Ponga shifts to fullback as Miller axed; Souths star to play despite Blues scratching: Team Tips

The State of Origin opener is just around the corner and with squads announced on Monday a raft of players must be replaced for Round 13.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has swung the axe and moved Kalyn Ponga back to fullback, while Campbell Graham is set to play for the Rabbitohs despite injury ruling him out of the Blues squad.

The Broncos get back their halfback but lose a stack of stars, while Manly have some tough calls to make following their big win in Canberra.

Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 13.

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THURSDAY MAY 25

Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Kayo Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Anthony Milford 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese’ese

Team Tips: Felise Kaufusi looks set for another stint on the sideline suspended following his swinging arm high shot on former teammate Christian Welch. But Mark Nicholls (thumb) is in line to return, while Jamayne Isaako is expected to start at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Origin duties and Robert Jennings should fill in at wing.

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 18. Francis Molo 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 20. Jaiyden Hunt

Team Tips: Jayden Sullivan will wear the No. 7 jersey with Ben Hunt in Maroons camp, which will likely see Moses Mbye return on the bench. Blake Lawrie didn’t finish the game against the Roosters and is in doubt with hand injury. Jack Bird (knee) and Tautau Moga (shoulder) are both a chance to return from injury. Zac Lomax returned at right centre last week and will hold his spot.

FRIDAY MAY 26

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys at CommBank Stadium, 8.00pm AEST

Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Team Tips: Ryan Matterson (calf) is expected to miss several weeks and Andrew Davey (concussion) also looks set for a sideline stint, which should see Matt Doorey come into the side. Junior Paulo is in Blues camp.

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 23. Luciano Leilua 13. Reuben Cotter 12. Jack Gosiewski 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Zac Laybutt

Team Tips: Jason Taumalolo (knee) and Griffin Neame (throat) are both expected to return in a much-needed boost for Todd Payten’s men. But they lose Maroons players Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Reuben Cotter. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (concussion) and Brendan Elliott should return but Jeremiah Nanai has one more week to serve on his suspension.

SATURDAY MAY 27

Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos at McLean Park, Napier, 5.30pm AEST

Round 11 Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 14. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 9. Wayde Egan 15. Dylan Walker 17. Tom Ale 18. Brayley Sironen

Team Tips: Jackson Ford (concussion) returns and Mitch Barnett (neck) is on the cusp of his first game since Round 3.

Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau

Team Tips: The Broncos have dropped three of their past four games but Adam Reynolds (neck) returns in a major boost for Kevin Walters’
men. However, they’ve lost Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler to Origin duties. Englishman Herbie Farnworth will likely get the nod at fullback, while Corey Oates is a chance to return on the wing and Jordan Pereira or Deine Mariner will battle it out for a pot in the centres.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm AEST

Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 15. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 12. Jacob Host 14. Blake Taaffe 16. Liam Knight 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Team Tips: Campbell Graham was named in the Blues squad but then ruled out with a sternum injury. However, he’s expected to be named and play for Souths. Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray are in Blues camp and will be replaced in the starting side by Blake Taaffe and Liam Knight. Tom Burgess (back) was a late scratching against the Eels but should return alongside Jed Cartwright (concussion).

Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota

Team Tips: Corey Harawira-Naera should earn a recall with Hudson Young in NSW camp. Zac Woolford (concussion) will be available for selection and could come into the side after Canberra were embarrassed at home by Manly. Nick Cotric (hamstring) is close to a return.

SUNDAY MAY 28

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm AEST

Last week’s Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker

Team Tips: Lachie Miller has been dropped after a forgettable game against the Sharks, which will see Kalyn Ponga moved to fullback and Tyson Gamble come into the halves. Tyson Frizell’s Blues recall means either Adam Elliott or Jack Johns will start in the backrow.

Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Samuela Fainu 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon

Team Tips: Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) is looking at a sting on the sideline after coming off early against the Raiders. “I think Benny might have re-injured that hamstring that he hurt against Newcastle earlier in the year. He said he felt something really similar there,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said. Ethan Bullemor or Ben Condon are expected to replace him. Haumole Olakau’atu (corked knee) should play despite copping a knock being placed on report for a dangerous tackle in Canberra. Jake Trbojevic (calf) ruled himself out of the Origin opener and is expected to miss at least one week. Reuben Garrick should start at fullback with Tom Trbojevic in Blues camp, while Cooper Johns is pushing to replace Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans but Manly just signed Jake Arthur from the Eels. Toa Sipley (suspension) is available for selection.

Byes: Bulldogs, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Tigers

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