The Dolphins are riding a three-game winning streak but must now navigate the Origin period without stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler.
With five-eighth Kodi Nikorima also suffering an injury against the Rabbitohs, coach Kristian Woolf will have to dig deep into his squad to roll out a team that can keep the roll going.
The Raiders, meanwhile, have edge forward Hudson Young and five-eighth Ethan Strange away on NSW Blues duty so they will also be forced to shuffle the deck.
The Green Machine hold a 3-2 advantage in head-to-head clashes although the last meeting between the sides was a lopsided 62-24 win to the Dolphins in Round 27 last year.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart rested 11 players from that match ahead of his side’s first finals match so the form guide may well go out the window as we head into the testing Origin period.
Team News
Raiders: The versatile Daine Laurie has been named at five-eighth and Ata Mariota starts in the back row with Ethan Strange and Hudson Young in Blues camp. The shoulder injury to Simi Sasagi sees Zac Hosking named in No.12 in his return from concussion. Jordan Uta is set to make his NRL debut from the bench. Flyer Xavier Savage makes an early return from the syndesmosis injury he suffered in Round 5 so Jed Stuart slides to the bench. Young playmaker Coby Black remained in the squad in the 24-hour update as he chases an NRL debut after eight games in NSW Cup this season and 21 games in Qld Cup in 2024-25.
Dolphins: The loss of Herbie Farnworth to hamstring tightness will see Oryn Keeley move from the bench to the centres. Trai Fuller takes over at fullback and Tevita Naufahu comes in on the wing with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo in camp with the Maroons. Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) is replaced at five-eighth by Bradley Schneider. A new-look front row features Francis Molo and Jeremy Marshall-King filling in for Maroons reps Thomas Flegler and Max Plath while Oryn Keeley joins the bench. John Fineanganofo remained in the squad in Wednesday’s 24-hour update.
Stat Attack
The Raiders have won three of their last four games against the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have conceded 12 points or less in their last three games.
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine will play his 100th game at GIO Stadium.
Dolphins centre Jack Bostock has scored four tries in his last three games.
Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes has scored five tries in his last five games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.