The Warriors and Knights are both sweating on the potential returns of big names for this weekend’s semi-finals, with one Newcastle star targeting a “crazy” comeback.

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Meanwhile, Sam Walker may not be playing this week but he is closing in on a miraculous return should the Roosters keep their premiership hopes alive.

Read on for late mail ahead of the semi-finals!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks @ Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Toby Rodwell

Late Mail:Sam Walker may not be back this week, but the Roosters halfback is firming for a miraculous return from his syndesmosis injury should the Tricolours qualify for the preliminary finals. Walker was spotted running at training just 12 days after undergoing tightrope surgery and is “tracking ahead of schedule” according to veteran reporter Michael Carayannis. “He’s tracking ahead of schedule. Originally they thought grand final… but he’s tracking better than they thought so he’s a real chance,” Carayannis said on NRL 360.

The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 15 September 2026 Roosters Rosters player Sam Walker at training ahead of the semi finals match against the Cronulla sharks. Picture Thomas LissonSource: News Corp Australia

Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Toby Rudolf 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Mawene Hiroti

Late Mail: To come.

“Warriors do not have another gear!” | 01:11

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights @ Eden Park, 4:05pm AEST

Warriors Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Jett Cleary 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Leka Halasima 23. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Late Mail: Andrew Webster said on Tuesday that winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has done “little pieces” of contact as he aims to return from his collarbone injury. “We’ll build him up and see how he progresses,” Webster added. “He’s inspirational. He’s fearless. He just wants to play so badly for the team… he’s got to tick a lot of boxes. The science is probably against him and he might not get there. But we’ll give him every chance.” As for second rower turned centre Leka Halasima, Webster said he is a “chance” but “highly doubtful” to play after being named on the extended bench .“He just went for a run, and when they trotted out, he felt something, and his exact words were, ‘I just don’t want to let the boys down. I think I’ve done my hamstring’. In hindsight, it’s not as bad as we think,” Webster added. If Halasima is fit, he would replace Pompey while Watene-Zelenzniak would bump one of Taine Tuauapiki and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back to the bench. Usually that would be Tuauapiki, but he was easily the Warriors’ most dangerous player in attack last week which gives coach Webster quite the selection headache.

Knights Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Dylan Lucas

Late Mail: Second rower Dylan Lucas is reportedly firming to take the field after completing training on Thursday. His potential inclusion shapes as a huge boost for the Knights, with Lucas’ season previously looking like it was over after he suffered a dislocated ankle. Then the gun back rower was named when Newcastle unveiled their team list on Tuesday – with doubts still remaining surrounding his potential for a return. However, according to Code Sports, Lucas’ progress has left the Knights medical team stunned and now he looks likely to be named on the bench. “He won’t take no for an answer unless he gets dragged off the training paddock. If you ask me if he’s playing, I’d say yes because I know him pretty well,” hooker Phoenix Crossland said on Tuesday while Kalyn Ponga called Lucas’ comeback bid “pretty inspiring”. “It’s crazy to think we’re even talking about Dyl even being back from a pretty horrific injury. Even speaking to him earlier in the week and him saying he was a chance, I thought he was kidding himself,” added Tyson Frizell.