NRL Early Mail round 15: Corey Oates injures knee at training, Lachlan Galvin out

Brisbane veteran Corey Oates is no certainty of playing after a knee knock at training while the Sydney Roosters are set to welcome back two key players.

Corey Oates limped off the training paddock. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Broncos have suffered a scare with veteran winger Corey Oates leaving training on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s clash against South Sydney.

Oates left the training paddock early with knee soreness and will receive treatment in the hope of playing against Latrell Mitchell’s Rabbitohs.

Broncos training news

Corey Oates has left training early with minor knee knock, Xavier Willison back after missing last week’s clash for personal reasons. pic.twitter.com/nN1wXolGny

— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) June 10, 2024

In a boost for the Broncos, centre Kotoni Staggs took part in the session after injuring his knee in last week’s loss to the Sharks, while prop Xavier Willison is available for selection after missing the Cronulla clash for personal reasons.

Oates’ ailment does not appear serious and the Broncos will hope he is on deck to face the Rabbitohs amid a tough injury toll and the State of Origin grind.

DOUBLE BOOST FOR ROOSTERS

The Sydney Roosters are set for a double boost with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Connor Watson on track to return from injury against Parramatta.

It comes as the club issued hooker Brandon Smith with a breach notice for failing to attend a team meeting. Smith trained with the squad on Monday morning, but it is unclear whether the hooker will miss any game time as a result of the indiscretion.

Watson hasn’t played since sustaining a throat injury against Cronulla back in round 11 but can provide cover at hooker if Smith is not named on Tuesday.

But the in-form utility will return for Saturday’s clash against the Eels, in time for one last NSW Blues audition ahead of Origin team selections on Sunday evening.

“I love him as a player. I reckon he would have played rep footy if he’d had a consistent run of three or four years of footy. He is so valuable to us. He’s had all the ankle, knee, Achilles stuff. So I’m super happy to have him back this week too,” Luke Keary said.

Watson has covered multiple positions this year including five-eighth, lock and hooker, where he’d played two games before picking up the throat injury.

Brandon Smith has been stood down for a game over disciplinary issues. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

But with Victor Radley’s successful move onto the edge, Watson is now likely to return to the side in the No. 13 jumper.

“The way our team plays, the way I want to play. He’s a freak of a player and in the middle he just runs riot,” Radley said.

Veteran prop Waerea-Hargreaves failed to finish round 13’s clash against North Queensland after picking up a minor back complaint.

But the 35-year old is firming to line-up against the Eels.

“Yeah good, he trained today. We still have three more sessions before the Parramatta game. He’ll have another run tomorrow and a big session on Thursday, and make a final decision then,” Keary said.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will miss the next month after accepting a four-week ban for his high shot on Reece Walsh during Origin game one at Accor Stadium last Wednesday night.

Junior Pauga is the front runner to replace Suaalii but coach Trent Robinson also has veteran outside back Michael Jennings as an option.

GALVIN OUT AFTER MONTH OF PAIN

Wests Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin is out for a week and possibly more with a hand injury.

The boom five-eighth is in the midst of an impressive rookie season but has required heavy strapping and painkilling injections over the last month.

Meanwhile, Jayden Sullivan is out for 2-4 weeks with a broken finger, further weakening the Tigers’ halves stocks.

Although veteran Aidan Sezer is due back from suspension this week.

“It is not unusual to needle a hand injury,” CEO Shane Richardson said.

“I have complete faith in our high-performance staff. They wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise a player’s health.”

Lachlan Galvin has a hand injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

PAPENHUYZEN ‘ROUGH CHANCE’ FOR STORM

Ryan Papenhuyzen is a “rough chance” to return for the Storm this week.

The former NSW Origin representative is on his way back from a leg fracture.

The break was to the same ankle he broke in week one of the finals against Brisbane last year.

“He’s a rough chance for next week (round 15),” said Storm coach Craig Bellamy. “And if not probably the week after.”

It’s unclear where Papenhuyzen will play and his return leaves the immediate future of young gun Sua Faalogo up in the air.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is a ‘rough chance’ this week. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS

SHARKS v DOLPHINS

Thursday, 7:50pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: Nicho Hynes is expected to return in the halves for Cronulla, with Daniel Atkinson likely the man to drop out, although he may retain his place over Braydon Trindall.

Dolphins: Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima are both expected to return from injury to face Cronulla.

Nikorima returns in the halves in place of Anthony Milford.

Recent signing Tevita Pangai Jnr is available for selection for the Dolphins.

RAIDERS v COWBOYS

Friday, 6pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: Hudson Young returns in the back-row, pushing Ata Mariota to the bench.

Cowboys: Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) are likely to return after being rested with niggles after Origin.

Taulagi will replace Braidon Burns on the wing and Robson returns in place of Harrison Edwards at hooker.

Jordan McLean is a chance to return from a calf injury at prop.

RABBITOHS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: Siliva Havili is likely to miss the clash with Brisbane with a calf injury.

South Sydney are a chance at welcoming back Cameron Murray after missing a lengthy period with a hip injury.

Broncos: Reece Walsh will miss the clash after his head knock sustained in the Origin opener.

This will see Tristan Sailor retain the starting fullback role.

TIGERS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Tigers: Lachlan Galvin is dealing with a hand injury and will miss at least a week of action.

Halves partner Jayden Sullivan is also out for two to four weeks with a broken finger.

Aidan Sezer returns from suspension in the halves.

Adam Doueihi is expected to return from an ACL injury via NSW Cup this weekend.

Solomon Alaimalo must pass concussion protocols to take his place against the Titans.

Titans: No major changes expected at the Titans, unless they opt to bring a specialist outside back into the team to push Beau Fermor back to the second-row.

WARRIORS v STORM

Saturday, 5:30pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: Shaun Johnson is a strong chance to return from a pec injury at halfback, pushing Chanel Harris-Tavita to the bench or out of the side entirely.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is nearing a return from a hamstring injury and will replace Adam Pompey if cleared.

Storm: Reimis Smith must pass concussion protocols to take his place against the Warriors.

Will Warbrick remains in doubt as he deals with a groin issue.

EELS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: To come …

Roosters: Joseph Suaalii is suspended after being sent off in the Origin opener.

This will see Junior Pauga retain his place in the Roosters backline.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves eyeing a return from a hamstring injury.

Connor Watson is a chance to return from a throat issue to push his case for an Origin call-up.

SEA EAGLES v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: Haumole Olakau’atu is in doubt with a calf injury, with Corey Waddell on standby to start on the edge if required.

Josh Aloiai is facing a two to three match suspension for tripping.

Dragons: No forced changes expected at the Dragons after their big win over the Tigers.

KNIGHTS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: Bradman Best is a chance to return from a hamstring injury as he bids to reclaim his NSW Origin spot.

Daniel Saifiti is expected to return from injury in the front-row rotation.

David Armstrong is likely to be available for selection, but will need to oust impressive debutant Fletcher Sharpe.

Panthers: Dylan Edwards is a chance to return from a quad injury at fullback in place of Daine Laurie.

Liam Martin remains in doubt to face the Knights due to an ankle injury.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 15: Corey Oates injures knee at training, Lachlan Galvin out