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In order to give Nathan Cleary more time to recover from his recent hamstring injury layoff, the Panthers have decided not to use him against the Rabbitohs in Round 9. The team stated that their star number seven has been rested out of caution and that there is no indication that the injury he sustained in Round 3—which kept him out of action for more than a month—had resurfaced.
In Round 8, the 26-year-old made a comeback to the pitch and participated in the entire 80 minutes of play against the Cowboys.
Clint Gutherson, a fullback for Parramatta, will not be competing for Origin due to a knee surgery.
Gutherson underwent a minor knee surgery, and the Eels revealed that he would be out of commission for up to five weeks.
In the third game of the previous year’s series, NSW defeated Queensland 24-10 with Gutherson on the field. He has played four Origins for the state.
For their journey to Townsville in Round 9, the Dolphins will be without Kenny Bromwich (concussion), but they will be strengthened by the return of Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) and Connelly Lemuelu (knee). Captain Jesse Bromwich is expected to play despite a calf injury that terminated his game the previous week.
More encouraging news for the club: prop Tom Flegler’s recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained in Round 5 is still uncertain and he is not expected to require surgery.
For the encounter against the Titans, who will also be without enforcer Moeaki Fotuaika because of a concussion, the Storm will be without their best player, winger Xavier Coates (hamstring).
Due to his compliance with the NRL concussion protocol, Dragons centre Mosese Suli will also miss Round 9, while the Raiders will reevaluate forward Pasami Saulo’s lower back injury following their Round 10 bye to determine whether he can play in the Magic Round.
The Knights have selected Greg Marzhew (ankle), Jed Cartwright (ankle), and Jacob Saifiti (lower leg) to play against the Warriors despite none of them being able to finish last Sunday’s victory over the Dolphins.
In Round 9, Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau and storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona are also expected to return to action after recovering from hamstring and back issues, respectively.
Leading the significant injury returns for Round 9 are Warriors back-rower Kurt Capewell (throat), Roosters wing Daniel Tupou (knee), and Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead (calf).
After being added to their respective clubs’ reserves, Luciano Leilua (calf), Victor Radley (hamstring), and Jacob Preston (jaw) all have a chance to return to the pitch.
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