NRL Early Mail Round 5: Predicted team changes, Josh Reynolds returns, John Bateman injured
The Bulldogs are bringing Josh Reynolds back, Jack de Belin is set to play for the Dragons and there’s concern over John Bateman at the Tigers. UPDATED EARLY MAIL
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Josh Reynolds is set to make his long-awaited comeback to the NRL – his first game for the Bulldogs in six years.
The Bulldogs veteran will be named on the interchange bench for Canterbury’s clash with the Cowboys on Sunday.
Reynolds has been working himself back to NRL fitness in the NSW Cup.
His last NRL game was for the Wests Tigers in 2020, before heading to the UK Super League.
The 33-year-old earned a 12-month contract at the start of the season with his leadership proving a lure for the Dogs to sign the veteran.
Reynolds will replace utility Nu Brown who is set to be sidelined for an extended period due to a dislocated elbow suffered against the Warriors last Sunday.
—David Riccio
BROOKS SURVIVES AXE, BATEMAN SITS OUT
Luke Brooks is expected to be named in the Wests Tigers halves when the side is announced at 4pm on Tuesday.
There had been increasing suggestions that Brooks would be dropped after his club’s 0-4 start to the season.
Brandon Wakeham and Adam Doueihi were tipped to be named in the halves with Daine Laurie at fullback. But it now appears Brooks will be retained.
Sheens could name Brooks on Tuesday and push back to the bench later in the week but that would be unlikely.
Meanwhile, John Bateman didn’t take part in Wests Tigers training on Tuesday but the Englishman is tipped to recover from a rib complaint in time to take on the Broncos.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens was tight-lipped when asked about Bateman’s injury following the loss to the Storm on Friday night, but it doesn’t seem too serious with a club official revealing he didn’t even require scans.
“He didn’t train today but we’re just trying to manage the load,” AJ Kepaoa said.
—Dean Ritchie and Martin Gabor
JDB IS BACK FOR THE DRAGONS
Jack de Belin will be named in St George Illawarra’s squad for the first time this season. De Belin will be picked in the extended squad alongside Talatau Amone. The former NSW locked has not played all season because of an ongoing calf injury
—Michael Carayannis
INJURY RETURN CREATES TRICKY SUPERCOACH CONUNDRUM
Braydon Trindall is a frontrunner to force his way back into the Sharks squad ahead of a home clash with the in-form Warriors on Sunday.
The Cronulla halfback deputised in the absence of Dally M winner Nicho Hynes over the first three rounds, but sat out last Sunday’s win over the Dragons due to a foot complaint.
However, an 11-day mandatory concussion stand down of hard-running prop Oregon Kaufusi has opened up a spot on the Sharks bench.
Trindall is expected to claim the bench spot with his utility factor a major advantage for Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
—David Riccio
AXE HANGS OVER MOST POPULAR WINGER IN SUPERCOACH
On numbers alone, breakout Titans rookie Alofiana Khan-Pereira is the most popular winger in rugby league but his place in SuperCoach line-ups is already under threat.
More than 50 per cent of the competition have found a place for the Gold Coast flyer in their squads and on Saturday he delivered his finest first grade performance yet.
Khan-Pereira rewarded his 76,000 managers by scorching the Cowboys’ right edge for two tries and five linebreaks, but also gave away three errors.
It is that error count that has opened the door to a Queensland Cup demotion to make way for Tigers addition Ken Maumalo.
Coach Justin Holbrook was guarded when asked whether Maumalo’s signing threatened Khan-Pereira’s place in the team.
“Ken has obviously just got to get to our club first,” Holbrook said.
“We saw tonight we’re going to be missing a couple of players and we need to add in every area, and that’s in outside back. To have him, with his experience, he’ll just have to fight his way in.”
—Nic Darveniza
HOSKING REWARDED FOR STUNNING CLUB DEBUT
Panthers mature-age rookie Zac Hosking is set to be rewarded for this stunning club debut by retaining a starting spot this week.
Even with Origin forward Liam Martin (hamstring) due back, Hosking is set to keep his spot as an edge backrower with recruit Luke Garner the man to make way.
Hosking scored 117 KFC SuperCoach points against the Eels including a try, two linebreaks, five tackle busts, three offloads and 47 tackles.
—Tim Williams
KOULA OUT FOR UP TO SIX WEEKS
Manly has suffered a huge blow with centre Tolu Koula to undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, ruling him out for up to six weeks.
The Sea Eagles confirmed on Monday that Koula suffered an MCL injury in the golden point loss to South Sydney and he would be sidelined for four to six weeks.
—Russell Jackson
‘MR FIX IT’ PUTS HAND UP FOR ROOSTERS
Sydney Roosters ‘Mr Fix It’ Drew Hutchison has put his hand up for Joey Manu’s centre spot ahead of this week’s clash against Parramatta.
Manu is serving a one week suspension for a grade two careless high tackle on South Sydney’s Isaiah Tass from round three’s battle with arch rivals the Roosters.
Coach Trent Robinson has other options in the likes of Corey Allan and Junior Pauga.
Former Wests Tigers outside back Pauga has played all four games for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup at centre.
Robinson leaned on Hutchison at centre in the back end of last season.
—Fatima Kdouh
WIGHTON COULD MISS 2-3 WEEKS
Canberra’s Jack Wighton is facing a two-match ban after copping a grade two dangerous contact charge from Sunday’s loss to Newcastle.
In a massive blow for the 16th placed Raiders, who host Penrith on Friday, star five-eighth Wighton will sit out two games with an early guilty plea and risks a three-match suspension if he fights and loses at the judiciary for a tackle on the Knights’ Jackson Hastings.
Wighton was also hit with a grade one careless high tackle charge for his shot on Newcastle fullback Lachie Miller but escaped with a fine for that hit.
—Russell Jackson
ROOSTERS v EELS
Thursday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Star centre Joey Manu is out due to suspension. Drew Hutchison, Corey Allan and Junior Pauga are all options to replace him.
Eels: Junior Paulo is facing two to three weeks out for a high tackle charge.
While Parramatta have a few options to replace him, it may see Ryan Matterson shift to the middle, with Matt Doorey starting on the edge.
Jack Murchie is due back from a concussion and would take Doorey’s place on the bench.
RAIDERS v PANTHERS
Friday, 6pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Jordan Rapana returns from suspension and will replace either Albert Hopoate or James Schiller on the wing.
Jamal Fogarty is also likely to return from a virus at halfback, replacing Matt Frawley.
Fogarty will also regain the goalkicking duties from Corey Harawira-Naera.
Panthers: Liam Martin is due back from a hamstring injury, although the club may opt to take a cautious approach with his return.
If he does play, Luke Garner will either drop to the bench or out of the 17, with Zac Hosking likely retaining his starting role after a starring performance against the Eels.
Soni Luke failed a HIA and will likely miss the clash with the Raiders if confirmed to have been a category one.
RABBITOHS v STORM
Friday, 8pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Jai Arrow is a chance to return from a hamstring injury, while Hame Sele is due back from a concussion.
Ben Lovett and Jed Cartwright are likely to drop out of the squad if the injured duo are cleared to return.
Storm: No major changes, with Tepai Moeroa a chance to come onto the bench on return from a knee injury. He’s likely to be eased back through QLD Cup though.
SEA EAGLES v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 3pm, Glen Willow Park, Mudgee
Sea Eagles: Lachlan Croker is due back at hooker, which would likely see Karl Lawton drop out of the 17. He may retain a spot on the bench over Ben Trbojevic. The Sea Eagles are on the hunt for a new centre with Tolu Koula (knee) ruled out for up to six weeks.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga has been flown to Canada in a bid to understand more about his concussion damage.
Adam Elliott is likely another week away from returning from a groin injury.
Kurt Mann suffered a category one concussion in the win over the Raiders and will miss a week of action, leaving the Knights short of a lock.
Jack Johns is likely to come back into the 17.
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DRAGONS v DOLPHINS
Saturday, 5.30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons: Jack de Belin will continue his push to play his first game of the season.
Jack Bird moved to the bench on game day, with Zane Musgrove the preferred starter at lock.
Dolphins: Sean O’Sullivan is expected to miss up to 16 weeks with a pec injury.
Isaiya Katoa is likely to return from an elbow injury to partner Anthony Milford in the halves.
Tesi Niu is in major doubt with a knee injury, if unavailable he’d likely be replaced by Edrick Lee who returns from a knee injury.
Jeremy Marshall-King returns from injury at hooker, with Mason Teague dropping out.
BRONCOS v TIGERS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: No changes expected at the unbeaten Broncos.
Tigers: No major changes expected at the Tigers around injuries or suspensions, unless coach Tim Sheens makes changes off the back of a winless start to the season.
SHARKS v WARRIORS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Cronulla
Sharks: No major changes at the Sharks after a big win in the local derby over the Dragons. Oregon Kaufusi suffered a concussion and will need to pass protocols to take his part in the game with Braydon Trindall his likely replacement after missing last week with a foot injury.
Warriors: Tohu Harris failed to finish the game with a knee injury and is in doubt to face the Sharks.
Mitch Barnett is a chance to return from a neck injury and would be a direct replacement.
Wayde Egan is due back from a concussion and will replace Freddy Lussick at hooker.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is due back from a calf injury in the next week or two, but may be eased back through NSW Cup given the form of the backline.
Te Maire Martin also left the field late and will be monitored.
BULLDOGS v COWBOYS
Sunday, 6.15pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Nu Brown suffered a dislocated elbow in the loss to the Warriors.
Tevita Pangai Jnr is likely still another week or two away from returning from a calf injury.
Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai faces two to three weeks out for a dangerous throw charge.
Heilum Luki is likely to win a starting spot on the edge in his place.
Murray Taulagi is likely to miss at least a fortnight with a knee injury, while Gehamat Shibaski suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Titans.
Brendan Elliot will likely come onto the wing for Taulagi.
Shibasaki will be replaced by Peta Hiku who returns from suspension at centre.
Reuben Cotter is expected to miss another week with a knee injury.
BYE: Titans
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 5: Predicted team changes, Josh Reynolds returns, John Bateman injured
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