Reece Walsh won’t feature for the Broncos after he was knocked out early on in Wednesday night’s Origin series opener, while a number of other big name players are in doubt to back up.
Harry Grant, Jarome Luai and Daly Cherry-Evans headline the biggest Origin names most likely to take to the NRL field this weekend, while the Rabbitohs and Warriors both welcome big some big names from injury.
NRL Late Mail: Round 14
Dragons v Wests Tigers, Friday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su’A and Zac Lomax are being assessed by the club on Thursday but coach Shane Flanagan indicated that all three are likely to back up from Origin One. Hunt played 42 minutes and could feature on the short turnaround, along with Su’A – who played 53 minutes – while Lomax ran for a game high 224 metres on debut. They have all been named among the reserves with Flanagan naming the same starting 17 that downed the Panthers.
Wests Tigers: No Origin concerns with Brent Naden and Justin Olam both returning from suspension. Alex Lobb has been named on the wing and could take the goal-kicking off Api Koroisau, who is set for 80 minutes at hooker with Jake Simpkin departing the club and Tallyn Da Silva named in the reserves.
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Titans v Rabbitohs, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: Jayden Campbell has been listed on the reserves and could come into the side on game day, likely on the bench with Keano Kini retaining the fullback role. Kieran Foran (hamstring), Phil Sami (hamstring) and Jojo Fifita (pectoral) are all expected to return. Mo Fotuaika is named to back up at this stage, with Joe Stimson the man to come in should the Maroons big man drop out late.
Rabbitohs: No late changes expected. Cody Walker (calf) will play in a huge boost for the side where he will partner Jack Wighton in the halves.
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Cowboys v Warriors, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai all played 80 minutes in Wednesday’s Origin opener and will be assessed upon their return to Townsville, while Reuben Cotter also played 69 minutes in the middle. The group have been named among the reserves, with Robson and Cotter the more unlikely pair to back up. Should Robson be ruled out, Sam McIntyre will slot in at hooker with Jake Granville not named in the squad and Tom Chester added to the bench as utility cover. Jamal Shibasaki would likely drop out if Cotter is good to go having been named on the bench.
Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster confirmed on Wednesday that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head knock), centre Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down) and back-rowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all likely to return in a huge boost for the side, but a final decision on the group will be made on Friday. Dylan Walker and Jazz Tevaga will both come off the bench in a double impact role.
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Broncos v Sharks, Saturday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Reece Walsh (concussion) won’t play after he was collected high early on in Wednesday’s Origin opener, which would likely see Selwyn Cobbo move to fullback and Josiah Karapani recalled to the centres. Cobbo will be assessed after playing 73 minutes off the bench, however, with Tristan Sailor to come in should the talented outside back be ruled out. Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas played 60 and 53 minutes respectively in Origin and are a good chance of backing up, with Fletcher Baker and Martin Taupau in the reserves on standby. Kotoni Staggs (rib) will return after being rested over the past fortnight.
Sharks: Nicho Hynes wasn’t named for Cronulla and will rest his niggling calf complaint, with Daniel Atkinson to partner Braydon Trindall in the halves. Cam McInnes made 41 tackles in 48 minutes in his Origin debut and will be assessed by Cronulla on Friday, with Jack Williams the man to step up after being named on the bench should he be ruled out. Siosifa Talakai will start in the back row.
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Storm v Knights, Sunday at AAMI Park
Storm: Harry Grant and Xavier Coates are named to back up at this stage, with Craig Bellamy naming a similar line-up to that which last played back in Round 13. Grant played 38 minutes off the bench so he should be likely to play, with Bronson Garlick named in jersey 14 as cover for the Maroons rake.
Knights: Prop Daniel Saifiti has been named despite suffering a knee injury against the Bulldogs last week and will be assessed, with Jack Hetherington the likely replacement should he be ruled out. As has become normal in recent weeks, Tyson Frizell will come off the bench with Dylan Lucas and Kai Pearce-Paul the preferred starters on the edges.
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Panthers v Sea Eagles, Sunday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: Penrith’s Origin contingent is set to play at this stage, but will be assessed by the club with a final decision to be made later in the week. Dylan Edwards (quad) has been named in the reserves but is expected to be available next week, with Daine Laurie set to wear the number one jersey again. Luke Garner returns from a leg injury on the bench, while Moses Leota has been named despite suffering a hamstring injury against the Dragons and will be monitored.
Sea Eagles: All three of their Origin reps are set to back up, while Lehi Hopoate looks to have won the battle to be the fill-in fullback ahead of Tolutau Koula, who is instead named at centre with Tommy Talau moving to the wing. Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu played less than half an hour on Wednesday night and should be right to go. New signing Jake Simpkin is included in the wider reserves and could yet join the game day 17 as a hooking option alongside Karl Lawton.
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Bulldogs v Eels, Monday at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs: A five-day turnaround from Origin One will mean captain Stephen Crichton is a very good chance of backing up, while five-eighth Matt Burton should be fine as well given he’s 18th man for the Blues. Lipoi Hopoi is set for another run off the bench following his debut in Round 13.
Eels: Blaize Talagi is the man to replace Bailey Simonsson (knee) in the backline, with the rookie named at centre and Sean Russell moving one position out to the wing. As is the case for the Bulldogs, the long turnaround after the Origin series opener will mean J’maine Hopgood is well placed to back up for the Eels and he’s named to start at this stage. Ryan Matterson has been included in the wider reserves as he works his way back from illness with his return date still unclear.
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