NRL Early Mail Round 5: Team news and tips
NATHAN Cleary’s new comeback date, Melbourne cops another blow, while the Rabbitohs will welcome back Adam Reynolds but could lose Sam Burgess for a fortnight — Round 5 Early Mail.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PANTHERS star Nathan Cleary is confident of returning from a knee injury ahead of schedule.
Cleary, who suffered a grade three MCL knee injury in Penrith’s loss to Canterbury last month, is targeting a Round 12 return.
— Matt Logue
Meanwhile, Dale Finucane’s hopes of making his State of Origin debut have received a setback with the Melbourne Storm lock sidelined for at least the next month with a fractured thumb.
Finucane suffered the injury in the first half of Friday night’s loss to Cronulla, with scans later revealing the severity of the injury.
The durable backrower has only missed one game since 2015 and has been one of the Storm’s best in their patchy start to the season.
His form meant he has been pushing NSW incumbents Josh Jackson and Jake Trbojevic for Origin selection.
Also at the Storm, Will Chambers has decided to cop a two game ban for dangerous contact.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs will welcome back playmaker Adam Reynolds this week but risk losing inspirational forward Sam Burgess for two weeks through suspension.
Burgess will take his case to the NRL judiciary after being slapped with a grade one dangerous contract charge after Friday’s controversial win over Canterbury.
Had he accepted the early guilty plea, Burgess would have been rubbed out for one week.
However, the Rabbitohs on Monday confirmed they would roll the dice and challenge the charge.
Because of his poor record, Burgess risks missing Souths’ next two clashes against St George Illawarra and archrivals the Sydney Roosters if found guilty.
Two weeks ago Burgess pleaded guilty to a dangerous contract charge on Penrith’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard meaning he has 85 carry-over points hanging over his head.
The Daily Telegraph’s Christian Nicolussi reports that Reynolds, who is back training following knee surgery, will be named for the round five derby against table-toppers the Dragons at Jubilee Oval this Friday.
Adam Doueihi, who has played halfback in Reynolds’ absence, will remain in the Rabbitohs’ 17.
The Rabbitohs also lost Mark Nicholls, Robert Jennings (both concussion) and Richie Kennar (hamstring) on the weekend, but all are hopeful of playing.
RAIDERS V BULLDOGS
Thursday, April 5th, 7.50pm, GIO Stadium
Raiders: Got through the weekend unscathed. Coach Ricky Stuart is expected to stick strong with his side despite four losses in a row.
Bulldogs: Forward Aiden Tolman (ankle, round 13) will miss out. The Daily Telegraph reports that Adam Elliott is poised to take his place at lock ahead of Danny Fualalo. Asipeli Fine would likely come into the 17. Moses Mbye (concussion) will be named and monitored throughout the week.
SHARKS V ROOSTERS
Friday, April 6th, 6pm, Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Josh Dugan (groin) and Matt Moylan (hamstring) will be named after late withdrawals last week. Dugan will slot in at fullback with Valentine Holmes returning to the wing and Edrick Lee dropping out. Moylan replaces Trent Hodkinson at five-eighth.
Roosters: No changes expected.
DRAGONS V RABBITOHS
Friday, April 6th, 7.50pm, Jubilee Oval
Dragons: Coach Paul McGregor’s side have no injuries and are expected to be unchanged once again.
Rabbitohs: Halfback Adam Reynolds (knee) resumed running last week and is set to return. Young gun Adam Doueihi will remain in the 17. Sam Burgess (dangerous contact) is risking a two match ban at the judiciary. Jason Clark or Kyle Turner loom as replacements. Mark Nicholls, Robert Jennings (both concussion) and Richie Kennar (hamstring) picked up injuries on the weekend but all are expected to be named.
TIGERS V STORM
Saturday, April 7th, 3pm, Mt Smart Stadium
Tigers: To come.
Storm: Lock Dale Finucane (fractured thumb)faces at least the next month out. Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) and Kenny Bromwich (back) are both strong chances to return. Will Chambers (dangerous contact) has copped a two match ban with Young Tonumaipea and Justin Olam the contenders to replace him.
WARRIORS V COWBOYS
Saturday, April 7th, 5.30pm, Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: Shaun Johnson (groin) missed the Warriors’ win over the Roosters and remains in doubt. “I’m not 100 per cent sure,” Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said. “We just didn’t want to take the risk. He ran pretty well on it (on Friday) but the medical team were just a bit iffy on it. This was going to be our third away game in four weeks, we’ve done a fair bit of travelling.” Simon Mannering (shoulder) is hopeful of returning, replacing either Adam Blair at lock or Leivaha Pulu on the left edge. Sam Lisone (suspension) also returns. Tevita Satae and Anthony Gelling are the likely omissions. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (elbow) came from the field late but Kearney expects the in-form fullback to line up.
Cowboys: The Cowboys fear Jordan McLean (foot) could miss the rest of the season. Scott Bolton is set to start with Corey Jensen coming onto the bench.
KNIGHTS V BRONCOS
Saturday, April 7th, 7.35pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Centre Tautau Moga has torn his ACL for a fourth time. Expect Nathan Ross to switch to centre and Ken Sio to come onto the wing.
Broncos: To come.
TITANS V SEA EAGLES
Sunday, April 8th, 2pm, Marley Brown Oval
Titans: To come.
Sea Eagles: Coach Trent Barrett must find replacements for Tom Trbojevic (ankle, round 7), Curtis Sironen (ACL, season) and Kelepi Tanginoa (ACL, season). Matthew Wright is expected to replace Trbojevic at fullback with Dylan Walker (leg) returning to the backline for his first game of the year. The likes of Lewis Brown, Frank Winterstein and Jack Gosiewski are in line to replace Sironen and Tanginoa.
EELS V PANTHERS
Sunday, April 8th, 4.10pm, ANZ Stadium
Eels: To come.
Panthers: Backrower Isaah Yeo (concussion) is in doubt following a severe head knock.