State of Origin is finally upon us – but it could make for some interesting NRL team lists when the squads are announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Manly and Cronulla will have the quickest back-up, with up to five stars potentially in line to play just 48 hours after the Origin series opener.
Elsewhere, it’s mixed news for the wounded Wests Tigers, while the high-flying Warriors have been dealt a cruel injury blow to one of their biggest stars.
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Wide World of Sports has all the early team news for round 13 below.
FRIDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles, Shark Park (8pm)
Haumole Olakau’atu. Getty
Sharks predicted team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Tom Hazelton 17. Hohepa Puru 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Sharks team news: No major changes expected after the bye. Addin Fonua-Blake, Briton Nikora and Blayke Brailey will all play Origin on Wednesday night, but it remains unclear whether the trio will back up 48 hours later.
Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Jackson Shereb 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Joey Walsh 19. Blake Wilson
Sea Eagles team news: Tolu Koula and Haumole Olakau’atu will play Origin on Wednesday, but it’s unclear whether they will back up. Lehi Hopoate will return from a one-game ban, forcing Blake Wilson out of the side, while Ben Trbojevic (concussion) is out. Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) isn’t expected back for another three weeks.
SATURDAY
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, McDonald Jones Stadium (3pm)
Kalyn Ponga. Getty
Knights predicted team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Tyson Frizell 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Harrison Graham 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Francis Manuleleua
Knights team news: Kalyn Ponga will likely be put on ice after Origin given his recent injury issues, with Fletcher Sharpe to slot in at fullback. Front-rower Jacob Saifiti is more likely to back up from representative duties and could be named.
Eels predicted team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Jonah Pezet 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivati 16. Toni Mataele 17. Tallyn Da Silva 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Ronald Volkman
Eels team news: Mitchell Moses is dealing with a leg injury in Origin camp and appears at long odds to play this weekend, which will open the door for Jonah Pezet to return in the halves. Major boost this week with fullback Isaiah Iongi (ankle) set to return after playing NSW Cup on his way back from injury. Ryley Smith (sternum) and Sam Tuivati (shoulder) are also expected back in the side this weekend.
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs, CommBank Stadium (5.30pm)
Api Koroisau. Getty
Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Api Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Sione Fainu 14. Tristan Hope 15. Mavrik Geyer 16. Royce Hunt 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Ethan Roberts 19. Jeral Skelton
Tigers team news: Mixed news with skipper Api Koroisau (suspension) and fullback Jahream Bula (shoulder) in line to return, but outside backs Taylan May (shoulder) and Patrick Herbert (suspension) both out of action. Jock Madden (hamstring) is also set to be sidelined, with Latu Fainu expected to shift to the halves.
Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Kurt Mann 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Harry Hayes 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jack Underhill 16. AJ Jones 17. Sean O’Sullivan 18. Jed Reardon 19. Marcelo Montoya
Bulldogs team news: Stephen Crichton has been dealing with a shoulder injury and is no certainty to back up from Origin duties, but given Canterbury’s position on the ladder expect to see the skipper named. Jacob Preston (arm) is set for a stint on the sidelines and will likely be replaced by Harry Hayes in the starting team. Jacob Kiraz performed well in the fullback role in last weekend’s win over Melbourne and should retain the No.1 jersey with Connor Tracey (hamstring) still under an injury cloud.
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters, AAMI Park (7.35pm)
Storm predicted team: 1. Sua Faalogo 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Davvy Moale 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Joe Chan 18. Stanley Huen 19. Manaia Waitere
Storm team news: Harry Grant and Trent Loiero are expected to back up from Origin duties, but Cameron Munster will probably be rested. Shawn Blore (concussion) will miss at least a week, with Cooper Clarke moving back to an edge. Xavier Coates (Achilles) is still another few weeks away from returning, according to coach Craig Bellamy.
Roosters predicted team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Junior Pauga 3. Hugo Savala 4. Rob Toia 5. Cody Ramsey 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Connor Watson 14. Egan Butcher 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Reece Foley 19. Taylor Losalu
Roosters team news: The club’s Origin contingent of James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Sam Walker, Reece Robson and Lindsay Collins will all likely be named to back up. Daniel Tupou (calf) will be unavailable, with Junior Pauga the replacement on the wing.
SUNDAY
Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium (2pm)
Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan. NRL Imagery
Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Preston Riki 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Va’a Semu 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Hayze Perham 19. Thomas Duffy
Broncos team news: Patrick Carrigan, Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki will all likely back up from Origin duties for the reigning premiers. Payne Haas (knee) is closing in on a return from injury, but could be given an extra week.
Dragons predicted team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mat Feagai 4. Val Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Luciano Leilua 15. Emre Guler 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Lyhkan King-Togia
Dragons team news: Hayden Buchanan (shoulder) is set to be sidelined, with Mat Feagai the likely replacement at centre. Dean Young may look to make unforced changes with the likes of Jacob Halangahu, Tyler Peckham-Harris and Joseph O’Neill performing well in NSW Cup. Jacob Liddle (hamstring) is another week away from returning, while Jaydn Su’A (calf) could be back on deck despite being ruled out last weekend.
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys, GIO Stadium (4.05pm)
Ethan Strange. Getty
Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Xavier Savage 4. Matt Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Owen Pattie 15. Ata Mariota 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Jordan Uta 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jake Clydsdale
Raiders team news: Ethan Strange and Hudson Young should be named to back up from Origin duties in a timely boost, pushing Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota to the bench. Seb Kris (quad) was a late scratching in round 12 and will likely be sidelined.
Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tom Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Liam Sutton 7. Jake Clifford 8. Tom Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Viliami Vailea 15. Griffin Neame 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Xavier Kerrisk 19. Ethan King
Cowboys team news: Reuben Cotter is the only Origin player from the side and will likely be named to back up. No other changes flagged at this stage, however star winger Murray Taulagi (concussion) could be back on deck soon.
Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors, CommBank Stadium (6.15pm)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck limps off in round 12. Getty
Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago 18. Billy Phillips 19. Billy Scott
Panthers team news: Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Casey McLean and Isaah Yeo are all part of the Origin series opener, but it’s unclear at this stage whether they will back up.
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. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Mitch Barnett 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 19. Kayliss Fatialofa
Warriors team news: Major blow with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (knee) sidelined and potentially having played his last game for the club, with reports indicating the 2018 Dally M winner suffered an ACL injury. Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are expected to back up from Origin duties, while Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (concussion) is sidelined.