A double blow for the Broncos on Saturday in Auckland with back-rower Jack Gosiewski suffering a broken arm just six minutes into the game and Fletcher Baker facing 4-6 six weeks out with ligament damage to his knee.

The Dragons have decided to rest Blues winger Zac Lomax from Sunday’s game against the Dolphins as he battles knee and shoulder soreness.

“Zac has a right shoulder issue, one of these things we could probably push him along and get a painkilling injection but we’d like to think we look after our players and not push it to a point where it could further damage it,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.

The Storm were dealt a blow on Friday with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen dropping out of the side to face Canberra due to a bruised foot.

Papenhuyzen had only just returned in Round 16 after five games out with a fractured ankle.

The Storm will also be without Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who is being rested after playing 41 minutes in Origin Two.

Newcastle were also forced into two late changes ahead of their clash against Parramatta with Dylan Lucas (hamstring) and Leo Thompson (Achilles) both ruled late in the week.

“Scans have cleared Dylan during the week of anything major but he just can’t get rid of the tightness,” O’Brien said. “History will tell you that if you push those, they can turn into a big thing. At the moment, this will go away pretty quickly. Given how important he is to us, we won’t risk him this week.”

J’maine Hopgood will need the Eels to go deep into the finals if he is to be a chance of taking the field for them again in 2024, following confirmation he will sit out at least three months due to back surgery.