Games for week two of the NRL finals
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders, Friday September 16, 7.50pm (AEST), CommBank Stadium
Parramatta will check on the fitness of star halfback Mitchell Moses after he suffered an ugly concussion in Friday's 27-8 loss to Penrith. If Moses isn't passed fit, Brad Arthur will turn to his son Jakob to help the Eels into a preliminary final against North Queensland in Townsville. Arthur's hulking props Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo put in strong efforts in the loss to the Panthers but they face an arguably bigger challenge in the shape of in-form Canberra middles Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii. The Eels have won four of their last five against Canberra. The Raiders upset the Storm in Melbourne in a 28-20 win with their willingness to offload and create chaos, a constant thorn in the Storm's side. Lock Adam Elliott looks set to miss the game after picking up an injury.
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs Saturday September 17, 8pm (AEST), Allianz Stadium
South Sydney face the prospect of going into the semi-finals without Thomas Burgess, Junior Tatola and Taane Milne, all of whom were sin-binned for dangerous contact in the fiery elimination final defeat of the Sydney Roosters. Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker's partnership on the left broke the Roosters apart and even when Souths were reduced to 11 men, remained at its destructive best. The Cronulla forwards must send extra attention Mitchell's way and Nicho Hynes and Matt Moylan will need to bring their kicking boots to match it with the rolling Rabbitoh attack. Burgess left the field concussed against the Roosters so faces a race to prove his fitness even if he escapes suspension.
