Early Mail Round 12: State of Origin wreaks havoc on NRL teams, seven teams on bye

Some NRL sides will be barely recognisable this weekend as State of Origin and injuries shake-up teams, not to mention the byes. Full predicted team changes

Some NRL sides will be barely recognisable this weekend as State of Origin and injuries shake-up teams.

Not to mention the byes.

Full predicted teams changes below.

BULLDOGS v DOLPHINS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs:

Stephen Crichton, Max King (NSW) and Kurt Mann (QLD) have been named in Origin squads. As the 18th man for Queensland, Mann won’t be released to play for his club.

Bailey Hayward could start at lock.

The Bulldogs will welcome back Josh Curran from suspension who likely moves straight into the starting side on an edge.

Jacob Kiraz has picked up a calf issue which looks set to sideline him for a month.

Blake Wilson and Jonathan Sua are likely to form a new look right centre and wing pairing for the Dogs, with Blake Taaffe also in the mix.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita failed a HIA in Round 10 and will be unavailable.

Sam Hughes is pushing for a return to action after ankle surgery and could replace King if fit. Otherwise Zyon Maiu’u could earn a club debut.

Dolphins:

The ‘Phins have lost Tom Gilbert to a potentially long term injury.

Gilbert injured his pectoral in Round 11 and is set to undergo scans to determine the prognosis with details to come this week.

Max Plath and Jeremy Marshall-King will push for returns this week but are more likely to be seen on the team sheet after the club’s Round 13 bye.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been named 20th man for Queensland but should be released to play.

Daniel Saifiti is pencilled in for a return and could join the front row and push Felise Kaufusi into the second row.

The ‘Phins will need a new fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in Queensland camp. Jake Averillo is the leading contender, which could see Herbie Farnworth shift edges, Jack Bostock to centre and Junior Tupou onto the wing.

Jacob Kiraz has a calf injury. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

EELS v SEA EAGLES

Friday, 8:00pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels:

Mitch Moses will wear the No. 6 for the Blues, and Dean Hawkins is expected to wear his No. 7 jersey for the Eels in his absence as he did earlier this year.

Replacing Zac Lomax on the wing isn’t as simple with likely backup Bailey Simonsson out long term with a foot fracture.

Jake Tago appears the frontrunner with Jordan Samrani having completed his transformation from outside back to impact forward.

Kelma Tualagi is available again following suspension and will replace Luca Moretti on an edge.

Ryley Smith came off late in the Eels Round 10 victory but is expected to be named to start at hooker.

Sea Eagles:

The unexpected availability of Tom Trbojevic during the Origin period is a huge boost for Manly, and should come as a warning to opposition players.

Daly Cherry-Evans will again captain Queensland which will see Jake Arthur named at halfback. Haumole Olakau’atu is expected to be available to play despite being named in the NSW Squad as 19th man.

Jake Trbojevic will be unavailable while in HIA protocols with Jazz Tevaga to start at lock and Jake Simpkin at hooker.

Josh Aloiai will also push for a return from a shoulder issue which has seen him kept to limited action so far this year.

PANTHERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers:

The usual Origin suspects are all unavailable in Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards.

Daine Laurie will come in at fullback, with Trent Toelau likely to start at halfback.

Scott Sorensen is available, having served a two-game suspension and will join the starting side in the second row.

Luke Garner could keep his spot in the centres or move into the second row to allow Isaiah Papali’i to start at lock. Lindsay Smith is also a chance to start at lock with Liam Henry joining the run on side at prop.

Tom Jenkins will start on the left wing or at centre if Garner shifts to the forwards, with Casey McLean also in the mix for a return to first grade.

Knights:

Two shock losses at home and a mounting injury toll aren’t helping the mood in Newcastle. And with Kalyn Ponga to wear the fullback jersey for Queensland, things aren’t getting any easier this week.

Bradman Best is facing two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury picked up just prior to their Round 11 game.

Dylan Lucas shifted to centre to cover his absence and failed to finish the game due to a shoulder injury which will need to be monitored. If Lucas is fit to play, it will be at centre with Thomas Cant to hold the second row spot down.

Prop Jacob Saifiti re-injured a calf which is set to sideline him for a few weeks. His injury is set to see Tyson Frizell remain the front row rotation alongside Leo Thompson who will be available for selection this week having missed Round 11 while in HIA protocols.

Jack Hetherington was a late call up to the gameday 17 and likely holds his spot on the bench.

Coach Adam O’Brien will have a tough choice to make on whether to shift five-eighth project Fletcher Sharpe back to fullback and bring in Jack Cogger to partner Tyson Gamble, or blood 19-year-old Connor Votano in Ponga’s jersey.

Greg Marzhew is aiming for a Round 14 return from a knee injury. James Schiller or Dane Gagai will kick goals in Ponga’s absence.

ROOSTERS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters:

The Roosters play all three major byes but will be without a substantial portion of their best 17 due to Origin commitments.

Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu (all NSW) and Lindsay Collins (QLD) have been selected. Robert Toia is also a surprise call up for Queensland following a hit to their outside back stocks in Round 11.

Prop Naufahu Whyte suffered a MCL injury and is unlikely to be fit until Round 15, meaning the Roosters prop rotation will feature three new faces in Round 12.

Zach Docker-Clay will start at hooker, with Victor Radley likely shifting from lock to an edge to cover the absence of Crichton. Salesi Foketi or Blake Steep will start at lock to backfill Radley.

Egan Butcher, Taylor Losalu and Xavier Va’A could become the new front row rotation with support from Makahesi Makatoa.

Dom Young likely returns to first grade with Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to centre to cover the absence of Toia.

Sharks:

The Sharks remain in the goldilocks zone of being a great team rather than a team of greats and are unimpacted by State of Origin selection.

Winger Sam Stonestreet is facing surgery on a syndesmosis injury which will see him miss around two months. Chris Vea’ila is a chance to debut in his place with Mawene Hiroti still injured and Sione Katoa aiming for a Round 15 return.

Jesse Ramien copped an eye injury in the first half and was unable to return. He will see a specialist this week to check for underlying damage. If unavailable, Sifa Talakai could shift to centre.

Teig Wilton will again push for a return from a shoulder injury.

WARRIORS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium

Warriors:

James Fisher-Harris has copped a one match ban, with Jackson Ford to return in his place in the front row.

Mitch Barnett has also been selected for Origin leaving their forward depth shallow. Marata Niukore is a chance to shift to the front row, with Kurt Capewell back to the forwards should they hand a promotion to centre Morgan Harper.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made a successful return on the wing for the Wahs. He could also shift to centre with Taine Tuaupiki or Ed Kosi to the edge.

Raiders:

Hudson Young has earned a bench call up for the NSW Blues in the only Origin impact for the high-flying Raiders.

Corey Horseburgh was a surprise omission for the Maroons. He’s a chance to shift to an edge to backfill Young, otherwise the start will go to Simi Sasagi.

The rest of the side is unchanged.

BYE: Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Storm, Titans, Tigers

Originally published as Early Mail Round 12: State of Origin wreaks havoc on NRL teams, seven teams on bye