NRL Late Mail for round 12: State of Origin injuries wreak havoc on NRL sides

NEWCASTLE have suffered a major blow ahead of Sunday’s match with the Warriors, losing Akuila Uate and Beau Scott to injury.

Knight's Beau Scott congratulated by Jeremy Smith after a strong tackle during the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights game at ANZ Stadium . Picture Gregg Porteous

NEWCASTLE have suffered a major blow ahead of Sunday’s match with the Warriors, losing Akuila Uate and Beau Scott to injury.

Josh Mantellato replaces Uate on the wing with the Fijian flyer battling a knee injury.

The Knights’ extended bench named on Tuesday will be used to cover Scott, who has been ruled out due to a neck injury from Wednesday’s State of Origin.

Meanwhile, Brett Morris’s Origin series is over due to a fractured shoulder and ligament damage, Josh Morris is out for six weeks, Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out, Beau Scott is in doubt and a young gun is set to debut at the Panthers.

All this plus plenty more in our updated Late Mail.

Absolutely devastated with the results from the scans.Shattered to miss games 2 & 3 of origin and plenty of games for the Red V. #gotheblues

— Brett Morris (@bmozzle) May 30, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Absolutely devastated with the results from the scans.Shattered to miss games 2 & 3 of origin and plenty of games for the Red V. #gotheblues— Brett Morris (@bmozzle) May 30, 2014

Friday, May 30, Panthers v Eels, Sportingbet Stadium, NINE, 7:45pm

Kevin Kingston (foot) and Nigel Plum (concussion) are likely to return despite not being named, while Lewis Brown (pectoral) and Elijah Taylor (knee) have trained all week and been cleared for comebacks.

UPDATE 2pm: Jamal Idris has been stood down to deal with personal issues, with Isaah Yeo coming into the side. Bryce Cartwright will make his NRL debut in place of Tim Grant, who has been dropped to NSW Cup.

Jarryd Hayne escaped Origin without injury, with coach Brad Arthur to make a final decision after a medical assessment on Friday. However, Arthur on Thursday suggested it would be a tough ask to expect his “fatigued” fullback to back up following such a gruelling match and said Hayne may be rested. The Eels would not speculate on a replacement when contacted, but Willie Tonga (ribs) hasn’t trained and won’t come into the side. 18th man Lee Mossop will drop back to NSW Cup as he continues his comeback from a serious shoulder injury.

UPDATE 2pm: The Eels have confirmed Jarryd Hayne will be rested. He will be replaced at fullback by Justin Hunt.

Saturday, May 31, Roosters v Raiders, Allianz Stadium, FOX, 5:30pm

Origin stars Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings and Aidan Guerra have been cleared of serious injury and will play if they get through Friday’s captain’s run. The Roosters are reporting no other injuries.

Josh Papalii pulled up well from Origin and will play. But Joel Edwards (fractured cheekbone) is a late withdrawal, with Shannon Boyd expected to come into the 17.

Saturday, May 31, Cowboys v Storm, Townsville Stadium, FOX, 7:30pm

Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate came through Origin with just bumps and bruises and are expected to play.

The Storm’s worst nightmare was confirmed on Thursday, with the Big Three ruled out. Cooper Cronk will miss up to three months with a fractured ulna and dislocated radioulnar joint in his right arm. Billy Slater suffered a grade two AC joint sprain to his right shoulder and is expected to miss two-three weeks. Cameron Smith has a low grade high ankle sprain and will miss one-two weeks. The Storm are yet to confirm or even speculate on replacements. Ryan Hinchcliffe has filled in at hooker for Smith in the past, while young guns Kurt Mann and Cameron Munster are candidates for Slater’s fullback spot. But filling Cronk’s halves spot is problematic given the unavailability of back-ups Cody Walker (hamstring, round 13), Joel Romelo (ankle, round 20) and Ben Hampton (suspension, round 13). Ben Roberts has been named to take one playmaking spot, with contenders for the other position including Munster, Mann, Tohu Harris and Will Chambers. If Mann is forced to move from centre, expect Mahu Fonua to come into the backline. Ryan Hoffman pulled up fine an is expected to play.

UPDATE: Cameron Smith may play and is believed to have traveled with the team.

Sunday, Jun 1, Warriors v Knights, Mt Smart Stadium, FOX, 2:00pm AEST, 4:00pm local

Star Warrior Shaun Johnson (ankle, groin) has trained and is likely to play. Tuimoala Lolohea is on standby.

Darius Boyd and Beau Scott got through Origin without major injury and will be assessed by Newcastle medical staff on Friday before the team travels to New Zealand. Scott took the early guilty plea to a dangerous throw charge and is available provided he passes a medical, although he battled a groin injury in the lead-up to Origin. Jeremy Smith (knee) has been cleared to return.

UPDATE 4pm: Josh Mantellato replaces Akuila Uate (knee) on the wing, while the extended bench named on Tuesday will be used to cover Beau Scott, who has been ruled out due to a neck injury from Wednesday’s State of Origin. Meanwhile, NYC’s Jake Mamo has been ruled out of playing this weekend due to a back injury.

Sunday, Jun 1, Broncos v Sea Eagles, Suncorp Stadium, NINE, 3:00pm

Origin trio Corey Parker, Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett avoided serious injury on Wednesday night. However, Hodges carried an ankle issue into the game and coach Anthony Griffin may decide not to risk him. Sam Thaiday (calf) has been cleared to return.

Daly Cherry-Evans (knee, hip) and Anthony Watmough (torn bicep) are in serious doubt, despite declaring their desire to play in post-Origin interviews. They arrived back in Sydney late Thursday and will be assessed on Friday. Both would have to make it through Saturday’s captain’s run to be available, with the team travelling on Saturday afternoon. Jack Littlejohn is on standby for Cherry-Evans, while James Hasson is Watmough’s likely replacement.

2.45pm UPDATE: Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out. Anthony Watmough will be given until kick-off to prove his fitness.

Monday, Jun 2, Rabbitohs v Dragons, ANZ Stadium, FOX, 7:00pm

Greg Inglis, Ben Te’o and Chris McQueen pulled up well from Origin and are expected to play. Issac Luke (shoulder) is again pushing for an early return, which could see Cameron McInnes drop out of the side.

Brett Morris (dislocated shoulder) has not officially been ruled out, pending scans, but is highly unlikely to play. Trent Merrin will be assessed on Friday, but escaped serious injury for NSW. Jason Nightingale (knee) has trained this week and is expected to return from injury.

UPDATE 5pm: Brett Morris has been diagnosed with a fractured shoulder and ligament damage, ruling him out indefinitely, with his Origin series over. Peter Mata’utia moves to the wing, with Nathan Green coming into the side at centre.

@bmozzle unlucky bud. You're heroics in game 1 will inspire whoever takes your spot.

— Mark Geyer (@markMGgeyer) May 30, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: @bmozzle unlucky bud. You're heroics in game 1 will inspire whoever takes your spot.— Mark Geyer (@markMGgeyer) May 30, 2014

BYES: Bulldogs, Sharks, Tigers, Titans

A host of Origin players will be grateful to have the bye this week. Josh Morris (ruptured PCL) is facing a long stint on the sidelines, but Trent Hodkinson (nose) will be fit for Canterbury’s next game. Josh Reynolds is also free to play round 13 - and Origin II - after having his dangerous throw charge downgraded at the judiciary. Paul Gallen (neck) will have scans after aggravating an existing injury. Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah and Luke Lewis came through Origin unscathed and will enjoy a hard-earned rest this weekend.

UPDATE 2pm: The Bulldogs have confirmed Josh Morris is out for six-eight weeks. Nate Myles (fractured hand) also picked up an injury in Origin and is likely to miss two weeks. Paul Gallen is likely to miss two weeks with a neck injury.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail for round 12: State of Origin injuries wreak havoc on NRL sides