After experiencing problems during the Warriors’ Round 16 loss to the Titans due to a recurrent Achilles tendon injury, halfback Shaun Johnson has been sidelined once more.
This is a major setback for the desperately struggling New Zealand team as Johnson will miss at least four weeks of action.
Matt Arthur, the 19-year-old second son of fired Eels coach Brad Arthur, will start off the bench in his NRL debut. The hooker has represented the NSW Cup team at the under-19 level and participated in 13 games for Parramatta this season.
Sitili Tupouniua, a second-rower with the Roosters, was selected for the Tricolours on Sunday. He replaces the suspended Junior Pauga at running back. The confident Tigers defense will put him to the test.
In round 17, the Broncos and Bulldogs have decided to rest all of their starting players. Todd Payten, the coach of the Cowboys, has selected every representative from Queensland, with the exception of Jeremiah Nanai, for the upcoming game. Nanai needs to take a nap.
Additional League
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Meninga is unwilling to close the door on Tedesco, thus Maroons are expected to dominate the Kangaroos team until the Blues can turn Origin around.
LEAGUE
To begin with, all of the Origin stars for the Roosters, Storm, Eels, Panthers, and Dragons have been named.
After being given another start ahead of Sualauvi Faalogo, who is moved to the reserves, Ryan Papenhuyzen appears to be the focal point of Melbourne’s assault. Melbourne’s backline has a new look as Xavier Coates replaces him and Jack Howarth shifts to the center to cover Nick Meaney.
Promotion
Brad Schneider, the backup halfback for the Panthers, has once again been demoted to the bench in favor of Jack Cole.
Schneider is benched in favor of Cole, even though he and Jarome Luai worked well together to help the Panthers overcome Newcastle in round fifteen.
With Connor Tracey out due to concussion protocol after being struck in the head by a stiff-arm from Junior Pauga last week, Blake Taaffe is back for the Bulldogs.
According to scans, Jayden Campbell suffered a fractured right hand as he shattered the team’s all-time record for points scored in the 66–6 victory over the Warriors. He will miss the match against the Sharks due to a metacarpal fracture in his hand, and the Titans get the bye in round 17.
Before sustaining the injury early in the game, Campbell scored a try and kicked 11 goals for a total of 26 points.
While Warriors center Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was sent to the penalty area for an above-the-horizon lift on the five-eighth, Campbell was also fined $1000 for grade-one dangerous contact. However, the tackle was only marginally penalized. For the grade one dangerous throw, he will be liable for $1000.
Promotion
Pauga is dismissed. (Scott Gardiner/Getty Images photo)
Trent Loiero, a Storm interchange forward, avoided a two-week suspension after he gave a crushing tackle to Dolphins center Herbie Farnworth. Loiero has committed two offenses this season, but he got away with it by entering an early $3000 plea.
In his NRL comeback on Friday night, Dolphins recruit Tevita Pangai Jr. was put on report for a late tackle on Storm prop Christian Welch. However, the match review committee merely recommended a grade-one dangerous contact penalty against him.
Pangai is free to play St George Illawarra after making a $1000 payment.
