State of Origin time has officially arrived, with 38 of the best players across the NRL earning selection on Monday morning for either the Blues or Maroons.
But while those stars get to play on the biggest stage, their respective club sides will be left with gaping holes to fill – whether it be this weekend or over the next two months.
While plenty of teams have the bye this weekend, the likes of Melbourne and Canberra will be hit hard by Origin unavailability.
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Wide World of Sports has all the early team news ahead of round 12.
THURSDAY
Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins, GIO Stadium (7.50pm)
Hudson Young. Getty
Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Seba Kris 4. Matt Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Daine Laurie 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Owen Pattie 15. Jordan Uta 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Myles Martin 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Jake Clydesdale
Raiders team news: Hudson Young and Ethan Strange are both out due to Origin commitments, while in-form utility Simi Sasagi (shoulder) is sidelined with injury. Daine Laurie will likely come into the starting side at five-eighth, while Zac Hosking and Ata Mariota loom as the back-row replacements.
Dolphins predicted team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Oryn Keeley 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brian Poinou
Dolphins team news: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Flegler, Selwyn Cobbo and Max Plath are all unavailable after earning Origin selection, while five-eighth Kodi Nikorima is in doubt after injuring his hamstring at Magic Round. Trai Fuller and Tevita Naufahu will join the backline, Jeremy Marshall-King will start at hooker and Francis Molo (ankle) is due back from injury and should slot into the front-row. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will be free to play despite being named in Queensland’s 20-man squad.
FRIDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm, Accor Stadium (8pm)
Stephen Crichton. Getty
Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jonathan Sua 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. AJ Jones 17. Lipoi Hopoi 18. Jack Underhill 19. Jethro Rinakama
Bulldogs team news: Stephen Crichton is the only player missing due to Origin commitments and his absence should be offset by the return of Jacob Kiraz (knee). Expect to see Kiraz slot onto the wing and Jonathan Sua or Enari Tuala play centre.
Storm predicted team: 1. Sua Faalogo 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Manaia Waitere 5. Moses Leo 6. Nick Meaney 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Stanley Huen 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Davvy Moale 17. Joe Chan 18. Josiah Pahulu 19. Lazarus Vaalepu
Storm team news: Cam Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero will all be out due to Origin commitments, forcing a reshuffle to Melbourne’s side. Craig Bellamy isn’t flush with options at five-eighth or hooker, with Trent Toelau an option in both roles while Manaia Waitere or Nick Meaney could either play centre or in the No.6 jersey. Alec MacDonald (hamstring) is due back and could come straight into the lock role.
SATURDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors, Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)
Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Mat Feagai 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Val Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Emre Guler 18. Nick Tsougranis 19. Lyhkan King-Togia
Dragons team news: Moses Suli (back) and Hamish Stewart (quad) failed to finish the game against Penrith on Sunday night and will likely be ruled out, with Jaydn Su’A due back from suspension in a timely boost. Mat Feagai (back) should be available and will likely replace Setu Tu on the wing after a horror outing at Magic Round. Jacob Liddle (hamstring) will be pushing for a return on the bench this week.
Warriors predicted team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 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. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Marata Niukore 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 19. Luke Hanson
Warriors team news: Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are both out due to Origin commitments, with Jackson Ford and Jacob Laban likely to earn starting spots. Tanah Boyd (knee) looks set to miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury and will be replaced by Te Maire Martin at halfback. Don’t expect to see Luke Metcalf in the side this week as he works back from injury concerns and his contract situation.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans, Brookvale Oval (7.35pm)
Tolutau Koula. Getty
Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Blake Wilson 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Jackson Shereb 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Joey Walsh 19. Aaron Schoupp
Sea Eagles team news: Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolu Koula are both out due to Origin commitments, while Lehi Hopoate has been suspended for making contact with a referee. Expect to see Blake Wilson and Josh Feledy come into the outside backs, with Jackson Shereb earning a back-row spot. Brandon Wakeham (suspension) will return at hooker this week, pushing Zach Dockar-Clay out of the team.
Titans predicted team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Jenson Taumoepeau 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Kurtis Morrin 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai 14. Klese Haas 15. Josh Patston 16. Luke Sommerton 17. Tuki Simpkins 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Sam Verrills
Titans team news: Jojo Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are both unavailable due to Origin commitments, while Chris Randall (concussion) is out of action. Expect to see Arama Hau, Kurtis Morrin and Jaylan De Groot to all come into the starting side.
SUNDAY
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, QCB Stadium (4.05pm)
David Fifita. Getty
Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tom Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Liam Sutton 7. Jake Clifford 8. Tom Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Xavier Kerrisk 15. Griffin Neame 16. Coen Hess 17. Wiremu Greig 18. Rob Derby 19. Ethan King
Cowboys team news: Reuben Cotter is the only player out due to Origin commitments, with his absence to be offset by Jason Taumalolo’s return after being rested last week. Braidon Burns (hamstring) left the field on Saturday night with an injury and will be replaced by a returning Murray Taulagi (concussion) on the wing.
Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Talanoa Penitani 5. Ed Kosi 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Matt Dufty 15. Euan Aitken 16. Tevita Tatola 17. Adam Elliott 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Bronson Garlick
Rabbitohs team news: Mixed news this week with Latrell Mitchell (back) and Campbell Graham (calf) sidelined with injuries and Cameron Murray away in Origin camp, but gun back-rower David Fifita (hamstring) in line for a return. Expect to see Latrell Siegwalt slot into the backline, while Talanoa Penitani could make his debut. Bronson Garlick could be replaced by Peter Mamouzelos at hooker after a poor Magic Round display.