Round 18 Team Lists: Coates out of Origin, Turbo switching spots, Ponga close to early comeback, JMK hobbled

Queensland will need to find a new winger for the State of Origin decider after scans confirmed Xavier Coates tore his right hamstring against Canberra.

The Melbourne flyer suffered the injury as he unsuccessfully attempted to dive on the ball for a try in the second half of Saturday night’s 16-6 win.

Coates played no further part at AAMI Park, needing assistance to leave the field. Scans on Sunday revealed a low-grade tear in Coates’ right hamstring that will keep him out 6-8 weeks.

With Origin III scheduled for July 17, Queensland coach Billy Slater is now searching for a new right winger as his side looks to bounce back from a big 38-18 loss in game two.

More League

League

Selwyn Cobbo is the obvious candidate to come into the Queensland backline with Kurt Capewell retained as the bench utility.

Knights veteran Dane Gagai is another option to come into the Maroons’ backline, having been selected in the extended squad for game two.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who entered round 17 as the NRL’s leading tryscorer, and his Gold Coast teammate Phil Sami are out-of-the-box choices.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared to play in Origin III after scans confirmed the Dolphins speedster suffered a grade-one AC joint injury to his shoulder in Queensland’s game-two loss.

With utility back Nick Meaney (calf) expected to return for the Storm on Saturday, Grant Anderson could be shifted to the wing to cover for Coates against Wests Tigers.

Sua Fa’alogo is likely to remain at fullback as long as Ryan Papenhuyzen is sidelined with a foot issue.

Adding to Craig Bellamy‘s backline headaches, centre Jack Howarth suffered a glute strain against the Raiders and will be sidelined for between one and two weeks.

Tom Trbojevic. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Manly marquee Tom Trbojevic is poised to return in Round 18, with the star fullback to switch to centre.

Trbojevic hasn’t played since round 10 – due to yet another hamstring injury, which has plagued the promising back throughout his career.

Young guns Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate are in line for the No.1 jersey

Turbo will most likely partner Reuben Garrick, returning from a concussion, in the centres on Saturday for the road clash with the Cowboys.

He has played 12 games at centre, including at national level for the Kangaroos in the World Cup.

Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga (foot) is closing in on his return and is ahead of schedule so he could be a surprise selection for Sunday’s trip to Canberra.

The Dolphins have the bye in Round 18 but will anxiously await scans on a foot injury suffered by hooker Jeremy Marshall-King during Sunday’s loss to St George Illawarra.

Marshall-King limped off in the first half at Kogarah after awkwardly catching his foot under a Jack de Belin tackle.

St George Illawarra winger Mat Feagai also didn’t last long, replaced in the first half with a shoulder problem.

Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers

1.18

4.85

NRL : Head To Head Sun, 30 Jun 2024, 18:15 * Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check PlayUp Website For Latest Odds Chances are you're about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Round 18 teams

All times AEST

Parramatta vs South Sydney at CommBank Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday July 4

Eels: Maroons forward J’maine Hopgood is out for the rest of the year due to the back injury which ruled him out of Origin II.

Rabbitohs: Rested after the bye, Siliva Havili (calf) is pushing for a return against the Eels.

Cronulla vs Gold Coast at C.ex Coffs Harbour Stadium: 6pm, Friday July 5

Sharks: Front-rower Oregon Kaufusi was charged with a crusher tackle offence after Friday night’s loss to Canterbury at Accor Stadium but will not be banned, facing a fine of $1000-$1500.

Titans: Well rested after having the bye following their 66-6 flogging of the Warriors, they will be without Jayden Campbell after he fractured his hand in the record-breaking win. AJ Brimson (groin) could return to replace him at five-eighth.

Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brisbane vs Penrith at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 5

Broncos: Origin trio Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan will return after being rested from the loss to the Warriors in NZ. Second-rower Jack Gosiewski won’t play again until the finals after breaking his arm.

Kotoni Staggs was fined $1000 for dangerous contact on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Panthers: Nathan Cleary’s comeback has been delayed until Round 20 but Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin will return after being rested for Sunday’s stoush with the Cowboys.

Canterbury vs Warriors at Accor Stadium: 3pm, Saturday July 6

Bulldogs: Halfback Toby Sexton (crusher tackle) and second-rower Viliame Kikau (high tackle) are facing fines of $1000-$1500 while Connor Tracey (head knock), Jacob Preston (foot) and Kurt Mann (suspension) are due to return.

Warriors: No changes likely after their face-saving win over the Broncos.

Wests vs Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval: 5.30pm, Saturday July 6

Tigers: Justin Olam (knee) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) are maybes after recent injury layoffs.

Storm: Harry Grant is set to return from a facial cut but Maroons teammate Xavier Coates is out 6-8 weeks with a hamstring tear. Nick Meaney (calf) is likely to play after missing the win over Canberra while Ryan Papenhuyzen’s heel problem will keep him out another week.

Harry Grant. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

North Qld vs Manly at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday July 6

Cowboys: Todd Payten will bring back his six Origin players who were rested from Sunday’s trip to Penrith.

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic is set to play centre in his return from his latest hamstring tear. Tolu Koula is likely to get the nod at fullback ahead of Lehi Hopoate. Reuben Garrick (concussion) and Josh Aloiai (suspension) are also on the comeback trail.

Sydney vs St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium: 2pm, Sunday July 7

Dragons: Young winger Mat Feagai is set to be sidelined with a shoulder problem from the first half of Sunday’s win over the Dolphins with the return of Zac Lomax from a knee injury to offset his absence.

Roosters: Michael Jennings could be available for selection after a few weeks out with a hamstring problem.

Canberra vs Newcastle at GIO Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 7

Raiders: Corey Horsburgh’s NRL return will be delayed after he faces a lengthy ban for his part in a wild brawl in the NSW Cup which led to him being sent off on Saturday.

Elliott Whitehead and Albert Hopoate were fined for grade-one offences in the loss to Melbourne.

Knights: Leo Thompson (achilles) and Dylan Lucas (hamstring) are maybes while Kalyn Ponga (foot) is closing in on his return and is ahead of schedule so he could be a surprise selection.

Bye

Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King faces an uncertain future after limping off in the loss to the Dragons.

with AAP