In times like these, all South Sydney forward Jai Arrow can do is laugh at the injury crisis engulfing his struggling NRL club.
Jai Arrow can only laugh at how bad South Sydney’s injury crisis has become as halfback Jamie Humphreys becomes the latest Rabbitoh sidelined.
A head knock has ruled Humphreys out of Saturday’s clash against Cronulla, so English recruit Lewis Dodd gets the nod at halfback in a season spent out of Wayne Bennett’s favour.
Humphreys joins Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cam Murray, Pete Mamouzelos, Jayden Sullivan, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham among others in a packed casualty ward at 15th-placed Souths.
“This morning, I went in and saw the physio and the rehab crew, there’s a pretty solid 1-13 (team) there,” Arrow said.
The ankle injury Koloamatangi suffered against Penrith will mean Arrow finishes the Sharks clash as one of only two Rabbitohs to have played every game this year – along with Tallis Duncan. For comparison, Cronulla have had seven players feature in every game so far.
Arrow could only laugh when he heard the club had been struck by even more misfortune out of last week’s loss to the Panthers, which effectively ended the club’s finals hopes.
“I just started giggling to myself, to be honest,” Arrow said.
“It’s pretty crazy and pretty laughable with the amount of people we have missing at the moment.
“But it is what it is, all you’ve got to do is keep turning up and enjoying each other’s company and turn up for each other on the field. That’s all we can do, really.”
Koloamatangi was the latest to miss the rest of the year with an ankle injury and will require surgery on his syndesmosis after being hurt in Friday’s loss to Penrith.
It comes as Wayne Bennett is fighting to avoid his worst finish in 38 years of coaching in the premiership, having never ended a season lower than 13th on the ladder.
Elsewhere, there are some big names returning to the field this week after injuries.
Parramatta is set to welcome back Mitch Moses, Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu makes his return and the Warriors will be boosted by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Chad Townsend’s return to the NRL was short lived with Trent Robinson recalling Sandon Smith, with doubts still over Hugo Savala. As expected, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are back on deck after a post-Origin rest.
On the judiciary front, Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona copped yet another suspension after being reported for throwing a stray elbow in the Storm’s upset loss against Manly. The big forward, who missed last year’s grand final defeat to Penrith through suspension, was immediately put on report late in the first half. He will miss the next two rounds after taking the guilty plea.
Bulldogs duo Jacob Kiraz and Max King were also pinged by the match review committee. Kiraz avoided a two-game ban by paying a $2500 fine for a dangerous throw on Corey Allan, while King’s crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson will cost him $1500.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sharks pair Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake were fined following the Sharks’ win over the Roosters on Friday night. Brailey was handed a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw for a dangerous tackle and is facing a fine of $1000 while Fonua-Blake ($1500) was slapped with a Grade 1 Shoulder Tackle for an incident immediately afterwards.
Souths half Jamie Humphreys and Dolphins forward Oryn Keeley ($1000 for Grade 1 Dangerous Contact), are facing the same sanctions while Cowboys prop Coen Hess (Grade 1 Crusher Tackle) has been fined $1500.
Round 21 teams
All times AEST
Roosters vs Storm at Allianz Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday July 24
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Ethan King 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Tom Rodwell 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Hugo Savala
With Hugo Savala listed as a reserve as he recovers from a wrist injury, Sandon Smith has been named to replace veteran Chad Townsend as a partner to Sam Walker in the halves.
Siua Wong returns from a knee injury, as lock Victor Radley is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
But Nat Butcher was not able to prove his fitness from a knee injury while centre Billy Smith copped a concussion in the loss to Cronulla and will be replaced by Ethan King in his second NRL start.
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Kane Bradley 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Josiah Pahulu 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Coby Williamson 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Cameron Munster will miss the game to attend his father’s funeral, and will be replaced by Tyran Wishart in the No.6 jersey.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been banned for two games for elbowing Jake Simpkin in their upset defeat to Manly.
Ryan Papenhuyzen will not return from a calf complaint and will sit out, along with Alec MacDonald (rib).
Cowboys vs Dragons at QCB Stadium: 6pm, Friday July 25
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Nicholas Lenaz 20. Temple Kalepo 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Dane Aukafolau
John Bateman (groin) has been cleared to make his return in the second-row, but Jake Clifford (thigh) will miss another week.
Former Queensland winger Murray Taulagi is set to spend another stint out with a hamstring problem. It has reshuffled the backline with Braidon Burns shifting to the wing, Jaxon Purdue going back to the centres, and Thomas Duffy coming in at five-eighth.
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo 18. Nicholas Tsougranis 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Jacob Halangahu
Valentine Holmes is out for the season due to shoulder surgery and young winger Sione Finau has suffered the same fate after getting injured in Saturday’s last-gasp loss to Canterbury.
Corey Allan will move out to the wing and Mat Feagai comes into the centres, as Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) is still unavailable.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Broncos vs Eels at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 25
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Ben Talty 22. Jaiyden Hunt
After having a bye, Michael Maguire has selected Jesse Arthars (ribs) to take his place on the wing in his first game since round 17, while Blues prop Payne Haas returns to the side.
Eels: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown
Star half Mitch Moses (calf) is set to make his long-awaited return, while centre Will Penisini is also a big in for Parra after serving a suspension, but it means Bailey Simonsson drops to the reserves.
Dean Hawkins will partner Moses at five-eighth, with Dylan Brown listed as a reserve, and Joash Papalii moves to fullback to replace Isaiah Iongi (hand).
Warriors vs Titans at Go Media Stadium: 3pm, Saturday July 26
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua
Kiwi fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) is back after a month out, meaning Taine Tuaupiki moves to 18th man in the only change to Andrew Webster’s side.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Arama Hau 19. Sean Mullany 20. Tom Weaver 21. Ryan Foran 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is set to spend at least a month out with a knee problem that he picked up in the first half of Sunday’s one-point loss to the Tigers, and will be replaced by Klese Haas.
Panthers vs Tigers at CommBank Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday July 26
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Liam Martin 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will return after missing the win over Souths.
Fellow rep star Liam Martin (wrist) is probably another week away from getting the all clear, but has been named as a reserve.
Izack Tago is back at centre after he served a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle, meaning Paul Alamoti is dropped to 18th man.
Tigers: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Izaac Tu’itupou 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Jack Bird 16. Fonua Pole 17. Sione Fainu 18. Brent Naden 19. Charlie Murray 20. Charlie Staines 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi
Young fullback Jahream Bula was unable to return after a month out with a hamstring tear with Sunia Turuva remaining at fullback for at least another week.
Skipper Api Koroisau is back starting after coming off the bench last week.
Jesse Ramien is tackled. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Rabbitohs vs Sharks at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford: 7.35pm, Saturday July 26
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Shaquai Mitchell 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Ammaron Gudgeon
Keaon Koloamatangi has joined Latrell Mitchel, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray on the all-star long-term injury list.
But some good news for Wayne Bennett, the return of Jye Gray from a thumb injury means Alex Johnston reverts to the familiar wing role.
Lewis Dodd gets a start at halfback for the first time this season with Jamie Humphreys out with concussion.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
Jesse Ramien was a late withdrawal from the team which rolled the Roosters with a hamstring complaint, but he is back as starting centre.
Briton Nikora will be stood down due to the concussion protocols after a head knock early in last Friday’s 13-point triumph. Billy Burns will be his replacement, coming into the second row.
Raiders vs Knights at GIO Stadium: 2pm, Sunday July 26
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Simi Sasagi 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Trey Mooney 20. Joseph Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders
The loss of Seb Kris sees Simi Sasagi move into the starting side at centre, but English forward Matty Nicholson is another week away from a return from his ankle injury.
Knights: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Brodie Jones 22. Kyle McCarthy
Dane Gagai played on despite a thigh injury in the loss to the Warriors but will back up, while Brodie Jones (illness) could be back and is listed as a reserve. Jack Hetherington comes onto the bench.
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 26
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
Centre Bronson Xerri is back from a groin injury but Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) was unable to prove his fitness.
Sam Hughes comes into the side at prop, and Josh Curran reverts to the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) will boost Manly’s pack after it was initially feared last month that he would be out for the rest of the year.
Corey Waddell goes back to the bench and Tommy Talau is the 18th man.
Bye – Dolphins
with AAP
