NRL Early Mail Round 16: Mitchell Moses backs Clint Gutherson switch, Royce Hunt out for six
The Eels are on the hunt for new halves following Mitchell Moses’ NSW call-up and Dylan Brown’s stand down – and Moses has revealed the contenders.
Mitchell Moses has endorsed Parramatta teammate Clint Gutherson’s move to the halves with coach Brad Arthur searching for a new pairing for this week’s clash against Manly.
Moses will miss the game after he was called into the NSW Blues side for Origin game two, while five-eighth Dylan Brown is currently suspended under the NRL’s no fault stand down policy.
Moses said one spot is likely to go to Deajarn Asi, who came in to replace Brown last weekend.
Gutherson has played 20 games in the halves for the Eels. Other options are Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright.
“Gutho might have to chuck the No.7 jersey on,” Moses said. “He’s played in the No.6 before, that’s where he got his nickname ‘The King’. Gutho is a competitor, you put him anywhere.”
“Maybe Matto if he’s back from his calf injury. We’ve got Bryce Cartwright there too, he can play five-eighth.
“We’ve injuries, suspensions, head knocks in the last few weeks and whoever has come in has done a good job.”
SALMON SET FOR HALVES SWITCH
—Fatima Kdouh
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is expected to name utility Jaeman Salmon at five-eighth for Friday night’s clash against North Queensland.
Salmon is tipped to wear the No.6 jumper while Jarome Luai is away on Origin duty for the NSW Blues.
Jack Cogger, who came in for the injured Nathan Cleary last weekend, will be named at halfback and is likely to keep his place in the side while the regular No.7 is out with a hamstring injury.
HIP DROP HITS SHARK FOR SIX
—David Riccio
The Sharks have suffered a significant blow with hard man Royce Hunt set to be sidelined for up to six weeks as a result of a hip drop tackle.
Hunt will undergo surgery to his ankle on Wednesday after Storm forward Christian Welch was suspended for one week following a dangerous contact charge.
Toby Rudolf, is pushing to play after an extended layoff with a foot injury, and could replace Hunt.
Tom Hazleton is also a genuine chance of replacing Hunt in Cronulla’s clash with the Bulldogs.
ROOSTERS PULL DRASTIC RESHUFFLE
—Paul Crawley and Phil Rothfield
The Sydney Roosters have suffered another blow to their backline stocks with confirmation rising young centre Robert Toia will spend a stint on the sidelines after breaking his jaw.
However, the club confirmed that, after consulting a specialist, Maroons under-19s star Toia will not require surgery for the injury he suffered in training last week.
The news comes a day after News Corp revealed Sam Walker had suffered a further setback from his sprained ACL and would be sidelined for at least another month.
Sandon Smith will on Tuesday be named in the halves alongside veteran Luke Keary, having come off the bench in the Roosters’ past two games.
However, he’s done enough to show Robinson he is worthy of starting in what has become a desperation game for the club.
The move forces out-of-form Joseph Manu back to his specialist position in the centres, where it’s expected he will take the place of Drew Hutchison.
Walker has not played NRL since getting dropped after the round seven loss to the Sharks to make way for Manu’s move to five-eighth, with Walker then injuring his knee in NSW Cup.
It was initially hoped Walker would only miss a few weeks but that has been proven to be way off the mark.
ARTHUR TO FACE EELS FOR FIRST TIME
—Michael Carayannis and David Riccio
Jake Arthur will be picked for the Sea Eagles as he prepares to face his dad and former club Parramatta for the first time.
Arthur is expected to be named in Manly’s 17-man team to take on the Eels after joining the Sea Eagles last month.
He will either start at halfback in the absence of Daly Cherry-Evans or be named on the bench. Kaeo Weekes will deputise at fullback for Blues ace Tom Trbojevic.
FULL EARLY MAIL BY TIM WILLIAMS
COWBOYS V PANTHERS
Friday, 8pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo will continue his push to return from a knee injury.
If cleared after a series of near misses, he’d be a direct replacement in the middle for Origin bound forward Reuben Cotter.
Val Holmes and Murray Taulagi will also be on Origin duties, giving Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby another opportunity in the top grade.
Jeremiah Nanai was included on the edge for Queensland, meaning Heilum Luki and Luciano Leilua will start in the back-row for the Cowboys.
Reece Robson is set for his NSW Origin debut, which would likely see Jake Granville start at hooker.
Tom Dearden will take the field for the Cowboys after losing his Queensland 18th man spot to AJ Brimson.
Panthers: While not exactly impacting the Panthers, Liam Martin is in doubt for Origin two having suffered a category one concussion in the win over the Roosters.
Rested in that clash, Zac Hosking is likely to replace him on the edge, with Luke Garner another option.
Moses Leota must pass concussion protocols to take his place in the front-row.
Penrith have a few options to replace Origin bound Brian To’o on the wing, with rookie Jesse McLean a possibility.
They could also opt to shift Stephen Crichton to the wing, with Tyrone Peachey coming back into the team at centre. Crichton is 18th man for Origin and also injury cover for Latrell Mitchell, so his availability for Penrith remains up in the air.
Kurt Falls or Jaeman Salmon are in line to replace Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai, with Peachey another option.
Isaah Yeo is unavailable due to NSW duties causing a reshuffle in the pack.
Spencer Leniu was considered a strong chance to come into the NSW side but missed out.
KNIGHTS V ROOSTERS
Saturday, 3pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Lachlan Fitzgibbon is pushing to return from a calf injury and if cleared would be a direct replacement on the edge for NSW’s Tyson Frizell in the only expected change.
Roosters: Sandon Smith will start in the halves with Joey Manu switching either to centre or to fullback in place of James Tedesco.
Jaxson Paulo played fullback in NSW Cup on the weekend, so he may just be a direct replacement at No. 1 rather than coming into the outside backs.
Lindsay Collins is on Queensland duties, which will likely see Matt Lodge start up front.
EELS V SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 5.30pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Mitchell Moses has been recalled to Origin, which may force Clint Gutherson into the halves, with Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell or Zac Cini to deputise at fullback.
Jordan Rankin may also be a direct replacement in the halves for Moses. Bryce Cartwright and Ryan Matterson, who is aiming to return from a calf injury, are other options.
Junior Paulo is on Origin duty for the Blues.
J’Maine Hopgood is available after missing out on Maroons selection.
Josh Hodgson (neck) is in doubt after missing the King’s Birthday clash.
Sea Eagles: With Tom Trbojevic unavailable due to Origin, Kaeo Weekes is likely to deputise at fullback, with Reuben Garrick also an option.
Daly Cherry-Evans will be with the Maroons, which will see Jake Arthur come into the halves.
TIGERS V STORM
Saturday, 7.35pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: Stefano Utoikamanu is unavailable for the Tigers after being named to make his Origin debut.
Api Koroisau is out long-term due to a broken jaw, which will see Jake Simpkin start at hooker.
Luke Brooks is also expected to miss a stretch of games due to a hamstring injury, with Will Smith or Daine Laurie to come into the halves to partner Brandon Wakeham.
Storm: Reimis Smith left the field late in the big win over the Sharks, this was a precautionary decision due to a minor hamstring niggle.
He’ll need to prove his fitness to face the Tigers.
Justin Olam returns from a concussion at centre, pushing Marion Seve out of the team.
Eliesa Katoa failed to finish on the weekend due to a cut near his eye, he’ll be monitored this week.
Christian Welch has copped a one-game ban for a hip drop tackle.
Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are both unavailable due to Maroons duty.
Tyran Wishart is the likely replacement for Grant, while young gun Jonah Pezet may be a week late as he pushes to return from a collarbone injury.
Xavier Coates has been named on the wing for the Maroons in place of the injured Selwyn Cobbo (hip).
SHARKS V BULLDOGS
Sunday, 4.05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Sharks:Nicho Hynes is available for the Sharks after missing Origin.
Royce Hunt is out for six weeks after injuring his ankle in the hip drop tackle for which Welch is facing a 1-2 game ban.
Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr is the only Bulldog in Origin.
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He is set to be replaced by Braidon Burns who scored a hat-trick in NSW Cup on the weekend.
Matt Burton and Tevita Pangai Jnr are available for the Bulldogs after missing the NSW squad.
ON THE BYE: Broncos, Dolphins, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Titans, Warriors
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 16: Mitchell Moses backs Clint Gutherson switch, Royce Hunt out for six
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