NRL Early Mail Round 22: Predicted team changes, Matt Moylan delay, D-Day for Kalyn Ponga
Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga has a meeting today to determine his immediate future – not just for the Knights but also the Kangaroos at the World Cup.
Matt Moylan will spend another week on the sideline as he recovers from a quad injury.
The Sharks five-eighth has been rested from Saturday’s clash with the Wests Tigers at Tamworth with back-up half Braydon Trindall his replacement.
Moylan was a late omission for Cronulla ahead of their win over St George-Illawarra last weekend after straining his quad in the captain’s run.
Trindall scored a try and set up another in Moylan’s absence against the Dragons.
Moylan’s unavailability will be countered by the anticipated return of key Cronulla forwards Dale Finucane (suspension) and Royce Hunt (shoulder).
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D-DAY FOR PONGA’S IMMEDIATE FUTURE
Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga is set to be ruled out for the rest of the season – and his World Cup hopes hang in the balance – as the Knights brace for a medical report that will determine his immediate playing future.
News Corp understands Ponga has been advised to rest for four to six weeks with the Knights fullback to be ruled out of Newcastle’s clash against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Ponga has undergone a number of neurological tests and visited medical specialists after suffering three head knocks in six weeks, including his latest concussion against the Sydney Roosters on July 22.
It is believed Ponga could be eligible for Newcastle’s final-round fixture against Cronulla on Sunday, September 4, but with their playoff hopes extinguished, Knights bosses are reluctant to take any risks with their $6 million man.
Ponga is keen to make himself available for selection for Australia’s World Cup campaign in October, but his push for a green-and-gold jumper could hinge on the medical advice of neurologists.
The Maroons maestro will discuss a rehabilitation plan with the Knights on Tuesday and newly-appointed Newcastle football boss Peter Parr said the club will not put their skipper’s NRL career in jeopardy.
“Kalyn is a high-profile player and he is very important to us,” Parr said.
“He won’t play this week and we will be guided by the medical opinion and do what’s in Kalyn’s best interests.
“No matter which player is on your books, their long-term health is the most vital thing and we will make sure Kalyn gets all the right medical advice, as we would for any player here.
“He attracts a lot of attention because of his profile but we would treat any player here with the same concern if they had a few concussions.”
News Corp understands that Ponga has spoken to doctor Chris Levi, the neurologist used by the NRL to liaise with players who have suffered concussion.
Levi most recently worked with Sydney Roosters superstar Luke Keary as he suffered another head knock that threatened to sideline him for an extended period.
Ponga also underwent an MRI scan last week as he attempted to get the all-clear to return to the field again this season to help the Knights finish on a positive note and push his claims for a place at the World Cup.
His father Andre revealed that his son was showing no lasting effects from his latest head knock, fuelling hope he would be seen in Knights colours again this year – but that appears highly unlikely.
Ponga was keen to play again in the NRL this year for personal reasons as well. He is eager to play for Australia at the end of the year and he would have been a certain selection in Mal Meninga’s squad for the World Cup after starring for Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series.
While James Tedesco is certain to wear the green-and-gold No.1 jersey, Ponga would have toured as his understudy and potentially filled the No.14 role on the interchange bench.
“I’ve seen Kalyn in the last few days and he is in good spirits,” Parr said. “He says he isn’t feeling any effects from the concussions so hopefully it won’t be too long before he is back on the field again.”
Ponga told Fox League a fortnight ago: “I’m guided by what the specialist says and the unfortunate thing is you can’t really do physio on your brain.
“It’s just time away from the game. I’ll just find out what the specialist says and go from there.”
PANTHERS v STORM
Thursday, 7.50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Dylan Edwards suffered a shoulder injury in his starring performance in the win over the Raiders. He’s in some doubt, if ruled out he’d likely be replaced by Stephen Crichton, with Robert Jennings at centre.
James Fisher-Harris is facing two to three weeks out for a careless high tackle, he’ll be replaced by Matt Eisenhuth.
Viliame Kikau remains in doubt with the hip injury that saw him ruled out of the clash with Canberra, while likely to return, if he misses Chris Smith would again start on the edge.
Storm: Justin Olam will return at centre after missing the win over the Titans due to Covid, this will see Young Tonumaipea drop out of the side.
Nick Meaney is an outside chance to return from injury, but likely will require another week.
Jahrome Hughes is unlikely to play after suffering a shoulder injury, this could spell the end of Cam Munster’s successful move to fullback.
Munster may be forced to move back into the halves to steer the ship in the absence of Hughes. If this does occur, Tyran Wishart is likely to come into the side at fullback if Meaney is also unavailable.
Melbourne will also be without Felise Kaufusi due to personal reasons, and will likely be replaced by Chris Lewis.
WARRIORS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita is an outside chance to return from a knee injury. If so, he’d come into the halves in place of Wayde Egan who would shift to hooker, moving Freddy Lussick to the bench.
Jesse Arthars is a chance to return from a quad strain, while Jazz Tevaga’s season is confirmed over due to a shoulder injury.
Bulldogs: No changes expected at the Bulldogs, despite the sharp five day turnaround from the loss to North Queensland.
EELS v RABBITOHS
Friday, 7.55pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Ryan Matterson looms as the only potential change after suffering a late HIA in the win over the Sea Eagles.
If ruled out, Marata Niukore would likely come into the starting team.
Mitchell Moses is still another week or two away from a return.
Rabbitohs: Jed Cartwright and Campbell Graham are likely one more week away from returning for South Sydney.
Tom Burgess returns from suspension, likely playing off the bench.
ROOSTERS v COWBOYS
Saturday, 3pm, SCG, Sydney
Roosters: Siosiua Taukeiaho and Egan Butcher are both expected to return for the Roosters, this will see Terrell May and Ben Thomas drop out of the 17.
Lindsay Collins faces an extended stint on the sidelines as he deals with another concussion.
Cowboys: Kyle Feldt is an outside chance to return from a minor hamstring injury, although they may opt to exercise caution due to their ladder position and give him one more week.
If he does return, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow would move to the bench to accommodate the veteran winger.
Reuben Cotter played extended minutes in his second game back from a hamstring injury, I expect him to start at lock either this week or next, with Jason Taumalolo moving to prop and Coen Hess to the bench.
Jordan McLean is also likely to make his return from a hamstring injury off the bench.
TIGERS v SHARKS
Saturday, 5.30pm, Scully Park, Tamworth
Tigers: Ken Maumalo suffered a suspected PCL injury in the loss to the Knights that may end his season if confirmed.
This will see either Junior Tupou or James Roberts come into the side.
Luke Garner is due back from a neck injury and is likely to start in the back-row, with Alex Seyfarth moving to the bench.
That being said, as we head into the final few rounds, players moving on from clubs such as Garner may see less time on field, so who knows what interim coach Brett Kimmorley will do?
Sharks: Connor Tracey is expected to miss out following his nasty high shot from Tariq Sims.
This would see Matt Ikuvalu come onto the wing in his place.
Matt Moylan is likely to return after tweaking his quad over the weekend, this would see Braydon Trindall drop to the bench.
He’d likely stay in the 17 as cover for Moylan, with Tracey also unavailable.
Dale Finucane returns from suspension at lock, this will see Cameron McInnes move to the bench.
Royce Hunt is also a chance to return from a shoulder injury.
BRONCOS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: No major changes at the Broncos, although TC Robati is due back from an arm injury and may come onto the bench if cleared.
Knights: Jacob Saifiti suffered a head knock in the win over the Tigers which has him in doubt to face the Broncos on the six day turnaround.
Kurt Mann is due back from a knee injury, he’d likely return at lock if cleared, pushing Mitchell Barnett to the edge and Brodie Jones to the bench.
Mann may also may be eased back this week off the bench having spent an extended period out.
Jake Clifford suffered a suspected broken arm on the weekend, if confirmed, Adam Clune would replace him in the halves, with Tex Hoy likely the man to take over goalkicking duties.
Kalyn Ponga remains unlikely to return from a series of concussions at this stage, although the club haven’t confirmed anything as of yet.
Anthony Milford was placed on report for a crusher tackle.
RAIDERS v DRAGONS
Sunday, 2pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Joe Tapine suffered a rib injury in the loss to the Panthers, if cleared of a fracture he shouldn’t spend too much time out, although he’d be unlikely for this clash.
Corey Horsburgh is likely to return to the team, with either he or Ryan Sutton starting at prop.
Sutton himself copped a head knock and will need to pass concussion protocols, he’ll be aided by an eight day turnaround.
Nick Cotric is likely to miss one or two weeks due to a careless high tackle charge, this will see Jordan Rapana replace him on the wing, Albert Hopoate retain a spot, and Xavier Savage return at fullback.
Dragons: Cody Ramsey is due back from a knee injury at fullback in place of Moses Mbye.
Mbye will likely shift to centre, with Jack Bird returning to the back-row in place of Tariq Sims who faces a four-to-five week suspension for his high shot on Connor Tracey.
TITANS v SEA EAGLES
Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Aaron Booth suffered a devastating ACL injury that will end his season.
With Erin Clark’s successful move to lock in recent weeks, Justin Holbrook will be reluctant to shift him back to hooker, despite being the obvious option.
Depending on which way Holbrook goes, Tanah Boyd may move to hooker, with Toby Sexton earning a reprieve in the halves.
Sea Eagles: Kieran Foran is unlikely to face his future club having suffered a hamstring injury late on in the loss to the Eels.
This will likely see Josh Schuster come into the halves to partner Daly Cherry-Evans.
Josh Aloiai and Sean Keppie are both due back from injury for Manly.
Alfred Smalley is due back from suspension but will likely play NSW Cup, while Brad Parker is available for selection after a lengthy stint out due to injury.
He’s likely to come in for Morgan Harper at some stage, however Manly’s reserve grade side had the bye on the weekend, so Des Hasler may want to get a run under his belt first.
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