NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 13

Dragons make inaugural trip to Redcliffe to open round

St George Illawarra will make their inaugural trip to Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium to open the first Origin-affected round of the season when they face the Dolphins on Thursday night.

The Dolphins will be missing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert due to Origin duty whilst Felise Kaufusi is out through suspension.

Herman Ese’ese and Ray Stone will start for the hosts with Mark Nicholls (thumb) returning onto the interchange alongside rookies Mason Teague and Valynce Te Whare.

Kodi Nikorima has been named at fullback with Anthony Milford partnering Isaiya Katoa in the halves whilst Kenny Bromwich shifts from the front row to the second row.

For the Dragons, Ben Hunt will not be available due to Origin with Jayden Sullivan shifting into the halves and Moses Mbye coming onto the interchange.

Jack Bird (knee) returns to replace Jaydn Su’A (hamstring) in the second row whilst Michael Molo comes into the starting side for Blake Lawrie (hand).

The two sides last faced in Round 5 when the Dragons handed the Dolphins their steepest loss of the season at WIN Stadium.

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Understrength Cowboys looking to bounce back vs. Eels at CommBank

Fresh off a 66-18 hammering at the hands of the Wests Tigers, Todd Payten’s Cowboys make the journey south to CommBank Stadium to take on the Eels on Friday night.

Junior Paulo is missing for the Eels thanks to Origin whilst Ryan Matterson (calf) and Andrew Davey (head knock) will also be unavailable.

Joe Ofahengaue will face the Cowboys for the second time in less than a week after making the move from the Wests Tigers.

He will start at prop with Matt Doorey coming into the second row and Italian international Luca Moretti making his NRL debut off the bench.

Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden are all on Origin duty for North Queensland.

Debutants Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby have been named to replace Holmes and Taulagi whilst Ben Hampton replaces Dearden at five-eighth.

Jake Granville is at lock with Griffin Neame (throat) and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (head knock) returning onto the interchange and Mitch Dunn missing out.

Jason Taumalolo (knee) has been listed among the reserves.

North Queensland have won 12 of their past 19 against the Eels but have lost eight of their past 10 against them at Parramatta.

Warriors host ‘Baby Broncos’ in Napier

Both with one win from their past four, the Warriors and Broncos will meet in a crucial clash at Napier’s McLean Park on Saturday.

Luke Metcalf (hamstring) makes his Warriors debut in the six jumper replacing Ronald Volkman whilst Wayde Egan (calf) and Dylan Walker (toe) are both missing.

Jackson Ford (head knock) returns at second row with Josh Curran reverting to the interchange alongside rookie Demitric Sifakula.

For Brisbane, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and Thomas Flegler are all missing due to Origin, however, Adam Reynolds (head knock) has been named to replace Jock Madden at seven.

Tristan Sailor makes his Broncos debut at fullback whilst Deine Mariner will play his first game of the season on the wing.

Keenan Palasia comes into the front row with Xavier Willison and Brendan Piakura both coming onto the bench.

Corey Jensen and Kobe Hetherington will both start in place of Haas and Carrigan after coming off the pine last week.

Over their past five matchups, both sides have won a pair of games to go along with a draw.

Taaffe replaces Mitchell as Souths host Raiders

South Sydney and Canberra both had winning streaks surprisingly snapped last week and will meet each other at Homebush on Saturday.

Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, and Jai Arrow are all on Origin duty for Souths with Blake Taaffe shifting to fullback, Jacob Host onto an edge, and Liam Knight to lock.

Shaquai Mitchell makes his return to the side with Jed Cartwright and debutant Tallis Duncan joining him on the interchange.

Campbell Graham (sternum) has been named despite withdrawing from Origin whilst Keaon Koloamatangi has been listed among the reserves as he eyes a return from a leg injury.

Hudson Young is missing for Canberra after earning a maiden Blues call-up whilst Elliott Whitehead (suspension) is also out.

Corey Harawira-Naera will start on one edge with Corey Horsburgh on another whilst Joseph Tapine is at lock with Pasami Saulo up front and Nick Čotrić (hamstring) returning onto the bench.

Zac Woolford (head knock) replaces Danny Levi at nine.

Canberra have won seven of their past 10 versus South Sydney and have not lost to them at Homebush since mid-2013.

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Ponga back at fullback for Manly clash

1997 ARL Grand Finalists Manly and Newcastle will meet in the Hunter on Sunday afternoon to cap off the round.

Tyson Frizell will be unavailable for Newcastle after earning an Origin recall with Jack Johns replacing him in the back row.

Kalyn Ponga shifts back to fullback after starting the year in the halves with Tyson Gamble shifting to five-eighth and Lachie Miller back to the interchange.

Adam Elliott will start at lock with Jack Hetherington reverting to the bench and Leo Thompson starting up front.

For Manly, all three Trbojevic brothers will be missing with Tom on Origin duty, Jake rubbed out with a calf complaint, and Ben nursing a hamstring injury.

Kaeo Weekes will start at fullback, Toafofoa Sipley at prop, and Samuela Fainu in the second row with Sean Keppie shifting to lock and Christian Tu’ipulotu coming onto the interchange.

Daly Cherry-Evans’ Origin absence paves the way for Cooper Johns to start at halfback.

The Knights have won eight of their past 12 against the Sea Eagles in Newcastle.

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