Wests Tigers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Bankwest Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday June 27
Team News: Chris Lawrence moves into the starting side after two games back from facial injuries. Josh Aloiai has been replaced in the side by Oliver Clark, after he was struck down will illness. With Lawrence starting, Michael Chee Kam goes to the bench. Elijah Taylor has been recalled to the team and will come off the bench. Josh Reynolds dropped out of the squad on Wednesday night. Adam Reynolds and Braidon Burns return, with Adam Douiehi and Tom Amone dropping out.
Prediction: It's do-or-die for the Wests Tigers as their season hangs in the balance. South Sydney have lost three straight, though injuries and Origin have ravaged them of late. Adam Reynolds return is massive, as is that of Braidon Burns. Having had four days to recover post Origin, the Bunnies' trio should be raring to go, and will earn their first win at Bankwest in their second attempt. Rabbitohs by 18.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. North Queensland Cowboys
WIN Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday June 28
Team News: Tim Lafai returns in place of Lachlan Maranta, while Jeremy Latimore replaces Jai Field on the bench. New recruit Scott Drinkwater slots in at fullback, pushing Michael Morgan to five-eighth. Jordan Kahu is at centre, pushing Enari Tuala to the wing. Josh McGuire and Coen Hess are replaced by Jordan Maclean and Shane Wright, while Kurt Baptiste's torn ACL sees Reuben Cotter join the bench.
Prediction: Don't believe the odds, this game is a 50/50. Scott Drinkwater, Melbourne's original first choice fullback, is a huge inclusion for the Cowboys, which also frees up captain Michael Morgan to return to the halves. Despite a big loss to Manly, the Dragons are slowly gathering troops back, with Widdop reportedly not too far off. However, the Cowboys are missing two State of Origin behemoths in Josh McGuire and Coen Hess, leaving the door open for the Dragons to snare a home victory. Dragons by 8.
Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm
Adelaide Oval, 7:55pm, Friday June 28
Team News: James Tedesco's return sees Joseph Manu return to the centres and Mitch Aubbusson to the bench. Zane Tetevano starts at prop, pushing Isaac Liu to lock. Lindsay Collins returns on the bench. Melbourne are 1-17.
Prediction: What a clash. Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton will take the field for the first time since their Origin dropping, while Christian Welch will use the game to put his name into the Queensland side. Cooper Cronk faces Cameron Smith, Vunivalu marks Tupou, Bromwich up against Taukieaho, and Cordner against Kaufusi. This will be some game. Being held at a neutral ground in Adelaide, the absence of Warea-Hargreaves, Friend and Keary will be too much for the Roosters. Storm by 2.
Gold Coast Titans vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Cbus Super Stadium, 3:00pm, Saturday June 29
Team News: With Jai Arrow sidelined by an ankle injury and Tyrone Peachey named on the bench, Will Matthews and Jai Whitbread come into a new-look back row alongside Bryce Cartwright. Manase Fainu starts with Api Koroisau out, while Corey Waddell and Brendan Elliot join the bench.
Prediction: It's only been a few weeks since the Titans ambushed Manly at Lottoland, but they didn't have Tom Trbojevic. 'Turbo' turned it on in Origin II, scoring a hat-trick, just a week after his huge game against St George. You never know which Gold Coast outfit will show up, but Manly is a safe bet this week. Manly by 14.
Newcastle Knights vs. Brisbane Broncos
McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday June 29
Team News: Mitch Barnett's suspension sees Sione Mata'utia start, with Josh King on the bench. Andrew McCullough starts with Jake Turpin dropping to the bench, while Richie Kennar replaces Jamayne Isaako on the wing.
Prediction: There are some interesting changes afoot at Brisbane. They've already released Kodi Nikorima and James Roberts this year, now Jaydn Su'A, and according to reports, a huge positional shift this week. Newcastle lost their six win streak to a huge loss against Melbourne, but news that Dave Klemmer might play is monumental. Brisbane have looked a great deal better over the last six weeks but the loss to Parramatta is a momentum breaker. The Knights have one of the best home ground advantages in the competition, and it should be enough to get them back in the winner's circle. Newcastle by 10.
Parramatta Eels vs. Canberra Raiders
TIO Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday June 29
Team News: Michael Jennings is out, which sees Brad Takairangi move from the bench to the centres. Dylan Brown returns at five-eighth, meaning Jaeman Salmon drops to the pine. Sebastian Kris gets the nod to start for injured Origin centre Nick Cotric, while Josh Hodgson returns at hooker and Siliva Havili switches to the bench. The Raiders have also been boosted by the return of forward Corey Horsburgh.
Prediction: After their fantastic form at Bankwest, it almost seems silly for Parramatta to take a home game to Darwin. It's been a happy hunting ground for the Eels, and a smart choice taking the team that arguably deals with the coldest temperatures in Canberra, to Darwin. However, the return of Josh Hodgson turns everything on its head. Cronulla, Newcastle and Manly are nipping at the Raiders' heels for a top four spot, and they'll ward them off for another week. Raiders by 12.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers
Mt Smart Stadium, 7:35pm, Sunday June 30
Team News: Tohu Harris (knee) is replaced in the back row by Jazz Tevaga. Nathaniel Roache returns from a back injury and takes the place of Issac Luke. Sam Lisone and Leivaha Pulu are new faces on the bench. Jarome Luai comes in for halfback Nathan Cleary, who is out for a month with an ankle injury, while Hame Sele moves up to the bench.
Prediction: It doesn't seem all too long ago that former Warriors ball boy, Nathan Cleary, scored his first career hat-trick against the Kiwi club. But with the now Origin halfback sidelined, it's up to Jarome Luai to step up in his absence. Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima are truly finding their feet, linking up with RTS more and more each week. This should be a tight affair, but at Mt Smart Stadium, the Warriors should have enough in the tank to shut down James Maloney. Warriors by 8.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sharks
ANZ Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday June 30
Team News: Jack Cogger replaces Fa'amanu Brown at halfback. Michael Lichaa comes in at hooker for Jeremy Marshall-King while Chris Smith is the new starting lock and Raymond Faitala-Mariner is out. Ofahiki Ogden is the new face on the bench. Andrew Fifita's suspension sees Braden Hamlin-Uele start, while Wade Graham moves into the back-row, dropping Kurt Capewell to the bench. Jayden Brailey returns at hooker, meaning brother Blayke fills the vacant bench spot.
Prediction: This... could be a towel up. Wade Graham has hit the ground running, his Origin match incredible. In fact, in his first half an hour playing in the halves for the Blues, he amassed more try-assists than Nathan Cleary has in his entire Origin career. Aaron Woods is named in the reserves, but with Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend and Jayden Brailey back together, they'll put at least five tries past a woeful Canterbury outfit. Sharks by 22.
Point To Prove: Latrell Mitchell. Who else? Six weeks ago people were saying he's the best player in the world. Now he's been dropped from State of Origin. Marking up against Marion Seve, it's going to be a big game for Latrell, however there is word that he may sit out of Game III regardless of whether he'd be picked or not.
Struggle Street: Tyrone Peachey. He played for New South Wales last year. He was in the Kangaroos' squad. Now? He's coming off the bench for a bottom four side. There's even word he'll be released by Sunday night. Peachey's reputation is fading fast, and needs to do something to bring himself back to the headlines - in a positive way - soon.
Rumour of the Week: As mentioned, there's a position shift this week for Brisbane. Who? Darius Boyd, and Anthony Milford. Milford has trained at fullback for the Broncos, while Darius Boyd will move to five-eighth. It's a curious decision seeing Boyd's defensive struggles in 2019, but his passing game can't be understated. Milford will add spark at the back. It'll be quite the game in Newcastle.