NRL Early Mail: Robbie Farah returns for Tigers, Matt Moylan likely for Penrith
ROBBIE Farah returns for the Tigers and fullback Matt Moylan is also likely for Penrith. Get all the latest news in the Round 4 edition of NRL Early Mail.
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GET all the latest team news and predictions on team list Tuesday in the Round 4 edition of NRL Early Mail.
In the big news so far:
* Star hooker Robbie Farah (knee) is expected to make his season debut for the Tigers and this is likely to be at the expense of young hooker Manaia Cherrington;
* At the Panthers fullback Matt Moylan is also expected to take the field for the first time this year. Will Smith is the man likely to drop out of the side. Coach Anthony Griffin has indicated last week’s debutant Te Maire Martin will retain his spot;
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* Star Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess was cleared of serious damage to his neck after he was stretchered off against the Dragons, but there is no clear indication when he will be back on the field;
* Manly backrower Jamie Buhrer is scheduled for a Round 4 return from a jaw injury;
* Roosters centre Dale Copley is out for four months with a torn pec. This could allow Super League recruit Joe Burgess to be recalled to the NRL side.
RABBITOHS v BULLDOGS
4pm Friday at ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs: Teammates are refusing to rule out Sam Burgess making himself available to play after being cleared of serious damage to his neck.
He was stretchered off in the second half of his side’s 8-6 defeat to the Dragons on Sunday.
His absence could earn Chris Grevsmuhl a recall. Paul Carter is facing a suspension for dangerous contact against Mike Cooper. A stint on the sideline could mean young Angus Crichton will make his NRL debut.
Bulldogs: Backrower Greg Eastwood was a late omission against the Eels with a foot injury. His return would have Lloyd Perrett drop off the bench.
BRONCOS v COWBOYS
8.05pm Friday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Centre Jack Reed (eye) has been ruled out, opening the door for a youngster to make his NRL debut. Tom Opacic and former Tiger Marion Seve are in the frame after impressing in the Queensland Cup.
The Courier-Mail’s Rikki-Lee Arnold reports that Lachlan Maranta trained on the wing outside James Roberts on Tuesday morning, with Jordan Kahu at left centre inside Greg Eden.
Cowboys: No changes expected. Hooker Jake Granville suffered a concussion against the Roosters but will be available for selection.
RAIDERS v TITANS
5.30pm Saturday at GIO Stadium
Raiders: With Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin still injured, the Raiders could have another change in the halves.Second-rower Elliot Whitehead was picked at five-eighth against the Knights and did a decent job alongside halfback Sam Williams but the man he replaced, Lachlan Croker, also impressed in NSW Cup and could earn a recall.Shannon Boyd suffered a concussion but will be available for selection.
Titans: Fullback Will Zillman’s return from a calf injury remains up in the air. His return would push David Mead to the wing at the expense of John Olive and Nathan Davis. Davis was ruled out of Round 3’s clash with the Tigers with a shoulder injury.
ROOSTERS v SEA EAGLES
7.30pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Centre Dale Copley will spend four months on the sideline with a torn pec. He’s likely to be replaced in the backline by fellow new recruit Joe Burgess or Brendan Elliot. Hooker Ian Henderson suffered a gruesome leg break and is out indefinitely.
Sea Eagles: Coach Trent Barrett is likely to be forced to continue to tinker with his forward pack after Martin Taupau was placed on report for an ugly looking hit on Cronulla’s Jack Bird. However, Jamie Buhrer is expected to return from a broken jaw to take his spot in the back row.
DRAGONS v PANTHERS
4pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Halfback Benji Marshall was a late withdrawal against the Roosters but will be available for selection, pushing Josh McCrone out of the side.
Panthers: Fullback and captain Matt Moylan looks set to play his first game of the year. This would mean Will Smith drops out of the side. Coach Anthony Griffin has indicated rising star Te Maire Martin is likely to remain in the halves. Trent Merrin should return from a virus to take his spot at lock, pushing Elijah Taylor back to the bench. Waqa Blake (cork) should be back to take his spot in the centres. Prop Jeremy Latimore is out after taking the early guilty plea for his tackle on Brisbane’s Greg Eden.
MORE: Anthony Griffin on Matt Moylan’s return, Te Maire Martin’s future
WARRIORS v KNIGHTS
2pm Monday at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: Hooker Issac Luke is rated only as a “small” chance of lining up against the Knights, which would allow young gun Jazz Tevago to retain his spot at hooker. Luke suffered a leg injury in the lead-up to last round during the captain’s run. Winger Manu Vatuvei could return from a rib injury, meaning Jonathan Wright would drop out.
Knights: There’s likely to be another reshuffle in the backline with Akuila Uate (shoulder) expected to be available. But Sione Mata’utia is facing a week suspension for a dangerous throw. This could move last week’s debutant Cory Denniss to the centres from the wing. Daniel Saifiti (knee) withdrew from the Raiders’ clash but will also be available for Round 4.
TIGERS v EELS
4pm Monday at ANZ Stadium
Tigers: Star hooker Robbie Farah is finally set to play his first NRL game of the year. His inclusion will mean Manaia Cherrington drops out of the side. Kevin Naiqama left the field against the Titans with a shoulder injury but the extent is unknown. Chris Lawrence could spend a week on the sideline for a dangerous throw which could open up an opportunity for Tyler Cassel to take the step up from NSW Cup or Junior Tatola from their Holden Cup side.
Eels: Backrower Beau Scott played with a busted shoulder against the Bulldogs but he didn’t leave the field. It’s expected he’ll be available, but his absence would be offset by the return from suspension of Manu Ma’u.
SHARKS v STORM
7pm Monday at Southern Cross Stadium
Sharks: Centre Jack Bird suffered a concussion after he was on the receiving end from a dangerous tackle by Manly’s Martin Taupau.
Storm: No changes expected.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail: Robbie Farah returns for Tigers, Matt Moylan likely for Penrith
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