NRL Early Mail round 13: How Clint Gutherson return impacts Talagi, Egan Butcher‘s ACL injury

Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson has addressed his chances of displacing young star Blaize Talagi at fullback while the Roosters have received a devastating blow on the eve of Origin.

NRL 2024 RD07 Parramatta Eels v Dolphins – Clinton Gutherson, Dejection NRL PHOTOS

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson (knee) is nearing a return from an injury lay-off and all eyes will be on whether Gutherson returns at fullback in place of the in-form Blaize Talagi or at centre.

“Hopefully I get my jersey back,” said Gutherson. “He’s a great young kid. He’s just raw talent at the moment, and sometimes those players can play everywhere.

“That’s probably a downfall for him at the moment because he can play on the wing, centre, half or fullback. That’s up to the staff to make that call. If I’m somewhere else then I’m going to go out and do the same job.

Clint Gutherson. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Wherever I am in the team, or wherever Blaize plays, we’ll just have to play and that’s it.”

Coach Trent Barrett was asked if he’d consider keeping Talagi in the No.1 jersey, and he explained the Eels are a “better” team with both players in the 17.

“We will cross that bridge when it comes, but Blaize has done a terrific job and he’s a good young player and we’d certainly like to see him here long-term,” he said.

“That’s something I know the club are working really hard to do, he’s a local junior and a great kid but Gutherson’s our captain.

“Moving forward you’d like to see us fit both in our team and we will be a better side with both of them there, but that’s not for me to worry about today.”

ROOSTERS YOUNG GUN OUT FOR SEASON WITH ACL

Sydney Roosters forward Egan Butcher will miss the rest of the NRL season after scans confirmed he suffered an ACL injury in Saturday’s 44-16 win over Canberra.

The 23-year-old will undergo surgery this week which will sideline him for a recovery period of around nine months.

It’s a devastating blow for the rising young second-rower, who joins Connor Watson (throat), Billy Smith (ankle) and Michael Jennings (biceps) in the club’s casualty ward.

The injury adds further pressure to the team heading into the Origin period with five players missing through NSW and Queensland duty.

—Pamela Whaley

Egan Butcher down with an ACL injury.

Kikau out for 4-6

Viliame Kikau is expected to miss up to six weeks as he prepares to undergo surgery on his finger.

Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould confirmed the injury on his social media account, revealing Kikau would miss at least a month in what is a devastating blow to the club.

Kikau has been among the Bulldogs’ best performers this season.

They are currently two points out of the top eight and face Newcastle on Friday night.

—Brent Read

@NRL_Bulldogs Viliame Kikau will undergo surgery today, to repair a nasty compound fracture of his ring finger, sustained during last week’s game ... Recovery time is expected to be from 4-6 weeks depending on the surgery today ... pic.twitter.com/LVXO3Ebn5T

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 27, 2024

Origin tears apart squads

The first big bye has arrived and it’s panic stations for SuperCoaches with seven teams on the break and 40 players on Origin duty.

Some sides, especially the Cowboys, will be barely-recognisable.

Tim Williams reveals the likely team changes below plus see NSW Origin team and Queensland Origin team.

J’maine Hopgood will play Origin. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL VIA TIM WILLIAMS

EELS v SHARKS

Thursday, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: Will Penisini is hoping to return from an infection at centre in place of Morgan Harper.

J’maine Hopgood is on Origin duty with the Maroons, with Ryan Matterson likely to play lock if fit after missing the Rabbitohs clash due to illness.

Mitch Moses (foot) and Clint Gutherson (knee) are nearing returns from lengthy injury lay-offs.

All eyes will be on whether Gutherson returns at fullback in place of the in-form Blaize Talagi or at centre.

Sharks: With Nicho Hynes unavailable due to Origin selection, Braydon Trindall will return in the halves.

Cameron McInnes is also in the NSW squad.

Matt Burton is 18th man for the Blues. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 8pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: Bradman Best is out with a hamstring injury, which may see Enari Tuala play centre and Tom Jenkins come onto the wing.

Daniel Saifiti returns from suspension in the front-row.

Bulldogs: NSW Origin bound Matt Burton is the only change expected at the in-form Bulldogs.

Drew Hutchinson will likely get a reprieve in the halves alongside Toby Sexton.

As 18th man for the Blues, Burton won’t be released to play for the Bulldogs.

Stephen Crichton is also on Origin duty.

Viliame Kikau will miss 4-6 weeks with a finger injury.

PANTHERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: Jack Cole is in doubt with a hamstring injury, and with Jarome Luai on Origin duty the Panthers will need to find new halves.

Soni Luke is likely to come into the spine somewhere, potentially at five-eighth where he played in NSW Cup.

Matt Eisenhuth is unlikely to feature due to a failed HIA against the Sharks.

Luke Garner will push to return from a leg injury in place of NSW back-rower Liam Martin.

With Bryan To’o on Origin duty, Paul Alamoti is likely to shift to the wing, with Tyrone Peachey coming in at centre.

With Isaah Yeo out, Mavrik Geyer will likely join the 17.

Dylan Edwards is also on Origin duty after being called up by the Blues.

Dragons: Jack Bird is out due to an ankle sprain, while Zac Lomax will feature for NSW.

Christian Tuipulotu will come onto the wing, while Savelio Tamale is among several contenders to replace Bird at centre.

With Ben Hunt on Origin duty, either Nu Brown or Jesse Marschke will likely partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves.

With Jaydn Su’A also with the Maroons, Raymond Faitala-Mariner or Luciano Leilua will start on the edge.

Hame Sele is set for a stint on the sidelines with a shoulder fracture.

Jack Bird of the Dragons stretchered off with an ankle injury. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

DOLPHINS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins: With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Origin duty, Trai Fuller will come into the side at fullback.

Raiders: Josh Papali’i returns from suspension, while Corey Horsburgh is nearing a return from a groin injury.

With Hudson Young on NSW duty, Ata Mariota will likely start on the edge.

ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: Egan Butcher is out for the season with a knee injury.

Joseph Suaalii will be with NSW, with Junior Pauga to replace him on the wing.

With Angus Crichton in the NSW squad, Nat Butcher will start on an edge.

Spencer Leniu joins Crichton in NSW camp, while Lindsay Collins will be with QLD, with Terrell May likely to start at prop.

James Tedesco is a huge inclusion for the Roosters after missing Origin selection.

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai will be with QLD, which will see Kulikefu Finefeuiaki start on the edge.

Reuben Cotter is also on Origin duty, with Jason Taumalolo likely to start at lock.

Reece Robson is with the Blues, meaning Jake Granville likely starts at hooker.

Val Holmes and Murray Taulagi are with QLD, with Braidon Burns and Semi Valemei (ankle) the expected replacements if cleared to return from injury.

Tom Dearden is on Origin duty, with Jake Clifford to come into the halves.

BYE: Sea Eagles, Titans, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Tigers, Warriors

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 13: How Clint Gutherson return impacts Talagi, Egan Butcher‘s ACL injury