Sam Walker’s long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters’ training.

The game against Newcastle on Saturday was due to be Walker’s first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week.

It was also set to slightly offset the club missing five players to Origin II, but AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip.

The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker’s return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover.

Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters’ starting halves on Saturday.

Sam Walker is carried off the ground during the 2024 season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period.

The Roosters’ five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday.

They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 – the weekend before the final match of the series.

Origin is again going to cause havoc with team selections leading into Round 15 with the NSW and Queensland players ineligible for the five matches.

Canterbury will be missing NSW trio Stephen Crichton, Max King and Matt Burton, as well as Queensland debutant Kurt Mann, for their Sunday showdown with a Rabbitohs side sans Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker (groin injury) at Accor Stadium.

Round 15 teams

All times AEST

Sharks vs Dragons at Shark Park: 7.50pm, Thursday June 12

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Toby Rudolf 22. Billy Burns

Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is back from suspension, while centre KL Iro will miss due to a pectoral injury. Toby Rudolf is a chance of returning from his syndesmosis injury, having been named on the extended bench.

Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molo 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Sione Finau

The injury bug has bit the Dragons, with Christian Tuipulotu aggravating his hamstring problem in his return match last week and set to be out for another extended period, with Tyrell Sloan slotting back onto a wing.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner will also miss the Sharks stoush after suffering an asthma attack against the Dolphins, while second-rower Jaydn Su’A has failed to overcome his ankle complaint in time for Thursday night.

Valentine Holmes is also out on Origin duty. Among the ins are Luciano Leilua in the back row and Hame Sele for his first game of the year.

Titans vs Sea Eagles at Cbus Stadium: 8pm, Friday June 13

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sean Mullany 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Josh Patston 17. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Sam Verrills 21. Ben Liyou 22. Ryan Foran

Sam Verrills is a chance of returning from his hand injury, having been named on the extended bench, but Jojo Fifita (hand) and David Fifita (ankle) haven’t been named.

The Titans also lose Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to Origin duty, with Klese Haas set to start at lock, while Tuki Simpkins is in line for his first NRL match since 2021.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Matthew Lodge

Lehi Hopoate has been ruled out due to the category-one concussion he suffered in the loss to Newcastle, but Tom Trbojevic is back from his thigh injury to reclaim the No.1 jersey.

Veteran prop Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) and winger Jason Saab (illness) are also available.

Knights vs Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday June 14

Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Mathew Croker 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Mason Teague 21. Brock Greacen 22. Wilson De Courcey

Kalyn Ponga is absent on Maroons duty so Fletcher Sharpe will revert to fullback, with Jack Cogger to be joined by Jackson Hastings in the halves in what will be his first NRL appearance of 2025 after being shunted to the NSW Cup.

Kiwi prop Leo Thompson has three more games to serve for his crusher tackle ban while veteran forward Tyson Frizell has also been sidelined due to a heavy concussion in the early stages of Thursday’s victory over Manly, with Mat Croker starting at prop.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Hugo Savala 14. Sandon Smith 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Tom Rodwell 23. Delasalle Vaa

Rested after the bye, the Roosters have been ravaged by Origin duty, losing Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia.

Star half Sam Walker was due to make his NRL return from knee surgery after having a run at NSW Cup level on the weekend, but has suffered a thumb injury, delaying his comeback.

Nat Butcher and Naufahu Whyte have been named despite knee complaints, while Dom Young is back on the wing, with Mark Nawaqanitawase shifting to centre to replace Toia.

Tom Dearden scores a try against Wests Tigers. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cowboys vs Dolphins at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday June 14

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Braidon Burns 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Karl Lawton 10. Coen Hess 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kaiden Lahrs 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Mason Kira

Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter are in Origin camp, but the Cowboys have been bolstered by the availability of Murray Taulagi and Jason Taumalolo from calf injuries, as well as Kai O’Donnell from a back complaint.

Viliami Vailea and John Bateman have been suspended to force major changes for Todd Payten, with Jake Clifford slotting in at halfback and Braidon Burns in the centres.

Dolphins: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Harrison Graham 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Junior Tupou

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is absent due to rep duty so Jake Averillo will slide back to fullback, with Max Feagai to start at centre.

Seasoned prop Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) is expected to be sidelined long term, and Max Plath may have played his last game for 2025 amid fears of a suspected ACL tear.

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs at Accor Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 15

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Davvy Moale 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Ryan Gray 19. Campbell Graham 20. Lewis Dodd 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host

Latrell Mitchell is away on Origin duty for NSW, with Jye Gray to get another run at fullback.

Cody Walker (groin) will also be out after failing to finish Sunday’s loss to Canberra, with Jayden Sullivan switched to five-eighth in his place; while Campbell Graham is set to return from back spasms.

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Lachie Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Enari Tuala 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Rep trio Stephen Crichton, Max King and Kurt Mann are absent, while Matt Burton is ineligible for selection as the game-day reserve for NSW.

That opens the door for Lachie Galvin to make his starting debut for the Bulldogs, while Jacob Preston has served his suspension and will start in the second row.

Byes – Broncos, Eels, Panthers, Raiders, Storm, Warriors, Tigers

with AAP