NRL set of six: Finucane: GF loss to Roosters now history

Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck steps Storms Dale Finucane. Photo / Supplied

1. Finucane: GF loss to Roosters now history

Storm lock Dale Finucane says last year's grand final loss to the Roosters has been consigned to history and won't be used as ammunition for tomorrow night's rematch at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

The Roosters produced a dominant display in the 2018 premiership decider and have made an excellent start to the new season with four wins from their first five matches.

The unbeaten Storm are the only team with a better record this year and they will be keen to maintain that status when they welcome Cooper Cronk back to AAMI Park for the first time since he headed to Bondi at the end of 2017. Finucane, a veteran of five grand finals, said last year's loss to the Roosters was an irrelevant formline as both teams have had plenty of personnel changes in the off-season. "They have had players move on from their premiership-winning team from last year and they are a different make up of their team."

2. Lam shapes as Easter surprise Wigan want

Wigan interim head coach Adrian Lam says he will consider his long-term future after Easter. The former Papua New Guinea captain and coach has been made favourite to keep the job for 2020 following Shaun Edwards back-flipping on his decision on rejoining the club by signing a new deal with the Welsh Rugby Union.

3. NRL boss takes stand in 'no fault' hearing

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg revealed his daughter's friends' decision to walk away from rugby league helped convince him to push through the controversial "no fault" stand-down rules. Greenberg was giving testimony in the Federal Court in Sydney as St George Illawarra's Jack de Belin fights the ARL Commission and the NRL to be reinstated to the playing ranks.

Greenberg insisted he introduced the rules to protect the image of the game following a scandal-filled summer dominated by negative headlines. De Belin has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty, one of the highest profile incidents in the game's so-called "summer of hell".

Greenberg said part of the reason he acted was to ensure female viewers and participants were not turned off the game. "I'm the father of a daughter who plays regular touch football and a number of her friends have shared that the conduct of players is the reason they will no longer play casually," Greenberg said. "That's in conversation over months."

4. Cleary gives Tamou big tick

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary admits always wanting someone to emerge from the six-man leadership group he selected in the NRL pre-season. And after just five games, Cleary said James Tamou was the obvious choice. Tamou was appointed to the role on this week. "He's come through and grown in that group," Cleary said.

5. Fifita 'good chance'

Coach John Morris is considering ways to manage Andrew Fifita's workload in a depleted Cronulla pack for tonight's NRL clash with Penrith. Morris rates Fifita a "pretty good chance" of overcoming bone bruising in his knee, but the prop still needs to pass a fitness test this morning.

6. Manu ruled out

Kiwis and Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu has been ruled out of the grand final rematch tomorrow night against Melbourne after being found guilty of dangerous contact at the tribunal. Manu was charged with a crusher tackle on Cronulla winger Sione Katoa and pleaded not guilty. Manu was given a one-game suspension.