Forgotten star Josh Schuster is set to make his long-awaited return this weekend after sitting out last season following his abrupt exit from Manly.
Schuster was handed a one-year deal at Souths but has been hampered by a calf injury since the pre-season but has been cleared to make his comeback and will likely line up in the NSW Cup this weekend despite the Bunnies being without three regular first-graders.
Rabbitohs trio Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys and Mikaele Ravalawa limped off with hamstring problems in their win over the Roosters while Maroons prop Lindsay Collins suffered medial damage for Trent Robinson’s beaten team.
Dylan Edwards and Scott Sorensen will make timely returns for Penrith in Round 6 as the premiers try to avoid a fourth straight loss on Thursday night against the Dolphins in Brisbane.
Edwards will return at fullback after missing three matches with a groin injury while Sorensen will boost the pack after sitting out last Friday’s loss to the Cowboys with a concussion.
Five-eighth Jack Cole (concussion) is out while hooker Mitch Kenny (shoulder) is under an injury cloud from their fourth straight loss.
Manly forward Corey Waddell is set to receive a two-game ban for a high shot on Storm playmaker Tyran Wishart in the late stages of Sunday’s match.
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds is hopeful of shrugging off his hamstring damage to play this week after failing to finish the win over Wests Tigers.
Brisbane forward Brendan Piakura and Tigers half Latu Fainu are unlikely to suit up in Round 6 due to concussions although Wests have Jarome Luai returning from a one-game high tackle ban.
Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Broncos forward Brendan Piakura and Dolphins utility Ray Stone have been banned for high shots as the NRL ramps up its mid-season crackdown.
Piakura faces a suspension of 2-3 matches for a grade-two careless offence on Tigers prop Terrell May while Fa’asuamaleaui and Stone are looking at 1-2 games for the same charge.
Seven players were pinged by the match review commitee from Saturday’s three fixtures with Eels centre Will Penisini ($750-$1000 for dangerous contact), Titans duo Jaimin Jolliffe ($1000-$1500) and Beau Fermor ($750-$1000) for high tackles and Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs ($1000-$1500 for tripping) copping fines.
Round 6 teams
All times AEDT
Dolphins vs Panthers at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Thursday April 10
Dolphins: A big boost for Kristian Woolf’s crew with Tom Gilbert returning from a one-game ban for a high shot on Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs.
His return will offset the likely loss of Ray Stone, who is facing a one-game high tackle ban.
Panthers: Jack Cole is out with a concussion and hooker Mitch Kenny is in doubt. Dylan Edwards is set to return from a groin injury at fullback with Daine Laurie in contention with Blaize Talagi to take over at five-eighth. Kiwi forward Scott Sorensen will be back from a one-week concussion layoff.
Star winger Brian To’o (hamstring) is probably another week away from returning.
Dragons vs Titans at WIN Stadium: 6pm, Friday April 11
Dragons: Emre Guler has two more weeks to serve on his suspension.
Titans: Sam Verrills (hip) and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (ankle) are available for selection. Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is facing a high tackle ban of one match for his hit on Felisa Kaufusi.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Broncos vs Roosters at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday April 11
Broncos: Adam Reynolds could be out with a hamstring strain with Jock Madden likely to deputise at halfback.
Back-rower Jordan Riki has another match to serve for a grade-two careless high tackle and Brendan Piakura (concussion) is also likely to be sidelined.
Piakura was also slapped with a grade-two careless high tackle charge and will miss two matches with an early guilty plea.
Roosters: Mark Nawaqanitawase was a late scratching for the loss to Souths with a calf complaint while Victor Radley is hopeful of making an early return from a cheekbone injury this week.
Lindsay Collins (knee) is set to be out for a few weeks with Spencer Leniu likely to return to the starting side.
Sharks vs Sea Eagles at Optus Stadium, Perth: 3pm, Saturday April 12
Sharks: Teig Wilton (illness) and Siosifa Talakai (concussion) will bolster the pack after the last-minute loss in Canberra.
Sea Eagles: Lachlan Croker is closing in on a return after being sidelined since the pre-season with a knee complaint.
Bench forward Corey Waddell is facing a two-game ban for a high shot on Tyran Wishart in Sunday’s loss to the Storm.
Jamie Humphreys. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Rabbitohs vs Cowboys at Optus Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday April 12
Rabbitohs: Mikaele Ravalawa, Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys are likely to miss a few weeks each with hamstring injuries so Lewis Dodd and Jayden Sullivan are set to pair up in the halves with Fletcher Myers likely to get a call-up onto the wing.
Josh Schuster has been cleared of a calf injury and is set to make his club debut in the NSW Cup.
Cowboys: Maroons lock Reuben Cotter sat out the win over Penrith with an illness. Blues hooker Reece Robson avoided suspension for a high shot, copping a $1000 fine.
Eels vs Raiders at TIO Stadium, Darwin: 3pm, Saturday April 12
Eels: Haze Dunster (hamstring) and Matt Doorey (hip) are available for selection but Bryce Cartwright (rib) is another week away and Mitch Moses is targeting Round 9 for his comeback from foot surgery.
Raiders: Hudson Young was not banned despite being sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, attracting a fine for the incident.
Storm vs Warriors at AAMI Park: 2pm, Sunday April 13
Storm: Will Warbrick and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion) will return after sitting out Sunday’s stoush with the Sea Eagles.
Warriors: Rocco Berry (hamstring) is under a cloud for this weekend after his team had a break due to the bye.
Knights vs Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday April 13
Knights: Second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) will be back in the pack. Jacob Saifiti (calf) limped off early in Sunday’s clash with Canterbury after doing the damage while running onto the field while winger James Schiller (concussion) will also be out against the Tigers.
Tigers: Latu Fainu is out with concussion but Jarome Luai is back after being banned for a high shot to take over at halfback.
Winger Jeral Skelton (hamstring) is a maybe.
Bye – Bulldogs
with AAP
