Twelve of the 14 coaches with teams in action in Round 13 are sweating on their stars getting through the State of Origin series opener unscathed.
Only the Dragons and Tigers this week have the luxury of not having to worry about players avoiding injury or suspension in Wednesday night’s Suncorp Stadium slugfest.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga faces the worst schedule of the week – he is the only player facing a two-day turnaround after Origin with the Knights travelling to Kogarah to take on St George Illawarra in the only Friday night fixture of the truncated round.
Penrith have regularly rested their Origin stars after their midweek matches during their four-year premiership dynasty but coach Ivan Cleary cannot afford another loss with his team rooted to the bottom of the ladder after Saturday’s loss to Newcastle.
Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o and Liam Martin will turn out for NSW on Wednesday night and to make matters worse, young forward Liam Henry is facing a two-match ban.
Henry is in trouble for a crusher tackle on Fletcher Sharpe in the loss to Newcastle which was deemed a grade-two charge, meaning he would risk a third match on the sideline if he elects to fight the ban.
Back-rower Scott Sorensen is due back from a suspension against Parramatta on Sunday, while Luke Garner should be able to return from a concussion.
Ronaldo Mulitalo has added to Cronulla’s backline issues, with the winger facing a one-match ban for his late shot that levelled Mark Nawaqanitawase although the Sharks have the bye this week.
Sea Eagles forward Haumole Olakau’atu was charged with contrary conduct from Friday night’s loss to the Eels after he was tackled by Luca Moretti and dropped his knee into his opponent’s chest. He will be fined $1800-$2500.
Bulldogs forward Josh Curran copped a $3000 fine rather than taking a two-game ban for a high tackle on Max Feagai in their loss to the Dolphins.
Dolphins hooker Kurt Donoghoe was also fined for dangerous contact and will pay $1000 with an early guilty plea.
Round 13 teams
All times AEST
Dragons vs Knights at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium: 8pm, Friday May 30
Dragons: Middle forward Toby Couchman (shoulder) and winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) are not certain to be right by game day.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga faces a gruelling schedule as the only player who has less than 48 hours to back up from Origin duty with Queensland.
Kiwi prop Leo Thompson (illness) should be good to go.
Titans vs Storm at Cbus Super Stadium: 3pm, Saturday May 31
Titans: Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui was concussed in their last-start loss to Canberra before the bye.
Des Hasler will monitor Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Mo Fotuaika and Beau Fermor after Wednesday night’s Origin before deciding whether they will suit up on Saturday.
Storm: Young centre Jack Howarth is on track to make a comeback from a month out with a shoulder injury while Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loeiro and Xavier Coates will need to get through Origin to be able to face Gold Coast.
Xavier Coates is tackled. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Cowboys vs Tigers at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday May 31
Cowboys: Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson are North Queensland’s Origin reps who could be rested in Round 13.
Former Maroons winger Murray Taulagi (calf) is out while Jason Taumalolo should be right to play after rehabbing a similar injury in the bye week.
Tigers: No Origin reps for Benji Marshall to worry about but forwards Samuela Fainu and
Fonua Pole need to prove their fitness after recent knee injuries.
Sea Eagles vs Broncos at 4 Pines Park: 735pm, Saturday May 31
Sea Eagles: Jake Trbojevic will possibly be back from the heavy concussion he copped in the win over North Queensland recently while Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf), Ben Trbojevic (illness), Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Toafofoa Sipley (suspension) should all be back after missing the upset loss to Parramatta.
Daly Cherry-Evans is Manly’s only Origin concern.
Jake Trbojevic comes from the field. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Broncos: Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan are the only two Brisbane players with midweek rep duties.
Selwyn Cobbo will be out due to the wrist injury he suffered before the bye with Reece Walsh set to replace him at fullback after missing more than a month with a knee problem.
Rabbitohs vs Warriors at Accor Stadium: 2pm, Sunday June 1
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell will be checked by club officials after representing NSW on Wednesday night. Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) is a chance to return while Cody Walker and Jack Wighton will probably need another week to get over their calf complaints.
Warriors: Kiwi prop James Fisher-Harris is back from his one-week high tackle ban and Mitch Barnett is likely to play after turning out for the Blues in Brisbane.
Panthers vs Eels at CommBank Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 1
Panthers: Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o and Liam Martin are involved in Origin and with the team coming last, Ivan Cleary no longer has the luxury of being able to rest his rep stars.
Young forward Liam Henry is out due to a crusher tackle suspension.
Eels: With Mitchell Moses and possibly Zac Lomax on Origin duty, Jason Ryles could need to retain Dean Hawkins and Joash Papalii in his side after they starred in Friday’s victory over Manly.
Roosters vs Raiders at Allianz Stadium: 6.15pm, Sunday June 1
Roosters: Lindsay Collins (Maroons) and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu (Blues) have Origin to get through before they can worry about tackling the Raiders.
Raiders: Hudson Young is the only Raider with Origin commitments.
Byes – Sharks, Bulldogs, Dolphins
with AAP
