A whole host of Origin stars have been named both in starting 17s and on the extended bench, with coaches set to make decisions on their representative guns come game day.
The Eels and Knights have both named debutants, with the son of Parramatta’s former coach set to be unleashed off the bench.
Meanwhile, Trent Robinson has utilised a left-field option to fill his backline after an injury crisis.
FRIDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks, 8pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jacob Preston 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Eli Clark 22. Harry Hayes 23. Stephen Crichton
Analysis: Following Connor Tracey’s omission due to a head knock, Blake Taaffe takes over at fullback. Bronson Xerri returns from a hamstring injury, with Drew Hutchison named in the extended reserves. Origin gun Stephen Crichton has also been named on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion, while Jacob Preston (foot) will also be monitored for the remainder of the week.
Sharks team: 1. William 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. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Teig Wilton 22. Jayden Berrell
Analysis: The Sharks remain 1-17, with the same side that went down to the Dolphins in Round 15 being named. Teig Wilton, who is angling for a return from a shoulder injury, has been listed on the extended bench.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos, 3pm AEST at Go Media Stadium
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell 18. Tom Ale 20. Jacob Laban 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Analysis: Chanel Harris Tavita joins the side at five-eighth, with Te Maire Martin moving to halfback due to the absence of Shaun Johnson after he suffered a fresh Achilles injury in Round 16. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from suspension, with Ed Kosi the man to drop out while bothMitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell have been named after they feature in Origin, with Barnett being the NSW 18th man.
Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Blake Mozer 20. Reece Walsh 21. Payne Haas 22. Patrick Carrigan 23. Corey Oates
Analysis: It’s a waiting game for the Broncos who have named their three Origin stars, Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, in their reserves. A call will be made on the trio closer to kick off. Josiah Karapani has dropped to the bench with Jesse Arthars taking up a spot on the wing. Jack Gosiewski replaces the suspended Jordan Riki in the backrow while Kobe Hetherington and Xavier Willison fill the gaps left by Haas and Carrigan. Martin Taupau and Fletcher Baker return to the bench.
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, 5:30pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Kai Pearce-Paul 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. David Armstrong
Analysis: In a big halves shake-up English import Will Pryce will make his NRL debut, with Jack Cogger dropping back to the bench. Kai Pearce-Paul also returns from a toe injury and has been named to feature on the bench. Jack Hetherington drops to the extended reserves list.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Matt Doorey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Joey Lussick 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jake Tago 22. Charlie Guymer
Analysis:Mitchell Moses has been named to back up after he was picked in the No.7 jersey for the Blues in Game II. Maika Sivo returns from a hamstring injury, with Daejarn Asi dropping out of the side and Sean Russell shifting into the centres. Bryce Cartwright starts in place of the suspended Kelma Tuilagi while Matt Doorey is a new face on the bench. The big change though comes in the form of Matt Arthur, who has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, 7:35pm AEST at AAMI Park
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Christian Welch 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Kane Bradley 22. Sualauvi Faalogo 23. Chris Lewis
Analysis: Queensland stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates have been named to play just three days after Origin II. Electric young talent Sua Faalogo has been shifted to the reserves after coming off the bench in a strong display last week. Jack Howarth moves into the centres to replace Nick Meaney who has picked up a calf injury. Bronson Garlick is on the bench alongside Christian Welch, Joe Chan and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Jordan Martin 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Zac Woolford 20. Adam Cook 21. James Schiller 22. Emre Guler
Analysis: Gun hooker Tom Starling returns from concussion which sees Zac Woolford squeezed out of the 17. Jordan Martin will make his NRL debut off the bench at age 24 while Nick Cotric has been replaced by Albert Hopoate.
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs The Dolphins, 2pm AEST at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Jack Bird 23. Fa’amanu Brown
Analysis:Moses Suli returns to the centres at the expense of Christian Tuipulotu, while Jack Bird has been named on an extended bench and could return following a knee injury. Queensland duo Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A as well as New South Wales winger Zac Lomax will all back up.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 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. Felise Kaufusi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 18. Josh Kerr 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kurt Donoghoe 21. Trai Fuller 22. Oryn Keeley
Analysis: Tevita Pangai Junior will again feature off the bench following his impressive return to the NRL last week. Superstar fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will back up from Origin, while his Maroons teammate Felise Kaufusi will also play. Tesi Niu replaced winger Jack Bostock (concussion).
Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys, 4:05pm AEST at BlueBet Stadium
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 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton 23. Trent Toelau 24. Tyrone Peachey
Analysis: All five of Penrith’s NSW players have been named to back up, but that is likely to change. Five-eighth Jack Cole and hooker Mitch Kenny return from quad injuries, while Matt Eisenhuth replaces Trent Toelau on the bench.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Tom Dearden 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Analysis: Todd Payten has named five of his six Origin stars with only Maroons second rower Jeremiah Nanai earning a rest which sees Kulikefu Finefeuiaki join the starting pack. Jake Clifford will play in the halves, while prop Jordan McLean returns from a calf injury.
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers, 6:15pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Sitili Tupouniua 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Blake Steep 21. Ethan King 22. Michael Jennings 23. Salesi Foketi 24. Delasalle Vaa
Analysis: Sitili Tupouniua comes into the centres for Junior Pauga who is now serving a four-game ban for a high shot last weekend. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins will back up from Origin via the bench but his Blues duo Angus Crichton and Connor Watson will start, while Spencer Leniu is on the bench.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomona Faataape 3. Brent Naden 4. Adam Doueihi 5. 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 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Charlie Staines 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. John Bateman 22. Justin Olam
Analysis: A trio of stars could be back for Benji Marshall with David Klemmer returning from suspension while John Bateman and Justin Olam have been named on the extended bench as they work their way back from injury. Adam Doueihi holds his spot in the centres after his first NRL game in more than a year last weekend.
Bye: Titans, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs