Raiders pave way for Horsburgh to face the Bulldogs
Scott Bailey |
Canberra will attempt to have Corey Horsburgh play in their bumper top-of-the-table clash with Canterbury, with the in-form prop pushing to pass concussion protocols.
Horsburgh was taken from the field late in the Raiders’ golden-point win over Melbourne at Magic Round, when he copped a head knock while making a tackle.
The Queensland State of Origin hopeful was later spotted holding a beer in the sheds, and is expected to face more tests later this week before a call is made.
Canberra’s doctor in also understood to be in talks with the NRL’s medical staff around his availability, with Horsburgh named for Saturday’s match.
After playing only five games last year through selection and suspension, Horsburgh has been one of the Raiders’ most important players this season.
The 27-year-old has averaged in excess of 130 metres per game, while also providing a point of difference with his willingness to offload.
That kind of unstructured attack is what has largely challenged the Bulldogs in the past, with Canterbury the NRL’s best defensive team in their 7-1 start to the year.
The Dogs will, meanwhile, welcome back five-eighth Matt Burton from suspension for the GIO Stadium clash, with Bailey Hayward returning to the bench.
Elsewhere, Brisbane have opted to bring Ezra Mam back through Queensland Cup after his nine-match ban for drug driving.
That has left Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt in the halves for the Broncos’ date with South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs have Latrell Mitchell returning from suspension at fullback, while Jamie Humphreys returns from his hamstring tear at halfback.
Silivia Havilii will play hooker for Souths, after Peter Mamouzelos dislocated his elbow in the loss to Newcastle.
Gold Coast star David Fifita has missed out on a recall after being dropped last week, after a persistent ankle injury ruled him out indefinitely.
In better news for the Titans, Jayden Campbell is named to return from a hamstring injury for Friday’s trip to Newcastle.
Brian To’o is back for Penrith, leaving the NSW Origin incumbent a fortnight to make his case to remain on the Blues wing.
Hooker Mitch Kenny is also back from suspension to face North Queensland, after Penrith showed signs of reviving their season at Magic Round.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will also return for the Warriors against St George Illawarra, after the winger suffered a badly broken wrist in pre-season.
Manly will bring Jake Trbojevic back from a concussion at prop, playing the same front-row role he had for NSW while captaining the Blues last year.
That will allow Jake Simpkin to keep the No.9 jersey and Jazz Tevaga to stay on as starting lock, after the pair impressed in an upset win over the Panthers before last week’s bye.
Jason Saab is also named to return on the wing from an ankle injury.
AAP
