NRL 2022: Finals contender makes huge halves call
The Roosters have solved their halves issues, Manly has suffered a setback and Penrith keeps getting stronger. Here are the ins and outs for Round 19.
Luke Keary is set to play his first game since Round 14 after Roosters coach Trent Robinson opted against keeping the red-hot Joseph Manu in the halves for Friday’s game against Newcastle.
Manu has been the best player in the NRL over the past few weeks and has relished the opportunity to get his hands on the ball more often at five-eighth.
But he’ll shift back to right centre to make way for the returning Keary, who hasn’t played since his latest head knock against the Storm more than a month ago.
Mid-season recruit Matt Lodge will also make his first start for the tri-colours in the front row alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has been missing for a few weeks with a hamstring injury.
It’s a timely boost for the Roosters, who have lost Billy Smith and Sitili Tupouniua to season-ending knee injuries, while Siosiua Taukeiaho is out for an extended period with a damaged cheekbone.
Elsewhere, the Eels welcome back Ryan Matterson for their crucial clash with the Broncos on Thursday night.
Matterson has been nursing sore ribs for a few weeks and is a big inclusion against a Brisbane side which gets Payne Haas back, as well as State of Origin winners Corey Oates, Patrick Carrigan and Kurt Capewell.
The Sea Eagles have suffered a blow ahead of their game with the Dragons on Friday. Jake Trbojevic will miss the match because of Covid-19, with Toff Sipley shifting to lock.
The Warriors have dropped a bombshell with Brisbane-bound Reece Walsh relegated to the bench for Saturday’s trip to Canberra. He’s been replaced at fullback by Chanel Harris-Tavita, while Nick Cotric returns on the wing for the Raiders to replace the suspended Jordan Rapana.
Penrith’s magnificent seven are all back after they were given the week off by coach Ivan Cleary, who shrugged off suggestions the move was disrespectful.
Nathan Cleary and his teammates will be fresh for their game against fellow top-four side the Sharks, who will be without try-scoring machine Sione Katoa (shoulder) for the rest of 2022.
NSW Blues stars Cam Murray and Damien Cook come straight back into the starting side for South Sydney who are chasing a very rare win over the Storm.
Melbourne has been forced to reshuffle its backline with Nick Meaney replacing the luckless Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback, which means Tyran Wishart will start on the wing.
There’s good news for the Bulldogs with star winger Josh Addo-Carr named to play even though he left the field early on Sunday with a glute injury.
He’ll be monitored ahead of their game against the Titans, who could welcome back Jayden Campbell from a serious hamstring injury.
The Wests Tigers have stuck solid with the same spine which went down to the Panthers last week, with Jackson Hastings again picked at lock.
They’ll need a massive turnaround against the high-flying Cowboys, who get Murray Taulagi back from Covid-19, while Origin trio Tom Dearden, Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai slot straight back into the starting side.
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