NRL Early Mail Round 13: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements

WARRIORS winger Manu Vatuvei is set to return after several weeks off due to medical leave. Get all the latest team news in the Round 13 edition of NRL Early Mail.

GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 13 edition of NRL Early Mail.

In the biggest team news so far:

*Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei is set to return after several weeks away from the game due to medical leave. Vatuvei is expected to slot straight back in on the left wing with Solomone Kata to make his comeback from suspension at left centre.

*James Tedesco is tipped to make his comeback from a shoulder injury for the Tigers match against the Roosters on Sunday.

*Steve Matai and Jorge Taufua are expected to return from injury on the left edge for the Sea Eagles on Friday night.

*Korbin Sims will be suspended for one week regardless of his plea for his senseless high shot on Parramatta lock Tepai Moeroa.

Raiders v Manly

Friday 7:45pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Edrick Lee injured his hamstring scoring a try in Canberra’s win over the Bulldogs on Friday and is in doubt. Brenko Lee, Kato Ottio and Sisa Waqa are all in contention to fill in on the right wing. Josh Papalii is the sole Raiders player backing up from Origin but may be rested due to Canberra playing on Thursday night in Round 13 — the blockbusting backrower would be looking at three matches in eight days. Sia Soliola will replace him on the left edge if he doesn’t back up. It remains to be seen when Junior Paulo will make his club debut.

Sea Eagles: Feleti Mateo, Steve Matai, Jorge Taufua and Apisai Koroisau are all expected to be available for selection after missing several weeks with various injuries. Dylan Walker and Nate Myles are both playing in Origin I

Edrick Lee is in doubt for Thursday.

Warriors v Broncos

Saturday 3:00pm at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: Solomone Kata will return from suspension and presumably slot in at left centre while Manu Vatuvei will return from medical leave. Andrew McFadden could be tempted to wield the axe following the insipid last start display against the Raiders.

Broncos: Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire and Corey Parker all play on Wednesday night and could be rested. If they are given the week off look for Brisbane to roll out a similarly depleted side to the one which lost to the Tigers last Friday. Travis Waddell is expected to return to the squad to cover for the injury of Andrew McCullough.

SUPERCOACH: Rolling coverage of Round 12

DUDS: Kevin Walters and his muddling Maroons

Cowboys v Knights

Saturday 5:30pm at 1300 Smiles Stadium

Cowboys: Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Matt Scott and Justin O’Neill are all playing in Origin I and with due respect to the Knights, it wouldn’t surprise if most of them were rested. Expect North Queensland to roll out a similar team to the one that was defeated by the Dragons last Saturday. Michael Morgan can be considered an even chance of inclusion assuming Cooper Cronk is passed fit on Wednesday.

Knights: Jeremy Smith and Jacob Saifiti are both expected to be named, with one of them likely to replace Korbin Sims, will suspended for one week regardless of his plea for his high shot on Tepai Moeroa. Danny Levi left Monday night’s loss to Parramatta with concussion but should be named at hooker. Nathan Ross is expected to retain his spot at left centre after starring in the loss to Parramatta.

Nathan Ross has found a home at right centre.

Storm v Panthers

Saturday 7:30pm at AAMI Park

Storm: Melbourne are old hat at this Origin game by now and Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are likely to play even if they both churn out 80 minutes on Wednesday. Curtis Scott and Young Tonumaipea are both expected to be available after recovering from injury.

Panthers: Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour will both make their Origin debuts on Wednesday. If Mansour doesn’t back up expect Waqa Blake to push to the wing and Isaah Yeo to slot in at centre. Peta Hiku’s season ending knee injury has opened the door for Blake to return to the side regardless. Will Smith is expected to slot in at fullback should Moylan fail to back up.

Cronk’s fitness could have a great impact on Melbourne’s season.

Roosters v Tigers

Sunday 4:00pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Boyd Cordner and Aidan Guerra are playing in Origin I. Should they be rested or injured expect Mitchell Aubusson to switch from centre to second row and Sio Siua Taukeiaho to move from lock to the left edge. Shaun Kenny-Dowall is a chance of returning from a foot injury.

Tigers: Tim Grant will remain in the starting side if Aaron Woods is not passed fit to back up from Origin while Matt Ballin is in the frame to start if Robbie Farah pulls up lame. James Tedesco is expected to return from a shoulder injury in a move that would see Jordan Rankin go back to the wing and Josh Addo-Carr drop out of the side.

KENT: Blues can match Maroons consistency

PREPARE: Rain expected for Origin I

Rabbitohs v Titans

Sunday 6:30pm at NIB Stadium

Rabbitohs: Aaron Gray could make an early return from a knee injury, with Dane Nielsen most likely to make way for him. Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds should also be available if they get through Wednesday night unscathed.

Titans: Forward David Shillington remains a week-to-week proposition. If he does return then he’ll take his spot in the starting line-up with Luke Douglas moving back to the bench and Eddy Pettybourne dropping onto an extended bench as 18th man.

Aaron Gray is expected to return from Parramatta.

Bulldogs v Sharks

Monday 7:00pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: Forward Sam Kasiano (hamstring) and winger Tyrone Phillips (shin) succumbed to their respective injuries against the Raiders. The extent of their injuries are unknown. Phillips is likely to make way for Will Hopoate, who will be available for selection. Origin players Josh Morris, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer should all return to take their spots in the starting side — of course, that will depend on injuries and Des Hasler’s resting policy. If all players are selected then Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Tim Brown are likely to drop back to the bench with Reimis Smith making way for Morris.

Sharks: Origin players James Maloney and Andrew Fifita are likely to back up. Paul Gallen will also likely play depending on how well he pulls up after Wednesday night

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 13: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements