The Sharks could receive a double boost with co-captain Blayke Brailey and halfback Nicho Hynes named to return from injury.
Brailey is chasing a stunning recovery following surgery to repair a broken arm just 16-days ago.
The outstanding hooker, superb in his State of Origin debut for NSW in game one, had his Origin II claims shattered after reeling out of a tackle against the Sea Eagles on May 29.
He required surgery for a broken arm, yet remarkably has resumed training with the Sharks ahead of a clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night.
Hynes is also pushing to return after missing the Sharks’ last three matches with a calf injury he suffered in the lead-up to the club’s win over Manly.
Both players must complete further tests this week before Sunday’s clash.
And in a further boost, impressive forward Jesse Colquhoun has been cleared to play after the Sharks successfully requested the NRL review the original assessment of a category one concussion against the Warriors.
The NRL deemed the concussion should’ve been cited as a category two head knock, with Colqhoun passing two separate concussion tests after the match.
—David Riccio
DOUEIHI OUT TO PROVE FITNESS
—David Riccio and Brent Read
Wests Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi will fight to prove he is ready to return from six weeks on the sidelines after being selected in Benji Marshall’s extended squad to face the Dolphins.
In what would shape as a huge boost for the Tigers, the star playmaker is aiming to return after dislocating his shoulder in a round nine against the Sharks.
Doueihi must pass a series of final tests on his shoulder this week before receiving the green light to tackle the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon at Campbelltown.
The 27-year-old is desperate to maintain the Tigers’ momentum after beating the Titans last Sunday to keep their finals hopes alive.
It’s not all good news for Tigers, with Kai Pearce-Paul to undergo surgery on a torn pectoral later this week in a savage blow to the club as they attempt to maintain their finals campaign.
Pearce-Paul has been one of the Tigers’ best players but is unlikely to play again this season unless they go deep into the finals.
The England back rower injured his left pectoral muscle during Sunday’s much-needed win over the Gold Coast Titans, which got their season back on track.
His injury comes with fellow forwards Royce Hunt, Samuela Fainu and Alex Twal still on the sidelines.
SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS
* Nathan Cleary, Kalyn Ponga, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Dylan Lucas, James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sam Walker – Among a host of Origin players named to back-up. In fact, all Origin players have been named in squads except Dolphins trio Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Thomas Flegler and Selwyn Cobbo
* Nicho Hynes – Named on the extended bench to return from a calf injury after three weeks out, providing a potential boost for 30,902 SuperCoaches.
* Adam Doueihi – Named on the extended bench to return earlier than expected from a shoulder issue and could become a SuperCoach option down the track.
* Haumole Olakau’atu – The most popular purchase of the week after missing Origin II selection. However, will he be named for Origin III?
* Jacob Kiraz – Named and set to play despite an ongoing calf injury that was expected to sideline him for six weeks.
* Tom Trbojevic – Named to return from a hamstring injury and is the fourth most popular buy of the week.
* Dylan Edwards and Tom Jenkins – The non-Origin Panthers have a favourable run home, with Edwards and Jenkins the second and third most purchased players this week respectively.
* Tony Sukkar – Cheapie of the week after being named to start in place of Kai-Pearce Paul (pectoral).
SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS
* Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Thomas Flegler and Selwyn Cobbo – The Dolphins trio are the only Origin players confirmed rested at this stage.
* Kai Pearce-Paul – Out with a torn pectoral muscle. Still no timeframe from the Tigers.
NRL ROUND 16 TEAMS
KNIGHTS V DRAGONS
Friday June 19, 8pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker
Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Cody Hopwood 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Francis Manuleleua
Reserves: 20. Sandon Smith 21. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller
Dragons
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Matthew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman
Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler, 19. Tyrell Sloan
Reserves: 20. Hame Sele 21. Lykhan King-Tongia 22. Christian Tuipuloto
WESTS TIGERS V DOLPHINS
Saturday June 20, 3pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Wests Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Starford To’a 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Seyfarth
Interchange: 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Maverick Geyer 17. Charlie Murray 18. Heamasi Makasini 19. Latu Fainu
Reserves: 20. Heath Mason 21. Peter Taateo 22. Adam Doueihi
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Ray Stone 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brad Pouniu
Reserves: 20. John Fineanganofo 21. LJ Nonu 22. Sam Elliot 23. Max Plath 24. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
TITANS V PANTHERS
Saturday June 20, 5:30pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Jenson Taumoepeau 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai
Interchange: 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Jaylan de Groot 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Jett Liu
Reserves: 20. Sam Verrills 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith
Interchange: 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Billy Phillips 17. Luron Patea 18. Jack Cole 19. Sione Fonua 20. Kalani Going
Reserves: 21. Isaah Yeo 22. Brian To’o 23. Nathan Cleary
BULLDOGS V SEA EAGLES
Saturday June 20, 7:35pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Kurt Mann 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Harry Hayes
Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jed Reardon 16. Jack Underhill 17. Josh Curran 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Logan Spinks
Reserves: 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Alex Conti 23. Alekolasimi Jones
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Josh Feledy 19. Joey Walsh
Reserves: 20. Hugo Hart 21. Blake Wilson 22. Jackson Shereb
WARRIORS V COWBOYS
Sunday June 21, 2pm at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Warriors
1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Jacob Laban 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Kayliss Fatialofa 18. Rocco Berry 20. Luke Metcalf
Reserves: 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Mitchell Barnett 23. Kurt Capewell
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tom Chester 5. Murray Taulugi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter.
Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Liam Sutton 19. Sam McIntyre
Reserves: 20. John Bateman 21. Robert Derby 22. Ethan King 23. Wiremu Grieg
STORM V RAIDERS
Sunday June 21, 4:05pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm
1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Shawn Blore 19. Tyran Wishart
Reserves: 20. Davvy Moale 21. Preston Conn 22. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 23. Lockyer-Azile Foliola
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey
Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Ata Mariota 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Daine Laurie 18. Jed Stuart 19. Vena Patuki-Case
Reserves: 20. Coby Black 21. Jordan Uta 22. Chevy Stewart
ROOSTERS V SHARKS
Sunday June 21, 6:15pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Toby Rodwell
Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Junior Tupou 22. Egan Butcher 23. Taylor Losalu 24. Cody Ramsey
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes
Interchange: 14. Billy Burns 15. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Mawene Hiroti
Reserves: 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Blayke Brailey 22. Nicho Hynes
Originally published as NRL teams round 16: Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey named for remodelled Sharks