NRL Late Mail round 5: Jahrome Hughes to make Storm return

The Melbourne Storm have received a massive boost ahead of their Manly Sea Eagles clash, with a star set to return a week early from a broken hand.

Melbourne superstar Jahrome Hughes has been cleared to make his return from injury.

Hughes will start at halfback for the Storm with Tyran Wishart shifting to the wing to cover for Will Warbrick (concussion)

“Jahrome has progressed quickly from his hand injury,” said Storm football manager Frank Ponissi.

“Our medical staff came to us earlier this week and reported that he might be available for Sunday.”

Jahrome Hughes is aiming to return a week early from a hand injury. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Meanwhile, star young halfback Jonah Pezet is likely to miss 8-12 weeks with a knee injury sustained in NSW Cup. Pezet was playing his first game back from an ACL rupture.

“Jonah played 40 minutes for the Bears and did really well in his first game back in nearly a year,” Ponissi said. “He will undergo minor surgery this week to stabilise his knee.”

Forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona will sit out a second week due to concussion.

“NAS hasn’t passed the concussion protocols to be available this week. We’re hoping he will improve over the coming days and be ready for selection for the Warriors game on Sunday 13 April.”

Jonah Pezet was injured playing for the Bears over the weekend. Picture: NRL Images

NRL ROUND 5 LATE MAIL

SEA EAGLES V STORM

4:05pm, Sunday April 6th, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 21. Caleb Navale

Cut: 19. Jake Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Late Mail: Josh Aloiai (shoulder) is only expected to miss one week with an AC joint injury.

Lehi Hopoate is the new fullback in place of Tom Trbojevic (knee, round 9), with Clayton Faulalo coming onto the bench.

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 5. Xavier Coates 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 7. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 22. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves: 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Moses Leo

Cut: 2. William Warbrick 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley

Late Mail: The Storm have made several changes, with Jahrome Hughes (hand) cleared to return, with Tyran Wishart moving to wing and William Warbrick dropping out of the side.

Jonah Pezet is likely to miss 8-12 weeks with a knee injury sustained in NSW Cup. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is aiming for next week following a concussion.

BULLDOGS V KNIGHTS

6:15pm, Sunday April 6th, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Todd 20. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Jacob Kiraz

Cut: 17. Kurtis Morrin 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith

Late Mail: Jacob Kiraz (back/hip) is ahead of schedule and gunning for a return this week.

“Kiraz is a slight chance of playing this weekend, but we’ll see how he goes at training during the week,” Cameron Ciraldo said on Tuesday.

Five-eighth Matt Burton (knee) and backrower Viliame Kikau (knee) are set to return after next week’s bye against South Sydney.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Kyle McCarthy

Cut: 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Tyrone Thompson

Late Mail: Fresh from the bye and no changes expected, with Leo Thompson (knee) to return.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 5: Jahrome Hughes to make Storm return