Return of JWH bolsters Roosters’ NRL top-two charge
Jacob Shteyman |
Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves makes his return this weekend to boost his side’s tilt for a top-two finish in his final season at the club.
The veteran prop was banned for four games for his high tackle on St George Illawarra’s Max Feagai in round 18.
The Roosters are one of the NRL’s top-performing sides at the moment, having won seven of their last eight matches.
With three games of the regular season remaining and a superior points differential, they are just one win away from usurping Penrith in second spot and snatching hosting rights for week one of the finals.
Waerea-Hargreaves’ fortuitously timed return against Gold Coast will help fill the hole left by the recently re-signed Connor Watson, who suffered a category-one concussion in the Roosters’ soggy 38-14 win over Parramatta.
Lock Nat Butcher will also return after recovering from a rib injury while Dom Young has brushed off a niggling hamstring strain and will start on the wing following his hat-trick against the Eels.
Spencer Leniu, who also extended his contract with the Roosters on Tuesday, will once again add his impact from the bench after a stint in the starting line-up.
For the Titans, Beau Fermor has recovered from a bruised kidney while Mo Fotuaika is back from suspension.
Meanwhile, Manly coach Anthony Seibold’s backline selection headache has been put off for another week with Tommy Talau ruled out of his return to Leichhardt Oval with a low-grade pectoral muscle strain.
The injury should only keep Talau on the sidelines for one week, meaning Seibold will have to cut one of Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Jason Saab or rookie-of-the-year contender Lehi Hopoate to find room for the Sea Eagles’ leading try-scorer against Canterbury in round 26.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong has been named on the bench despite injuring his shoulder against the Warriors.
Adam Doueihi and Luke Laulilii fall out of the Wests Tigers squad after suffering head knocks, with Junior Tupou and Solomon Alaimalo elevated to the starting 13.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will have to make do without Nathan Cleary once more after the league’s top halfback re-injured his troublesome shoulder.
Brad Schneider has been named alongside Jarome Luai in the halves for the Canberra clash, with Jack Cole another option while named on the bench.
Raiders centre Jordan Rapana has recovered from a concussion lay-off, allowing coach Ricky Stuart to rejig his backline.
Rapana has moved back to fullback, with Kaeo Weekes shifted to five-eighth, Albert Hopoate brought onto the wing and Ethan Strange falling out of the side with a calf injury.
Stuart rested Strange against the Bulldogs in round 22, revealing he had concerns for the 20-year-old’s body after having played every minute of his first full season in first grade.
Tyson Gamble is unlikely to feature again for Newcastle this season after suffering a broken hand in the golden-point loss to Cronulla which all but dashed the Knights’ finals hopes.
Jack Cogger is his replacement at five-eighth.
AAP