NRL 2022: Big guns rested as struggling club takes huge halves gamble
The joint venture club has selected a player yet to wear the 6 jersey in 2022 to partner Luke Brooks for Sunday’s battle against the Origin-depleted Panthers.
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The underfire Wests Tigers have decided to bite the bullet, with Adam Doueihi picked to partner Luke Brooks in the halves for Sunday’s game against Penrith.
It’s the first time Doueihi has worn the No.6 jersey since he partially tore his ACL against the Sharks last season, and comes just a week after he reportedly told interim coach Brett Kimmorley he’d rather play reserve grade than stay in the centres.
His shift from the centres sees Jackson Hastings move to lock as the Tigers look to snap a five-game losing streak.
Their job has been made a little easier with Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirming his team’s seven State of Origin representatives will not play on Sunday so they can rest up in the run home to the finals.
Halves Kurt Falls and Sean O’Sullivan will link up as they did in Round 13 when they combined to lead the understrength Panthers to a win over the Bulldogs.
The big news out of Bondi Junction is that Luke Keary is still out due to ongoing concussion issues, with Joseph Manu to stay in the halves after a dazzling display against Penrith two weeks ago.
New recruit Matt Lodge has been named on an extended bench while veteran front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will make his return via the interchange.
South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has named Origin stars Damien Cook, Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow to back up alongside Lachlan Ilias, who was forced off inside the opening minute against the Knights last week following a head clash.
There’s mixed news for Queensland’s Covid-affected duo, with Cameron Munster named for the Storm, while Murray Taulagi won’t play for the Cowboys, who have opted to rest Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai for Friday’s game against the Sharks.
Ryan Matterson’s ribs will keep him on the sidelines for another week against a Warriors side which has suffered a triple blow.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Covid), Ronald Volkman (virus) and Bayley Sironen (fractured eye socket) are all ruled out, but they do get Brisbane-bound Reece Walsh back from a Covid-enforced layoff.
Bradman Best’s luckless run with injury has continued, with the Knights centre ruled out with a thumb injury after one game back from a dislocated elbow.
The Broncos have decided to rest Origin duo Selwyn Cobbo and Kurt Capewell, while Corey Oates and Pat Carrigan are a chance of backing up after they were named on an extended bench.
The Titans have a new-look wing combination with Phillip Sami back to partner debutant Sosefo Fifita, while Aaron Booth has been chosen at hooker for the Queensland derby.
Originally published as NRL 2022: Big guns rested as struggling club takes huge halves gamble
Maroons legend urges Slater to pull late selection ambush
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk has called for Billy Slater to pull a selection shake-up by throwing Pat Carrigan into the starting side for the Origin decider. See why he believes the change must happen.
The six tries that forced Slater into radical selection calls
Billy Slater is renowned for his attention to detail and for making bold selection calls. And after reviewing 160 minutes of Origin football, the Maroons coach had no choice but to pull the selection trigger for the decider.