NRL Early Mail Round 19: Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to return through NSW Cup
High-profile Sydney Roosters Sam Walker and Brandon Smith will make their returns this week but not in the NRL. Full predicted team changes here
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The Roosters have announced that star duo Sam Walker and Brandon Smith are poised to make their comeback in the NSW Cup this weekend.
Walker hasn’t played in the NRL since being dropped from first grade following round seven.
He then suffered a sprained ACL while playing reserve grade in late-April.
The halfback is set to return alongside Smith, who hasn’t played since breaking his thumb against the Dragons in round 12.
The high-profile recruit is aiming to restore the faith of the Roosters following an inauspicious start to his journey with the Chooks.
The Roosters NSW Cup side face Newcastle at Wentworth Park on Sunday.
GOULD’S BID TO RUSH IN RECRUIT
—David Riccio
Canterbury boss Phil Gould is attempting to rush new recruit and halfback Toby Sexton into the first grade side to face South Sydney on Saturday.
Sexton, 22, will arrive at Belmore on Wednesday to commence a two-year deal with the Dogs after making his NRL debut with the Titans in 2021.
“I’m hoping to have it done today sometime, he’ll be a great acquisition to the club,” Gould said.
“He was in our junior program at one stage and he’s since debuted at the Titans.
“I spoke to the salary cap auditor, I don’t know if the coach will use him this weekend but we’ll try and make him available if the coach wants to select him.”
WING SWITCH FOR TIGERS
—Michael Carayannis
David Nofoaluma is out of the Tigers’ team with a shoulder injury.
He will be replaced by Asu Kepaoa on the wing.
TIGERS V SHARKS
Thursday, 7.50pm, CommBank Stadium
Tigers: Unaffected by Origin with sole rep Stefano Utoikamanu dropped by the Blues.
Alex Twal (suspension) and David Nofoaluma (shoulder) are out. Asu Kepaoa will come onto the wing for Nofoaluma.
Luke Brooks (hamstring) is hopeful of returning next week.
Sharks: No Origin reps with Nicho Hynes again snubbed.
But the forward stocks could be bare with Braden Hamlin-Uele (ribs) in doubt and Dale Finucane (suspension) copping a two-game ban.
The likes of Toby Rudolf and Jesse Colquhoun will come into contention to come into the 17.
DRAGONS V RAIDERS
Friday, 8.00pm, WIN Stadium
Dragons: Ben Hunt is on Origin duty with Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone set to be the halves.
Moses Suli (concussion) is gunning for a return and could replace Tautau Moga at centre.
Raiders: Corey Horsburgh is out after being named for his Maroons’ debut, while Pasami Saulo (concussion) is also out.
But in a big boost for the Raiders, Hudson Young is available after being dropped by the Blues.
EELS V WARRIORS
Saturday, 5.30pm, CommBank Stadium
Eels: Brad Arthur’s side have been torn apart by Origin. Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Clint Gutherson are in the NSW team.
J’maine Hopgood is 19th man for the Maroons and it’s unclear if he will be released to play for the Eels.
Ryan Matterson is again set to play in the halves for Moses, with Shaun Lane (hamstring) hopeful of joining the pack in place of Matterson.
Sean Russell and Bailey Simonsson are contenders to be named at fullback in place of Gutherson.
Dylan Brown has been suspended for seven weeks and handed a $40,000 fine by the NRL after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual touching. He is aiming to make his comeback in round 23 against St George Illawarra. Full story here
Warriors: No changes expected. Warriors forward Josh Curran has been handed a two-match suspension and $10,000 fine after pleading guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old in a nightclub toilet on grand final night last year. Full story here
Jeremy Marshall-King aggravated his ongoing AC joint injury again last night & Wayne Bennett indicated he will likely miss time, potentially “the rest of the seasonâ€. Mostly a pain management issue: rare to miss more than 3-4 weeks, but textbook AC joint sprain aggravation here
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 2, 2023
RABBITOHS V BULLDOGS
Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Souths are seriously depleted with Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Keaon Koloamatangi and Cameron Murray on Origin duty while Campbell Graham (sternum), Latrell Mitchell (calf), Jai Arrow (ankle) and Jacob Host (suspension) are all set to miss this round and return in round 21 after the Rabbitohs’ bye.
Isaiah Tass returns at centre following the birth of his child.
Peter Mamouzelos is set to play hooker for Cook. Dean Hawkins is favoured to play five-eighth for Walker.
Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr is out through Origin duty with Braidon Burns set to come into the backline in what is set to be the only forced change.
Although Cameron Ciraldo may be tempted to wield the axe after his team’s 66-0 loss to the Knights with Khaled Rajab a potential out after being hooked mid-game.
Phil Gould is attempting to have new recruit Toby Sexton cleared to play.
TITANS V DOLPHINS
Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: AJ Brimson, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Mo Fotuaika are all on Origin duty.
Jayden Campbell replaces Brimson at fullback while the likes of Iszac Fa’asumaleaui, Klese Haas and Jacob Alick are in line to come into the 17 in the pack.
Phillip Sami remains in doubt with a hamstring injury after a late withdrawal last week.
Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King could miss rest of the year.
“We may have to go the season without him, I’m not sure. These things are about pain and what you can handle and what you can’t handle, so we just have to wait and see,” coach Wayne Bennett said.
Harrison Graham is JMK’s likely replacement.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on Origin duty.
Felise Kaufusi out due to concussion, although Jarrod Wallace is back from suspension
BYE: Broncos, Cowboys, Knights, Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Storm
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 19: Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to return through NSW Cup
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