NRL serial bad boy Arana Taumata could be in line to make his Penrith debut against Melbourne on Saturday with Luke Walsh set to be sidelined with a knee injury.
Walsh has been named in the Panthers side after undergoing scans on Tuesday, with the results still to be confirmed by the club’s medical team, but it’s highly unlikely the halfback will be fit to play.
This has opened the door for Taumata, who has been impressive for the Panthers’ feeder club Windsor Wolves in the NSW Cup playing at halfback and fullback, and he could edge out young playmaker Harry Siejka who’s also in contention.
Travis Burns, who has played halfback for the Panthers before, is filling in for injured hooker Kevin Kingston in the No.9 jersey.
Taumata was on the verge of being axed by the Panthers – his seventh club in a six-year career – after he stole a blank prescription from the club doctor last year and tried to use it in a chemist.
But he was given a reprieve after pleading guilty and being placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond by a magistrate last August.
Parramatta have recalled Chris Sandow for the Eels’ encounter with Canterbury on Friday, as they look to record only their second win of a dismal campaign.
The Bulldogs have named Tim Lafai at centre for the game with Jonathan Wright moving to the wing to replace Steve Turner who is out for the year with a broken kneecap.
NRL battlers Gold Coast have suffered a major blow with halfback and captain Scott Prince ruled out of Saturday night’s clash with the Wests Tigers at Skilled Park.
Prince will have scans for a suspected muscle tear near his elbow joint.
His withdrawal opens the door for former Canberra and Sydney utility Phil Graham to make his debut for the club at fullback with William Zillman moving to five-eighth and Aidan Sezer to halfback.
North Queensland also have injury issues with coach Neil Henry leaving prop Matt Scott (foot) out of his 18-man squad preparing to play St George Illawarra at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Brisbane have made one change to their side which heads to Auckland for a fiery clash with the Warriors with big-hitter Ben Te’o back after serving a two-game suspension.
Manly will be without Kieran Foran again for Sunday’s meeting with Canberra with the Kiwi five-eighth still battling a hamstring injury.
“I’m not back this week – I am hopeful for next week,” Foran said on Tuesday.
“It’s been an ongoing injury. At first, we didn’t think it was that bad but, as we’ve tried to get more movement on it, it hasn’t really gone to plan.”
