NRL teams Round 11: Early Mail, predicted changes at every club
Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley has been robbed of his State of Origin dream once again, with his injury far worse than first feared.
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Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley has been robbed of his State of Origin dream once again.
News Corp can reveal Radley has been ruled out for six to eight weeks after being told he must undergo immediate surgery on an injured ankle.
It means the aggressive Roosters forward will be unavailable for Origin I in Sydney on June 8 and potentially game two in Perth on June 26.
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Radley’s exit comes just a week after NSW lost South Sydney forward Cameron Murray, who has been cut down by a shoulder injury.
The Blues have already lost Latrell Mitchell while Manly’s Tom Trbojevic is struggling with several niggling injuries.
Radley sustained the injury during last weekend’s win over Parramatta at Magic Round.
Doctors confirmed the injury — syndesmosis — was worse than first feared.
Radley was injured in a tackle with Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown.
The Roosters enforcer immediately clutched his ankle and was assisted from the field.
It seems Radley is cursed when it comes to State of Origin.
In previous seasons, with Blues selection almost certain, Radley has been cut down by injury and suspension.
He is yet to represent NSW – and that wait will now continue.
Radley has been left shattered at the diagnosis.
It’s become Victor’s jinx.
Radley was injured in a tackle with Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown and immediately clutched his ankle before being assisted from the field.
The injury is also a significant setback for the Roosters who have won six from ten games to sit in fourth position.
Losing Radley will place heavy pressure on the Roosters’ renowned depth.
The Roosters have a tough run of games against Penrith (twice), Cronulla (away), Canberra (away), Melbourne (home) and Parramatta (away) before their round 17 bye.
After the Eels game, Roosters coach Trent Robinson predicted Radley would be missing for a few games – but hadn’t planned on it being six to eight weeks.
“Victor doesn’t usually report injuries at all, medical staff have to pry it out of him,” Robinson said post-game. “So when ‘Rads’ was limping like that it looks like a few weeks.”
NSW front-rower Daniel Saifiti — another middle forward – continues to battle modest form this season with Newcastle.
The injury toll is fast becoming a concern for NSW coach Brad Fittler.
NSW does though have considerable back-row depth through Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Tyson Frizell and South Sydney’s Keaon Kolomatangi.
SHARKS LOSE INSPIRATIONAL LEADER
— David Riccio
Cronulla are set to be without their inspirational leader Dale Finucane for the next four to six weeks with a knee injury.
Finucane suffered damage to his knee during a tackle that also left him concussed and forced from the field against the Raiders last weekend.
The loss of the hard-nosed front-rower is a blow for the Sharks. However, the knee injury will also allow Finucane the chance to recover from another head knock.
In a further blow, Jack Williams is also set to miss at least a fortnight after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Andrew Fifita will come back into the Sharks squad against the Titans on Sunday after missing out on NRL selection last weekend.
KNIGHTS ENFORCER RETURNS
— Michael Carayannis
The Knights welcome back Tyson Frizell (illness). Frizell has missed the past two matches but will start in the second row for Newcastle. The Dragons will be without Josh McGuire for about three weeks because of a groin injury.
RICKY’S HUGE HALFBACK CALL
— Paul Crawley and David Riccio
Ricky Stuart is set to make a shock selection call this week to make way for Jack Wighton’s return from suspension in the crucial game against the Rabbitohs.
Stuart has to decide whether to keep young gun Brad Schneider or Matt Frawley, with both players in terrific form in Wighton’s absence.
Schneider claimed the three Dally M points in the upset win over the Sharks and his defence has just been first class, while Frawley’s kicking game has been key in the back-to-back wins.
But the mail is the Raiders are leaning towards giving rookie Schneider a rest after 10 straight games in the top grade and keeping Frawley in the top squad for another week.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have been rocked by the flu with their training schedule torn-up.
A large majority of the Canberra squad were told to stay away from training on Tuesday with Wednesday’s session also set to be scaled back.
Stuart won’t know who is fit to play against the Rabbitohs until later in the week.
One player who Stuart will welcome back is Adam Elliott, who ironically missed the club’s win over Cronulla with the flu.
Elliott returned to training on Monday.
KNIGHTS v BRONCOS
Thursday, 7.50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Dane Gagai is a very strong chance for inclusion for the Knights in what would be his first game since Round 7. His return would likely push Enari Tuala to the wing, and either Edrick Lee or Dominic Young out of the team. Tyson Frizell is expected to return from an illness to take his place in the back-row, likely shifting Mitchell Barnett to lock and Leo Thompson to the bench. Brodie Jones is also due back and is likely to join the bench, as is Sauaso Sue, while Kurt Mann will also push for a return from an ankle injury.
If Mann did return, he’d likely start at lock, with Barnett playing off the bench.
Broncos: Te Maire Martin suffered a suspected hip flexor injury and is in doubt for the clash with the Knights. If unavailable, Selwyn Cobbo may be the man to shift to fullback with Tesi Niu injured and Jamayne Isaako having departed the club. Cobbo trained at fullback on Monday with Martin sidelined while former St George Illawarra speedster Jordan Pereira is expected to play on the wing. - With Robert Craddock
TIGERS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: Jake Simpkin failed to return to the field following a head knock. With a five day turnaround he’s unlikely to feature, with Jacob Liddle to come in at hooker.
Luke Brooks played just 41 minutes and is in doubt for the Bulldogs clash, with Jock Madden to deputise in the halves if required. Zane Musgrove also joins the casualty ward with a pectoral injury, placing him in doubt for Friday’s clash at Leichhardt Oval.
David Nofoaluma is due back from a concussion related spell and would slot in on the wing in place of Junior Tupou. Thomas Mikaele may also rejoin the side if cleared to return from concussion protocol.
Kelma Tuilagi was placed on report late in the game.
Bulldogs: Corey Waddell suffered a nasty concussion in the loss to the Knights, putting him in high doubt for the clash with the Tigers. Raymond Faitala-Mariner should return from a lengthy injury lay-off to play his first game of the season, likely off the benched as he’s eased back. Either Joe Stimson would start for Waddell if unavailable, or Josh Jackson would shift to an edge, with Max King starting at lock.
EELS v SEA EAGLES
Friday, 7.55pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: The only expected change to the Eels line-up would be if Sean Russell replaced Hayze Perham on the wing.
Sea Eagles: Despite looking to carry an injury in the loss to Brisbane, Tom Trbojevic isn’t believed to have suffered a new injury and is expected to face the Eels.
Ben Trbojevic played through an AC joint injury and is in doubt for this week’s clash.
If ruled out, Morgan Harper would slot back into the side at centre.
Josh Schuster is a strong chance to return from a calf injury in the back-row, which would push Ethan Bullemor to the bench or out of the 17 entirely.
DRAGONS v WARRIORS
Saturday, 3pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Josh McGuire suffered a groin injury in the loss to the Titans and is unlikely to face the Warriors. This would likely see Tariq Sims return to the starting side on the edge.
Andrew McCullough is expected to return at hooker, with Moses Mbye either shifting to fullback in place of Talatau Amone or back to a bench utility role.
Warriors: Wayde Egan was a late out for the clash with the Rabbitohs, he’s a chance to return at hooker, which would see Jazz Tevaga move to lock or the bench.
Euan Aitken is expected to return from a concussion but must clear protocols to take his spot in the back-row. Tohu Harris got through 29 minutes off the bench in his first game of the season and will ease back into a starting role in coming weeks. Chanel Harris-Tavita is due back from injury and would replace Daejarn Asi in the halves, producing some much needed defensive strength on the edge.
COWBOYS v STORM
Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: No changes expected at North Queensland.
Storm: Jahrome Hughes is pushing to return from a calf injury in place of Cooper Johns.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona left the stadium in a knee brace, putting him at odds to face the Cowboys. Tyran Wishart deputised at fullback in place of the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, he’s expected to keep that role in the meantime.
ROOSTERS v PANTHERS
Saturday, 7.35pm, SCG, Sydney
Roosters: Victor Radley failed to finish the game against Parramatta due to an ankle injury.
If unavailable for the Penrith clash, Nat Butcher would likely start at lock.
Lindsay Collins returns from suspension and will likely start at prop, with Siosiua Taukeiaho shifting to the bench. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was place on report for a crusher tackle, while Sitili Tupouniua left the field late on for a HIA, meaning he’ll need to pass concussion protocols throughout the week. Billy Smith returned from injury through NSW Cup on the weekend.
Panthers: No changes expected at the full-strength Panthers.
RABBITOHS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 2pm, Apex Oval, Dubbo
Rabbitohs: Jacob Host suffered a shoulder injury and is expected to spend some time on the sidelines. Hame Sele is a chance to return from a calf injury, while Mark Nicholls is also pushing for his first game since Round 4. This may see Jai Arrow forced back to an edge to allow Liam Knight or Siliva Havili to start at lock.
Raiders: Ricky Stuart has a decision to make as to who drops out of the halves for the returning Jack Wighton. Matt Frawley has two wins on the trot since the call up, while Brad Schneider has been the preference so far this season. Paul Crawley reports that Schneider is the man most likely to make way. Adam Elliott missed the win over Cronulla due to illness and is expected to return. However, it’s likely he’ll do so in the back-row rather than his recent early stint at hooker due to Zac Woolford’s impressive debut. Woolford will likely start the game, with Tom Starling entering the action at the 20-25 minute mark. Elliott Whitehead was placed on report for a high shot that saw him sent to the sin-bin, this may see him miss some action if charged at the judiciary. Nick Cotric passed his HIA test and returned to the game, he’ll be monitored throughout the week for any symptoms, but should be fine to play.
TITANS v SHARKS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Brian Kelly should return from a bout of the flu and take his place at centre, shifting Phillip Sami to the wing, and Corey Thompson likely out of the team.
Sharks: Dale Finucane suffered a nasty concussion, and with a history of issues he’s likely to miss at least one game. This would see Aiden Tolman return to the starting side at prop, with Cameron McInnes remaining at lock. Jack Williams suffered a shoulder injury and is also in doubt for the clash with the Titans.
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