NRL Early Mail Round 6: Team news and tips
IVAN Cleary’s happy headache with Josh Reynolds, King Gutho’s comeback and a backline blow for the Panthers.
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IVAN Cleary has a happy headache on his hands when it comes to Josh Reynolds.
The $800,000 recruit has missed the first five weeks of the season through a hamstring injury and given the Tigers’ form and the resurrection of Benji Marshall, Cleary faces a challenge in how to fit the former Bulldog into his match day 17.
Reynolds is expected to be named to return this weekend against Manly and trained at dummy half at times on Monday.
Easing Reynolds back in as the bench utility looms as his most likely introduction to first grade.
— Nick Campton
In other Early Mail:
* Waqa Blake (ankle) will miss at least a month for the Panthers.
* Clint Gutherson (ACL) makes a long-awaited comeback for the Eels. He will play fullback.
* Tom Trbojevic (ankle) returns for the Sea Eagles.
ROOSTERS V RABBITOHS
Thursday, April 12th, 7.50pm, Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Set to be unchanged for a fourth week in a row with Joseph Manu (corked bicep) expected to recover.
Rabbitohs: South Sydney hope to have Richie Kennar (hamstring) back on the right wing, which would push Dane Gagai back to centre and Hymel Hunt out of the side. Adam Reynolds (concussion) came off late on the weekend and didn’t have time to return, but will be named and is expected to play.
STORM V KNIGHTS
Friday, April 13th, 6pm, AAMI Park
Storm: No injury concerns but pressure is mounting on Brodie Croft. Coach Craig Bellamy refused to confirm the young halfback’s spot when questioned after Saturday’s loss to the Tigers. “We’ll have a look at the game and decide from there,” Bellamy said when asked if Croft’s place in the team was in jeopardy. “It certainly wasn’t one of his best performances. He’s only a young kid and he’s still learning and basically in all of our games this year, he’s been under pressure. It hasn’t been an easy learning curve for him.” Ryley Jacks is waiting in the wings.
Knights: Mitch Barnett (suspension) has copped a one week ban with Jacob Saifiti to return to the 17.
DRAGONS V SHARKS
Friday, April 13th, 7.50pm, WIN Stadium
Dragons: Paul McGregor’s men continue their blessed start to the season on the injury front, with no changes expected once again.
Sharks: Coach Shane Flanagan has a big decision to make at fullback. Josh Dugan (groin) is due back from injury but Matt Moylan was one of Cronulla’s best in the loss to the Roosters following a late switch to the back, notching a try assist, four linebreak assists, four tackle busts and a forced drop out. Flanagan could name Dugan at fullback with Moylan reverting to the halves, or name Dugan at centre or wing and allow Moylan to play No. 1. James Segeyaro and Andrew Fifita (both concussion) must pass protocol.
WARRIORS V BRONCOS
Saturday, April 14th, 3pm, Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: No changes expected following a fifth win on the trot.
Broncos: No injury concerns. Wayne Bennett has suggested he will stick strong with his side despite a poor start to the year.
COWBOYS V BULLDOGS
Saturday, April 14th, 5.30pm, 1300SMILES Stadium
Cowboys: No injury concerns out of the weekend but Lachlan Coote could push Ben Hampton for the fullback spot following two games back from a hamstring injury in reserve grade.
Bulldogs: Josh Jackson risks being rubbed out for two weeks after electing to contest a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary. Jackson has pleaded not guilty after being cited for a high shot on Canberra playmaker Aidan Sezer in last week’s 26-10 loss to the Raiders. The NSW back-rower could have accepted a one-week ban with an early guilty plea but is rolling the dice and could miss the next fortnight. Asked about his chances of being cleared to face the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday, Jackson said: “I’m not too sure. I’m pretty hopeful. I definitely hit him high but I didn’t think it would be a grade two so we are going to go there and see how we go.” Adam Elliott is expected to shift to the right edge with Greg Eastwood or Danny Fualalo to play lock. NSW Cup and PNG World Cup star Rhys Martin will also come into contention for the right edge role.
RAIDERS V EELS
Saturday, April 14th, 7.35pm, GIO Stadium
Raiders: Sam Williams (knee) is out for 4-6 weeks. He will be replaced in the halves by Blake Austin. Ata Hingano, Michael Oldfield and Aidan Sezer will be named following concussions. The club says all pulled up well and are expected to play. Jack Wighton is set to be named after missing last week for the birth of his second child.
Eels: Clint Gutherson (ACL) returns and will be named at fullback, with Will Smith set to drop out. The Eels face nervous waits on Nathan Brown (ankle) and Kirisome Auva’a (knee), but Bevan French (shoulder) and Kane Evans (ribs) are fit to return. Tepai Moeroa (concussion) must pass protocol.
PANTHERS V TITANS
Sunday, April 15th, 2pm, Panthers Stadium
Panthers: Waqa Blake (ankle) will miss at least a month. The Panthers could rush Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (broken jaw) back at right centre with Christian Crichton retaining his spot on the wing. Tyrone Peachey is also capable of filling in at centre, which would see Peter Wallace switch to the halves and Wayde Egan play hooker.
Titans: Forward Ryan James is facing a 1-2 week suspension for a hit on Manly youngster Lachlan Croker. Will Matthews (infected knee) is expected back after being a late withdrawal.
SEA EAGLES V TIGERS
Sunday, April 15th, 4.10pm, Lottoland
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (ankle) got close on Sunday and will return at fullback, pushing Matthew Wright to the wing and Jonathan Wright out of the side. Lachlan Croker (concussion) must pass protocol.
Tigers: Forward Russell Packer looks set to miss four weeks with a medial ligament injury. Star recruit Josh Reynolds (hamstring) is ready to go but it’s unclear where he fits into the side following the brilliant form of Benji Marshall. He spent time at dummy half at training and is most likely to play from the bench. “I’ve got a few ideas kicking around,” said coach Ivan Cleary. “We’ll see how everyone pulls up. We’ve got eight days before we play Manly.” Elijah Taylor (hamstring) is expected back.