Brisbane Broncos vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs

Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday June 17

Team News: Xavier Coates returns on the wing, pushing Dale Copley to the reserves. Tom Flegler starts at lock with John Asiata dropping to the bench, while Keenan Palasia replaces Corey Paix on the pine.

Benji Marshall has been given the week off with his wife due to give birth, with Damien Cook returning after a rest at hooker. Dane Gagai's inclusion pushes Braidon Burns to the bench, and last week's debutant Peter Mamouzelos drops out. Jai Arrow and Cam Murray also return in the second-row and lock respectively, shifting Jacob Host and Hame Sele to the bench, and Jaydn Su'A and Liam Knight drop out.

Prediction: The last round before Origin II is here, with both clubs no doubt eager to go into the week off on the back of a win. Brisbane were off from the get go in Canberra, the effort was there but they really struggle applying pressure and converting that into points. South Sydney were down four Origin stars, and still got the job done against the Knights. That's what the good sides do, they set themselves up with a stack of early season wins so they can coast and afford to rest players now.

Blake Taaffe, a youngster touted to replace Adam Reynolds in the halves next year in Redfern, is expected to be a late inclusion on the bench, with Benji Marshall sitting out a week. Don't be surprised if he comes o at fullback if the Bunnies can a hefty lead, with tonight being Latrell's third game in nine days. The Broncos have good patches, but they can't string a full performance together. This looks like it may get ugly, with the Rabbitohs' spine due for a big game, while Alex Johnston has scored hat-tricks in back-to-back games. There's too many points in this Souths side. Rabbitohs by 22.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday June 18

Team News: Kyle Feldt is back on the right wing, replacing Justin O'Neill. Mitchell Dunn's suspension is over, his inclusion in the second-row forcing Coen Hess to the front-row, Tom Gilbert to the bench and Peter Hola to the reserves.

Wade Graham will miss time after yet another concussion, handing Siosifa Talakai a starting spot and Teig Wilton a recall on the bench.

Prediction: Fresh off kicking the match winner against Penrith, Shaun Johnson will be eager to impress potential suitors with another strong showing here. Matt Moylan is in the same boat, contractless for 2022 and beyond, and there's only one vacancy with Nicho Hynes en route. The Cowboys showed glimpses last week, racing out to a 12-0 lead before leaking 50. There's indivudals in their side that are in great form, but they just can't combine as a team.

The Cowboys are favourites heading into this according to the bookmakers, but there's little reason why. Cronulla have won their last three and are really gaining some momentum, their spine keeps delivering, and will be boosted further if reserves Braden Hamlin-Uele and Sione Katoa are cleared to return from injury. If Scott Drinkwater, Reece Robson and Valentine Holmes can combine, they're a chance at home, but all signs point to a fourth consecutive Cronulla victory. Sharks by 16.

Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters

BlueBet Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday June 18

Team News: Blue's halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary, with Paul Momirovski and Tyrone May out of the side, and Matt Burton shifting to the centres. Kurt Capewell, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo all return to the starting side, with Viliame Kikau injured, J'Maine Hopgood out of the side and Scott Sorensen on the bench. Brian To'o replaces Robert Jennings.

Sam Verrills replaces suspended Ben Marschke on the bench, while James Tedesco returns at fullback, causing a reshuffle that sees Joey Manu in the centres, and young Joseph Suaalii in the reserves. Siosiua Taukeiaho is back in the front-row, Fletcher Baker drops to the bench and debutant Ben Thomas is out of the team.

Prediction: A blockbuster, there's word Sam Walker my be rested after some shoulder niggles saw him come off last week. That would open the door for teenager Joseph Suaalii to mark up against Matt Burton in a tough little battle in the centres. Penrith have surprisingly lost two straight, though they had half a dozen out through Origin, and the cavalry is well and truly back this week.

Jared Warea-Hargreaves has been sensational the past two games, playing all 160 minutes and dominating through that middle third. He'll need another five-star performance to get over James Fisher-Harris, arguably the best prop in the NRL right now. Unfortunately for the other 15 clubs, there's a chance the Panthers may even get better. Their homegrown talent have been exposed to Origin football, their confidence and 'big game plays' will only improve. Jarome Luai will pick them apart on that left edge, even with Viliame Kikau missing. Their halves are on another level, and without Sam Walker, the Roosters can't stop them. Penrith by 12.ย 

Newcastle Knights vs. New Zealand Warriors

McDonald Jones Stadium, 3:00pm, Saturday June 19

Team News: Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce are massive inclusions, Tex Hoy and Matt Croker dropping out for the duo, with Connor Watson shifting to the bench. Bradman Best is out for two months with a syndesmosis injury, pushing Enari Tuala to the centres and Hmyel Hunt returning on the wing. Dave Klemmer replaces Josh King on the bench, while Mitch Barnett starts at lock, and Sauaso Sue will come off the pine.

Ken Maumalo has departed for the Tigers, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting to the wing and Reece Walsh back into the side at fullback. Sean O'Sullivan replaces the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita, while Rocco Berry returns to the side at centre, pushing Marcelo Montoya to the wing and Edward Kosi out. Jazz Tevaga and Eli Katoa comes in for Wayde Egan and Jack Murchie.

Prediction: The late mail is Kalyn Ponga is set to miss this clash as well as Origin II, meaning Reece Walsh is one stellar performance away from getting a run in the Maroons side. Newcastle are boosted by the return of Mitchell Pearce, Dave Klemmer and Hymel Hunt, Pearce especially to guide the side around the park. If Ponga plays, this will be the first since Round 2, 2020 that Newcastle have had a full strength spine. Ridiculous.

There's a few good clashes around the park, but the best is certainly through the middle. Dave Klemmer up against Addin Fonua-Blake will be massive, and the winner of the battle may be the key to victory. Chanel Harris-Tavita is quite a loss for the Warriors, set to miss the remainder of the year with a pec injury. As long as Jake Clifford and Pearce hit the ground running, they'll kick the Warriors out of the contest. They must keep the Kiwi side's back three chasing the ball, Walsh and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are huge threats. Home ground advantage will get Newcastle over the line in a high-scoring thriller. Knights by 8.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Canberra Raiders

WIN Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday June 19

Team News: Both teams are unchanged from last weeks matches.

Prediction: What a turn of form for both clubs. The Dragons went from a 50-point thrashing of Brisbane, to a 22 point loss to last placed Canterbury, while Canberra broke their string of losses to put a score on Brisbane. Jack Wighton was strong in his return post Origin, while Josh Papalii wants to ensure he gets a recall to the Queensland side in Game II.

The Red V are struggling in the middle, a soft underbelly that saw them leak points last week, and desperately need Josh McGuire back from suspension. Matt Dufty struggled to get into the game against the Bulldogs, he needs more quality ball, and to stop overplaying his hand at times. There just seems to be a few Canberra players coming into form, Josh Hodgson, Corey Harawira-Naera and Bailey Simonsson were all strong last week. Sam Williams has been in good nick and linking up with Jack Wighton well, they'll be around the ball but it'll be Hodgson who stars again. Raiders by 10.

Melbourne Storm vs. Wests Tigers

Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday June 19

Team News: Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Christian Welch return in the front-row, Jesse Bromwich is missing through injury, while Tui Kamikamica moves to the bench, and Trent Loiero is in the reserves. George Jennings replaces Dean Ieremia.

Adam Doueihi will miss a week after copping a high shot, opening the door for James Roberts to shift to the centres, and Ken Maumalo will make his club debut on the left wing. Moses Mbye comes in for Billy Walters at five-eighth.

Prediction: After some promising signs over the last two games, we saw the Wests Tigers of old against Parramatta, their error rate compounded by missed tackles and poor discipline. Melbourne are Melbourne. There's not much to say that would surprise you, they haven't lost since Round 3, and firing on all cylinders.

This has the potential to get very ugly. Jahrome Hughes is in tremendous form, and it's outrageous to think Nicho Hynes my be resigned to a bench role when Ryan Papenhuyzen returns. Moses Mbye's inclusion is a good sign though, he's found a home at five-eighth. The Tigers will have a metre-eating back three in Daine Laurie, Ken Maumalo and David Nofoaluma on kick return duties, but expect Hughes, Hynes and Cameron Munster to keep the ball on the grass. Another week, another massive Storm win. Storm by 32.

Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Bankwest Stadium, 2:00pm, Sunday June 20

Team News: Sean Russell makes his NRL debut on the wing with Maika Sivo suspended, and former Warrior Nathaniel Roache replaces Bryce Cartwright on the bench.

The Bulldogs have named the same side that beat the Dragons.

Prediction: Finally, the Dogs enter a match in the winners circle. Unfortunately, it's only for a week. Parramatta have really flown under the radar this year despite sitting third on the ladder, Clint Gutherson providing just as much in defence as he does in attack, and if Mitchell Moses can recapture last week's performance in a bottle, he'll tear this Canterbury side apart.

The Bulldogs played to their strengths against St. George Illawarra, playing through the middle and giving Jake Averillo those extra seconds of decision making. Josh Jackson had a captain's knock despite a sin binning, there's just too much fire power in the Parramatta outfit. Maika Sivo misses out through suspension, Sean Russell beating out Blake Ferguson for a wing spot. This is the type of game where Bryce Cartwright or Ryan Matterson's ball-playing could play a big part, Canterbury's edge defence really struggling, especially around Averillo. 'King Gutho' and co should rack up a little score line here. Parramatta by 20.

Gold Coast Titans vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Cbus Super Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday June 20

Team News: David Fifita starts with Kevin Proctor suspended, and Tino also returns to the starting side at lock. Moeaki Fotuaika's suspension is finished, named in the front-row with Jaimin Jolliffe dropping to the bench, and Joseph Vuna out of the side.

Tom Trbojevic lines up at fullback, pushing Reuben Garrick to the wing, Brad Parker to the centres and Moses Suli to the reserves. Sean Keppie returns from suspension on the bench, in lieu of debutant Kurt De Luis.

Prediction: That's seven straight losses for the Gold Coast Titans. They need to show something. Fingers crossed AJ Brimson passes his fitness test and plays, setting up a tantalising battle between him and Tom Trbojevic at fullback. David Fifita needs to dominate this game. His name is in the headlines after an off-field incident, and following a quiet Origin game, he really needs to remind the competition how unstoppable he is.

Daly Cherry-Evans did really well to rally the troops when trailing 12-0, he's still one of the top three halfbacks in the game. He just grabs the game by the throat and controls it with his kicking game, and there's no reason he won't do it again. The Titans are filled with talented individuals, but not blessed with the class of the Trbojevic brothers, DCE and Kieran Foran. Expect the Titans to score 20+ points and lose once again. Manly by 19.