NRL teams: Broncos resist making major change in the halves as the Sharks lose chief playmaker for crucial trip north

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

NRL teams: Broncos resist making major change in the halves as the Sharks lose chief playmaker for crucial trip north

Cronulla’s hopes of holding onto fourth spot have taken a hit with halfback Braydon Trindall ruled out of Friday’s game against the Titans with a low-grade hamstring strain that has the club hopeful he could return as early as next week.

Trindall has scored a try in five-straight games and has stepped up as their chief playmaker with Nicho Hynes out injured, with Blayke Brailey named in the halves to partner Daniel Atkinson as they did earlier in the year when they stunned the Storm.

The chopping and changing sees Cameron McInnes move to ******-half and Jack Williams into the starting side, while Braden Hamlin-Uele will also miss the trip north due to knee soreness.

There’s mixed news for the Titans who have lost back-rower Beau Fermor to a bruised kidney which will keep him out for the next couple of weeks, but they do get Sam Verrills who left the field with an ankle injury last week but is good to go as they look to keep their faint finals hopes alive.

The Broncos have resisted the urge to name Reece Walsh at five-eighth for their must-win game against the Cowboys, with the electrifying fullback only playing one game in the No.6 jersey back in 2021 for the Warriors.

It means Josh Rogers partners Adam Reynolds in the halves in place of Ezra Mam (ankle), while Xavier Willison starts in the front row with Payne Haas set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

The Cowboys have lost veteran Jake Granville to a pec injury, with scans to determine if he’ll be back again this year, but they do get Reuben Cotter back from a head knock, with the club hopeful Jason Taumalolo will return before the finals.

Interim South Sydney coach Ben Hornby has named Cody Walker at halfback despite the veteran missing last week’s loss to the Sharks and failing to train on Monday with a calf injury.

Dean Hawkins would be the likely replacement if he’s ruled out against a Storm side that has lost Eliesa Katoa to a knee injury.

Ricky Stuart has recalled Ethan Strange for Saturday’s game against Manly after the young half was rested last week, but they’ll be without Zac Hosking for the rest of 2024 following confirmation he needs season-ending shoulder surgery.

There’s plenty of good news for the visitors who welcome back Haumole Olakau’atu from suspension and Lehi Hopoate from a facial injury, while Lachlan Croker will play his first game in three months after battling ongoing concussion symptoms.

The Wests Tigers will be without Justin Olam for the rest of the season after the club confirmed he would have surgery on both knees this week, but they do get Adam Doueihi, Fonua Pole and Aidan Sezer back for the trip to Newcastle.

The Dolphins have received a boost with point-scoring machine Jamayne Isaako cleared of a serious ankle injury ahead of their game against the Warriors, while the Panthers get Daine Laurie back after he cleared concussion protocols.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#NRL #teams #Broncos #resist #making #major #change #halves #Sharks #lose #chief #playmaker #crucial #trip #north

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up