Fri: Bulldogs v Eels at ANZ Stadium
Des Hasler has made just one forced changed to his side which were outclassed by Penrith last weekend and it doesn't get much more significant than the loss of NSW State of Origin half Josh Reynolds ruled out with a broken arm. Reynolds' replacement Moses Mbye, while talented, is still a few years off the confidence and understanding of the intensity that is required at the NRL level. Hooker Michael Lichaa (ankle) has been cleared to play.
We told you last week how close Danny Wicks was to making his NRL comeback and tonight the wait is over. Wicks, who spent 18-months behind bars, will return to the NRL arena replacing suspended Eels forward Junior Paulo. Paulo was hit with a heavy nine-match suspension for a dangerous throw last weekend.
Fri: Sharks v Broncos at Remondis Stadium
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will make his first selection change this season with rising star Valentine Holmes set to earn a call-up. Holmes, a Junior Kangaroos winger, will replace Mitch Brown, who returns to the NSW Cup. Sharks fans are at least another week away from seeing injured forwards Luke Lewis (knee) and Sam Tagataese (groin).
The Broncos suffered a blow late yesterday during their final session at Red Hill, with winger Dale Copley breaking down with a calf injury. Copley's replacement will be Corey Oates who has been rushed into the side after playing QLD Cup last weekend. Sam Thaiday's bid to reclaim the respect of coach Wayne Bennett will commence from the interchange bench.
Sat: Panthers v Titans at Carrington Park
The red-hot Panthers were all smiles this week after the confidence-building win over Canterbury. Interestingly, the Panthers were rolled by Cronulla when they last travelled to Bathusrt, in a match that saw halfback Peter Wallace fall victim to a season-ending knee injury. As a result, coach Ivan Cleary has been at pains this week to ensure the standard of Bathurst's Carrington Park, is up to NRL standard. Don't expect hooker Api Koroisau (ankle) to figure this weekend, while Adam Docker (knee) continues his comeback from off-season surgery in the NSW Cup.
The Titans have lost speedster Kevin Gordon for their trip to Bathurst after breaking his nose in a freak training accident on Wednesday.
Gordon clashed with fellow winger Leva Li during the ballwork session.The break required realignment and the subsequent swelling meant Gordon couldn’t travel to Sydney. He has been replaced by Anthony Don who was unlucky not to play in Round 1 after impressing in the pre-season. The five suspended Titans players, who are currently fighting drugs charges, are no closer to a return.
Sat: Sea Eagles v Storm at Brookvale Oval
Manly need a lift and perhaps they will get it in the shape of Jamie Buhrer, who despite not being named, has declared he is ready to mae his return from a knee injury. His anticipated return, couple with the expected inclusion of 18th man Justin Horo, will cause a re-shuffle to a Sea Eagles pack that were embarrassed by Parramatta in round one. Jack Littlejohn has the uneviable tas of replacing Kieran Foran (hamstring) who will miss the next three weeks.
With a bench spot to fill following the one-game suspension of Felise Kaufusi, Storm coach Craig Bellamy has told Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Kenny Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to prepare for a call-up. All three will travel to Brookvale, with Bellamy intent on keeping his forwards on edge prior to making a final decision.
Sat: Cowboys v Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium
A decision on if winger Antonio Winterstein steps out for the Cowboys on Saturday night will be left up to him, without any pressure being applied by North Queensland officials. Winterstein sadly lost his 19-year-old brother on Wednesday. Lachlan Coote has been named as Paul Green's 18th man with suggestions he could come in for under-pressure winger Justin O'Neill, who had a howler first-up last week.
Captain Kurt Gidley (hamstring) was a late withdrawal last Saturday against the Warriors. A final fitness test today is all that stops him from opening his 2015 account. If he is ruled out, Sione Mata'utia would come into the side at fullback. There was some concern earlier in the week for Tyrone Roberts and James McManus (both concussion), however both have been cleared to play. As a precaution speedster Jake Mamo will travel to Townsville as 18th man.
Sun: Rabbitohs v Roosters at ANZ Stadium
The match of the round and given their opening round onsluaght it's impossible to see coach Michael Maguire making any changes to his squad which steamrolled Brisbane first-up. Watch for the Rabbitohs to take another step up in gear with Maguire keeping his players on edge at training this week.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has the luxury of only one player, Jake Friend, currently unavailable due to injury. There was some concern out of the Bondi Junction club for Kane Evans (hamstring) earlier this week, but he has progressively improved throughout the week. Martin Kennedy is on stand-by should Evans be a late withdrawal.
Sun: Raiders v Warriors at GIO Stadium
The Raiders are sweating on the fitness of powerful winger Jordan Rapana who failed to see out the 80-minutes last Sunday night against Cronulla. He will need to pass a fitness test on Saturday to be assured of a spot in the final 17. Brenko Lee will replace Rapana, if he is scratched prior to kick-off.
Thomas Leuelai (head cut) and Sam Tomkins (hamstring) are certain starters after being declared fit by the New Zealand Warriors coaching staff. The return of Tomkins is significant after he was a late withdrawal from the Warriors opening loss to Newcastle. Konrad Hurrell (knee) was a casualty from the defeat with former Parramatta, Canterbury and Cronulla winger Jonothan Wright set to make his debut.
Mon: Tigers v Dragons at Campbelltown Stadium
The Tigers are sweating on the fitness of hard-running forward Marty Taupau, with the Kiwi forced into a moon boot earlier this week to ease the pressure on a foot problem. Better news for Chris Lawrence (groin) who missed the Tigers one-point win over the Gold Coast, he trained on Thursday, but must pass a final fitness test before getting the green light. Lyle Lovett is on standby for Lawrence. Ava Seumanufagai (concussion) is a certain-starter.
The Dragons could be under real pressure by Monday night, without a win and fielding a side void of experienced stars including Josh Dugan and Ben Creagh. Dugan will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks due to a foot injury while Creagh is facing a month on the sidelines after suffering a back injury last Monday night.
Expect rising star Peter Mata'utia to replace Dugan at fullback, while Jack De Belin will come into the starting side at lock and Heath L'Estrange onto the bench.
