Storm Suffer Papenhuyzen Setback, Sharks Hit by Centre Injury Blow

Penrith’s top-four hopes have been hit as star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out due to concussion. Fresh off a complete game in Brisbane last weekend, he won’t take the field Thursday in the grand-final rematch at CommBank Stadium, with halfback Jahrome Hughes also out due to a shoulder concern. Coach Craig Bellamy’s making some adjustments to get the hugely experienced Nick Meaney at the back and introduce centre Marion Seve into the equation for the first time since round four.

Panthers, who are aiming to secure their 10th win in a row, will also keep co-captain Isaah Yeo on the sidelines again as he recovers from a shoulder issue endured in the round-22 clash with the Gold Coast. But prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been added to the extended Storm bench after serving a two-week ban playing a stint in the Queensland Cup.

In a setback to Cronulla’s premiership chances, star centre back Jesse Ramien has been ruled out of the rest of the regular season with a broken thumb, and back-rower Briton Nikora has also been excluded until the finals through suspension. They will be replaced by Billy Burns and Mawene Hiroti for Saturday’s Shark Park showdown against the Gold Coast in an afternoon match. But the Titans get back into action with captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returning from a knee complaint, and Queensland prop Moaeki Fotuaika back from illness.

It’s the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ back at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday night when the Broncos take on the Dolphins in a game of significance to getting into the top eight. The Broncos have swapped their centres combination with Billy Walters and Ben Hunt coming in to replace injured Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds. Cory Paix returns at hooker, and Josiah Karapani has a chance on the wing. The Dolphins’ coach Kristian Woolf has gone back to experienced Kenny Bromwich on the interchange bench, and prop Frank Molo won’t play due to an anticipated one-game suspension.

Meanwhile, Manly is holding onto slim finals hopes, keeping Tom Trbojevic at fullback for their clash against the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. Former No. 1 Lehi Hopoate will make his return from injury on the wing, replacing Tommy Talau, who slides to the bench. However, the Sea Eagles will be without their inspirational lock, Jake Trbojevic, who is also dealing with a concussion.

The Tigers, still mathematically in the finals race, come in fresh off a bye and will reinstate Starford To’a in place of Brent Naden, following their win over the Bulldogs.

Rugby

The Sydney Roosters, currently sitting in ninth place and desperate to keep their finals hopes alive as they host Canterbury on Friday night, have made one change from the team that dominated the Dolphins 64-12. Siua Wong is out with a concussion, prompting Victor Radley to move up to his preferred lock position, with young talent Blake Steep stepping onto the bench. The Bulldogs remain unchanged, but regular fullback Connor Tracey will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness from the extended bench as he recovers from an abdominal injury. In the meantime, fifth-placed Warriors are looking to end a three-game losing streak when they welcome back hooker Wade Egan from a shoulder complaint in their Friday night home game against St. George Illawarra. The Dragons are significantly missing centre Moses Suli due to a knee complaint, but Mathew Feagai has returned from a groin injury. Veteran prop Jordan McLean comes back from a calf strain for Sunday’s contest against Newcastle in Townsville for North Queensland, who make a straightforward replacement of suspended prop Coen Hess. South Sydney have only made the solitary change with forward Lachlan Hubner excluded due to concussion and Shaquai Mitchell taking their place in their unchanged game against Parramatta at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.