NRL Round 4 Team Tips: Injuries, Ins & Outs, Updates & Predictions

The Wests Tigers are facing a significant halves crisis, with Jarome Luai expected to be sidelined for around four weeks with a knee injury and Adam Doueihi potentially joining him on the injury list after suffering a hamstring complaint. The news comes as the club prepares to face the Modern Zealand Warriors on Friday.

Scans confirmed the extent of Luai’s injury, according to reports, leaving coach Tim Sheens with a challenging puzzle to solve in the halves. Doueihi’s scans are still pending, but his potential absence would further complicate matters.

Latu Fainu, who has been training with the first-grade squad, is expected to return from a shoulder reconstruction and is a likely candidate to fill one of the halves positions. Jock Madden or Api Koroisau could partner him, with Koroisau potentially shifting from hooker, a move that would see Tristan Hope slot in at hooker.

Elsewhere in the NRL, the Parramatta Eels have suffered injury blows of their own. J’maine Hopgood will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury sustained against the Dragons, while Jordan Samrani is expected to be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. The Eels confirmed both injuries in a statement on Monday.

The Penrith Panthers are set to welcome back Jack Cogger from concussion, but the Brisbane Broncos are grappling with a potential rotation strategy in the halves, with both Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt potentially sharing playing time. Reynolds is expected to return against the Dolphins, but coach Michael Maguire is considering a rotation to manage the workload of his veteran players.

The Newcastle Knights will be without Trey Mooney due to a one-week ban for a dangerous contact charge, and Fletcher Sharpe is doubtful for this week’s match against the Bulldogs. The Canterbury Bulldogs, meanwhile, have confirmed that winger Jacob Kiraz will play despite a shoulder concern.

The Gold Coast Titans are set to field the same squad for their match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, while the Dragons may turn to their NSW Cup side for reinforcements, with players like Tyrell Sloan and David Fale potentially being considered for selection. Ryan Couchman is facing scrutiny from the match review committee after a hip-drop tackle.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have a bye this week.