Finals Week 2 semi-final team lists and news, injuries, ins and outs, Sam Walker, Dylan Lucas

The second week of finals football has arrived and the Sydney Roosters will still be without Queensland Maroons halfback Sam Walker after he failed to return to the field in time.

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Elsewhere, an Origin representative has broken a long-standing recovery record as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to the field, despite there being fears he wouldn’t play again in 2026.

Read below for the full NRL Team Lists ahead of finals week two.

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

Analysis: Despite there being rumblings that Sam Walker could have been named to make his return to the field, Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson won’t receive the big boost to his halves in his side’s do-or-die clash against the Cronulla Sharks. Although he was seen resuming running at the end of last week and Robinson provided a cryptic hint in his post-match press conference in regards to his availability, Walker hasn’t been cleared to play.

Speaking before the team lists were announced, skipper James Tedesco said it would be a big ask to expect him to play for the Roosters this weekend. “If he can play, I’m sure he will, but it’s a big ask after three weeks,” Tedesco said. “Honestly, we just came in today. I haven’t even seen him.” “It’s only been a couple of weeks, so he’s probably got another week or so, I’m guessing,” Tedesco added. “But he started to do some running, which is really quickly after surgery, so just see how he goes, keep progressing, and give himself a chance. “I think he wanted to be out there playing, and it’s probably hard to watch from the sidelines over the last month or so. But he’s doing everything he can to get back out there as quickly as possible, and that’s all we can ask.”

While Walker won’t take the field, the Roosters have received a boost to their forward stock with former Brad Fittler Medallist Angus Crichton (foot) named to make his return after being a late omission from last week’s side. Crichton enters the team for Egan Butcher (concussion) who has been ruled out due to the mandatory stand-down protocols but will come off the interchange bench with Salesi Foketi moving back to the starting line-up.

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

Analysis: Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has opted to make one change to his side that defeated the Cowboys last weekend but it won’t affect their starting line-up with hooker Jayden Berrell recalled for just his fifth first grade appearance of this year’s campaign. Berrell’s inclusion on the six-man interchange bench means Niwhai Puru drops out to the reserves. Meanwhile, Fitzgibbon may opt to change his outside backs with Mawene Hiroti (illness) named among the reserves and could be a late replacement for Riley Jones.

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

Analysis: Warriors coach Andrew Webster has named Leka Halasima (hamstring) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) on the extended bench. Watene-Zelezniak has been out since breaking his collarbone in the loss to Souths in Round 25 on August 22. Halasima is also racing the clock to be fit after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up before last week’s loss to the Dolphins. In a cruel blow, the Warriors have lost star forward Jackson Ford after he only got through 24 minutes against the Dolphins in his return from a pectoral injury. He injured his ankle and hasn’t recovered. He’s been replaced on the bench by Morgan Gannon.

Jacob Laban has been named after being in doubt with a knee issue suffered in last week’s match that appeared to hamper him. He’s in the starting line-up. Luke Metcalf (hamstring) is still at least one week away from a return according to journalist Dave Riccio. “Luke Metcalf will not be available this week... He is expected to be back for the preliminary final,” Riccio said on Triple M. Jett Cleary has been named in the 19 on the interchange bench.

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

Analysis: The Newcastle Knights have been dealt a massive boost with NSW Blues back-rower Dylan Lucas (ankle) named for the first time since Round 21, when he exited the field on a stretcher. While he has been named in the 22-man squad, coach Justin Holbrook remained unsure as to whether he would actually play against the Warriors. “Will he get to the field? We’re not too sure, as a lot of things have to happen for him to (play),” he said on The Agenda Setters. However, if he can prove his fitness, it would mark the quickest recovery time from an ankle fracture dislocation - eight weeks. The previous record was Aidan Guerra in 2019, who returned after ten weeks on the sidelines.

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