Origin is again going to cause havoc with team selections leading into Round 15 with the NSW and Queensland players ineligible for the five matches.

The Roosters will be without five Origin stars but could be boosted by the return of Sam Walker after the star halfback made a promising return from his ACL tear in the NSW Cup on Sunday.

They are on the road to Newcastle on Saturday night in a crunch match for both teams hovering around the edge of the top eight with fullback Kalyn Ponga set to be absent for the Knights if he retains his Queensland spot.

Provided they get through their Easter Monday clash with the Eels, Canterbury will be missing NSW trio Stephen Crichton, Max King and Matt Burton, as well as Queensland debutant Kurt Mann for their Sunday showdown with a Rabbitohs side sans Latrell Mitchell and possibly Cody Walker (groin injury) at Accor Stadium.

But the Bulldogs will get key forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Jacob Preston back from suspension.

The Dolphins’ decimated forward stocks have worsened, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury.

Plath will see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACLs can be partially torn and players, such as Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them.

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained “a low-grade medial”, but scans revealed a more serious problem.

Max Plath. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought.

On the judiciary front, Cowboys pair Viliami Vailea and John Bateman are set to spend at least a week on the sidelines, after being charged following the 38-14 loss to Melbourne.

In just the third minute of the game, Vailea was placed on report for a chicken wing tackle on Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona, which prompted an angry response from the forward who launched the ball at his opponent’s head.

The centre was charged with a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact offence and can take a one-game ban with a guilty plea, which rises to two weeks should he fail in contesting it at the judiciary. Bateman is facing the same sanction after he was placed on report for tripping.

Raiders forward Zac Hosking was charged over a Crusher Tackle on Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi in Sunday’s win at GIO Stadium. Hosking was charged with a Grade 1 offence and faces a fine of $1000.

Round 15 teams

All times AEST

Sharks vs Dragons at Shark Park: 7.50pm, Thursday June 12

Sharks: Front-rower Toby Rudolf (syndesmosis) is a maybe while winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (suspension) is back.

Dragons: Second-rower Jaydn Su’A missed their clash with the Dolphins on Friday and is an outside chance to be back this round from his ankle complaint. Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu aggravated his hamstring problem in his return match and is set to be out for another extended period with Tyrell Sloan set to be recalled.

Second-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner (asthma attack) also didn’t last long against the Dolphins but should be right to suit up against Cronulla.

Jaydn Su’A is tackled. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Titans vs Sea Eagles at Cbus Stadium: 8pm, Friday June 13

Titans: Sam Verrills (hand) is out again while Jojo Fifita (broken hand) is unlikely to return and David Fifita (ankle) should be right to be back soon. 

Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate has been ruled out due to the category-one concussion he suffered in the loss to Newcastle but Tom Trbojevic will be back from his thigh injury to reclaim the No.1 jersey.

Veteran prop Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) and winger Jason Saab (illness) should also be available.

Knights vs Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday June 14

Knights: Kalyn Ponga is absent on Maroons duty so Fletcher Sharpe will revert to fullback with Jack Cogger to be joined by Jackson Hastings or Tyson Gamble in the halves.

Bradman Best (hamstring) is a chance of getting back on the field after a month out.

Kiwi prop Leo Thompson has three more games to serve for his crusher tackle ban while veteran forward Tyson Frizell will also be sidelined due to a heavy concussion in the early stages of Thursday’s victory over Manly.

Knights winger James Schiller was fined for a high tackle in Thursday night’s come-from-behind Golden Point victory over Manly. 

Roosters: Rested after the bye, they will be without Origin reps Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia but star half Sam Walker is set to make his NRL return from knee surgery after having a run at NSW Cup level on the weekend.

Nat Butcher and Naufahu Whyte are under a cloud due to knee complaints.

Tom Dearden scores a try against Wests Tigers. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cowboys vs Dolphins at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday June 14

Cowboys: Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter are in Origin camp with Murray Taulagi and Jason Taumalolo close to returns from calf injuries to potentially offsetting their loss.

Viliami Vailea and John Bateman have been banned so Todd Payten has plenty of selection headaches.

Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is absent due to rep duty so Jake Averillo will slide back to fullback with Max Feagai set for a start at centre.

Seasoned prop Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) is expected to be sidelined long term and Max Plath may have played his last game for 2025 amid fears of a suspected ACL tear.

England centre Herbie Farnworth has been fined $1000 for a Careless High Tackle.

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs at Accor Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 15

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell will be away on Origin duty for NSW with Jye Gray set to get another run at fullback. Cody Walker (groin) failed to finish Sunday’s loss to Canberra but the Bunnies are hopeful it is not a serious injury.

Bulldogs: While rep trio Stephen Crichton, Max King and Kurt Mann will be absent, Sitili Tupouniua and Jacob Preston have served their respective suspensions.

Matt Burton is ineligible for selection because he is the game-day reserve for NSW.

Byes – Broncos, Eels, Panthers, Raiders, Storm, Warriors, Tigers

with AAP