Team Tips: Grand finalists scramble to replace SIXTEEN stars; Origin bolters back for Broncos – Fox Sports

As many as 16 stars who featured in the grand final are likely to be unavailable as both teams push through an injury crisis.
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The Raiders will be without eight stars from their grand final team six through injury and two who have departed the club.
Round 9
Josh Hodgson, John Bateman, Sia Soliola, Corey Horsburgh and Bailey Simonsson will all watch from the sidelines while nursing injuries, while Joey Leilua joined the Tigers and Aidan Sezer now plays in the Super League.
The Roosters could also be without eight of their grand final stars for the blockbuster clash.
Cooper Cronk will obviously be missing after retiring, as will Latrell Mitchell, who joined South Sydney.
But the injured Victor Radley, Sam Verrills and Daniel Tupou will watch from the sidelines. Isaac Liu is likely to be with them as he continues to battle a rib injury. Brett Morris was ruled out in the warm-up before last weeks game and could sit out again, while Boyd Cordner was rested last week after being concussed.
Read on for team tips ahead of Round 10.
Tallis’ epic sledge for Smith
0:25
THURSDAY
Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders at SCG (7.50pm)
Last weeks Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Ryan Hall 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Nat Butcher 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Poasa Faamausili 17. Lindsay Collins
Team tips: The Roosters will be sweating on Jake Friend who was taken from the field in last weeks win with a nasty concussion. With back-up hooker Sam Verrils and third option Victor Radley both out for the season, the defending premiers need Friend to be fit and healthy. If the veteran rake is ruled out, utility Lachie Lam, who filled in when Friend went off, is an option for No.9, however coach Trent Robinson said after the game that hes got Freddy Lussick whos coming through. Brett Morris is expected to return after being a late omission from last weeks team with a groin complaint.
Last weeks Raiders team: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2 Nick Cotric 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Michael Oldfield 5 Bailey Simonsson 6 Jack Wighton 7 George Williams 8 Josh Papalii 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Dunamis Lui 11 Hudson Young 12 Elliott Whitehead 15 Kai ODonnell 13 Joe Tapine 14 Siliva Havili 16 Ryan Sutton 17 Jordan Rapana
Team tips: Josh Hodgson (knee) and Bailey Simonsson (shoulder) have been ruled out for the remainder of the season after being injured over the weekend. Jordan Rapana is an obvious replacement for Simonsson on the wing, while its expected Siliva Havili will slot into the No.9 jersey with promising hooker Tom Starling coming onto the bench.
FRIDAY
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium (6pm)
Last weeks Storm team: 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen 20 Brenko Lee 3 Justin Olam 4 Paul Momirovski 5 Josh Addo-Carr 6 Ryley Jacks 7 Jahrome Hughes 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith 10 Christian Welch 15 Tino Faasuamaleaui 12 Kenny Bromwich 13 Dale Finucane 14 Brandon Smith 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18 Darryn Schonig 21 Nicho Hynes
Team tips: Coach Craig Bellamy expects Jesse Bromwich will miss one or two weeks with a nothing too serious knee injury. Cameron Munster could make a return after being named in the 21 last week. Felise Kaufusi was rested due to minor knee swelling so is expected to return to the squad, while Suliasi Vunivalu is racing the clock after suffering a hamstring strain.
Last weeks Titans team: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Anthony Don 3. Beau Fermor 4. Bryce Cartwright 5. Treymain Spry 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Sam Stone 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Tyrone Peachey 17. Jarrod Wallace
Team tips: Ashley Taylor suffered a concussion in last weeks win over the Warriors. The playmaker will need pass protocols to be able to play this week. Coach Justin Holbrook said hell be monitoring the situation. I think hes OK now which is good, but he didnt get cleared (to come back on) so well have to monitor him. Its expected Tyrone Roberts will come in for Taylor if he isnt cleared to play. Meanwhile, workhorse forward Keegan Hipgrave soldiered through most of the game with a shoulder complaint before eventually coming off. Holbrook said: (Hipgrave) is not in a good way, hes in a lot of pain, so he could rested this week. Dale Copley is also close to returning from an ankle injury.
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Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos at Leichhardt Oval (7.55pm)
Last weeks Tigers team: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 17. Chris Lawrence 4. Moses Mbye 19. Reece Hoffman 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Elijah Taylor 3. Michael Chee-Kam 15. Thomas Mikaele 18. Benji Marshall
Team tips: Benji Marshall will return as starting five-eighth after Josh Reynolds was suspended for two matches. Sam McIntyre is expected to return after suffering a concussion two weeks ago, while Tommy Talau will likely spend more time on the sidelines nursing a hamstring complaint.
Last weeks Broncos team: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Darius Boyd 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Brodie Croft 8. Tevita Pangai Junior 9. Issac Luke 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Corey Oates 13. Patrick Carrigan 15. Thomas Flegler 17. Ben Teo 18. Cory Paix 19. Jamil Hopoate
Team tips: The Broncos will be without captain Alex Glenn for six to eight weeks after he suffered a knee injury in last weeks win over the Bulldogs, but in a boost for the team gun centre Kotoni Staggs should make his return from a hamstring injury. Staggs tipped to return last week but after pulling up sore after a training session he was rested for another week. Hell slot straight into the centres, meaning coach Anthony Seibold will need to wield the axe on of his outside backs. Matt Lodge is expected to return but after an impressive performance Tevita Pangai Junior as starting prop and a scrappy one from Thomas Flegler, Lodge will likely bump Flegler off the bench.
Ennis FED UP with the Bunker
0:39
SATURDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs at WIN Stadium (3pm)
Last weeks Dragons team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Trent Merrin 15. Josh Kerr 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Jackson Ford
Team tips: After an impressive win over Manly and walking away with no new injuries, Dragons coach Paul McGregor is likely to stick solid with the same 17.
Last weeks Bulldogs team: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Christian Crichton 6. Kieran Foran 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Aiden Tolman 21. Sione Katoa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 14. Kerrod Holland 16. Renouf Toomaga 17. Sauaso Sue 19. Ofahiki Ogden
Team tips: Reimis Smith is facing a week on the sidelines for a dangerous tackle on Brisbanes Alex Glenn. Rookie Jake Averillo would been the likely replacement but he has been stood down after a COVID-19 scare. Kerrod Holland will now be the man to replace Smith. Sauaso Sue suffered a shoulder injury in last weeks loss and could be ruled out, with Chris Smith taking his place. Jeremy Marshall-King was dropped to the bench but is likely to return to starting hooker after Sione Katoa failed to make much of an impact.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights at Bankwest Stadium (5.30pm)
Last weeks Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Dane Gagai 3. Campbell Graham 4. James Roberts 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn SuA 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cameron Murray 18. Mark Nicholls 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Patrick Mago 17. Hame Sele
Team tips: Latrell Mitchell is suspended for two weeks for a high shot, while prop Mark Nicholls who was a late addition in place of injured Liam Knight is facing a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle with an early guilty plea. The club was given an extensions to enter a plea for Nicholls. Alex Johnston is likely to shift to fullback and Corey Allan will slot onto the wing.
Last weeks Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 18. Tautau Moga 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Herman Eseese 2. Tex Hoy 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones
Team tips: Knights coach Adam OBrien expects Daniel Saifiti to miss a couple of weeks with a knee injury. His brother Jacob is likely slot into his place, although Tim Glasby is also expected to return this week from a concussion, as is Sione Matautia. Connor Watson is racing the clock to return from an ankle injury.
McGregor’s classy response
0:52
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels at Lottoland (7.35pm)
Last weeks Sea Eagles team: 19. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 1. Reuben Garrick 14. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 17. Morgan Boyle 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 6. Lachlan Croker 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Sean Keppie 8. Taniela Paseka
Team tips: Coach Des Hasler could be tempted to reshuffle his back line again after a disappointing loss to the Dragons. He said after the match theyve got to keep trying things.
Last weeks Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jai Field 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. David Gower 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Marata Niukore 17. Brad Takairangi
Team tips: Rookie Stefano Utoikamanu could be forced to self-isolate for a week after breaching protocols by greeting his family after his debut last week. Chief playmaker Mitch Moses will be named in the 21 and will be given every chance to prove he is ready to go. Coach Brad Arthur said after Sundays win Moses might be right next week.
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SUNDAY
Warriors v Cronulla Sharks at Central Coast Stadium (2pm)
Last weeks Warriors team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Patrick Herbert 4. Peta Hiku 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Blake Green 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Adam Blair 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Karl Lawton 14. Agnatius Paasi 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. Jazz Tevaga
Team tips: Kodi Nikorima should return after missing last week with a concussion, bumping Chanel Harris-Tavita out of the side. Meanwhile gun rookie Eli Katoa is expected to return to the bench from an ankle injury.
Last weeks Sharks team: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sione Katoa 3. Bryson Goodwin 4. Jesse Ramien 21. Nene Macdonald 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Jack Williams 8. Andrew Fifita 14. Toby Rudolf 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Royce Hunt
Team tips: Andrew Fifita picked up a hamstring injury in last weeks loss to the Panthers. Coach John Morris is expecting to lose him for a couple of weeks. Any hamstring is at least a week or two, but we will keep positive until we see the result, Morris said. Siosifa Talakai, Sione Katoa and Bryson Good will all be monitored after leaving the field for HIAs. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was a late omission from the side but Morris confirmed he should be good to go for Warriors clash.
‘That’s the way Latrell is’
1:46
Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys at Panthers Stadium (4.05pm)
Last weeks Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 4. Stephen Crichton 21. Charlie Staines 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 16. Moses Leota 17. Billy Burns 20. Spencer Leniu
Team tips: Coach Ivan Cleary will have a selection headache after debutant Charlie Staines impressed on the wing. Cleary said after the win that he hasnt thought about Staines playing again as Dean Whare is taking it week-to-week with a return from a toe injury.
Last weeks Cowboys team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Connelly Lemuelu 4. Esan Marsters 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh Mcguire 9. Reece Robson 10. Francis Molo 11. Shane Wright 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Peter Hola 17. Gavin Cooper
Team tips: Valentine Holmes is facing another stint on the sidelines after re-injuring his ankle. Young gun Murray Taulagi was named on the extended bench last week and is the likely replacement for Holmes.

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