It’s the first Origin-affected round, and NRL coaches have been left to pick up the pieces after their respective representative stars joined NSW and Queensland camps.
The Panthers have a genuine headache on their hands with several players now unavailable, while the Cowboys will be without six key men.
Meanwhile, the Knights are the only team that are unaffected by Origin while the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Titans, Warriors and Tigers have the bye.
Read on for the Team Tips for Round 13.
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THURSDAY MAY 30
Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks 7.50pm AEST at CommBank Stadium
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 19. Morgan Harper 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 14. Bryce Cartwright 17. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 11. Shaun Lane 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 18. Brendan Hands 22. Luca Moretti
Team Tips: The out-of-form Eels will only lose one player to Origin in J’maine Hopgood, who earns a deserved Maroons jersey. Ryan Matterson is expected to return after missing last week’s game with illness. Interim coach Trent Barrett said in his press conference after the loss to the Rabbitohs that there’s a “big chance” the Eels will get back Mitch Moses (foot) and Clint Gutherson (knee). Centre Will Penisini, who was a late scratching from the Souths clash due to an infection, is “touch-and-go” according to Barrett. If right, Moses will partner Dylan Brown in the halves, pushing Daejarn Asi out of the side. Blaize Talagi’s recent form makes it impossible to drop him if Gutherson returns, so the exciting rookie will more than likely shift into the centres replacing Morgan Harper who will only remain in the side of Penisini remains out.
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Mawene Hiroti
Team Tips: The Sharks will be without Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes (Origin camp) which could mean a return to first grade for Braydon Trindall. Trindall has missed the last month after failing roadside illicit drugs and alcohol tests. His court hearing has been adjourned, meaning Trindall is available to play until the determination of a court hearing has been made under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. He’ll likely partner Dan Atkinson in the halves. Jack Williams could come into the starting side at lock for McInnes.
Schiller opens up about Knights move | 02:03
FRIDAY MAY 31
Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs 8pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 11 Knights team: 1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 15. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 11. Tyson Frizell 14. Phoenix Crossland 16. Brodie Jones 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Mathew Croker
Team Tips: Newcastle are the only team featuring in Round 13 that aren’t affected by Origin. However Bradman Best, who was one of the Blues’ centres in Game III last year, is out for a month with a hamstring injury. Tom Jenkins is the most likely option to come into the side. If he does Enari Tuala will shift into the centres with Jenkins to start on the wing. Daniel Saifiti returns from a one-game suspension. One of Brodie Jones or Jack Hetherington will likely make away to accommodate the star prop.
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 23. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 21. Jake Turpin 18th man: 22. Blake Wilson
Team Tips: Flying high after their best performance of the season in a dominant win over the Dragons, the Bulldogs will lose captain Stephen Crichton to Origin duties. Connor Tracey has a mortgage on the No. 1 jersey, but he’s a versatile sort, and with Blake Taaffe knocking on the door, there’s every chance coach Cameron Ciraldo shifts Tracey to the centres to replace Crichton. This will give Taaffe a chance to come back into the side as fullback. Another option is to bring last week’s 18th man Blake Wilson into the 17 via the wing, keep Tracey at fullback and move Jacob Kiraz into the centres. Matt Burton was named in the extended NSW side so Drew Hutchison will partner Toby Sexton in the halves. In a huge blow, star back rower Viliame Kikau is set to miss the next four to six weeks with a finger injury. Jacob Preston will start in his place with either Bailey Hayward or Josh Curran to begin the game at lock forward.
SATURDAY JUNE 1
Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons 5.30pm AEST at 4 BlueBet Stadium
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Jesse McLean
Team Tips: The Panthers have lost five players to Origin and are set to field a new-look team this week. Luke Garner will replace Liam Martin (Origin) in the back row and is expected to return from a leg injury. Jarome Luai has been called up for the Blues, while Jack Cole is also in doubt to take the field due to a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, both Brad Schneider and Nathan Cleary are also sidelined, meaning Daine Laurie is a strong chance of playing in the No.6. Elsewhere, rookie Trent Toelau could be in line for his NRL debut in the No.7 jersey. Soni Luke is also a strong chance of being named on the bench as the utility, while Luke Sommerton is also in the mix. Replacing Dylan Edwards (Origin) at fullback will likely be Sunia Turuva, meaning Ivan Cleary has to call up two players into his backline with Brian To’o also picked for the Blues. After being 18th man last week, Jesse McLean looms as a strong chance to play on one wing, while Tyrone Peachey could join the backline in the centres, pushing Paul Alamoti to the wing. Isaah Yeo is also out in the No.13 jersey, with Matt Eisenhuth or Lindsay Smith a chance to slot into his spot, with Mavrik Geyer the man to come on to the pine.
The moment Madge wanted Edwards for NSW | 01:02
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Luciano Leilua 18th man: 20. Alec Tuitavake
Team Tips: They won’t have to chop-and-change as drastically as their opposition, but coach Shane Flanagan has several decisions to make on the selection table. Origin stalwart Ben Hunt is out while Zac Lomax and Jaydn Su’A have picked up deserved rep honours and will also be apart of Origin camp for the next week. In addition, centre Jack Bird (ankle) and Hame Sele (shoulder) suffered injuries against the Dogs last week which will keep them sidelined for some time. According to The Daily Telegraph, Jesse Marschke or Nu Brown will partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Manly recruit Christian Tuipulotu will take Lomax’s spot on the flank. Luciano Leilua was strong off the bench for the Dragons last week so he’s a leading contender to start in Su’A’s place. Ben Murdoch-Masila is the leading contender to join the pine, while Alec Tuitavake is also a chance. Meanwhile, Prop Toby Couchman will be considered for a bench spot with Sele out.
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders 7.35pm AEST at Kayo Stadium
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 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 11. Felise Kaufusi 17. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 10. Mark Nicholls 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 18. Oryn Keeley
Team Tips: With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow named in the centres for the Maroons in the 2023 State of Origin, the door is open for Trai Fuller to return to first grade. In four appearances for the Dolphins this season, Fuller set the rugby league world alight. So much so, there were calls for Wayne Bennett to find a place for him in the Dolphins side alongside Tabuai-Fidow. Felise Kaufusi, who was named in the back row but started at prop in Round 12, has been named at 18th man for Queensland, meaning he will miss this week’s clash with the Raiders. Expect Connelly Lemuelu to retain his spot on the edge and Mark Nicholls to return to the starting side at prop. Oryn Keeley was 18th man in Round 12, and could be the man to join the pine while Kurt Donoghoe is also a strong chance to return to the side after featuring at lock for the Capras in Queensland Cup.
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. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Peter Hola 18. Albert Hopoate
Team Tips: After succumbing to a 28-point loss at the hands of the Roosters in Round 12, Ricky Stuart will be hoping for a bounce back from his Raiders. The side will have to contend with Hudson Young’s absence after the back rower was named on the bench for Michael Maguire’s Blues side. Ata Mariota will likely slot into the back row, as has been the case earlier in the season, although Simi Sasagi and Trey Mooney can both slot in their if Ricky feels Mariota’s services are best utilised through the middle. In positive news for Canberra, experienced enforcer Josh Papali’i returns from a one-game suspension. His inclusion will see Emre Guler drop to the bench and Peter Hola out of the 17.
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The tough decisions behind the NSW squad | 16:16
SUNDAY JUNE 2
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys 7.35pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May 18. Fetalaiga Pauga
Team Tips: James Tedesco was exiled from the Blues side, meaning he will remain at fullback for the Roosters. Junior Pauga will be the leading contender to take over from Joseph Suaalii in the centres after he was named to make his NSW debut. Luke Keary has also been named on the extended squad list, and unless Nicho Hynes goes down won’t be required to feature. Therefore he will be free to take the field. Elsewhere, Lindsay Collins will feature for Queensland once again. Terrell May will likely take his spot at prop, with both Spencer Leniu (Origin) and Egan Butcher sidelined, with the latter out for the season due to an ACL rupture suffered in Round 12. Therefore, the Roosters need two forwards to join the bench and Nat Butcher and Zach Dockar-Clay look the likely men to ride the pine.
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 21. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo
Team Tips: Several changes looming for the Cowboys with Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter all called up for Origin. Tom Chester is due to return from a hamstring injury and it could be a timely one, slotting straight into the centres for Holmes. Semi Valemei is the other obvious option to take up a spot on the wing, but he’s battling an ankle injury. Should he not be ready, Braidon Burns is the obvious wing replacement for Taulagi after an impressive Cowboys debut at Magic Round. At five-eighth Jake Clifford will be the likely man to take over, while Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will slot into the backrow. Either Jason Taumalolo or Sam McIntyre could take over in the No.13, meaning two places need to be filled on the pine. Harrison Edwards and Jamal Shibasaki could all be in the equation. Meanwhile, Jake Granville is a strong chance of starting at hooker in Robson’s place.
Bye: Broncos, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Titans, Warriors, Tigers