NRL teams for preliminary finals 2022: Bailey Simonsson to start for Eels, Alex Johnston out

South Sydney must take on Penrith without the club’s greatest try scorer, while the Eels have sprung a selection surprise for their clash against the Cowboys.

Alex Johnston is racing the clock with a hamstring injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The Rabbitohs have suffered a massive blow with Alex Johnston ruled out of tomorrow’s preliminary final against Penrith with a hip flexor injury.

It means Richie Kennar will play just his second NRL match of the season on the left wing where he’ll go up against Panthers flyer Charlie Staines.

Johnston is one of the quickest players in the game but not even he and his 166 tries could win the race against the clock after he limped off during last week’s big win over Cronulla.

He did some light jogging at a fitness test during Friday’s captain’s run but didn’t do enough to convince coach Jason Demetriou that he could play.

Alex Johnston is a late out for South Sydney. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“He was never really going to be a chance to play, but we gave him every opportunity,” Demetriou said.

“If we get the job done, he’ll be back next week.

“The boys pretty much knew that he was racing the clock.

“It was based on today. We gave him every opportunity and we gave him a chance today. He can run, but he’s got pain. We can’t afford a winger coming off the field. We made the right decision so we move on.

“I’m sure he’s gutted, but he’s putting the team first.”

In better news, Demetriou said back-rower Jai Arrow was “sweet” after overcoming a groin injury to take part in most of Friday’s session.

Johnston’s absence means Kennar will run out on the wing having not played a first grade game since Round 17 when he scored three tries against the Knights.

Richie Kennar is on standby for Alex Johnston. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The 27-year-old has been in and out of the NRL since he debuted in 2015, but his coach has all the faith in the world that he can handle the occasion and provide strong carries coming out of trouble in greasy conditions at Accor Stadium.

“I’m really happy for Richie to get an opportunity,” Demetriou said.

“I think the game suits him. It’s going to be physical, and physicality’s not AJ’s strength so it’s a bit of a win there.

“He’s been awesome for us throughout the year and he really fits into our culture here. The boys love him here and you could tell when I told the boys that he was playing just how excited they were.

“He won’t let us down.

“He’s 27 so he’s been around the traps and knows what it’s about. He’s not going to be overawed by the occasion.

“He’s really good in the air which is going to be important dealing with Nathan’s kicking game. Coming out of the back of the field, he has strong yardage carries so he’ll do a good job.”

His form under the high ball will be one of the most intriguing aspects of Saturday’s grand final rematch given the focus on Nathan Cleary’s kicking game this week.

There has been a lot of talk about Penrith’s blockers and how much time they’ve given their star halfback, although the narrative has been called “Groundhog Day” by Ivan Cleary after a similar story came out during last year’s finals.

“It’s news to me,” Demetriou laughed.

“It was interesting to see the story come out and quotes from last year’s Wayne Bennett. Unless Wayne’s been ringing the journos again, it’s news to me. I respect the way Penrith play the game.

“The referee won’t decide the game tomorrow night.”

EELS MAKE LATE BACKLINE SWITCH

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has sprung a late selection shock by naming Bailey Simonsson in the centres for Friday night’s preliminary final against North Queensland.

Centre Tom Opacic flew to Townsville with the rest of the Eels team on Thursday but has officially withdrawn with a hamstring injury.

It was anticipated that Arthur would opt for backrower Marata Niukore as his centre replacement before swinging Simonsson into the starting side late Thursday evening.

Niukore, who substituted for Opacic during last weekend’s big win over Canberra, will start off the interchange bench.

Bailey Simonsson will replace Tom Opacic in the centres for the Eels in the preliminary final against North Queensland. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Waqa Blake has been retained on the wing but could move into centre with Simonsson to play on the wing. Simonsson, who joined Parramatta from Canberra, will play in jumper No.19.

Former NSW forward Nathan Brown has again failed to make the final Parramatta line-up.

The match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will be a 25,000 sell-out.

North Queensland has no late injury concerns.

North Queensland Cowboys v Parramatta Eels, Fri September 23, 7:50pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame. Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 20. Jake Granville

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 19. Bailey Simonsson 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson. Interchange: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore. Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Nathan Brown

Tom Opacic has been ruled out of Parramatta’s preliminary final clash with North Queensland. Picture: Getty Images

Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sat September 24, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Chris Smith

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Michael Chee Kam 17. Jed Cartwright 18. Davvy Moale 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Josh Mansour 21. Richard Kennar 22. Jacob Host