Round 16 Teams: Skinny Roosters roster receives triple boost, Warriors set to make changes
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith is available for selection after he was dropped due to discipline issues which resulted in a breach notice.
The Chooks will most likely be without Origin representatives Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Joseph Suaalii (suspension) plus Connor Watson – who is rumoured as a shock inclusion for NSW in game two.
Dominic Young should be back after missing the win over Parramatta on Saturday with a hamstring strain while James Tedesco is likely to be back on club duty with Dylan Edwards recalled for NSW. Veteran centre Michael Jennings limped off in the 45th minute with a hamstring issue, leaving the Roosters short on back line depth.
“It was a twinge in the hammy, it’s never great when they leave the field,” coach Trent Robinson said post game.
“We are really thin for next week, obviously we have got the guys playing reggies (reserves), but not in our top tier. It was a niggle (for Dom Young). He made five line-breaks at training on Tuesday, it was the fifth one where he felt a twinge.”
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Jared Waerea-Hargreaves should escape a ban if he pleads guilty to a Careless High Tackle charge on Eels forward Shaun Lane – having to fork out $3000 for the blow.
Roosters teammate Naufahu Whyte was also charged for Grade 1 Dangerous Contact and faces a fine of around $1500.
Eels forward Kelma Tuilagi faces a five week ban for a dangerous throw, while Warriors flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also eyeing off a suspension.
Tuilagi was sin-binned against the Roosters and been charged with a Grade 3 Dangerous Throw on Lindsay Collins.
Watene-Zelezniak was hit with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle on Storm winger Grant Anderson and could be sidelined for a week with an early plea or two matches on the sidelines if he fights the charge and loses.
Meanwhile, Broncos forward Jordan Riki is staring down the barrel of a three-game ban for his cheap shot on Cameron Murray in Friday night’s loss at Accor Stadium.
Riki took Murray out off the ball on suspicion with the Rabbitohs skipper forced to under an HIA as the Brisbane second-rower was banished to the sin bin.
He can cop a two-match suspension with an early guilty plea but risks a third match out if he challenges the judiciary.
Jordan Riki. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Broncos coach Kevin Walters conceded after the match that Riki was lucky not to be sent off.
“I thought he was lucky to stay on the field,” Walters admitted. “I don’t think he’ll get suspended. I thought send-off would be sufficient. We need everyone (on deck), with two more Origins to go.
Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell was charged with contrary conduct for sprinting into the subsequent melee to inflame the situation and was also binned. Due to his poor judiciary record, he could be suspended for two matches but he is likely to cop a $3000 fine to ensure he is available for State of Origin selection.
Souths teammate Richard Kennar ($1000-$1500), Raiders centre Seb Kris ($1800-$2500) and Cowboys half Chad Townsend ($1800-$2500) have been fined for high tackle offences.
Earlier in the round, Dolphins winger Jack Bostock was pinged $1000-$1500 for a dangerous mid-air tackle on Sharks fullback Will Kennedy.
Dolphins v Melbourne Storm
2.40
1.58
NRL : Head To Head Fri, 21 Jun 2024, 20:00 Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors
2.40
1.58
NRL : Head To Head Sat, 22 Jun 2024, 15:00 Sydney Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs
1.22
4.30
NRL : Head To Head Sat, 22 Jun 2024, 17:30 South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles
1.58
2.40
NRL : Head To Head Sat, 22 Jun 2024, 19:35 Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders
2.20
1.68
NRL : Head To Head Sun, 23 Jun 2024, 16:05 * Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check PlayUp Website For Latest Odds What's gambling really costing you? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Round 16 teams
All times AEST
Dolphins vs Storm at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday June 21
Dolphins: Winger Jack Bostock is free to play after only copping a fine of $1000 for his dangerous mid-air tackle on Will Kennedy in the win over the Sharks. Tesi Niu (ankle) and Jesse Bromwich (ribs) are possible inclusions.
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen is closing in on a return from his fractured ankle but the club is likely to be cautious after his shocking run of injuries. Will Warbrick (groin) and Reimis Smith (concussion) are maybes.
Gold Coast vs Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium: 3pm, Saturday June 22
Titans: Second-rower David Fifita is aiming to return after an ankle injury kept him out of Saturday’s loss to the Tigers.
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck should come into the starting side after he was 18th player on the weekend against Melbourne after a month out with a hamstring injury.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is facing a ban of 1-2 matches for a high tackle while centre Rocco Berry (hand) looks like he will be out.
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Sydney vs Canterbury at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford: 5.30pm, Saturday June 22
Roosters: Brandon Smith is available for selection again after he was dropped for disciplinary reasons while winger Dominic Young (hamstring) is also set to return.
Bulldogs: Josh Curran is under a cloud due to the heavy concussion he copped last Monday against Parramatta while Jacob Preston (foot) is out, along with Kurt Mann, who was suspended two matches for a crusher tackle.
South Sydney vs Manly at Accor Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday June 22
Rabbitohs: Jai Arrow (ribs) should be right to play despite failing to finish the win over Brisbane.
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai has one more game to serve on his tripping ban while Tom Trbojevic could be right to return after Manly’s bye in the next round.
Wests vs Canberra at GIO Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 23
Tigers: Lachlan Galvin (hand), Alex Twal (concussion), Alex Lobb (concusison) and Bud Sullivan (finger) are maybes after missing the Leichhardt win over the Titans.
Raiders: Tom Starling (head knock) is due to make a comeback after sitting out the loss to the Cowboys.