Roosters coach Trent Robinson is waiting to see if lock Victor Radley passes the concussion protocols before making a call on whether he will play in Saturday’s clash with the Warriors.
The Tricolours are already without several key forwards and Robinson said on Friday he was under the impression there was going to be an automatic 11-day stand-down period for anyone who suffered a concussion but was not sure why the NRL has yet to make that mandatory.
“Being really clear with clubs is really helpful,” he said.
Star centre Joey Manu (facial fracture) is back but prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) is still out. Angus Crichton (personal leave) and fellow second-rower Sitili Tupouniua (knee injury) are out long term while Matt Lodge (facial fracture) is set to be out a month after copping a knock in the loss to the Dolphins.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Wade Graham has conceded the tackle technique he moulded to avoid concussions may need to change again to avoid further bans after copping a four-match suspension at the NRL judiciary.
The Cronulla veteran failed on Tuesday night to have his reckless high tackle charge for a hit on Souths prop Davvy Moale downgraded, resulting in the longest ban of his NRL career.
The result all but ends his hopes of joining the NRL’s 300-game club this year, unless Cronulla go deep into the playoffs and he is fit for every game. But the greater concern for Graham now is his own technique.
Graham told the panel on Tuesday night he had began to aim high in tackles after a history of being knocked out when collected by ball-carriers’ hips.
Judiciary panel members Bob Lindner and Paul Simpkins agreed the tackle was reckless rather than careless, ending Graham’s hopes of downgrading the ban and ruling him out of games against Parramatta, Canberra, St George Illawarra and the Warriors.
Nicho Hynes has been held back for another week at Cronulla as he battles a calf injury.
St George Illawarra’s hopes of rising up the ladder this year received a boost leading into Sunday’s stoush with the Gold Coast at Kogarah with five-eighth Talatau Amone cleared to play again.
The NRL notified the Dragons on Tuesday before the 4pm team announcement deadline that Amone’s no-fault stand-down suspension had been lifted.
Amone was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm following an alleged hammer attack against a tradesman in November.
He has been named in the reserves with Jayden Sullivan in the run-on side alongside captain Ben Hunt in the halves. Amone will only play if there is an injury to Sullivan, Hunt or utility Moses Mbye at training this week, and will otherwise run out in the halves in the NSW Cup. Amone has continued training throughout his stand-down period with his teammates.
Dragons veteran Jack de Belin is out due to a calf injury with teenage forward Toby Couchman making his NRL debut in St George Illawarra’s first match of the year after having the bye first up.
Scans have revealed Titans veteran Kieran Foran suffered a corked thigh and no knee damage in a tackle from the side by Tigers hooker Api Koroisau on Sunday. He has been selected to face the Dragons. Jayden Campbell is likely to take his spot at five-eighth if he does not recover in time.
Canberra winger Jordan Rapana has copped a three-game ban for his shoulder charge on Scott Drinkwater in the 19-18 loss to North Queensland.
Storm star Cameron Munster will miss 2-3 weeks with the gruesome finger injury he suffered in Thursday night’s win over Parramatta while winger Xavier Coates (shoulder) has been named to play in an already depleted backline.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh will return from his facial fracture in Round 2 in an added boost for Brisbane after their Round 1 upset at Penrith.
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Round 2 teams Panthers vs Rabbitohs, at BlueBet Stadium – 7.50pm, Thursday, March 9
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Jack Cogger 22. Thomas Jenkins
Apart from winger Taylan May being out for the season with a torn ACL, coach Ivan Cleary has a full squad after the 13-12 loss to Brisbane apart from Scott Sorensen (concussion), who has been replaced by Matt Eisenhuth.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Taane Milne is available after he served the last match of his ban for a finals high shot which ruled him out of Fiji’s World Cup campaign. Izaac Thompson got first crack at the wing spot left vacant and has been retained with Milne named in the reserves.
Bench forward Hame Sele (calf) won’t return after missing the win over the Sharks while prop Tevita Tatola is out due to a concussion protocols. Jai Arrow is likely to be out a few weeks with a hamstring problem.
Souths have called up Daniel Suluka-Fifita into a starting role at prop, while Jed Cartwright has been added to the bench.
Latrell Mitchell will play after shaking off his knee injury.
Eels vs Sharks, at CommBank Stadium – 6pm, Friday, March 10
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Haze Dunster
Kiwi winger Bailey Simonsson was a late withdrawal after trying to make an early comeback from shoulder surgery last Thursday. He is in the reserves this week.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Connor Tracey 18. Thomas Hazelton 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Max Bradbury 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru
Craig Fitzgibbon is without star halfback Nicho Hynes again due to his calf tear, meaning Braydon Trindall gets another chance in the No.7 jersey.
Co-captain Wade Graham has been banned four games for his high shot on Davvy Moale in the loss to Souths.
Wade Graham of the Sharks looks dejected after being sent off for ten minutes. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Broncos vs Cowboys, at Suncorp Stadium – 8.05pm AEDT, Friday, March 10
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Deine Mariner
Reece Walsh’s fractured eye socket suffered in the pre-season has healed so he will return at fullback with Selwyn Cobbo switching to the wing and Jesse Arthars dropping out.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Tomas Chester 21. Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
There are no injury concerns for Todd Payten after the win over Canberra.
Roosters vs Warriors, at Allianz Stadium – 3pm, Saturday, March 11
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May 18. Corey Allan 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem
Joey Manu (facial fracture) is back but Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) is still out. Victor Radley (concussion) is in doubt but has been named.
Angus Crichton (personal leave) and fellow second-rower Sitili Tupouniua (knee injury) are out long term while Matt Lodge (facial fracture) is set to be out a month after copping a knock in the loss to the Dolphins.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen
Jazz Tevaga will not return from a hernia problem this weekend and Andrew Webster will go in with an unchanged line-up.
Dolphins vs Raiders, at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe – 5.30pm, Saturday, March 11
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. JJ Collins 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings
Bench forward Herman Ese’ese is out for a few weeks with a pectoral injury which but his replacement, Connelly Lemuelu, played strongly in the win over the Roosters. Mason Teague will make his NRL debut off the bench, replacing Ray Stone.
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler 18. James Schiller 19. Matt Frawley 20. Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola
Star prop Josh Papali’i is again absent with a calf complaint while Jordan Rapana (dangerous contact) has been banned for three games for his shoulder charge on Scott Drinkwater in the 19-18 loss to North Queensland. Albert Hopoate replaces Rapana.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Storm vs Bulldogs, at AAMI Park, – 7.35pm, Saturday, March 11
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jordan Grant 18. Grant Anderson 19. Chris Lewis 20. Joe Chan 21. Kane Bradley 22. Jonah Pezet
Cameron Munster’s broken finger will keep him out for at least a fortnight while Xavier Coates is under an injury cloud due to a shoulder problem but has been named to play Canterbury. Tyran Wishart has replaced Munster at five-eighth.
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Okunbor
Tevita Pangai jnr will miss the next couple of weeks after suffering a calf strain at training while Luke Thompson has also been sidelined with an ankle complaint for six months after a training mishap last week.
Young halfback Karl Oloapu has been named in the reserves and could replace Kyle Flanagan in the starting side sooner rather than later.
Tigers vs Knights, at Leichhardt Oval, – 4.05pm, Sunday, March 12
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Asu Kepaoa 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Alex Twal 18. Starford To’a 19. Junior Tupou 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brandon Tumeth
John Bateman has been held back another week due to his late start to pre-season training while winger Ken Maumalo is again out due to a knee injury.
Shawn Blore copped a head knock against the Gold Coast and will be monitored during the week.
Api Koroisau controversially started off the bench in Round 1 and after that backfired he is likely to be in the run-on side this week.
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Johns 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Leo Thompson 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Enari Tuala 21. Greg Marzhew 22. Dylan Lucas
Veteran centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) missed the loss to the Warriors with Enari Tuala recovering from a pectoral injury to take his place. Gagai has been named to play.
Former Titans winger Greg Marzhew was omitted due to a minor hip issue and could make his first appearance for Newcastle in Round 2 after being named in the reserves. Adam Elliott is out with a groin complaint.
Dragons vs Titans, at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, – 6.15pm, Sunday, March 12
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Michael Molo 18. Josh Kerr 19. Billy Burns 20. Max Feagai 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods
Jack de Belin is out of Sunday’s home clash with Gold Coast due to a calf injury with teenage forward Toby Couchman making his NRL debut in St George Illawarra’s first match of the year after having the bye first up.
With Cody Ramsey out until next year due to his intestinal problem, Tyrell Sloan will get another chance to lock down the fullback role.
Jayden Sullivan has won the race for the St George Illawarra No.6 jersey with Jack Bird to start the season at lock. Incumbent Tyrell Amone was set to start the season at five-eighth, before he was charged with assault and stood down under the NRL’s no-fault policy. He has been named on the reserves after the ban was lifted on Tuesday.
Moses Mbye has been picked at hooker with new recruit Jacob Liddle on the bench.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Erin Clark 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Chris Randall 19. Treymain Spry 20. Klese Haas 21. Keano Kini 22. Toby Sexton
Kieran Foran has been named to play despite copping a bump to his knee in the win over the Tigers.
Bye – Manly
Josh Schuster was ruled out of the season opener with a calf injury so Cooper Johns got the nod at five-eighth. Schuster is likely to return in Round 3.
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