NRL Round 16 Early Mail: Predicted team changes, Brent Naden to return, Nathan Cleary doubt, Jarrod Croker back
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Raiders captain Jarrod Croker will play his first game in more than two months against the Gold Coast at GIO Stadium on Saturday.
Croker will make his comeback from a knee injury in the centres and will also resume goal kicking duties.
Croker hasn’t played since Round seven with his return pushing rookie outside back Matt Timoko back to the reserves.
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TOP BULLDOG IN RETURN TO COVER COVID FALLOUT
Canterbury coach Trent Barrett will turn to three NRL debutants for this weekend’s clash with Manly as the Bulldogs scramble to replace a host of players ruled out due to biosecurity violations.
It comes as dumped playmaker Kyle Flanagan returns to the side at five-eighth.
Centre Falakiko Manu, interchange half Bailey Biondi-Odo and utility forward Christopher Patolo will all make their maiden NRL start against the Sea Eagles, with former Queensland Origin player Corey Allan also returning on the wing.
Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Corey Waddell, Aaron Schoupp and Sione Katoa have all been ruled out after they breached the NRL’s Covid-19 protocols after they were close contacts with a positive case at the Royal Hotel in Bondi two weeks ago.
Flanagan returns to the team after he last played first grade in Round 9, when he was hooked by Barrett midway through the 32-12 loss to the Dragons.
Jake Averillo, a rare shining light for Canterbury this season, retains his spot at halfback.
EXILED PANTHER SET FOR SHOCK RETURN
Brent Naden is on the verge of making his NRL comeback after eight months in exile.
The Penrith flyer is in line to make his return to the top grade on the wing against Parramatta at Bluebet Stadium on Friday night.
Naden encountered a tumultuous off-season that included a drugs ban for cocaine use and a $5000 fine from the NRL for breaching the code’s bubble protocols on the night before the Panthers’ grand final loss to Melbourne last year.
Ever since, Naden has been forced to ply his trade in the NSW Cup with Penrith coach preferring Stephen Crichton, Charlie Staines, Matt Burton and Paul Momirovski in the Panthers outside backs.
Naden is poised to play on the wing with Dylan Edwards needing to prove his fitness on Tuesday.
If Edwards is ruled out, Staines would be chosen at fullback and Naden on the wing.
CLEARY IN DOUBT FOR ORIGIN
Victorius NSW No.7 Nathan Cleary is set to miss Friday night’s blockbuster local derby against Parramatta with a shoulder injury.
Cleary sustained a shoulder injury during Origin II with scans indicating a subluxation. He will miss between one and three games.
Panthers officials hoped Cleary would be fit for Origin III on July 14.
There is some chance he could require post season surgery.
Currently second on the NRL ladder, the Panthers play Parramatta at home in what looms as the undeniable match of the round. While Penrith had six players involved in Origin II, Cleary was the biggest concern for the club’s medical staff.
Matt Burton is expected to get another shot in the halves with Cleary expected to miss at least two games.
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses is in line to make his Origin debut should Cleary be ruled out of the dead-rubber.
Brad Fittler’s other options including Mitchell Pearce, who won his first and only series in 2019, or South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds.
Utility Jack Wighton and Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker could also slot into the halves for game three.
MAROONS, STORM RELIEF AS MUNSTER CLEARED
Queensland playmaker Cameron Munster’s great judiciary escape continued on Monday after the five-eighth escaped charge for a knees tackle in Origin 2.
Munster was placed on report for leading with his knees in a tackle on NSW captain James Tedesco in the Blues’ 26-0 win, which sealed the Origin series for NSW, at Suncorp Stadium.
It is the third time Munster has been cited since game one of the series in Townsville almost three weeks ago.
But Match Review Committee Coordinator Michael Robertson told The Daily Telegraph the incident did not warrant a charge, meaning Munster is now free to play in Thursday night’s blockbuster against Tedesco’s Roosters in Newcastle.
“The ball was live. Munster was in the process of attempting to kick the ball with his left foot. Tedesco dived on the ball and there was incidental, minor contact with Tedesco’s shoulder,” Robertson said.
SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL WACKO’S WHISPERS
A knees-first sliding tackle from Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on Drew Hutchison in round nine not only left the Roosters utility seriously injured with a punctured lung, but sparked the NRL’s crackdown on foul play.
Like in round nine, Wednesday night’s incident was not penalised or placed on report on the field.
Three weeks ago, Munster was slapped with a grade one contrary contact charge for what was labeled a “cheap shot” on Liam Martin in game one, after the five-eighth kicked the Blues forward in the stomach.
Four days later, Munster was again charged with contrary conduct after kicking Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in round 14.
Those incidents cost Munster a total of $2850.
There were no other charges from last night’s match.
Meanwhile, Roosters coach Trent Robinson could rest Blues backrower Angus Crichton and Tedesco, who has been carrying a hip pointer injury.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy also has to make a call on forwards Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi and Josh Addo-Carr.
Queensland and Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw was charged with grade one contrary conduct in the women’s State of Origin on Friday night.
With an early plea, Brigginshaw is facing a one week ban for pulling the hair of Sky Blues star Kennedy Cherrington.
The Broncos playmaker will have to fight and beat the charge at the judiciary to be available for round one of the NRLW season in August.
— Fatima Kdouh and Paul Crawley
NEW SIGNING DWZ EYES WARRIORS DEBUT
New Warriors signing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has declared himself available for selection for Friday night’s clash against St George Illawarra after overcoming a foot injury.
Watene-Zelezniak picked up the injury in Magic Round while playing for Canterbury and has been receiving pain killing injections just to get onto the field but has only managed two games since round 10.
“I’m right to play. My foot was giving me a bit of grief. I did it in Magic Round so I was needling it every game. It came to the point where needling it every week was not good for me,” Watene-Zelezniak said on Monday.
“We had a few byes coming up so we tried to utilise those.
“It’s come good now and ready to play this week.”
The New Zealand international joined the Warriors until the end of season 2024 after the Bulldogs granted an immediate release from the final year of his deal at Belmore last week.
It’s expected Watene-Zelezniak will be selected on the wing, which would likely see Adam Pompey drop out of the 17 with fellow former Bulldog Marcelo Montoya shifting into the centres.
— Fatima Kdouh
LOMAX FIRMS FOR DRAGONS
St George Illawarra centre Zac Lomax is almost certain to return against the Warriors in Friday Night Football, part of a Dragons cavalry that also includes enforcer Josh McGuire and utility Tyrell Fuimaono, both back from suspension.
While Lomax had been sidelined with a thumb injury, the three-quarter is now back to full training, including contact, and will join both McGuire and Fuimaono who return after lengthy stints on the sideline.
Meanwhile, Dragons Origin players Tariq Sims, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough are not expected to train with the team until Thursday’s captains run. The trio all flew back into Sydney on Tuesday morning and will now undergo COVID tests before being allowed enter the Dragons team ‘bubble’. Given the squad has Wednesday off, the players are not expected to front at HQ until the team’s final training run.
— Nick Walshaw
PAIR FORCED INTO 14-DAY ISOLATION
New Zealand Warriors NRL players Euan Aitken and Josh Curran have been ordered to isolate for 14 days due to a Covid scare.
They will therefore miss the Warriors’ next two matches — against the Dragons on Friday and the Sharks the following Sunday.
Aitken and Curran were onboard a Virgin flight from Gold Coast to Sydney where a cabin crew member tested positive.
Four more Warriors players are also in isolation after coming in casual contact with Aitken and/or Curran.
If Curran and Aitken test negative, their four teammates are free to play. But Aitken and Curran have been ordered to isolate for two weeks regardless of results.
WALKER FIRMS FOR ROOSTERS
The Roosters are confident Sam Walker will make his return from injury to play the Storm on Thursday night.
Walker missed the Roosters last-start loss to Penrith but the week off has helped him recover from an ongoing shoulder complaint.
“I’m sure he is going well,” teammate Adam Keighran said. “His three days off were good for him to get his body right. The boys would love to have him on the field. He is a good talent.”
— Michael Carayannis
ROOSTERS V STORM
Thursday 1 July, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.50pm
Roosters: James Tedesco could be rested again this week with the match to be played only four days after Origin 2 as he continues to manage ongoing hip injury. A lot will depend if he required pain killing injections to play Origin. If out Joseph Manu would move back to fullback, Joseph Suaalii could continue at right centre with Billy Smith another option after he returned from shoulder injury in Round 15 in NSW Cup. Sam Walker is expected to return from a shoulder injury at halfback but has yet to complete any contact and will need to prove fitness. If ruled out Adam Keighran could play left half with Lachlan Lam switching to right half.
Angus Crichton only saw limited minutes in Origin and should be OK to back up. Sitili Tupouniua missed the Panthers game due to a foot injury but will be fit to return, pushing Isaac Liu back to lock and Ben Thomas out of 17. Joseph Manu passed gameday HIA during the Panthers game and will be fit to play after he trained with the squad at Kings School over the Origin bye week. Sam Verrills is expected to start at hooker after returning from an eye injury. Nat Butcher is close to returning from an ankle injury is an outside chance to be named.
Storm: Rested up over the Origin bye weekend with a number of players carrying injuries. Brandon Smith (calf) and Jesse Bromwich (elbow) will both recover to be fit to play. Reimis Smith (ankle) and Kenny Bromwich (ribs) are only considered outside chances to play but should both be right to return in Round 17. Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch and Josh Addo-Carr all played Origin and with only a four-day turnaround a lot will depend on how they pull up. Munster is free to play after being cleared of a kneeing incident in Origin. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is unavailable until Round 19 due to suspension. Tom Eisenhuth is also out after suffering a dislocated elbow in the Tigers game and could be out for a few weeks.
Tyson Smoothy returned from a knee injury in Round 15 for the Falcons in Queensland Cup and with Harry Grant out due to a hamstring injury could come onto the bench to provide back up for Brandon Smith at hooker. Ryan Papenhuyzen has returned to team training as he recovers from concussion with the view of getting two full weeks of training before the return date is decided. All going well he should be able to return between Rounds 18-20. Dean Ieremia, Cooper Johns, Marion Seve, Trent Loiero and Jordan Grant could all be options to come into the 17. Brenko Lee has only returned from injury in the last few weeks and probably doesn’t have the miles in his legs to play NRL at the moment as he looks to build up match fitness.
WARRIORS V DRAGONS
Friday 2 July, Central Coast Stadium, 6:00pm
Warriors: Their only player in Origin was the much talked about rookie Reece Walsh who suffered a hamstring injury at captain’s run, putting him in serious doubt for the Dragons game this week. The representative bye came at good time for the Warriors with a number of players picking up injuries in the Knights game, Bayley Sironen failed HIA, Eliesa Katoa was limping in second half after re-aggregating a foot injury which kept him out for a few games earlier in the season. Kodi Nikorima suffered an ankle injury but with a week off all are hopeful of being fit. Wayde Egan missed the game before the break due to a nasty deep cut to his eyebrow suffered against Storm in Round 14 and will come back in at hooker allowing Jazz Tevaga to drop back to a bench role.
Bunty Afoa was rested from the Knights game due to a shoulder issue but should be fit for selection and come back onto the bench. New signing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been managing a foot injury which kept him out of the last two games for Bulldogs. But he is expected to come into the side on the wing with Marcelo Montoya moving to centre and Adam Pompey dropping out of 17. New signing Chad Townsend will come into the halves to partner Kodi Niokrima, replacing Sean O’Sullivan. Euan Aitken and Josh Curran are both unavailable as they isolate for 14 days after being on a flight with a positive Covid case. Four other un-named Warriors players have been forced to undergo Covid testing after being in contact with Curran and Aitken but will be allowed to leave isolation providing they come back with a negative result.
Dragons: Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims all played Origin and they came through the game OK and should all be fit to play. Matt Dufty should be right to return after he missed the Raiders game due to a five-day turnaround after he copped a knock to the shoulder he has been managing this season, with Tyrell Sloan the player to make way. Jordan Pereira returns to replace the suspended Mikaele Ravalawa with Perieria to play left wing and Cody Ramsay switching to right wing. Zac Lomax will finally return from a thumb injury at right centre with Gerard Beale dropping out of the side. Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono return from suspension with Jackson Ford, who missed Raiders game due to illness, as well as Billy Burns and Adam Clune the players expected to make way.
PANTHERS V EELS
Friday 2 July, BlueBet Stadium, 7:55pm
Panthers: Origin contingent of Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Kurt Capewell all game through game and it will depend on how they pull up as to if they back up with the game only five days after Origin 2. Nathan Cleary suffered a shoulder injury in Origin and could be in some doubt. Api Koroisau was in camp as 18th man and will be fine to play. Viliame Kikau returned to training over the Origin bye week after he missed the Roosters game due to a hamstring injury and will return on left edge with Liam Martin dropping to bench and rookie Izack Tago dropping out of 17. Ivan Cleary has been rotating bench middles for the last few weeks with Matt Eisenhuth playing NSW Cup in Round 15 for match fitness. The merr-go-round could continue with Scott Sorensen playing NSW Cup which would allow Matt Eisenhuth to come back onto bench for NRL. Paul Momirovski has been managing a hip injury which kept him out in Round 15 but should be fit for selection, although he may not be able to force way into 17 unless Origin players are rested.
Eels: Their only player in Origin was Junior Paulo who only played limited minutes and he will be right to play on Friday night. Eels could get a massive inclusion with Reed Mahoney an outside chance to return from a shoulder injury. He still needs to tick a few boxes during the week as a part of his return to play protocols. If the shoulder isn’t right Lussick would continue at hooker with Will Smith coming onto the bench. Maika Sivo returns from suspension on the left wing replacing rookie Sean Russell.
BULLDOGS V SEA EAGLES
Saturday 3 July, Bankwest Stadium, 3:00pm
Bulldogs: Have no Origin players but will have one injury enforced change with Adam Elliott ruled out for six weeks after having surgery last Monday for a fractured cheekbone. Chris Smith would be the normal replacement but Smith suffered a syndesmosis injury playing for Mounties which will see Jackson Topine, who was normally an edge player before being converted to a hooker this season, start on the left edge with Joe Stimson or Dean Britt other options.
They will also have another five changes due to Covid breaches. Dylan Napa, Sione Katoa, Corey Waddell, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schuopp are unavailable due to having to isolate for 14 days after Royal Hotel health alert was updated on Sunday night, which could see either Kyle Flanagan or Lachlan Lewis returning in the halves for Wakeham, Corey Allan replacing Schoupp at centre after Allan returned from a shoulder injury in Round 15 in NSW Cup with Ofahiki Ogden to replace Napa. Brad Deitz, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, would come onto the bench replacing Sione Katoa, providing cover for Jeremy Marshall-King. Nick Cotric and Tui Katoa both passed HIA protocols this week and will be named. Jayden Okunbor’s return from an ACL injury is nearing and could come into contention for wing position if he receives final clearance from surgeon.
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic is in some doubt after suffering an ankle injury in Origin but I expect him back up from Origin 2 with a six-day turnaround. Jake Trbojevic (hip pointer) and Josh Schuster (calf) could both return from injury but will need to tick a few boxes to prove fitness with Kurt De Luis and Ben Trbojevic the two players expected to make way. Martin Taupau (back), Reuben Garrick (shoulder) and Brad Parker (ribs) should all overcome their bumps and bruises.
RAIDERS V TITANS
Saturday 3 July, GIO Stadium, 5:30pm
Raiders: No injury concerns out of Dragons game. Sebastian Kris passed gameday HIA but was ruled out due to blurred vision although he returned to training this past week and will be fit to play. Jarrod Croker has returned to training after recovering from shoulder and knee injuries and is expected to return with Matt Timoko the player expected to make way with Kris moving to right centre to allow Croker to return at preferred left centre position. Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton both came through Origin unscathed and should be right to play but Wighton could be in some doubt due to the birth of his baby and will also need an exemption to return to ACT after being in Sydney with NSW Origin.
Titans: Origin trio of Tino Fa’asuemaleaui, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika came through Origin with no reported injuries and should all be OK to play with a six-day turnaround, but all three could start on the bench. AJ Brimson (knee) and Corey Thompson (ankle) will both return from injury with Brimson replacing Jayden Campbell at fullback and Thompson replacing Greg Marzhew on wing. Marzhew is out with an elbow injury. Kevin Proctor returns from suspension replacing Sam Stone on right edge. Pat Herbert (knock), Brian Kelly (ankle) and Ash Taylor (ankle) all picked up minor injuries in the Sea Eagles game but with a week off they should all recover. Beau Fermor should be fit to return from the hamstring injury which has kept him out for the last few weeks. Anthony Don returned from a hip injury before the break in QLD Cup for match fitness and will come back into contention for selection.
KNIGHTS V COWBOYS
Saturday 3 July, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:35pm
Knights: Will receive a massive boost with Kalyn Ponga set to finally return from a groin injury. He stepped up his running over the week off and still has to get through training this week but all is tracking well for him to return at fullback. Kurt Mann left the field in the Warriors game due to ankle injury but with a week off is a chance to recover to play but will still need to pass a fitness test to play. He could fill in at centre with Brodie Jones moving back to the bench. Mitch Barnett has been managing groin injury this season which he re-aggregated in the Warriors game before the bye and was the reason he was limping at times during the game. But with two weeks off he should be fit to be named. Daniel Saifiti was the only Knights player to play Origin with no reported injuries.
Cowboys: Queensland trio Kyle Feldt, Valentine Holmes and Francis Molo came through with no reported injuries and should be fit to be named. Coen Hess was 18th man and didn’t get on the field so will be right to go. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow failed gameday HIA in Sharks game but with Origin bye will recover to be named.
BRONCOS V SHARKS
Sunday 4 July, Suncorp Stadium, 2:00pm
Broncos: Without Tevita Pangai Jnr due to suspension, while John Asiata was stretchered from the field before the bye and I expect him to be ruled out. Expect two of the following three to come into the side — Rhys Kennedy, Keenan Palasia or Jordan Riki. TC Robati started on the right edge before the bye and will continue to play that role. Kotoni Staggs is expected to return from an ACL injury and suspension for off field issues and should replace Jesse Arthars at right centre after Arthars suffered an eye socket injury against the Rabbitohs. Albert Kelly should be fit to return from a hamstring injury which will see Kevvie Walters have to make call as to continue with Karmichael Hunt in halves even though he has looked out of his depth on his return to NRL, or continue with Tyson Gamble with Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft out due to knee injuries. Selwyn Cobbo failed HIA in the Rabbitohs game but with a break for the bye should be fit to play on the wing with Tesi Niu continuing at fullback. Payne Haas and late call up Xavier Coates both played Origin but with a seven-day turnaround should be fit to play.
Sharks: Cronulla’s only player in Origin camp was the unfortunate Ronaldo Mulitalo whose debut was cut short due eligibility rules. Siosifa Talakai didn’t have the best game starting on the edge against Cowboys and was found out in defence a few times, which could see Teig Wilton starting on left edge and Talakai dropping back to bench. Wade Graham remains unavailable due to concussion issues.
TIGERS V RABBITOHS
Sunday 4 July, Leichhardt Oval, 4:05pm
Wests Tigers: The Tigers team could be anything after the crap they dished up against Storm before the bye but Adam Doueihi (HIA) should return at right centre. Shawn Blore suffered an ankle injury in the Storm game which will keep him out for an extended period. Jake Simpkin, Kelma Taulagi, Michael Chee-Kam, Jock Madden and Tukimihia Simpkins are all options should Maguire shake things up. David Nofoaluma (knee), Luke Garner (leg) and Tommy Talau (shoulder) all took minor injuries in the Storm game and with the bye all should be fit to be named. Thomas Mikaele has missed the last few games due to a knee injury and could return.
Rabbitohs: Without Junior Tatola after he was ruled out for six weeks due to a knee injury suffered in Broncos with Tom Burgess expected to start at prop and Liam Knight coming into 17. Jai Arrow, Dane Gagai, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Damien Cook all took part in Origin with Arrow (arm), Murray (shoulder) and Gagai (hand/hamstring) all managing injuries currently. But with a seven-day turnaround all should be OK to be named. Benji Marshall returns on the bench after missing the game before bye due to the birth of his second child. Mark Nicholls copped a couple of head knocks in the Broncos game and was placed in HIA last week and will need to progress through protocols to be cleared to play.
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