Broncos prop Payne Haas is racing the clock to back up for Brisbane on Sunday after carrying a groin injury in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash in Perth.
Haas suffered the injury before the match but soldiered on but the Broncos face a big call on whether to risk him against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium this weekend in a crucial match for their playoff prospects.
Nathan Cleary’s groin injury is not expected to cause him to miss any game time – Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has rested all five of his State of Origin stars for the Round 16 game against the Warriors in New Zealand, because they will not be able to get there in time to prepare.
The Panthers sit ninth, one point outside the top eight, with Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Liam Martin also getting a rest after representing NSW against the Maroons in Perth on Wednesday night.
“The Origin players won’t be playing because they can’t,” Cleary said. “I don’t think it’s fair that we can’t play them, but through flights, we just can’t get them there.”
Brad Schneider (half), Daine Laurie (fullback), Matthew Eisenhuth (lock), Paul Alamoti (wing) and Isaiah Papali’i (second-row) have all been elevated into the starting side. NSW squad member Lindsay Smith will also play.
The Warriors, who only have Maroons forward Kurt Capewell on rep duty, have also decided to rest him for the game.
Tigers captain Jarome Luai and Eels winger Zac Lomax copped fines for dangerous contact charges in Origin but are free to play club footy.
Storm lock Trent Loeiro (head knock) and Titans forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (sternum) are also under a cloud this weekend.
There will be a special moment for the Stuart family with Raiders coach Ricky, naming his son Jed to start for his NRL debut on the wing, replacing Savelio Tamale (knee) for the game at Campbelltown Stadium against the Wests Tigers.
The Eels have had to reshape their halves for Sunday’s game against the Titans with Mitchell Moses out of action after his calf tear, with Dean Hawkins to take the No.7 jersey. Jason Ryles also named rookie Joash Papali’i at five-eighth with Dylan Brown suspended until Round 17 for making contact with a referee.
Meanwhile, Haumole Olakau’atu has avoided season-ending shoulder surgery in a welcome boost for a struggling Manly side fighting for their NRL season.
Scans revealed the former NSW second-rower will miss between four and six weeks after dislocating his shoulder when attempting to score a try during Friday’s 28-8 upset loss to Gold Coast.
There were concerns for Olakau’atu’s season when he trudged off at CBus Super Stadium in the second half, cutting a forlorn figure.
A long-term injury would have been the last thing Manly needed, given a poor run of form, losing three of the last four, and the ongoing absence of their other most important forward, Taniela Paseka (achilles).
But given Manly have two byes in the next four weeks, Olakau’atu could end up missing as few as two games, with both of those against current bottom-eight sides in Wests Tigers and South Sydney.
Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi will miss two matches through suspension in a sour postscript to his side’s record-breaking rout of North Queensland.
Jarome Luai passes. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Round 16 teams
All times AEST
Tigers vs Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium: 7.50pm, Friday June 20
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sione Fainu 16. Latu Fainu 17. Jack Bird 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Charlie Murray 20. Charlie Staines 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Izaac Tu’itupou
A boost to the forward pack with Alex Twal (concussion) and fellow middle forward Fonua Pole (knee) cleared to return to the starting lineup.
Jarome Luai will face a quick turnaround to turn out for Wests after he was a late call-up to the NSW side for Origin II. He was fined for his “facial” on Reuben Cotter but avoided suspension.
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 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. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Chevy Stewart 20. Danny Levi 21. Ethan Sanders 22. Pasami Saulo
Ricky Stuart will coach his son at NRL level for the first time, with Jed to make his debut on the wing, taking over from Savelio Tamale (knee).
Hudson Young and Maroons game-day reserve Corey Horsburgh have less than 48 hours to get from Perth to Campbelltown for the tussle with the Tigers.
Warriors vs Panthers at Go Media Stadium: 3pm, Saturday June 21
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Samuel Healey 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Edward Kosi 23. Eddie Ieremia
Kurt Capewell is the home side’s only Origin representative and will be rested for this clash, with Moala Graham-Taufa playing his first NRL game since Round 22 last year.
Rocco Berry (hamstring) and Ali Leiataua (ankle) were not able to prove their fitness.
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Trent Toelau 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Jack Cole 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Preston Riki 22. Austin Dias 23. Harrison Hassett 24. Jaxen Edgar
With five players in action on Wednesday night in WA, coach Ivan Cleary will rest all five for club duty following an arduous journey on top of a bruising match. However, NSW squad member Lindsay Smith will play.
Young forward Liam Henry is available again after serving a crusher tackle ban and will start from the bench.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Dolphins vs Knights at HBF Park, Perth: 5.30pm, Saturday June 21
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Aublix Tawha 21. Trai Fuller 22. Peter Hola
Maroons winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named to back up from rep duty, meaning Jake Averillo will be in the centres despite his dazzling display in their Cowboys cakewalk.
Felise Kaufusi will be missing from the pack for the next two matches due to a high tackle ban. That means Mark Nicholls will start in the front row.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Mathew Croker 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Brodie Jones 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. James Schiller 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Fletcher Hunt 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Jack Hetherington
Dom Young returns to the club after his stint at the Roosters, slotting straight onto the wing.
Despite being named, Kalyn Ponga did not play for the Knights after Origin I, so Fletcher Sharpe could end up at fullback again if the coach decides on a last-minute change. Bradman Best also returns to the centres, after more than a month out with hamstring damage, and Tyson Frizell is back in the pack after a recent concussion.
But Jacob Saifiti (calf) remains out, along with Kiwi prop Leo Thompson has two more games to serve for his crusher tackle ban.
Rabbitohs vs Storm at Accor Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday June 21
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Lewis Dodd 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Davvy Moale 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Ryan Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Salesi Ataata 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Cody Walker 21. Campbell Graham 22. Jacob Host
NSW centre Latrell Mitchell is South Sydney’s only player on Origin duty for NSW and has been named to back up.
Cody Walker (groin) is no guarantee after sitting out Round 15, joining Campbell Graham (back spasms) among the reserves.
Souths’ heavy injury toll took another turn for the worse in the second half of Sunday’s loss to Canterbury as back-up playmaker Jayden Sullivan limped off with a calf injury. He’s set to be replaced by Lewis Dodd at five-eighth.
Rep forward Keaon Koloamatangi fractured his eye socket late in the first half, but surprisingly is among the extended reserves. Replacement fullback Jye Gray played through with a broken thumb but is out this weekend.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Joe Chan 22. Lazarus Vaalepu 23. Keagan Russell-Smith 24. Kane Bradley
Craig Bellamy has to check on Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Trent Loeiro, Harry Grant and Stefano Utoikamanu after Origin II before he can finalise his line-up, but all have been named to back up.
Broncos vs Sharks at Suncorp Stadium: 2pm, Sunday June 22
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Deine Mariner 22. Blake Mozer 23. Ben Talty
Michael Maguire has pencilled in Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, but the pair have to get through Origin II unscathed. Haas faces a fitness test on a groin complaint.
Ben Hunt (hamstring) remains out, but Jack Gosiewski (arm) has been named for a comeback off the bench.
Brisbane winger Selywn Cobbo has been playing in the Queensland Cup for the past few weeks, but coach Michael Maguire has named him on an extended reserves list.
Sharks: 1. William 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. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Chris Veaila
Just one change for the Sharks, with Siosifa Talakai moving to the centres to replace Mawene Hiroti (calf) and Daniel Atkinson coming onto the bench.
Braydon Trindall has avoided suspension, copping a fine for a late hit on Kyle Flanagan in the win over St George Illawarra.
Roosters vs Cowboys at Allianz Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 22
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Tom Rodwell 21. Taylor Losalu 22. Chad Townsend 23. Xavier Va’a
Origin stars Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia will be assessed after Wednesday’s game, but at this stage, Trent Robinson has them in the side.
Victor Radley’s immediate playing future is clouded again after he suffered a concussion in Saturday’s win over Newcastle. He joins Egan Butcher under medical protocols and will be out for at least this game.
Star half Sam Walker’s return to the NRL from a long-term knee injury has been delayed a month after he broke his thumb at training before last Saturday’s win in Newcastle.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Griffin Neame 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Jake Clifford 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Braidon Burns 23. Thomas Duffy
Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter are in Origin camp and Todd Payten is hoping they can back up, while Viliami Vailea and John Bateman are back after serving one-game bans.
Jason Taumalolo was a late scratching from Saturday’s loss to the Dolphins and will be sidelined again with his calf problem.
Eels vs Titans at CommBank Stadium: 6.15pm, Sunday June 22
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Joey Lussick 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Dan Keir 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou
Mitchell Moses will be out of action after his calf tear cost him a spot in Origin II, with Dean Hawkins to line up in the halves for the next few weeks. Jason Ryles named rookie Joash Papali’i at five-eighth with Dylan Brown suspended until Round 17 for making contact with a referee.
Zac Lomax has been named to backup from Origin, and Wiremu Greig will come off the bench for his first NRL appearance since Round 24 last year.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. David Fifita 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Brian Kelly
Skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and prop Moeaki Fotuaika have been named to come off the bench.
David Fifita (ankle) has been named 18th man for the clash, and Jojo Fifita (hand) comes into the centres, pushing Brian Kelly to the reserves.
However, Tony Francis (knee) and Jaylan De Groot (hamstring) were unsuccessful in their push for returns.
Byes – Bulldogs, Dragons, Sea Eagles
with AAP
