NRL Early Mail Round 14: Predicted team changes
It’s been almost 12-months today since a devastating knee injury threatened to end his NRL career, but with Harry Grant still sidelined the injury plagued Tigers hooker is set to make his return.
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The best mail man in the business Wacko’s Whispers reveals his predicted team changes for Round 14.
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is set to name Jacob Liddle at hooker almost 12 months to the day that the 23-year old ruptured his ACL/LCL/MCL in round 22 against Manly in 2019.
Skipper Moses Mbye was named at no.9 last weekend against Newcastle but after a 44-4 loss, the coach has opted for Liddle at hooker.
Form rake Harry Grant is still at least two weeks away and utility Billy Walters suffered a season ending ACL injury against the Knights, giving Liddle an opportunity in the starting side.
Liddle’s NRL career has been hampered with serious injury. Before last year’s devastating knee injury, Liddle also underwent a double shoulder reconstruction in 2017.
Josh Reynolds is expected to be re-called into the 17 on the bench.
Forward Alex Twal is still battling through a niggling injury but it’s expected he will return in round 15.
—Fatima Kdouh
Paul McGregor is preparing to hand Corey Norman an NRL-reprieve ahead of the biggest game of the Dragons coach’s career.
In the wake of confirmation from St George-Illawarra CEO Ryan Webb that McGregor’s future will be discussed at a board meeting next Tuesday, the Dragons away-trip to Parramatta on Friday night is set to be played under the glare of mass-uncertainty.
Having dropped Norman ahead of the Dragons loss to the Roosters last Thursday night due to form, McGregor is leaning towards selecting the marquee half back in first grade, by including him in his 21-man squad on Tuesday.
Norman’s return to the halves alongside rookie Adam Clune would see Ben Hunt shift from the scrumbase and back into the hooking role, with captain Cameron McInnes reverting to lock.
Tristan Sailor is likely to retain a position on the bench.
—David Riccio
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has confirmed forward Ryan Matterson will return from a serious head knock on Friday night against St George Illawarra.
Arthur told The Daily Telegraph Matterson has been eased back into training following a shocking head clash in round 11 against his former side, Wests Tigers.
After completing a full week of training, Arthur said the form forward would be named on Tuesday afternoon.
“He’s keen to play... you have to make sure the player is comfortable within themselves. The last thing you want to do after a head knock is put them out there, if they aren’t 100 percent comfortable,” Arthur said.
—Fatima Kdouh
Melbourne will slot Ryley Jacks into five-eighth to replace injured superstar Cameron Munster for Thursday’s showdown with the Roosters and the Storm will be boosted by the return of star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Papenhuyzen missed last week’s big win over Canterbury but will return at the back with the impressive Nicho Hynes to come off the bench.
The Storm will be without Cameron Smith for the second week in a row as they try to upset their old rivals.
Meanwhile, Penrith will name fullback Dylan Edwards on an extended bench for Friday’s match against the Warriors.
Edwards has missed the last few weeks with a hamstring injury but may slot in as a replacement for Caleb Aekins as the Panthers chase their eighth straight win.
—Nick Campton
ROOSTERS V STORM
Thursday 13 August, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 7.50pm
Roosters: Could welcome back a number of players if they can prove their fitness with Angus Crichton (knee), Boyd Cordner (concussion), Brett Morris (back), Daniel Tupou (ankle), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (calf) and Josh Morris (calf) all chances to return.
Matt Ikuvalu failed to finish the Dragons game due to HIA and will need to pass required protocols.
Ryan Hall and Jake Friend are both be free to play despite being charged by the match review committee.
Kyle Flannagan could return after being dropped last week.
Storm: Come into this clash off a five-day turn around which won’t help Cameron Munster after he suffered a knee injury to the same knee he injured earlier in the season. He faces 2-3 weeks out, but they welcome the return of both Dale Fincuane and Ryan Papenhuyzen after they were rested on the weekend.
Ryley Jacks and Nicho Hynes are options to replace Munster in the halves. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui passed gameday HIA and should be right to play. Brenko Lee could return at right centre from a hand injury, pushing Tom Eisenhuth back to the bench. Cameron Smith isn’t expected to recover from his shoulder injury.
Concern by video for right MCL sprain for Cameron Munster, tackler causes knee to collapse in/twist stressing medial knee. Can also bring risk of injury to ACL or even syndesmosis, hopefully both avoided here. Same knee he suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain to in recent weeks pic.twitter.com/Jir3rfRuOt
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 8, 2020
WARRIORS V PANTHERS
Friday 14 August, Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast, 6pm
Warriors: Will be without Jack Hetherington after he was charged with a grade three high tackle for a hit on Martin Taupau. With a long list of priors he is looking at four weeks out with an early guilty plea, which likely ends his loan spell at the Warriors. It will be interesting to see how interim coach Todd Payten replaces Hetherington on the right edge.
He could move Tohu Harris back to the fringe but it’s more likely he brings in either Jack Murchie or Isaiah Papali’i. Eliesa Katoa suffered a knock which forced him from the field on the weekend. He didn’t return and could be in some doubt. Adam Pompey didn’t have the best game on the weekend and could be replaced by either Gerard Beale or Adam Keighran. Meanwhile Nathaniel Roache is nearing a return from knee and ankle surgery.
CASUALTY WARD: Weekend injury wrap
Panthers: Came through the Raiders game with no major injuries. Dylan Edwards is an outside chance to return from a hamstring injury after returning to training last week. He still has to tick a few final boxes but with this his second hamstring injury of the season I expect him to be given another week.
Brian To’o has returned to running after recovering from a syndesmosis injury and could be named on the extended bench. Dean Whare has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks as the Panthers look to manage a toe injury sustained when he returned to training after thigh injury.
EELS V DRAGONS
Friday 14 August, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 7.55pm
Eels: Come into this game off a five-day turnaround after a good win over the Sharks at a waterlogged NetStrata Jubilee Stadium. No major injury concerns to come out of the game with the only possible change being Ryan Matterson returning from concussion. His return should see Marata Niukore move back to the bench with either Andrew Davey, Ray Stone or Oregon Kaufusi making way.
Dragons: Will be without Tariq Sims due to a shoulder injury suffered in the Roosters game with Tyrell Fuimaono to start at 2RF and Jacob Host coming onto the bench. It’s only a matter of time until Tristan Sailor starts in the halves which will allow Ben Hunt to move back to hooker and Cameron McInnes going back to lock. The switch could occur as early as this week after lock Jackson Ford was charged with a grade three tripping offence. Providing he takes the early guilty plea he will miss two games.
Zac Lomax copped a knock to the same knee he injured earlier in the season. He managed to play out the game but could be in some doubt. Paul Vaughan remains unavailable due to a COVID-19 breach. Brayden Wiliame should be fit to return from a calf injury and could be named on the extended bench.
SHARKS V TITANS
Saturday 15 August, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 3pm
Sharks: The only concern coming out of the Eels game is Ronaldo Mulitalo who left the field in the final 15 minutes due to HIA and will need to pass required protocols. If fit he may continue on the right wing and Sione Katoa on left wing outside Josh Dugan after they switched sides on the weekend. Dugan, Matt Moylan and Jesse Ramien (all hamstring) got through comeback games and should be right to play.
Scott Sorensen also returned from a knee injury but took a knock early in the game forcing him off for a HIA, which he passed. He should also be fit to be named. Andrew Fifita is expected to return next week after surgery on a finger injury.
Titans: Only concern to come out of a good win over the Cowboys is Ashley Taylor who copped a knock to the knee which saw him leave the field late. But the injury is not considered serious and he should be right to go with the same 17 expected to be named. Mitch Rein and Young Tonumaipea are both fit for selection and could be named on the extended bench.
COWBOYS V RABBITOHS
Saturday 15 August, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 5.30pm
Cowboys: Could welcome back Scott Drinkwater as he returned to training last week after recovering from a knee injury and could replace Ben Hampton in the halves, while John Asiata is also a chance to return. Another option could be to start Drinkwater at fullback and move Hamiso Taubui-Fidow moving to the wing, Justin O’Neill to centre and Connelly Lemuelu dropped.
Reece Robson only played limited minutes on the weekend and didn’t come back onto the field after leaving just before halftime with no reports of any injury, while Gavin Cooper could also return after being dropped last week.
Rabbitohs: Will welcome back Jaydn Su’A after he missed the Broncos game last week due to suspension. Damien Cook and Cody Walker both copped knocks during the game but played on and should be right to play.
Tevita Tatola was taken from the field late in the game due to HIA and will be monitored during the week and needs to pass concussion protocols to play. Thomas Burgess suffered a knock to his shoulder during the game but will be named. Latrell Mitchell should be fit to play despite managing a leg injury at the moment. Hame Sele is close to returning from a shoulder injury but is likely still a week or two away.
RAIDERS V BRONCOS
Saturday 15 August, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7.35pm
Raiders: Sweating on the fitness of Siliva Havili after he was forced from field on the weekend due to a triceps injury, but he is expected to play. If ruled out Tom Starling would start at hooker, with options of new signing Kurt Baptiste or Sam Williams off the bench. Given Baptiste only joined the squad this past week, Williams may be the preferred option to spend time at dummy half to give Starling a rest during the game.
John Bateman is free to play after being cleared by the match review committee after being placed on report for a high shot on Stephen Crichton in the final minutes of the game on the weekend.
Broncos: Will not only be without their coach Anthony Seibold for 14 days due to a COVID breach, but also Tevita Pangai, who will miss the next two games with the potential of further penalties to be applied.
Joe Ofahengaue or Ben Te’o may be forced back out to an edge with Rhys Kennedy coming back onto the bench with the rest of the squad coming out of the Rabbitohs game injury free.
KNIGHTS V SEA EAGLES
Sunday 16 August, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 2pm
Knights: Expected to welcome back Daniel Saifiti from a knee injury after training with the squad last week. He would return from the bench with Josh King the player to make way.
Gehamat Shibasaki left the field on the weekend after copping a knock but should be fit to be named with no other injury concerns to come out of the game. Winger Starford To’a was investigated for a potential COVID breach and was in risk of missing out, but has since been cleared and is set to take his place.
Sea Eagles: Once again hit hard by injuries and could be missing both starting props from the weekend, with Addin Fonua-Blake suffering a knee injury which will rule him out, while Martin Taupau is in some doubt after suffering a concussion from a high Jack Hetherington tackle. But in some good news both backrowers Joel Thompson (ankle) and Curtis Sironen (knee) could return after being late omissions on the weekend.
Jorge Taufua’s position on the left wing could be up for grabs after a number of bad defensive reads on the weekend. Brad Parker is expected to return from concussion, which could see Tevita Funa move to the wing and Taufua dropped. Lachlan Croker was charged with a grade one dangerous contact offence for a hit on George Jennings but will be free to play with an early guilty plea.
TIGERS V BULLDOGS
Sunday 16 August, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 4.05pm
Tigers: Will be without Billy Walters after scans revealed he had torn both his MCL and ACL in the Knights game on the weekend. This could open the door for Jacob Liddle to return from his own ACL injury after he received final clearance, while Josh Reynolds is another option for the bench role.
Alex Twal is expected to return after missing the game on the weekend due to a sternum injury. Robert Jennings could return to replace rookie Asu Kepoea who had a tough game on debut.
Bulldogs: Expected to be without Lachlan Lewis after being charged with grade two careless high tackle for a hit on Cameron Munster, with either Jack Cogger or Brandon Wakeham options to replace Lewis in the halves. An early guilty plea will see him suspended for one game, given he was only fined for another charge of a grade one careless high tackle on Josh Addo-Carr.
Jake Averillo (hip) was expected to miss the game but has improved since their game on Saturday and should be good to go. Marcelo Montoya (knee) is set to miss out with either Reimis Smith and Kerrod Holland to return to the starting side. Will Hopoate is only considered an outside chance to return if he can recover from a syndesmosis injury, and is more likely to return in the next 1-2 weeks.
Wests Tigers fear an ACL injury for Billy Walters. Not promising signs with hands on tests from medical staff very accurate at identifying an ACL rupture. Mechanism very similar to McCullough in 2017 which resulted in an ACL/MCL rupture. Have to hope for best case (isolated MCL) pic.twitter.com/L2K3R5Rtsv
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 8, 2020
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 14: Predicted team changes
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