SuperCoach NRL Round 17 early mail: Eels mull Matt Arthur debut, Shaun Johnson Achilles injury
The Parramatta Eels are tipped to hand Matt Arthur his NRL debut as the Warriors come to grips with a serious injury to star half Shaun Johnson. Updated Early Mail here.
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An injury crisis at the Eels could lead to rising star Matt Arthur earning his NRL debut against the Knights this weekend.
The development has emerged amid fears Queensland State of Origin forward J’Maine Hopgood is facing surgery due to a back injury.
Hopgood was forced to withdraw from Origin II consideration due to the back issue.
He will meet with specialists in coming days to determine if he requires surgery, which would put the remainder of his season at risk.
The Eels already have Bailey Simonsson (knee) out for the season, Ofahiki Ogden (prectoral) out until round 19 and backrower Kelma Tuilagi for the next six weeks with a fractured thumb.
Eels coach Trent Barrett is eager to blood a collection of the club’s rising stars, led by NSW under-19’s hooker and co-captain Arthur.
It’s understood Arthur, the son of former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, will be included in Barrett’s 21-man squad to face the Knights.
A ruthless competitor, Arthur was rested from the Eels NSW Cup side last weekend following his try-scoring performance in the NSW under-19’s win over their Queensland rivals.
WAHS LOSE JOHNSON FOR FOUR
The Warriors’ woes continue with Shaun Johnson ruled out for the next four weeks with an Achilles injury.
The star halfback’s injury has emerged as the Warriors attempt to recover from their heavy 66-6 loss to the Titans.
“He’s going to be out for at least four weeks. It’s all around the Achilles,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster told the NZ Herald.
“He had ice on his hamstring, he had some hamstring tightness on the weekend but Shaun rehabbed it, it felt amazing and we took our time with him but he’s just not come back the way he wanted.”
PRYCE IS RIGHT FOR KNIGHTS
Englishman Will Pryce is set to make his first grade debut for Newcastle on Saturday as coach Adam O’Brien prepares to tinker with his halves.
Pryce, who joined the Knights in the off-season, was pulled out of the NSW Cup team at the weekend in a pointer towards his first grade selection. The 21 year old son of former England international Leon Pryce joined Newcastle in the off-season along with countryman Kai Pearce-Paul. Pearce-Paul has been a fixture in the Newcastle side but Pryce has had to bide his time. He is set to get his chance after being publicly backed by Knights legend Andrew Johns, who recently called for Pryce to be blooded. Pryce is expected to picked in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings when the Knights name their side on Tuesday afternoon for Saturday’s game against Parramatta.
Read on for full mail on the games ahead.
BULLDOGS v SHARKS
Friday, 8pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Connor Tracey will be unavailable due to a concussion, with Blake Taaffe to play fullback.
If backing up from Origin on the two-day turnaround, Stephen Crichton will replace
Drew Hutchison at centre.
Bronson Xerri will also push to return at centre, which would see Jacob Kiraz shift to the wing.
Jacob Preston is likely to be named to return from a foot injury.
Sharks: Teig Wilton is likely to return from a shoulder injury in the back-row, pushing Siosifa Talakai to the bench.
WARRIORS v BRONCOS
Saturday, 3pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Shaun Johnson is in doubt with a hamstring injury, with Chanel Harris-Tavita to start in the halves if unavailable. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from suspension on the wing, pushing Edward Kosi out of the team.
More changes are likely after the enormous defeat to the Titans.
Broncos: Reece Walsh is likely to back-up from Origin provided he gets through unscathed, returning at fullback in place of Tristan Sailor. Jesse Arthars is a chance to return from a broken jaw on the wing in place of Josiah Karapani. Jordan Riki is out due to suspension, with Jack Gosiewski likely to start on the edge.
KNIGHTS v EELS
Saturday, 5:30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Englishman Will Pryce is set to make his first grade debut for Newcastle on Saturday as coach Adam O’Brien prepares to tinker with his halves.
Pryce, who joined the Knights in the off-season, was pulled out of the NSW Cup team at the weekend in a pointer towards his first grade selection. The 21 year old son of former England international Leon Pryce joined Newcastle in the off-season along with countryman Kai Pearce-Paul. Pearce-Paul has been a fixture in the Newcastle side but Pryce has had to bide his time. He is set to get his chance after being publicly backed by Knights legend Andrew Johns, who recently called for Pryce to be blooded. Pryce is expected to picked in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings when the Knights name their side on Tuesday afternoon for Saturday’s game against Parramatta. Elsewhere, Pearce-Paul is likely to return from a toe injury on the edge, pushing either Dylan Lucas or Tyson Frizell to the bench.
Eels: Kelma Tuilagi is out for an extended period with a thumb injury, with Shaun Lane or Ryan Matterson to start on the edge. J’maine Hopgood is a chance to return at lock from a back injury. Maika Sivo is pushing to return from a hamstring injury on the wing, which would likely see Daejarn Asi drop out and Sean Russell shift to centre.
STORM v RAIDERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Reimis Smith is likely to return from a concussion at centre, pushing Jack Howarth to the bench.
Raiders: Corey Horsburgh (groin) and Tom Starling (concussion) are both likely to return off the bench.
DRAGONS v DOLPHINS
Sunday, 2pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Moses Suli will push to return at centre from a hamstring complaint, while Jack Bird is also a chance to return from an ankle injury at centre. Hame Sele is a chance to return from a shoulder injury.
Dolphins: Jack Bostock will be unavailable after suffering a concussion against the Storm, with Tesi Niu a chance to come back into the team. If getting through Origin unscathed, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will replace Trai Fuller at
fullback.
PANTHERS v COWBOYS
Sunday, 4:05pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Mitch Kenny and Jack Cole are pushing to return from quad complaints. Kenny would be a direct replacement for Luke Sommerton at hooker, while Cole will come into contention alongside Brad Schneider to partner Jarome Luai in the halves.
Cowboys: The Cowboys will benefit from the maximum five day turnaround for their Origin stars who will bid to back-up from game two in Melbourne.
Jordan McLean is also a strong chance to return from a calf injury at prop.
ROOSTERS v TIGERS
Sunday, 6:15pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Junior Pauga is facing a four to five match suspension for a high shot on Connor Tracey. If Michael Jennings isn’t cleared to return from injury, this may see versatile back Ethan King start at centre.
Tigers: Justin Olam will push to return from injury at centre in place of Brent Naden. Alex Twal will return from a concussion, while Alex Lobb and Solomon Alaimalo are available for selection provided they’re cleared to return from head knocks. David Klemmer returns from suspension at prop. John Bateman is a chance to return from a pec injury, likely on the edge in place of
Reuben Porter.
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Originally published as SuperCoach NRL Round 17 early mail: Eels mull Matt Arthur debut, Shaun Johnson Achilles injury
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