NRL Early Mail round 2: Jai Arrow shoulder injury, Connor Tracey to deputise for Addo-Carr at Dogs

South Sydney may have lost one of their star forwards to a season-ending injury while the Wests Tigers are set to unleash an exciting young gun — keep up with the latest team news.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is preparing to blood local junior Lachlan Galvin in the club’s season opener Canberra.

Galvin, who is still only 18, is expected to make his NRL debut on the weekend after impressing in the trials, coming off the bench against St George Illawarra.

There had been speculation halfback Aidan Sezer was struggling with an injury but it’s expected the veteran playmaker will also be named on Tuesday.

With new recruit Jayden Sullivan also in the mix for a spot in the halves, Galvin is likely to be named in the squad with the view he’ll receive a call-up for Saturday’s clash with the Raiders.

High-profile recruit Justin Olam will have to wait at another week to make his club debut after failing to overcome a knee injury he sustained in the Pre-season Challenge.

WATCH: Lachlan Galvin’s best moments from the National Schoolboys Cup final last year in the video player above

Wests Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin. Picture: NRL Photos

RABBITOHS ROCKED BY ARROW INJURY

South Sydney Rabbitohs are anxiously awaiting a surgeon’s verdict on representative forward Jai Arrow that could rule him out for the rest of the NRL season.

In a massive blow to Souths’ premiership hopes, Arrow suffered a rotator cuff injury in Las Vegas against the Manly Sea Eagles that limited him to just 53 minutes of game time.

The best-case scenario is a four-week recovery. However, if he requires surgery it will sideline the 28-year-old for the entire season.

The Rabbitohs have already lost centre Campbell Graham for an extended period with a sternum injury and can ill-afford to be without the Queensland Origin forward for a similar time frame.

Jai Arrow of the Rabbitohs is dealing with a shoulder injury. Picture: Getty Images

TRACEY TIPPED AS ADDO-CARR REPLACEMENT

The Bulldogs are poised to unveil another one of their high-profile recruit’s with Connor Tracey set to face his former club the Sharks.

Tracey, whose pre-season was stymied by an ankle injury, is expected to cover the anticipated loss of Josh Addo-Carr in the Bulldogs backline.

Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has the option of using Tracey on the wing, or at centre, by moving Jacob Kiraz back to the wing.

Tracey will become the club’s eighth debutant after two rounds of the season when he lines up against Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium on Friday night.

Connor Tracey is tipped to make his club debut for the Bulldogs. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

X-rays have cleared Bulldogs flyer Addo-Carr of a serious shoulder injury after the Origin winger left Commbank Stadium in a sling with fears he could be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Instead, Bulldogs medical staff are hopeful he could return by Round 3 after suffering the injury in Canterbury’s 26-8 loss to Parramatta.

The Bulldogs released a statement on Sunday saying Addo-Carr had been cleared of a fracture but did have an AC joint injury that normally means a two-to-four week recovery period but the club would have a clearer idea by the end of the week.

CRICHTON STILL AT LEAST ONE MORE WEEK AWAY

Angus Crichton’s start to the NRL season is set to be delayed for another week after he suffered a groin injury while in Las Vegas with the Sydney Roosters.

Crichton has been receiving treatment for the injury but is expected to be out of contention for Sunday’s game against Manly at 4Pines Park.

The NSW and Australian back rower was locked in a battle to secure a spot in the competitive Roosters back row heading into round one but suffered a injury setback that ruled him out of the season opener against Brisbane.

The Roosters will be without suspended Spencer Leniu for the game against the Sea Eagles but will welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who played NSW Cup last weekend while serving the final week of an NRL ban dating back to last season.

SCHUSTER TO MAKE RETURN VIA RESERVE GRADE

After a horror sequence of injuries, Manly star Josh Schuster has finally been declared fit but will play reserve grade this weekend.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold revealed Schuster will be overlooked when naming his NRL side for Sunday’s blockbuster against Sydney Roosters at Brookvale Oval.

Schuster – who earns around $800,000 a season – has endured a difficult off-season through a bout of chickenpox followed by finger and calf injuries.

He could have played for Manly’s feeder club, Blacktown Workers, last weekend against South Sydney but club medical staff opted for another week’s rest.

Schuster will now play for Blacktown Workers against the Roosters at Brookvale on Sunday, kicking off at 1.45pm.

“Josh will play reserve grade this week,” Seibold confirmed. “He is right to go, he passed his last running session on Saturday.

“But because he hasn’t played any trials and has had a disrupted preparation, we want him to play reserve grade in the back-row.

“Josh had a calf injury but before that he had a spiral fracture in his finger and before that he had chickenpox.

Josh Schuster will play reserve grade this week. Picture: NRL Photos

“His first (off-season training) block over six weeks was outstanding but then he got chickenpox just before Christmas and then he broke his finger, which needed an operation, and then he hurt his calf.

“Josh has been ticked off (to return) and we were hoping he might have been able to play reserve grade last Saturday but the physios wanted to be conservative.

“He will now get a full week’s training into him and then play reserve grade on the weekend. Once he has done that he will be ready to be considered for round three. He will train fully (on Tuesday) and then we will get it going.”

—Dean Ritchie

MOSES SET TO PLAY ON

Parramatta have received a shot in the arm for Friday night’s blockbuster against reigning premiers Penrith with Mitchell Moses cleared of serious injury.

Moses suffered a groin injury in the Eels’ season opener against Canterbury as he kicked for touch during the game.

But scans have cleared Moses to take the field against the western Sydney rivals Panthers.

Moses appeared bothered by the groin tweak but finished Saturday’s game, even resuming some of the kicking duties in general play.

Coach Brad Arthur has options in utility Brendan Hands and Dejarn Asi, who played in NSW Cup on Saturday alongside Ethan Sanders in the halves.

Boom halfback Sanders is also an option but is unlikely to be in the frame for selection if Moses doesn’t line-up on Friday night.

—Fatima Kdouh

Mitchell Moses battled through a groin injury on Saturday. Picture: NRL Imagery

FULL ROUND 2 EARLY MAIL, BY TIM WILLIAMS

BRONCOS v RABBITOHS

Thursday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: Brendan Piakura suffered a concussion in Brisbane’s season opener in Vegas, but with the extended turnaround is expected to be available for round 2.

Adam Reynolds is in doubt with a knee injury, with Jock Madden to deputise in the halves if unavailable.

Xavier Willison could join the bench after dropping outside of the 17 late in Vegas.

Rabbitohs: No major changes expected at the Rabbitohs despite the loss in Vegas.

Taane Milne and Izaac Thompson will come into contention for backline spots.

SHARKS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 6pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: Siosifa Talakai and Ronaldo Mulitalo are both in doubt due to ankle concerns but are expected to face the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr has been cleared of major injury, with an AC joint injury likely to keep him out for a short period.

Connor Tracey is due back from injury in coming weeks and will push for a spot either at centre or fullback.

PANTHERS v EELS

Friday, 6pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: Mitch Kenny returns from suspension at hooker, with Luke Sommerton dropping out of the starting team.

Tyrone Peachey is likely to return on the bench at 14, while Soni Luke and Sommerton are also options.

Scott Sorensen is pushing to return from injury on the edge, which would see Luke Garner shift to the bench.

Eels: Mitch Moses played through a groin injury suffered in the win over the Bulldogs, but is expected to face the Panthers at this stage.

Daejarn Asi would come into the team if Moses fails his fitness tests.

RAIDERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 3pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: Seb Kris returns from suspension at centre, with Albert Hopoate likely to shift to the wing and Nick Cotric out of the team.

Danny Levi is dealing with a quad concern but is expected to face the Tigers, with Zac Woolford on standby at hooker.

Elliott Whitehead is out for up to a month with a calf injury.

Tigers: John Bateman missed the Pre-season Challenge but is aiming to return on the edge for the Tigers following the round 1 bye.

All eyes will be on rookie utility Lachlan Galvin who is pushing to earn a spot somewhere in the 17.

COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: No changes expected at the Cowboys following a strong round 1 win over the Dolphins.

Knights: Enari Tuala is in major doubt with a quad injury, with Penrith recruit Tom Jenkins likely to come in on the wing.

Jayden Brailey is pushing to return from a hamstring injury in either round 2 or 3 according to coach Adam O’Brien, with Jack Cogger likely to drop out.

STORM v WARRIORS

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: Cameron Munster remains in major doubt to return from a groin injury, if not cleared Jonah Pezet will continue in the halves.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is due back from a hamstring injury,

Warriors: Wayde Egan suffered an elbow injury in the loss to Cronulla, with Freddy Lussick on standby to start if unavailable.

Kurt Capewell suffered a rib cartilage injury and is in doubt to face the Storm.

Marata Niukore is a likely replacement but is also in doubt due to a foot injury, with rookie Jacob Laban in line for a debut if Niukore is unavailable.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstadd is out for the first month, with Taine Tuaupiki to deputise in the meantime.

SEA EAGLES v ROOSTERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: Jason Saab is set to miss around a month due to a hamstring injury, with Tommy Talau or Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega to start on the wing in his place.

Josh Schuster will return from a calf injury through NSW Cup.

Reuben Garrick suffered an ankle injury in Vegas but should be okay to face the Roosters.

Roosters: Siua Wong left the field early in Vegas, but is expected to be cleared to start on the edge against Manly.

Sitili Tupouniua suffered a groin injury and remains in doubt, with Nat Butcher the likely replacement if unavailable.

Billy Smith is likely to miss another week with a hamstring injury, while Dom Young is a chance to return from a neck injury on the wing in place of Fetalaiga Pauga.

Spencer Leniu has copped an eight-week suspension for the racial slur against Ezra Mam, his loss is offset byy the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension.

DOLPHINS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu suffered a suspected dislocated kneecap in the loss to the Cowboys.

Kenny Bromwich will likely start on the edge in his place.

Ray Stone failed a HIA and is likely to be ruled out, with Jarrod Wallace to come into the 17.

Dragons: Blake Lawrie is a chance to return from a rib injury at prop.

Luciano Leilua returns from suspension, likely on the edge, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner to drop to the bench.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 2: Jai Arrow shoulder injury, Connor Tracey to deputise for Addo-Carr at Dogs