NRL Early Mail Round 27: Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster among stars set to sit out

The $50,000 major prize goes on the line this weekend but plenty of SuperCoaches will be forced to play short due to mass restings, injuries and suspensions.

Kalyn Ponga has been cleared of a serious shoulder injury. Picture: NRL Photos

Mass restings, injuries and suspensions have created havoc for the final round with 16 popular SuperCoach players set to miss out.

And the list is set to grow with other coaches expected to react after heavyweight clubs Brisbane and Melbourne became the first to confirm restings.

See full list of SuperCoach stars either out or in doubt:

1, 2: Harry Grant, Cameron Munster - Both carrying niggles and among a host of Storm players rested.

3, 4: Payne Haas, Reece Walsh - Among five stars rested by the Broncos.

5: Kalyn Ponga - Confirmed out for the Knights with a shoulder injury but back for week one of the finals.

6: Joey Manu - Considered unlikely for the Roosters due to a hamstring injury.

7: Reuben Garrick - Unlikely for the Sea Eagles due to a hamstring injury.

8: Tohu Harris - Will miss two weeks for the Warriors with a back injury.

9, 10, 11: J’Maine Hopgood, Clint Gutherson, Bryce Cartwright - Eels are on the bye.

12: James Tedesco - Must pass concussion protocols but firming to play.

13: Nicho Hynes - In doubt with a quad injury. Sharks are “hopeful” he will play.

14: Pat Carrigan - Star Bronco out with a foot injury.

15: Corey Horsburgh - The popular Raider faces a shoulder charge suspension

16: Latrell Mitchell - Suspended.

Nicho Hynes is in doubt with a quad injury. Picture: Getty

KNIGHTS REVEAL PONGA PROGNOSIS

—Brent Read and Dean Ritchie

Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga will sit out this weekend but Knights medical staff are confident he will be fit for the opening weekend of the finals in a huge boost for the club’s hopes of winning a premiership.

Ponga, who failed to finish the Knights’ win over the Sharks after being on the end of a brutal shot from former teammate Jesse Ramien, underwent scans on Monday morning that confirmed he had suffered a high grade AC joint injury.

The club confirmed he has been ruled out of their final regular season game against St George Illawarra but Knights officials believe he will be back for the finals.

“Scans today have confirmed nib Newcastle Knights Captain Kalyn Ponga has a high-grade AC shoulder injury,” the Knights said in a statement.

“Ponga will not be considered for selection for Round 27, medical and performance staff have commenced treatment with a view to returning for week one of the finals series.”

Kalyn Ponga has been cleared of a serious shoulder injury. Picture: NRL Photos

ROOSTERS TAKE RISK WITH JWH

—Brent Read

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has pleaded guilty to striking but will fight a dangerous contact charge as he looks to keep alive his slim hopes of playing again this season.

Waerea-Hargreaves was charged with two offences after the Roosters’ win over the Wests Tigers at the weekend, leaving him facing a six-match ban had he pleaded guilty to both charges.

Waerea-Hargreaves has accepted a three-match ban for striking Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu but will seek a downgrade to a dangerous contact charge following an incident involving Api Koroisau. If he is successful, he will receive a fine.

It would leave Waerea-Hargreaves with a three-match ban, which could see him return in the finals should the Roosters make it that far. Alternatively, he could be cleared to play in the Tri Nations at the end of the season, which would then ensure he is ready to start next season with the Roosters.

The risk is that Waerea-Hargreaves fails to get a downgrade at the judiciary and has a four-match suspension added to his three-match ban for striking.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has pled guilty to striking Stefano Utoikamanu, but will fight a dangerous contact charge for an tackle on Api Koroisau. Picture: NRL Photos

WARRIORS BLOW AS SKIPPER SIDELINED FOR FINALS

—Fatima Kdouh

The New Zealand Warriors have suffered a huge blow ahead of the finals with captain Tohu Harris set to miss at least two weeks with a back injury.

Jazz Tevaga has stepped in to replace Harris at lock in the past, but the injured forward is unlikely to overcome a hamstring strain in time.

But forward Mitchell Barnett is expected to be named this week after missing the last two games with a laceration to his knee.

The club is still waiting on scans to reveal the extent of playmaker Luke Metcalf’s hamstring injury.

Te Maire Martin made a successful return from a broken leg through NSW Cup on the weekend and is expected to come in for Metcalf to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves.

Tohu Harris is expected to be sidelined for the next two matches. Picture: Getty

CANBERRA TO ROLL DICE ON HORSBURGH

—David Riccio

Canberra is set to roll the dice and challenge Corey Horsburgh’s grade one shoulder charge at the NRL judiciary.

The Queensland Origin forward is facing a three-week ban if he takes the early guilty plea but will be out for four weeks if he is unsuccessful contesting the charge.

It resulted from a tackle in the 79th minute on Corey Jensen in Saturday night’s controversial 29-18 loss to Brisbane.

FOGARTY, PAPALI’I RACING THE CLOCK

—David Riccio

The Raiders’ painful loss to the Broncos could come at an almighty cost with fears chief playmaker Jamal Fogarty has suffered a potential fractured eye socket.

The Canberra No.7 is sweating on the results of scans in the hope there is no structural damage.

If there is a fracture, it could be the end of Fogarty’s season.

Adding further concern is an arm injury for inspirational leader Josh Papali’i.

Papali’i failed to finish the match against Brisbane on Saturday night and was clearly hampered by his ability to use his left arm post-match.

Jamal Fogarty suffered a potential fractured eye socket. Picture: Getty

MANU, HUGHES, LUAI AMONG WOUNDED

—Michael Carayannis

Premiership winners, million dollar players and representative stars headline a round of carnage already this week which threatens to derail the finals hopes of a host of teams.

Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes and his Kiwi teammate Joey Manu failed to finish their respective matches on Saturday. This comes off the back of long-term injuries to five-eighths Jarome Luai and Luke Metcalf in the opening two games of round 26.

Hughes limped from the field with a knee injury while Manu lasted just 24 minutes before his night was done because of a hamstring injury.

Manu is also highly unlikely to be fit for the Roosters’ do or die clash against arch rivals South Sydney.

That game will be without two headline acts with Manu joining the suspended Latrell Mitchell on the sidelines for the season defining clash. Manu was filling in for James Tedesco (concussion) at fullback but the Roosters skipper is expected to play on Friday.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the injury was naturally a concern.

“It’s mild but he still had to leave the field so that’s never a good sign,” Robinson said.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Hughes was unlikely to play against the Broncos on Thursday.

“It looks like he’s got a slight medial,” Bellamy said. “...I couldn’t imagine him playing next week with a five-day turnaround.”

Pretty typical hamstring strain mechanism for Joey Manu - running in forward lean position putting hamstring on stretch. Would be surprised to see him back tonight & even a minor strain would put him at long odds for next week
pic.twitter.com/C5vJo44zwa

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 26, 2023

HYNES HOPEFUL OF QUICK RETURN

Cronulla have their own concerns with halfback Nicho Hynes missing the weekend clash with a quad injury. Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is confident Hynes won’t be sidelined long-term.

“We’re pretty confident (it will be) next week (round 27),” Fitzgibbon said. “It was just a slight quad injury through training.”

DOUBLE BRONCOS BLOW AHEAD OF MINOR PREMIERSHIP TILT

The Broncos face a nervous wait with star forward Pat Carrigan racing the clock to be fit for the finals after missing Saturday night’s clash against the Raiders in Canberra.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters confirmed Carrigan and injured skipper Adam Reynolds (calf) will both be ruled out of Thursday night’s final regular-season clash against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

Walters is hoping another week’s rest will have Carrigan and Reynolds on deck for the start of the finals, but he isn’t giving any guarantees as Brisbane’s medical staff prepare to work overtime.

Full story by Peter Badel

GUTHERSON SET FOR SURGERY

—David Riccio

Clint Gutherson’s end-of-season representative hopes have been cruelled with the Eels captain requiring knee surgery.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Parramatta’s inspirational leader suffered a meniscus tear in his knee, which forced him from the field in their win over Penrith on Thursday night.

Surgery will force Gutherson into a rehabilitation phase that will leave him unable to commence any serious running until early December.

Clint Gutherson leaves the field injured during the round 26 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels. Picture: Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL, BY TIM WILLIAMS

BRONCOS v STORM

Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: The Broncos will rest five players in Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam and Herbie Farnworth.

They will also be without suspended Kotoni Staggs and injured duo Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan, leaving Brisbane to face their Storm nemesis without eight NRL regulars.

Full list of replacements via Peter Badel.

Storm: Harry Grant and Cameron Munster are among a host of players set to be rested, while Jahrome Hughes is expected to miss the clash due to a minor medial ligament sprain.

SEA EAGLES v TIGERS

Friday, 6pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: Reuben Garrick is an outside chance to return from a broken back, but with Manly’s season over and Tolutau Koula starring at fullback against the Bulldogs it’s unlikely they’ll rush him back into the side.

Tigers: Alex Twal is expected to return from an illness in the only likely change at the Tigers.

RABBITOHS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell is unavailable due to suspension, with Blake Taaffe to come into the side at fullback and kick goals.

Jed Cartwright is a chance to return from injury on the bench.

Roosters: Joey Manu is an outside chance to play after failing to finish the match with the Tigers due to a minor hamstring injury.

Provided he passes concussion protocols, James Tedesco is due to return at fullback.

Jared Waerea-Hargraves is facing a six-to-eight-week suspension for two separate charges.

DOLPHINS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins: No major changes expected at the Dolphins.

Warriors: Tohu Harris (back), Rocco Berry (knee) and Luke Metcalf (hamstring) are all likely to be ruled out for the Warriors.

In the backline, Te Maire Martin would replace Metcalf with Edward Kosi coming in for Berry.

Jazz Tevaga and Mitch Barnett are expected to be available for finals, but may be given another week to recover.

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PANTHERS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: Jarome Luai is unavailable having suffered a dislocated shoulder in the loss to the Eels.

Jack Cogger will come into the halves to partner Nathan Cleary.

Mitch Kenny, Sunia Turuva, Dylan Edwards and Scott Sorensen are expected to return from rests/niggles.

Izack Tago will continue his ongoing push to return from a leg injury at centre in place of Tyrone Peachey.

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai is unlikely to return from a shoulder injury in the back-row.

DRAGONS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: Jack De Belin returns from suspension in the middle in likely the only major change for the Dragons.

Knights: Locked into a home final, the Knights are likely to take the opportunity to rest a number of stars with injury niggles.

Kalyn Ponga will definitely miss out with an AC joint injury. Ponga’s absence will give the departing Lachlan Miller a farewell from the club at fullback.

Jackson Hastings, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Kurt Mann may all sit out a week as a result of the Knights’ position.

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 2pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: Mo Fotuaika may return for the Titans after missing the clash with Melbourne due to personal reasons.

Bulldogs: Jacob Preston returns from suspension in the back-row, likely pushing Corey Waddell to the bench.

SHARKS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: Nicho Hynes is a chance to return from a quad injury that saw him miss the clash with Newcastle.

If cleared, Matt Moylan would revert to the bench.

Raiders: Corey Horsburgh is facing a three match suspension for a shoulder charge.

Albert Hopoate is a chance to return from a rib injury on the wing in place of Nic Cotric.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 27: Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster among stars set to sit out