NSW coach Laurie Daley was finally granted a slice of good luck on Tuesday, when Blues hooker Robbie Farah was named to make his comeback from an elbow injury for the Wests Tigers.
Farah will return from a dislocated elbow suffered in round six, in the Tigers’ round 10 fixture against Cronulla at Remondis Stadium on Saturday, three days before Daley announces his side for the State of Origin opener on May 28.
It was originally thought Farah could miss Origin I.
Daley’s side has been thrown into chaos with a long-term ankle injury to Andrew Fifita, a possible three-match Origin ban looming over Greg Bird and Mitchell Pearce’s off-field indiscretions.
But Farah’s return has added some stability to selections.
The Tigers will also be boosted by the returns of Braith Anasta, Sauaso Sue (both ankle), and Tim Simona (suspension).
Former Canterbury utility Joel Romelo replaces suspended Melbourne five-eighth Ben Hampton in Friday’s match against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium in Craig Bellamy’s 300th game as coach.
Brisbane have dumped prop Martin Kennedy for Friday night’s clash with the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium with Ben Hannant coming onto the bench.
St George Illawarra coach Steve Price says he is yet to make a final decision on whether Benji Marshall will make his Dragons’ debut against Parramatta at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.
But Price did reveal Kiwi winger Jason Nightingale could make a surprise return from knee injury suffered two weeks ago. Nightingale was originally sidelined for four weeks.
“He looked like he was getting through that rehab run today not too bad so he is a chance, he is a rough chance. We will see how he goes,” Price said.
“Parramatta are playing really well, I thought they played some reasonable footy against the Sharks so we will have to be up for it.”
Sam Tagataese replaces Fifita for the Sharks.
James Maloney has been shifted to halfback for the Sydney Roosters and Sonny Bill Williams will slot into five-eighth, after Pearce was slapped with a one-game ban by the club for his weekend antics, for the premiers’ trip to Townsville to play North Queensland on Saturday.
Josh McCrone moves to halfback for Canberra with Terry Campese shifting across to five-eighth and Jack Wighton moving back to the centres for Sunday’s match against Penrith in the nation’s capital.
Both Canterbury and the Warriors are unchanged for their Women in League round match on Sunday at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Newcastle forwards Willie Mason and Korbin Sims return from suspension on the bench for their Brookvale Oval stoush with Manly on Monday to conclude the round.