NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 16

10 Origin stars missing as Cowboys host Panthers

The effects of Origin will be on full display when the Cowboys and Panthers – two members of last season’s top four – meet in Townsville on Friday night.

Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai are the names missing for the Cowboys.

Jason Taumalolo (knee) returns at lock, however, in a major boost alongside Kyle Feldt.

Rookie Zac Laybutt earns another crack in the centres with fellow rookie Kulikefu Finefeuiaki named on the bench alongside Sam McIntyre who makes his club debut.

Jake Granville will start in place of Robson at nine.

For Penrith, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin have all been selected for the Blues.

Tyrone Peachey comes into the centres with Tom Jenkins on the wing whilst Zac Hosking (rest) returns on an edge.

Matt Eisenhuth will start at lock with Luke Garner coming onto the bench and Jaeman Salmon elevated into the halves.

The Cowboys have beaten the Panthers in seven of their past nine games in Townsville.

Tedesco-less Roosters Hunter-bound to face Knights

The Roosters will be aiming to get their season back on track when the face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

For Newcastle, Tyson Frizell is on Origin duty and Greg Marzhew has been omitted for failing to meet team standards.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (calf) returns into the back row with Enari Tuala coming onto the wing.

The Roosters will be without Origin stars James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins with Matt Lodge also missing out.

Joseph Manu shifts to fullback, rookie Sandon Smith comes into the halves, and Terrell May joins the bench.

Billy Smith (sternum) returns into the centres with Drew Hutchison reverting to the interchange whilst Naufahu Whyte comes in at lock pushing Sitili Tupouniua to an edge and Nat Butcher to prop.

Newcastle have won just three of their past 18 against the Roosters and one of the past six in Newcastle.

Parramatta host Manly in Saturday evening showdown

Both fresh off big wins, Parramatta and Manly will do battle at CommBank Stadium on Saturday evening sans their Origin reps.

Parramatta lose Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo to Origin but are boosted by the return of Ryan Matterson (calf) and Joe Ofahengaue (calf).

Matterson comes into the halves alongside Daejarn Asi with Ofahiki Ogden starting up front and Ofahengaue on the interchange.

Manly lose Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans with Kaeo Weekes starting at the back and Jake Arthur slotting in at seven against his former-club.

Ethan Bullemor has been named to start in the second row with Samuela Fainu coming off the pine.

Parramatta have won three of the four matchups between the sides at CommBank.

Storm travel to Campbelltown for Wests Tigers meeting

The Storm will look to build on their massive Round 15 win when they come up against Tim Sheens’ Wests Tigers on Saturday night at Campbelltown.

Luke Brooks (hamstring), Stefano Utoikamanu (Origin), and Apisai Koroisau (jaw) are all missing for the hosts.

Starford To’a starts at five-eighth for the first time in his NRL or NSW Cup career with Brent Naden returning into the centres alongside Asu Kepaoa with Tommy Talau reverting to the interchange.

Jake Simpkin starts at hooker with teenage debutant Tallyn da Silva joining the bench alongside Alex Seyfarth.

An East Campbelltown junior, da Silva started the year playing SG Ball before earning a promotion to Jersey Flegg, then KOE NSW Cup, and now the NRL.

Fonua Pole starts in the front row in place of Utoikamanu with Shawn Blore at second row and John Bateman at lock.

For Melbourne, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, and Xavier Coates are all on Origin duty whilst Christian Welch (suspension) and Eliesa Katoa (eye) are also missing.

George Jennings comes onto the wing for his first NRL appearance since tearing his ACL against the Wests Tigers in Round 1 of last year whilst Jonah Pezet starts at six and Bronson Garlick starts at nine.

Alec MacDonald and Aaron Pene have been named on the interchange with Justin Olam (head knock) among the reserves.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona starts up front with Tariq Sims in the second row.

The Wests Tigers have lost five in a row to the Storm and are 0-3 against them at Campbelltown.

Can Sharks steady the ship against struggling Dogs?

Cronulla and Canterbury will meet in the final club clash before Origin II on Sunday afternoon at PointsBet Stadium.

Craig Fitzgibbon is trusting his side to return to form with the only change made to the 17 that were thumped by Melbourne last week a forced one – Royce Hunt (ankle) is replaced in the run-on side by Oregon Kaufusi with Tom Hazelton joining the interchange.

For the Dogs, Braidon Burns replaces NSW star Josh Addo-Carr on the wing.

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 12 against the Bulldogs.

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