NRL cult hero makes long-awaited return as Origin players ruled out of club games

Yahoo

11-07-2025

The Melbourne Storm are set to be without Maroons stars Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates for Saturday's clash with Newcastle, as several NRL clubs count the cost of Wednesday night's State of Origin decider. The Dolphins have also decided to rest Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after his starring role at fullback for Queensland in their series-clinching win in Sydney, with cult hero Trai Fuller set to make his long-awaited return.
Fuller has not played since suffering an ACL injury at the end of last season but the livewire gets another crack after the Dolphins decided to rest the 'Hammer' in the wake of his Origin heroics. Hammer stayed in Sydney ahead of Friday night's clash with Cronulla but Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has decided not to risk his star fullback due to the short turnaround.
And he's named Fuller to take over the No.1 role in what will be his first game since rupturing his ACL in round 27 last year. Fuller has excelled at fullback in the absence of Hammer in the past and the NRL fan favourite has done enough to convince Woolf he's ready for a first-grade return.
"I think Trai's ready to go again. He's been back for a little while now too," Woolf said. "He's played a couple of games (in Queensland Cup) where he's played 40 minutes and 60 minutes, and he's played three 80-minute games. He's been training fully now for seven or eight weeks, so he's ready to go."
The Storm will also be without Maroons captain Munster for Saturday's clash with Newcastle as he returns home to Queensland to be with family, following the devastating death of his father Steven last weekend. Melbourne teammate Coates will also be rested for the away clash against the Knights after opening the scoring for Queensland in Wednesday night's Origin decider.
The Sydney Roosters are planning to have all of their Origin players available to face St George Illawarra in Saturday evening's later game. While Dragons star Valentine Holmes is also set to back up for his side after an impressive showing for the Maroons in Game 3.
All five of North Queensland's representatives are likely to face the high-flying Bulldogs in Saturday night's final game. However, the Bulldogs are yet to make a call on their Origin contingent but have named Jacob Kiraz, Stephen Crichton and Blues prop Max King, as well as Maroons interchange Kurt Mann in their 17-man squad.
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Defending premiers Penrith have a few headaches for their game against Parramatta on Sunday, with Liam Martin (hand) and Brian To'o (knee) under injury clouds. Martin is having scans on the hand injury he picked up for the Blues in Game 3 but is confident he'll be good to go against the Eels.
"It's come good, a bit of a carry on. It's feeling alright now," Martin said. "I had contact straight on it. It didn't feel good for a few minutes but as the game went on it felt better." To'o also appeared to be hampered by a knee injury that meant he didn't train with NSW until two days before the decider, but said it felt fine afterwards and said he intended to play for Penrith this weekend.
"I'll be ready (for Penrith). Unless my leg is broken then I will always keep putting on the jersey and keep playing," To'o said. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will also have to make a call on his other Origin stars Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, while Eels winger Zac Lomax will be keen to back up after Blues' disappointing Game 3 defeat.
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire also has a big decision to make on whether to play or rest Payne Haas for the round's final game against Gold Coast. Haas has a bulging disc in his back but was still one of the Blues' best on Wednesday night. Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is expected to play for the Titans in a major boost for Des Hasler's struggling side.
with AAP