Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey is out until the finals after suffering a nasty abdominal injury.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has revealed Tracey was hospitalised after Sunday’s win over Manly due to a problem with his inferior epigastric artery and while he does not need surgery, he needs three weeks off his feet before he can try to get back on the field in the lead-up to the finals.
Stephen Crichton could switch to fullback from centre with Jacob Kiraz coming in off the wing or utility Blake Taaffe is another option for coach Cameron Ciraldo to fill the No.1 jersey, starting with this Sunday’s duel with Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
Haumole Olakau’atu won’t play again this NRL season with Manly confirming the powerful second-rower will undergo surgery on his shoulder.
Making his return from a dislocated right shoulder suffered six weeks earlier, Olakau’atu suffered the same injury in the Sea Eagles’ 42-4 loss to Canterbury on Sunday.
Haumole Olakau’atu. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Manly had indicated a season-ending surgery was all but certain, before confirming on Monday the second-rower won’t return until January.
It means the NSW State of Origin representative will also be unavailable for Tonga in the end-of-season Pacific Championships, and miss part of next year’s pre-season.
Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen will make a welcome return to the Storm line-up in Round 22 to help offset the huge loss of Jahrome Hughes due to his dislocated shoulder.
After initial tests in Sydney, the star halfback underwent an MRI in Melbourne before medical staff decided the Kiwi No.7 would not require an immediate operation.
The Storm confirmed he would instead enter into rehabilitation, with the aim of being available for September and his season not over.
Munster will be back in the halves against the Eels, after his father Steven’s funeral on Friday in Rockhampton.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is also expected back, after having missed four games with a calf strain.
Tyran Wishart looms as the most likely option, having filled in at No.6 alongside Hughes at regular intervals in the past 18 months when Munster has been out. Jonah Pezet is another alternative.
Five-eighth Jack Wighton is risking a four-game ban at the judiciary on Tuesday night for his shoulder charge on Toby Rudolf in a blow to depleted South Sydney’s hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.
“Contact is head on head but it’s a shoulder charge with no attempt to wrap (your arms to make a tackle),” referee Belinda Sharpe told Wighton as she sin-binned him.
Wighton was cited for a grade-two shoulder charge and opted against an early guilty plea for a three-game sanction.
Wighton will now miss a fourth match if he unsuccessfully challenges his charge.
Prop Tevita Tatola dislocated his shoulder scoring a last-minute try to narrow the margin.
Souths already had 13 first-graders who missed Saturday night’s gallant loss to the top-eight hopeful Sharks.
Rudolf went from the field for a head injury assessment and was deemed unable to return so will miss Cronulla’s next match against North Queensland.
Gold Coast rookie Sean Mullany has copped a one-game ban for his hip-drop tackle on Demetric Vaimauga from the final minutes of the Titans’ shock win over the Warriors.
Cowboys forward Karl Lawton has been banned for two matches for a tackle on Jaydn Su’A in Friday night’s 38-32 win at QCB Stadium.
He was charged with Dangerous Contact for the incident which forced Su’A from the field during the second half and is likely to end his season with the former Maroons forward facing a six-week stint out with a knee injury.
North Queensland veteran Coen Hess is facing a fine of $1800-$2500 for a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle, as is Brisbane second-rower Brendan Piakura in the 22-20 loss to Parramatta.
Storm prop Tui Kamikamica ($1500-$2000 for a Crusher Tackle) was the only player charged from Melbourne’s 34-30 victory over the Roosters on Thursday.
Round 22 teams
All times AEST
Eels vs Storm at CommBank Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday July 31
Eels: Young fullback Isaiah Iongi (hand) will be out for another few weeks but second-rower Kelma Tuilagi is back from a ban.
Storm: Cameron Munster will return after missing the win over the Roosters to attend his father’s funeral. Tyran Wishart is set to replace Jahrome Hughes the No.7 jersey following his shoulder injury.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has one more game to serve for elbowing Jake Simpkin while Ryan Papenhuyzen is hoping to return from a calf complaint, along with Alec MacDonald (rib).
Warriors vs Dolphins at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday August 1
Warriors: Wayde Egan copped a head knock in the loss to Gold Coast and is in doubt.
Dolphins: Veteran forwards Mark Nicholls (concussion) and Felise Kaufusi (knee) should be right but five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) and second-rower Kulikefu Finefuiaki (thumb) are another week or two away.
(Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Broncos vs Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday August 1
Broncos: Second-rower Brendan Piakura is facing a fine of $1800-$2500 for a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle in the 22-20 loss to Parramatta.
Rabbitohs: Young hooker Peter Mamouzelos is back from a concussion but Brandon Smith is likely to need another week to get over his knee problem. Tevita Tatola (dislocated shoulder) and Jack Wighton (suspension) add to Wayne Bennett’s many selection headaches.
Titans vs Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium: 3pm, Saturday August 2
Titans: Rookie Sean Mullany has copped a one-game ban for his hip-drop tackle on Demetric Vaimauga from the final minutes of the shock win over the Warriors.
Panthers: After rep star Liam Martin (wrist) made a successful return in the win over the Tigers, coach Ivan Cleary has a full squad at his disposal.
Dragons vs Raiders at WIN Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday August 2
Dragons: Winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) is a maybe at best while Shane Flanagan needs to find a new starting second-rower with Jaydn Su’A out six weeks with a knee injury.
Raiders: English forward Matty Nicholson is hoping to get the green light to return from his ankle injury.
Sea Eagles vs Roosters at 4 Pines Park: 7.35pm, Saturday August 2
Sea Eagles: Seasoned hooker Lachlan Croker (concussion) could make a comeback while Taniela Paseka is closing in on a return from the Achilles tear he suffered early in the season but is still a couple of weeks away.
Haumole Olakau’atu won’t play again until 2026 after dislocating his shoulder in his comeback match from the same injury on Sunday against the Dogs.
Roosters: Five-eighth Hugo Savala is likely to be back from a wrist injury, replacing Sandon Smith (concussion) to partner Sam Walker in the halves.
Lock Victor Radley (shoulder) and second-rower Nat Butcher (knee) are outside chances of playing, along with centre Billy Smith (concussion).
Victor Radley. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Tigers vs Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium: 2pm, Sunday August 3
Tigers: Young fullback Jahream Bula is pushing to return from a hamstring tear. Alex Seyfarth has been fined for tripping but is free to play.
Bulldogs: Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) is likely to boost the pack after a month out. Connor Tracey (abodomen) is out for at least a month so Stephen Crichton or Blake Taaffe could be switched to fullback.
Sharks vs Cowboys at Shark Park: 4.05pm, Sunday August 3
Sharks: Briton Nikora is out of the concussion protocols to reclaim his spot in the second row with Toby Rudolf out this week due to the head knock he copped in the Jack Wighton shoulder charge.
Cowboys: Jake Clifford (thigh) will be available for selection but Jason Taumalolo (calf), Jordan McLean (calf), Sam McIntyre (calf) and Viliami Vailea (foot) are unlikely to be right.
Bye – Knights
with AAP
