Rabbitohs’ big call on injured stars, Roosters prepare to welcome back big guns

There are changes galore in one of the wildest team list Tuesdays of the season, with clubs making big calls on their Origin stars.

Nathan Cleary has been named to play for Penrith this weekend, but there are a number of Origin stars who are in serious doubt. Picture: Ben Clark

The 2023 State of Origin opener has caused mass changes across the NRL as clubs devise different plans on how to handle the short turnaround.

Clubs with three Origin representatives are allowed to name an extra reserve this week, while teams with four or more players can pick an additional two players on the bench.

Campbell Graham is back for the Rabbitohs after missing last week’s loss to the Raiders with a sternum injury. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

All eyes were on the South Sydney team sheet to see if Latrell Mitchell was picked after he was ruled out of the Origin opener with a calf injury, but there will be no miracle recovery, with the star fullback set to miss the trip to the Gold Coast.

Cam Murray and Jai Arrow have been named to back up from the game in Adelaide, while the Bunnies also welcome back Campbell Graham after the NSW 18th man withdrew from the squad with a sternum injury.

The Titans have been dealt a major blow with veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran set to be rested for the next few weeks with a toe injury which will keep him out until Round 17.

Kieran Foran will be rested for a few weeks after battling through a painful toe injury. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

It means Jayden Campbell moves into the halves, with Keano Kini set to start at fullback for the first time, while try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been recalled on the wing.

Queensland stars David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have been named to start but have to get through the Origin opener unscathed.

The Roosters have named Origin duo James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins for their must-win clash against the Bulldogs on Sunday, with Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves cleared to return for the trip to Gosford.

It’s a timely boost, given they are without Brandon Smith (broken thumb) and Victor Radley (suspension), while Daniel Tupou has been listed in the reserves and could be back from his hamstring tear.

Joseph Manu returns at five-eighth, with veteran winger Daniel Tupou also in line to face the Bulldogs. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

It’s a different story for the Bulldogs, who have listed Blues duo Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Junior on an extended bench, with the club to make a call on their availability later in the week

It’s business as usual for the Panthers, who have named their Origin stars to play on Sunday night, with Spencer Leniu and Izack Tago both in line to make their returns from injury.

The round kicks off on Friday night with Jarrod Croker dropping out for the Raiders so he can celebrate game 300 in Canberra next week.

It means Albert Hopoate shifts to centre, with Nick Cotric picked on the wing, although Xavier Savage is lurking in the reserves and could come in if Seb Kris can’t overcome a knee injury.

Jarrod Croker won’t play on Friday night, with the club urging all Raiders fans to celebrate his 300th game in Canberra next week. Picture: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

Corey Harawira-Naera hasn’t been named after he suffered a seizure on the field last Saturday, with Blues rookie Hudson Young slotting into the back row.

The Warriors get back three key players this weekend with Wayde Egan, Dylan Walker and Mitch Barnett all named, with the latter set to play his first game since he suffered a serious neck injury in Round 3.

They’ll host a Dolphins side missing Maroons pair Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert, who have both been rested.

Siosifa Talakai has been cleared to return for the Sharks after missing several weeks with a neck injury, but Cam McInnes and Toby Rudolf remain a few weeks away.

Halfback Nicho Hynes is set to back up from his Origin debut, as are Brisbane’s representative quintet.

The Cowboys should receive a massive boost with Jason Taumalolo set to play for the first time since he had surgery on his knee. Picture: Andy Jackson / Getty Images

And Cowboys coach Todd Payten has left fans guessing, with all four of his Queenslanders named on an extended bench, but in contention to play based on how they recover.

There is more good news for North Queensland, with Jeremiah Nanai set to return from suspension via the bench, while Jason Taumalolo is expected to play for the first time since Round 7.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has picked his Origin stars, while Eliesa Katoa has been named to play despite leaving the field early with a shoulder injury in their most recent win before last week’s bye.

ROUND 14 TEAMS

Friday 8pm: Tigers Vs Raiders @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown

Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa

Reserves: 18.Brent Naden 19. Aitasi James 20. Daine Laurie 21 Justin Matamua 22. Tallyn Da Dilva

Canberra Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Albert Hopoate 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Pasami Saulo 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Horsburgh 13. Joseph Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Matt Frawey 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Danny Levi 20. Harley Smith-Shields 21 Xavier Savage 22. Peter Hola

Saturday 3pm: New Zealand Warriors Vs Dolphins @ Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15 Josh Curran 16. Mitchell Barnett 17 Bayley Sironen

Reserves: 18 Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21 Demitric Sifakula 22 Ronald Volkman 23. Ali Leiataua

Dolphins: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare

Reserves: 18. Harrison Grahami 19. Max Plath 20 Poasa Faamausil 21 Kurt Donoghoe 22 Oliver Gildart

Saturday 5.30pm: Gold Coast Titans Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs @ Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Phillip Sami 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fififta 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

Reserves: 18. Kruise Leeming 19. Brian Kelly 20. Jaimin Jolliffe 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Ken Maumalo

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5.Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Jai Arrow 15 Michael Chee Kam 16. Shaquai Mitchell 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Reserves: 18. Taane Milne 19 Jed Cartwright 20 Peter Mamouzelos 21. Tallis Duncan 22. Dean Hawkins

Saturday 7:35pm: Cronulla Sharks Vs Brisbane Broncos @ PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Thomas Hazelton 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21 Daniel Atkinson 22. Jayden Berrell

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tom Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19 Brendan Piakura 20.Keenan Palasia 21 Xavier Willison 22 Corey Oates 23 Tristan Sailor 24 Jock Madden

Sunday 2pm: Sydney Roosters Vs Canterbury Bulldogs @ Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Junior Pauga 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Sitili Tupouniua

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Nathan Brown 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Daniel Tupou 19. Sandon Smith 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Terrell May 22. Naufahu Whyte

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Blake Wilson 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Corey Waddell

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Harrison Edwards

Reserves: 19. Khaled Rajab 20. Jackson Topine 21. Josh Addo-Carr 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Tevita Pangai Junior 24. Jeral Skelton

Sunday 4:05pm: North Queensland Cowboys Vs Melbourne Storm @ QCB Stadium, Townsville

North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jake Granville

Bench: 14. Jack Gosiewski 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Jason Taumalolo 21. Ben Hampton 22. Valentine Holmes 23. Reuben Cotter 24. Murray Taulagi

Melbourne Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Grant Anderson

Reserves: 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Marion Seve 20. Tom Eisenhuth 21. Tariq Sims 22. Kane Bradley

Sunday 6:15pm: Penrith Panthers Vs St George Illawarra Dragons @ BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Martin 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Liam Henry 23. Izack Tago 24. Spencer Leniu

St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Moses Mbye 19. Toby Couchman 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Tautau Moga