NRL Late Mail round 16: Cameron Munster boost, Payne Haas doubts, Nathan Cleary latest

State of Origin 2 was as brutal as it was entertaining. We reveal the key injury and suspension concerns from the game and rate the back-up chances of every Origin player.

State of Origin 2 was as brutal as it was entertaining.

Below are the key injury and suspension concerns from the game.

Plus our ratings on who will and won’t back up.

* Blues coaching staff weren’t certain Nathan Cleary was going to play with a groin injury until 90-minutes prior to the eventual 26-24 defeat to Queensland at Optus Stadium in Perth.

It’s why Cleary was replaced by NSW winger Zac Lomax as the first-choice goalkicker and in addition, why the champion Penrith playmaker kicked the football just three times in the first half.

It can be revealed that Cleary felt a “pop” in his groin while practicing goalkicking at the 60,000-seat stadium on Tuesday.

It’s not an immediate concern for SuperCoaches given Cleary has missed the team sheet this week, with the club deeming his travel from Perth to Auckland too much to handle.

The big question now is whether he plays for the Panthers in round 17, and whether he kicks goals.

Full story via David Riccio

Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton and Dylan Edwards of the Blues. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

* NSW prop Payne Haas tweaked his groin 48-hours before Origin 2. He was also in doubt until the final warm-up. Full story via David Riccio

* As well as Cleary, fellow Origin Panthers Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Liam Martin also missed the Penrith squad this week and won’t play. However, NSW squad member Lindsay Smith will play.

* Blockbusting Blues winger Brian To’o was supposed to be in doubt for Origin with a hamstring injury, before notching three tries and almost becoming the matchwinner.

Blues medical staff wrapped him in cotton wool and he didn’t train until last Saturday.

He was also on reduced duties at captain’s run alongside Cleary and Haas. He’s not named this week but his ongoing hamstring issue is one to monitor.

* Warriors forward and Maroons hero Kurt Capewell has the same long travel as Panthers players and has already been ruled out.

* Melbourne anticipate all of their Origin players to back-up for their clash with South Sydney on Saturday, with the exception of Maroons winger Xavier Coates, who the Storm want to assess before making a final call.

Coates had an ankle injury earlier this season and the Storm may opt to ease his load.

* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui carried a sternum injury into Origin camp which could affect his ability to back up. In positive news, Tino played 44 minutes for the Maroons, although his impact was reduced with only 58 metres.

* Jarome Luai escaped suspension after the NSW five-eighth was put on report for his facial on Queensland forward Reuben Cotter. He will back up.

* Star Blues winger Zac Lomax is also free to take the field for the Eels for Sunday’s clash against the Titans after he too also escaped a ban. Lomax was put on report for elbowing Maroons forward Trent Loiero in the face. The Eels play the final game of the round and no doubt Lomax will be keen to attest for his goalkicking woes.

* Mitchell Moses is set to miss up to six weeks after damaging his calf while with the Blues in the lead-up to the second Origin game in Perth. Parramatta officials have privately raised concerns regarding the training loads on Moses. It is understood he has carried a calf problem in recent weeks.

* Kalyn Ponga’s Knights are in a blessed position in that they play in Perth on Saturday night, meaning there’s only a very short trip across town for Ponga to back up. Counting against him however is the on-going ankle injury he’s dealing with.

* Connor Watson only played 19 minutes off of the bench for NSW and appears a good chance of backing up.

LATE MAIL ROUND 16

TIGERS v RAIDERS

Friday, 8:00pm, Campbelltown Stadium

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sione Fainu 16. Latu Fainu 17. Jack Bird Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19.Charlie Murray 20. Charlie Staines 21. Kat Laulilii 22. Elie El-Zakhem

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Jarome Luai escaped with a fine for his alleged eye gouge and will back-up.

Fonua Pole (knee) and Alex Twal (concussion) are both back in action.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 19. Chevy Stewart 20. Danny Levi 21.. Ethan Sanders 22. Pasami Saulo

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Blues back-rower Hudson Young has been named to back up.

Jed Stuart, son of coach Ricky Stuart, will make his NRL debut in place of Savelio Tamale (knee), who could miss three months.

WARRIORS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Go Media Stadium, NZ

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Samuel Healey 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Edward kosi 23. Eddia Ieremia-Toeva

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Maroons hero Kurt Capewell missed the squad on Tuesday and won’t play.

Wayde Egan (hip) is expected to play.

Panthers

1. Daine laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Jack Cole 20. Maverick Geyer 21. Preston Riki, 22. Austin Dias, 23. Harrison Hassett 24. Haxen Edgar

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No changes at this stage with Origin reps Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Liam Martin not named for the big trip from Perth to New Zealand.

However, there are ongoing concerns over Cleary (groin) and To’o (hamstring). See above for details.

DOLPHINS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, HBF Park, Perth

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Aublix Tawha 21. Trau Fuller 22. Peter Hola

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in a lucky position in that he has no travel after Origin given the Dolphins are playing in Perth.

Young gun Isaiya Katoa will captain the side for the first time.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Mathew Croker 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Brodie Jones 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Fletcher Hunt 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Jack Hetherington

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Kalyn Ponga is carrying a painful ankle injury but also has no travel.

Dom Young is back at the Knights after a stint at the Roosters.

Bradman Best (hamstring) and Tyson Frizell (concussion) are both on track to return.

RABBITOHS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Lewis Dodd 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Davvy Moale 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Ryan Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Salesi Ataata 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Cody Walker 21. Campbell Graham 22. Jacob Host

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Latrell Mitchell is confirmed to back-up from Origin.

Keaon Koloamatangi reportedly trained for the Rabbitohs in a light session on Tuesday. Despite initial reports he could miss as many as six weeks with a facial injury, he was named on Tuesday and is considered “week-to-week”.

Decisions on Koloamatangi and Cody Walker (groin) will be made on Friday morning.

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Joe Chan 22. Lazarus Vaalepu, 23. Keagan Russell-Smith, 24. Kane Bradley

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are expected to back up, as are all Storm Origin players except perhaps Xavier Coates (ankle), who will be assessed later on.

BRONCOS v SHARKS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Deine Mariner 22. Blake Mozer 23. Ben Talty

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Payne Haas appears at long odds to back up after it was revealed he was in doubt for Origin 2 until the final warm-up due to a groin injury sustained in NSW camp.

Meanwhile, the four-day turnaround is in the favour of Queensland’s Patrick Carrigan.

Selwyn Cobbo is on the reserves list after being dropped last match.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolph 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21.Jayden Berrell 22 Chris Vea’ila

Players cut: To come

Late mail: No players backing up from Origin.

ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whytei 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi

Interchange: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Tom Rodwell 21. Taylor Losalu 22. Chad Townsend. 23. Xavier Va’a 24. Jake Elliott

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Connor Watson only played 19 minutes off of the bench for NSW and has a four-day turnaround.

Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu have also been named to back up.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Griffin Neame 17. Thomas Mikaele

18. Jake Clifford 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Braidon Burns 23. Thomas Duffy 24. Marly Bitungane

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter have all been named to back up.

EELS v TITANS

Sunday, 6:15pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange:14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16 Wiremu Greig 17. Jordan Samrani

Reserves: 18. Joey Lussick 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Dan Keir 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Zac Lomax escaped suspension for his Origin elbow and is free to play.

Mitchell Moses is set to miss up to six weeks after damaging his calf in NSW camp.

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Tino Fa’asumaleaui 17. Mo Fotuaika

Reserves: 18. David Fifita 19. Tuki Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Brian Kelly

Players cut: To come

Late mail: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui carried a sternum injury into Origin camp which could affect his ability to back up, although he does have the longest turnaround of any player.

Moeaki Fotuaika is the Titans’ only other Origin player.

David Fifita is lurking on the extended bench as he aims to return from an ankle issue.

BYES: Bulldogs, Dragons, Sea Eagles

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 16: Cameron Munster boost, Payne Haas doubts, Nathan Cleary latest