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Stars are being rested left, right and centre among the teams that have already qualified for the top eight, making the final round a tipster’s nightmare.
Daniel Tupou is the latest name to be pulled, though he isn’t being rested: the Roosters winger sustained a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in training and will miss the crucial clash with South Sydney. Junior Pauga will be his replacement.
Should the Chooks make it through, he would likely miss any finals game the week after. Joey Manu is also out of Friday night’s derby after failing to return from a hamstring tear in time, though Roosters coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday that Manu would be good to go for the finals if they advance with a win over Souths.
Teams have been announced for Round 27 and the four teams that have qualified for the top four – Brisbane, Penrith, the Warriors and Melbourne – as well as Newcastle, who are assured of fifth or sixth, are taking the opportunity to put players on ice for a week before the playoffs begin.
The Panthers have named the majority of their stars but will likely rest several of them if Brisbane win the first match of the round to clinch the minor premiership. They’ve recalled fullback Dylan Edwards, winger Sunia Turuva and back-rower Scott Sorensen from rest and centre Izack Tago (leg) is lurking on the extended bench as he eyes a return for the first time since round 20.
Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai is hoping to be back for the preliminary final after injuring his shoulder in Thursday’s loss to Parramatta so Jack Cogger is set to step into the halves alongside Nathan Cleary.
The Warriors’ outlook on Tohu Harris (back) is less than positive with his return date unclear. They will also be without five-eighth Luke Metcalf (hamstring) for their final-round match against the Dolphins. Addin Fonua-Blake, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan are excused for their trip to face the Dolphins.
Canberra have lost injured prop Josh Papalii for the rest of the season and they were unsuccessful in taking Corey Horsburgh‘s shoulder-charge ban to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to free the Queensland State of Origin forward to face Cronulla on Sunday. He will now only play again for the Raiders this year if they make the premiership decider.
Horsburgh was charged with a grade-one offence for a late-game challenge on Brisbane forward Corey Jensen in Saturday’s 29-18 win for the Broncos, resulting in a three-game ban, but the 25-year-old paid the price for risking a fourth match at the hearing.
Papalii suffered a torn bicep tendon and will undergo surgery later this week. The injury is expected to prevent him from featuring in Samoa’s end-of-year internationals against Australia and New Zealand.
Ricky Stuart has named Jack Wighton at centre with retiring stalwart Jarrod Croker on the bench for what could be his last game while halfback Jamal Fogarty (eye) trained on Tuesday and is expected to line up against the Sharks.
Raiders duo Zac Woolford ($3000 for a crusher tackle) and Jordan Rapana ($3000 for a trip) paid fines to avoid a two-game ban while Jamal Fogarty (eye) is under an injury cloud.
Knights star Kalyn Ponga has undergone scans to determine the extent of damage to his AC joint after he copped a huge hit from Sharks centre Jesse Ramien on Sunday. The club has announced he suffered a “high-grade” injury and is out of Saturday’s trip to Kogarah to face St George Illawarra with Lachie Miller deputising at fullback.
Newcastle’s medical and performance staff have started treatment “with a view to returning for week one of the finals series” the following week for their home qualifying final.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is confident star halfback Nicho Hynes will be right to play in Sunday’s showdown with Canberra after missing the loss to Newcastle with a thigh injury.
Nicho Hynes. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves‘ moment of madness has cost him a spot in the Roosters’ do-or-die clash with South Sydney, after the prop pleaded guilty to a striking charge. Waerea-Hargreaves on Monday accepted a three-game ban for headbutting Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu in Saturday’s round-26 clash, ruling out the Roosters man until at least the preliminary finals.
The Tricolours firebrand opted to challenge his grade-two dangerous contact charge for a shot on Apisai Koroisau moments earlier in the same match. If successful in downgrading the charge, the Roosters prop would have been able to pay a $3000 fine and avoid any further ban. But his argument was dismissed and he was handed a heftier ban so he will now miss seven matches.
The ban will carry into New Zealand’s end-of-season Test series and next year’s NRL.
Latrell Mitchell will also be out on Friday after he was banned for his grade-two dangerous contact cheap shot on Knights forward Tyson Frizell before the Rabbitohs had the bye.
Luke Keary was also charged for a dangerous throw in the same game, but escaped with a $2500 fine rather than risking a two-game ban by going to the judiciary.
The Dolphins will be without forward Josh Kerr after he was banned for dangerous contact in the loss to the Cowboys.
Odds: Broncos $1.45, Storm $2.75 – odds via PlayUp
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Keenan Palasia 14. Blake Mozer 15. Cory Paix 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Israel Leota 20. Kurt Capewell 21. Kobe Hetherington 22. Selwyn Cobbo
Adam Reynolds (calf) and Patrick Carrigan (foot) are again out while Reece Walsh, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters, Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell have been rested by coach Kevin Walters.
Five-eighth Josh Rogers and interchange hooker Blake Mozer are making their NRL debut in the new-look Broncos line-up.
Centre Kotoni Staggs will also be absent after he copped a one-game ban for dangerous contact.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Justin Olam 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jayden Nikorima 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tariq Sims 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Tepai Moeroa 11. Chris Lewis 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Howarth 18. Grant Anderson 19. Joe Chan 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Cole Geyer 22. Tristan Powell
Jahrome Hughes’s knee strain means he will miss the final round and is in doubt for the start of the finals.
Harry Grant is also getting the final round off after picking up a shoulder injury in Saturday’s win over the Titans with Bronson Garlick his replacement at hooker.
Nick Meaney, Marion Seve, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica and Trent Loiero have been given the week off by Craig Bellamy.
“It was a big decision but like a lot of clubs we have a lot of players carrying niggly injuries at this stage of the season,” Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
“For a big game they would play, and they have done over the last few weeks because we have had to win. You don’t get too many opportunities where you can have a rest and totally freshen your players up.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen comes back in at fullback for Meaney while centre Justin Olam has been recalled from the Queensland Cup and bench duo Jack Howarth and Sualuvi Faalogo will make their first appearance in the NRL.
Odds: Sea Eagles $1.28, Tigers $3.65 – odds via PlayUp
Sea Eagles: 1. Tolu Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Dean Matterson 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Josh Schuster 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Tolu Koula played strongly at fullback with Reuben Garrick out with a fracture in his back in the win over Canterbury and has retained the role. Josh Schuster was dropped and is unlikely to be recalled after again being named in the reserves.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Josh Feledy 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Apisai Koroisau 8. Alex Twal 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Justin Matamua 14. Asu Kepaoa 15. Kit Laulilii 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tallyn Da Silva 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Will Smith 21. Aitasi James 22. Tommy Talau
Luke Brooks has played his last game as a Tiger before heading to the Sea Eagles due to his calf complaint. Alex Twal (illness) and Jake Simpkin (head knock) return but forwards Stefano Utoikamanu (concussion) and John Bateman (ribs) are out.
Odds: Rabbitohs $1.85, Roosters $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jai Arrow 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Hame Sele 17. Davvy Moale 18. Taane Milne 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Dean Hawkins
Blake Taaffe replaces suspended star Latrell Mitchell at fullback. Michael Chee Kam and Izaac Thompson are recalled in place of Taane Milne and Jacob Host.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 18. Corey Allan 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Dylan Napa
Joey Manu (hamstring) has been ruled out due to his hamstring problem with Corey Allan called into the centres while James Tedesco is back from his head knock at fullback.
Luke Keary paid a fine to avoid a ban but Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will not play again until 2024 after his two charges from the win over Wests resulted in a seven-game ban.
Odds: Dolphins $2.25, Warriors $1.65 – odds via PlayUp
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Euan Aitken 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Isaiya Katoa 16. Max Plath 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Valynce Te Whare 19. Mason Teague 20. Brayden McGrady 21. Trai Fuller 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Josh Kerr has been banned for the final round due to dangerous contact in the loss to the Cowboys but fellow forward Jesse Bromwich is back from a groin injury.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Dylan Walker 14. Brayden Wiliame 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Kalani Going 20. Jacob Laban 21. Ben Farr 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Paul Roache
Five-eighth Luke Metcalf (hamstring) is out with Te Maire Martin replacing him in the halves. Tohu Harris (back) is racing the clock to be right for the finals.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak join Shaun Johnson have been given the final round off.
Odds: Panthers $1.65, Cowboys $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Zac Hosking 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Izack Tago 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Luke Garner 22. Matt Eisenhuth
Jarome Luai’s shoulder injury opens the door for Jack Cogger to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves for the next couple of games at least. Ivan Cleary could still rest several stars in the week before the finals if Brisbane lose on Thursday and the Panthers want to get their hands on the minor premiership.
They’ve recalled fullback Dylan Edwards, winger Sunia Turuva and back-rower Scott Sorensen from rest and centre Izack Tago (leg) is lurking on the extended bench as he eyes a return for the first time since round 20.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Robert Derby 20. James Tamou 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Jack Gosiewski
Young winger Semi Valemei (knee) and Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) are still out after missing the win over the Dolphins.
Odds: Dragons $2.45, Knights $1.55 – odds via PlayUp
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Connor Muhleisen 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Michael Molo 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Ryan Couchman 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Alexander Lobb 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Viliami Fifita
After five straight narrow losses, the Dragons have one last chance to finish the season on a high. Jack de Belin is back from suspension while Jayden Sullivan (hamstring) is a maybe.
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott 14. Riley Jones 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Johns 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Jackson Hastings 22. David Armstrong
Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) is out while Jackson Hastings (ankle) has been named in the reserves but Adam O’Brien is keen to play the majority of his team even though a home qualifying final has been wrapped up. Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland are being rested.
Odds: Titans $1.40, Bulldogs $2.95 – odds via PlayUp
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Kruise Leeming 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jo Vuna 20. Tony Francis 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Ken Maumalo
Young halfback Tom Weaver has put in an encouraging first two performances at NRL level as Gold Coast look to end their season by remaining 13th with a win over the Dogs. Moeaki Fotuaika is back, replacing Isaac Liu (finger).
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Luke Thompson 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Max King 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jayden Okunbor 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Bailey Biondi-odo 21. Jayden Tanner 22. Ryan Sutton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Tevita Pangai jnr will not get the chance to bring down the curtain on his NRL career before becoming a professional boxer after being omitted due to injury while Jake Averillo will play his last match for the club before joining the Dolphins.
Corey Horsburgh. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Odds: Sharks $1.44, Raiders $2.80 – odds via PlayUp
Sharks: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Matt Moylan 18. Kayal Iro 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Daniel Atkinson
Front-rower Oregon Kaufusi (finger) was close to making a return against Newcastle so he will likely be back although he’s again been named in the reserves. Nicho Hynes (thigh) is good to go in a major boost.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Jack Wighton 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Emre Guler 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Jarrod Croker 17. Hohepa Puru 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Trey Mooney 21. Danny Levi 22. James Schiller
Jordan Rapana and Zac Woolford paid a fine to avoid suspensions but Corey Horsburgh has been banned four matches for a shoulder charge after failing at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
Josh Papali’i’s absence due to bicep surgery brings Hohepa Puru onto Canberra’s bench
Ricky Stuart has named Jack Wighton at centre with retiring stalwart Jarrod Croker on the bench for what could be his last game while halfback Jamal Fogarty (eye) trained on Tuesday and is expected to line up against the Sharks.
Bye – Eels
with AAP
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