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Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou is confident skipper Cameron Murray will play in Sunday’s elimination final.
Murray suffered a head knock in the opening minutes of last week’s clash with the Roosters, but Demetriou told NRL 360 on Thursday that he trained on Thursday “unless there’s a hiccup from now and then it looks like he’ll play” in what will be a huge boost for the Bunnies.
“He trained today and he got through the protocols really well so unless there’s a hiccup from now to then, it looks like he’ll play,” Demetriou said.
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Given the speculation over whether Murray will be fit to play or not after what was his second head knock in two months, Demetriou said the player’s safety always comes first.
“There’s definitely conversations with Cam in and around how he’s feeling, but mostly we’re guided by the professionals,” he said.
“We’re guided by our medical team, we’re guided by the specialists that he’ll go to see to get clearance from and I’ll leave it in their hands.
“But I’m pretty clear with the players that I don’t want any symptoms hidden from the club or from us, the priority is making sure that they’re fit and healthy first and foremost, then off the back of that they’re good to play.”
Meanwhile, Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai is racing the clock to prove his fitness with a reshuffle on the cards if he is ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Storm are hoping star halfback Jahrome Hughes overcomes a calf injury in time to take on the Raiders.
Read on for all the Late Mail for Finals week one.
FRIDAY
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels 7.50pm at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Charlie Staines 19. Matt Eisenhuth
Players cut: 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Chris Smith
Late Mail: Nathan Cleary returns form suspension to partner Jarome Luai, who was rested last week in the halves. Hooker Api Koroisau returns from an ankle injury, while forward Spencer Leniu is back from a shoulder complaint.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore 18. Nathan Brown 19. Bailey Simonsson
Players cut: 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell
Late Mail: Nathan Brown successfully returned from a hand injury last week via reserve grade and was retained in the reserves when the squad was trimmed, but is unlikely to break his way into the 17.
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SATURDAY
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders 5.40pm at AAMI Park
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Trent Loiero 17. Chris Lewis 18. Young Tonumaipea 19. Jordan Grant 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Cooper Johns 22. Grant Anderson
Players cut:
Late Mail: Jahrome Hughes is bidding to return from a calf injury at halfback. Kenny Bromwich is expected to pass concussion protocols to take his place. Nick Meaney is tipped to overcome a shoulder injury and will likely play five-eighth, with Cameron Munster expected to play fullback, despite wearing the No.6 jersey.
Raiders team: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Peter Hola 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Players cut:
Late Mail: Five-eighth Jack Wighton and skipper Elliott Whitehead are back after being rested last week. Corey Harawira-Naera switches to the bench, with Matt Frawley dropping to the reserves and Albert Hopoate to 18th Man.
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Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys 7.50pm at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Lachlan Miller 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Luke Metcalf
Players cut:
Late Mail: Centre Siosifa Talakai is racing the clock to overcome an ankle injury. If he is ruled out Connor Tracey, who is back from concussion would likely shift to centre, with Lachlan Miller or Matt Ikuvalu coming onto the wing. Skipper Dale Finucane (ribs), William Kennedy (ankle) and Toby Rudolf (knee) have all been named to return.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Tomas Chester 20. Jake Granville 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Hampton
Players cut:
Late Mail: Coen Hess returns from suspension on the bench, with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown dropping to the reserves.
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SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs 4.05pm at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Adam Keighran 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Terrell May 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Fletcher Baker 22. Siua Wong
Players cut:
Late Mail: Paul Momirovski replaces the injured Joey Manu at centre. Wingers Joseph Suaalii (shoulder) and Daniel Tupou (groin) return, with Kevin Naiqama dropping out. Lock Victor Radley returns from concussion, with Siosiua Taukeiaho switching to prop and Matt Lodge to the bench. Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) and hooker Sam Verrills (finger) are expected to play. Adam Keighran has been named on the bench, but could swap with Terrell May or Fletcher Baker closer to kick-off.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Davvy Moale 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Josh Mansour
Players cut:
Late Mail: Coach Jason Demetriou revealed skipper Cameron Murray is on track to play after suffering a head knock last week. Demetriou said Murray trained on Thursday and “got through the protocols really well.” But should he be ruled out Jai Arrow will switch to lock with Davvy Moale likely to come into the 17. Damien Cook returns from Covid protocols, with Siliva Havili switching to the bench and Peter Mamouzelos dropping out. Campbell Graham returns from a head knock at centre, with Jaxson Paulo dropping to the reserves.
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