Almost every team will be waiting with bated breath to see if their Origin stars pull through Game II and then once again if they will back up in Round 17.
The Cowboys benefit from the biggest possible turnaround, while the Bulldogs haven’t been so lucky despite having only one NSW representative.
Elsewhere, the Knights are expected to make a change in the halves while the Tigers are set to welcome back a host of players.
Read on for all of the team news ahead of Round 17.
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FRIDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks, 8pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 19. Drew Hutchison 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 12. Jaeman Salmon 23. Viliame Kikau 14. Jake Turpin 11. Josh Curran 13. Bailey Hayward 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Eli Clark
Team Tips: The Bulldogs are set to lose Connor Tracey in Round 17 after he suffered an ugly head knock against the Roosters, with Blake Taaffe his likely replacement at fullback in a straight swap. All eyes will be on skipper Stephen Crichton, but with a 48-hour turnaround it looks unlikely he will take the field. After he was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury, Bronson Xerri is also a strong chance of returning to the side and will likely replace Drew Hutchison after he played in the halves and Matt Burton had little impact in the centres. Jacob Preston is also a chance to return in the backrow and will likely feature off the bench.
Round 15 Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Tom Hazelton 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Royce Hunt
Team Tips: With no players featuring in the Origin arena, the Sharks will likely be full strength coming into Round 17. Teig Wilton is due to return from a shoulder injury, and is set to push Siosifa Talakai onto the bench. It remains to be seen who drops out, however Royce Hunt is the leading contender despite putting together some solid performances.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos, 3pm AEST at Go Media Stadium
Last week’s Warriors team: : 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Dylan Walker 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Jacob Laban 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale
Team Tips: It’s exactly what the Warriors didn’t want to hear, but Andrew Webster could once again be without key halfback Shaun Johnson this week. The Warriors coach revealed “he could be fine” but Johnson picked up a hamstring injury against the Titans. “He picked up something today. He’s got a tight hamstring. He’s got ice on it. We’ll reassess where he’s at,” he said. If he’s ruled out, Chanel Harris-Tavita will be the likely man to replace him in the halves. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also returns from suspension and will replace Edward Kosi, while Rocco Berry is a chance to return in the centres. Kurt Capewell is also a chance of backing up from Origin depending on his minutes while Mitch Barnett will almost certainly come into this team, likely shifting Dylan Walker back to the bench and Jacob Laban out of the side.
Round 15 Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 18. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski
Team Tips: Jesse Arthars is a chance to return from a jaw injury and will replace Josiah Karapani if fit. Jordan Riki is also out due to a suspension, with Jack Gosiewski a chance to replace him after emerging as a regular on the Broncos bench. Origin lock Pat Carrigan is a strong chance of backing up after featuring in Round 14 on the same back up. However, Reece Walsh didn’t take the field and is unlikely to play considering it’s his first game back from his concussion. Payne Haas is also a strong chance of backing up.
DCE’s off the ball moment under fire! | 00:28
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, 5:30pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 15 Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 14. Phoenix Crossland 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 16. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 9. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Hetherington
Team Tips: It’s looming likely Will Pryce is set to make his NRL debut for the Knights in Round 17. The English import was pulled out of NSW Cup over the weekend by Adam O’Brien, with the five-eighth potentially being put on ice before he’s named. Fellow Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul is also due to return from a toe injury and will likely replace Dylan Lucas in the backrow or Tyson Frizell, who could play in the middle off the bench.
Round 15 Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 4. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 14. Daejarn Asi 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 17. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Shaun Lane 16. Joe Ofahengaue 10. Junior Paulo 12. Bryce Cartwright 21. Ryan Matterson 20. Joey Lussick
Team Tips: Mitchell Moses is a strong chance of backing up in Round 17 due to his importance for this side in the halves. J’maine Hopgood is a chance to feature for the Eels in Round 17, despite pulling out of Wednesday’s Origin fixture due to a back injury. Maika Sivo is also a chance to return on the wing, with Blaize Talagi shifting to the centres in place of Daejarn Asi. Kelma Tuilagi has also been handed a bumper suspension at the same time as his thumb injury, with Bryce Cartwright the likely man to take his place.
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, 7:35pm AEST at AAMI Park
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 14. Jack Howarth 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 13. Trent Loiero 15. Christian Welch 17. Joe Chan
Team Tips:Reimis Smith is due to return from a head knock and will replace Grant Anderson. Xavier Coates is a strong chance of backing up for the Melbourne outfit, and will then replace Jack Howarth who is a strong chance of featuring on the bench potentially in place of Joe Chan. Elsewhere, Harry Grant is also a strong chance of backing up, and will be straight swap for Bronson Garlick at hooker.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 9. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler 18. Albert Hopoate
Team Tips: It’s been a long road to return and Corey Horsburgh once again looks unlikely to take the field considering he didn’t play any reserve grade minutes over the weekend. Tom Starling is due to return this week and will likely be a straight swap for Zac Woolford, with Danny Levi returning to the starting No.9 position.
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs The Dolphins, 2pm AEST at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Round 15 Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 20. Christian Tuipulotou 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’a 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Toby Couchman
Team Tips: The Dragons have a much longer back up this week after playing the first game in Round 14 after the Origin series opener. All three of the club’s Origin representatives, Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su’A and Zac Lomax, all backed up then, so they will almost certainly feature in Round 17. Jack Bird is also due to return and is a strong chance of replacing Max Feagai in the centres with Moses Suli likely sidelined for another week due to a hamstring injury. Hame Sele is a chance of taking the field, having been battling a shoulder injury.
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior
Team Tips:Jack Bostock suffered a nasty head knock and will not feature in Round 17. Tesi Niu played in the centres for Norths Devils last weekend and is the likely man who will join the side on the wing. Connelly Lemuelu looked like he injured his shoulder but got through the remainder of the clash. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi are both strong chances of backing up with the longest possible turnaround.
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Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys, 4:05pm AEST at BlueBet Stadium
Round 15 Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 21. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 18. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 20. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 23. Trent Toelau
Team Tips: Mitch Kenny and Jack Cole are both due to return from their respective quad injuries. Both players will be straight swaps for Brad Schneider and Luke Sommerton in the run-on side. Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o are strong chances of backing up after representing the Blues. Meanwhile, with Liam Martin’s lingering injury issues he looks unlikely to feature, while Dylan Edwards’ inclusion will also be dependent on how he gets through his debut. No changes expected elsewhere, with Nathan Cleary a chance of returning in Round 18.
Round 15 Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 10. Reuben Cotter 9. Reece Robson 19. Harrison Edwards 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame
Team Tips: The Cowboys host of Origin stars are expected to back-up with a four-day turnaround. Expect all six players to be named, with Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson the least likely to take the field. Jordan McLean is also due to return from a calf injury and his inclusion at prop, potentially dropping Harrison Edwards out of the side.
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers, 6:15pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Sandon Smith 15. Blake Steep 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Siua Wong 18. Ethan King
Team Tips: Junior Pauga has been hit with a hefty suspension for his tackle on Connor Tracey. Should Michael Jennings be cleared to return from a hamstring injury, he’s the likely man to slot into the centres. Elsewhere, young gun Ethan King is the next cab off the rank. Connor Watson could also play in the position and will almost certainly back up after Origin. Both Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu are also expected to back up after Game II.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomona Faataape 3. Brent Naden 20. Adam Doueihi 19. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Kit Laulilii 18. Heath Mason 21. Tony Sukkar
Team Tips: David Klemmer is due to return from a suspension and will slot straight into the front row, with Fonua Pole dropping to the bench and Kit Laulilii likely making way. Justin Olam is also due to return from a knee injury and will likely replace Brent Naden in the centres who is a strong chance of taking up a place on the wing. It remains to be seen which one of Solomona Faataape or debutant Luke Laulilii will make way. Alex Twal is also due to return from a concussion, likely taking Heath Mason’s spot on the bench. John Bateman is also a chance of replacing Reuben Porter in the backrow in his return from a pec injury if cleared of the injury.
Bye: Titans, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs