greig. While George Burgess was not stood down after being charged with sexual touching without consent, coach Anthony Griffin has named the forward in the no. 24 jumper.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has selected Jordan Riki to face New Zealand despite the backrower copping a hit to the ribs against North Queensland. Thomas Flegler is back from suspension from the bench, Ryan James will start the game at prop and Kurt Capewell (calf) is among the reserves.

Shaun Johnson (pectoral) is a chance after coach Nathan Brown added the halfback into the extended squad.

ROUND 4 - EARLY MAIL

TITANS v TIGERS

Thursday, 8.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: Corey Thompson is pushing for a return from injury and would start on the wing if fit to go, with either Greg Marzhew or Patrick Herbert making way.

Jayden Campbell (ribs) which opens the door for Jamayne Isaako to make his club debut. AJ Brimosn (ribs) is being monitored by the club.

Tigers: Jackson Hastings will miss a further two matches, meaning Jock Madden will continue in the halves alongside Luke Brooks.

Stefano Utoikamanu suffered a high ankle injury and is expected to face a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Alex Twal is expected to start at prop, with Thomas Mikaele joining the bench.

Kelma Tuilagi (HIA) is back likely pushing Luke Garner to the bench or reserves while in the backline, Ken Maumalo and James Roberts are available for selection..

Stefano Utoikamanu off with left ankle issue, video brings concern for high ankle sprain with tackler landing on lower leg twisting foot out. Even if a minor sprain tough to return within a week (usually 2-3 best case), if joint unstable/surgery required facing 6-8 weeks recovery pic.twitter.com/AXbikdPkPO

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 25, 2022

SHARKS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 6pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: Connor Tracey and Matt Ikuvalu are expected to be rested. Ronaldo Mulitalo’s return fills Ikuvalu’s place on the wing while Siosifa Talakai is expected to cover for Tracey in the centres. Teig Wilton returns in the second-row.

Having played 51 minutes in last week’s win over the Dragons, Cameron McInnes will be very close to returning to his starting role at lock, which would see Dale Finucane move to prop and Braden Hamlin-Uele shift to the bench.

Jack Williams is also due back from injury, but he’ll struggle to crack the Sharks bench in the short-term due to their recent form.

Knights: Kalyn Ponga is due back after again being a late scratching last week. He’d be a straight swap for Tex Hoy.

Mitchell Barnett is facing a lengthy suspension after being sent off in the loss to Penrith.

This leaves the Knights slightly short on back-rowers, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon already unavailable.

Tyson Frizell looked to be dealing with a knee niggle during the clash, but is believed to be okay.

It’s good news for KFC SuperCoach cheapie Jirah Momoisea who should earn a starting spot in Barnett’s absence.

Brodie Jones is also due to play his first game of the season after overcoming injury, and also having to undertake Covid protocols in Round 3.

He’s likely to be eased back off the bench despite the back-row issues, but will be considered as a starter.

Sauaso Sue is also due back for his first game of the season and will likely join the bench in the absence of David Klemmer who is due back in coming weeks.

PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8.05pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: Nathan Cleary is expected to return after being named on the extended bench last week, however with the Panthers’ unbeaten start to the season there won’t be any need to rush him if not 100% ready.

James Fisher-Harris is nearing return and would start if fit to go, with Spencer Leniu reverting to the bench.

Liam Martin is also expected to return from a minor injury after being withdrawn late last week, which would see Chris Smith move back to the bench if he passes concussion protocol.

Rabbitohs: No changes expected at the Rabbitohs following a big win over the Roosters.

Blake Taaffe is still another week or two away from a return to action.

WARRIORS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 3pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors: Eliesa Katoa failed to finish the clash with the Tigers with an eye injury, but is expected to be fine to face the Broncos.

Ash Taylor is available for selection after sustaining a minor injury that kept him out last week.

Nathan Brown has a decision to make whether to break up last weekend’s winning combination of Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima.

Broncos: Tom Flegler returns from suspension for his first game of the season, with Corey Jensen likely to make way on the bench.

Jordan Riki suffered a rib injury in the loss to the Cowboys and is likely to miss the clash with the Warriors. Riki’s absence is compounded by the injury to Brendan Piakura (hamstring) which opens the door for TC Robati to earn a reprieve in a starting back-row role.

SEA EAGLES v RAIDERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai returns from suspension which could spell trouble for KFC SuperCoach cheapie Ethan Bullemor, who was dropped to bench in the win over the Bulldogs in favour of Andrew Davey. There’s no changes expected elsewhere.

Raiders: Nick Cotric is expected to return from a quad injury, but must pass relevant testing to take his spot on the wing ahead of Seb Kris.

No changes expected elsewhere, with Matt Frawley likely to play the first 20 minutes at hooker with Tom Starling playing off the bench.

COWBOYS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: Coen Hess suffered a shoulder injury in the strong QLD Derby win over the Broncos.

He’s in doubt to face the Roosters, with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown likely a straight swap if he’s cleared to return from injury.

Roosters: The only major change at the Roosters would be if Joseph Suaalii was called up from NSW Cup for his first top grade game of 2022 following a disrupted pre-season due to injury.

If so, coach Trent Robinson has the tough call to drop either Billy Smith or Paul Momirovski from the side.

I’d expect Momirovski to make way, with Smith shifting to centre and Suaalii coming onto the wing.

Drew Hutchinson will likely start at hooker for the first 20 again, with Connor Watson playing from the bench.

Joseph Suaalii could return to the top grade.

STORM v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4.05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: Xavier Coates missed the clash with the Eels due to hamstring tightness, if cleared to return he’d replace Nick Meaney on the wing.

Harry Grant and Tyran Wishart are available after undergoing Covid protocols.

This will see significant changes, with Grant starting at hooker, Brandon Smith shifting to lock, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona moving to the bench.

This would likely see Josh King start at prop following a strong run of form to begin the season.

Bulldogs: Jack Hetherington suffered a shoulder injury and is expected to spend an extended period on the sideline.

Corey Waddell will likely start on the edge, with Luke Thompson starting at prop after again being a game day switch to the bench.

EELS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: Match-winner Ray Stone is awaiting scan results on a knee injury, and is expected to spend time on the sidelines.

Ryan Matterson and Marata Niukore will both be pushing to return from injury.

Dragons: Jaydn Su’A will miss one to two matches following a high tackle in the loss to Cronulla.

His absence would likely see Tariq Sims shift to the edge, and Jack de Belin return to the starting side at lock.

Aaron Woods is nearing a return from a hamstring strain and would come into the team if passed fit.