SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round six NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors at Bankwest Stadium on June 19, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Entering Round 6, some NRL clubs are set to receive significant boosts to their team, while others have lost key players as they look to clinch the two points.
Some big additions this week include Reece Walsh, Josh Addo-Carr and Zac Hosking, while Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco and Dominic Young headline the losses.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.
Following a dominant 30-10 victory against the Dragons, Adam O'Brien is set to name the same team for this week, meaning Jack Cogger and Jackson Hastings will remain as the halves pairing.
Jayden Brailey started for the first time in Round 5 and will remain there with Phoenix Crossland playing off the interchange bench.
The Knights may decide to make one change depending if Tyson Frizell (hamstring) is available but he won't be rushed back after a great performance by his replacement, Dylan Lucas.
Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey has reported that winger Greg Marzhew will be named to face the Roosters if he gets through training.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
The Roosters will have to make some major changes with James Tedesco (concussion), Dominic Young (suspension) and Sam Walker (concussion) unavailable for the match while Sandon Smith and Billy Smith remain out with injuries they previously sustained.
Zero Tackle understands that Michael Jennings will move into the centres with Joseph Manu taking the fullback spot. However, there is still uncertainty around who will play in the wing and halfback spots.
Fetalaiga Pauga seems the obvious choice to play on the wing, but Trent Robinson may decide to push Joseph Suaalii to the wing and put Siua Wong in the centre.
After spending the start of the season in the NSW Cup, ex-Bulldogs playmaker Zach Dockar-Clay will likely be chosen in the halves - Connor Watson can also play there if needed.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Zach Dockar-Clay 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Terrell May 17. Egan Butcher
The Melbourne Storm will likely keep the same 17 from last week against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Nelson Asofoa-Solomona's return to the NRL has been delayed after he was sent to the sin-bin in the NSW Cup and is facing a stint on the sidelines.
However, in good news, Joe Chan made a successful return to reserve grade on the weekend and could be an outside chance to be selected this week.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Jack Howarth 16. Christian Welch 17. Alec MacDonald
The Bulldogs may receive Josh Addo-Carr back to face his former team, but they sustained a magnitude of injuries last week that will have severe ramifications for Round 6.
Blake Taaffe (concussion) is significant absence and will shake up the club's backline dramatically.
News Corp has reported that Connor Tracey (calf) and Kurt Mann (hand fracture) will both miss the game, while Chris Patolo (neck pain) and Harrison Edwards (neck pain) are also in doubt.
The publication understands that Bailey Hayward will likely be called up, while Max King (wrist) will push to be available.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Stephen Crichton 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Bailey Hayward 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Poasa Faamausili
Reece Walsh (eye) is set to return to the team this week, but the club will be without skipper Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and winger Deine Mariner (back)
The Courier Mail has reported that Jock Madden will take Reynolds' spot in the team, and Tristan Sailor will remain in the 17.
The injury crisis at the Broncos may have gotten worse, with an injury cloud of five-eighth Ezra Mam.
Jonathan Uptin from 9News has reported that he limped off the training field on Monday wit a knee injury.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Corey Oates 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Tristan Sailor
The Dolphins are forced into multiple changes for this week, with Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder) and Kurt Donoghoe (suspension) spending a stint on the sidelines.
However, Thomas Flegler is set to be available after sustaining a shoulder injury in the win against the Wests Tigers.
Former Brisbane Broncos back Tesi Niu is set to be recalled to the team and will fill Farnworth's vacant spot, according to The Courier Mail.
Oryn Keeley, Mason Teague, Valynce Te Whare and Jarrod Wallace will be contending for the other two spots in the team, while Connelly Lemuelu (knee) is slated to make his return.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kenneath Bromwich
The Warriors will receive multiple boosts this weekend after they had several late withdrawals against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 5.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) and Dylan Walker (ankle) may find themselves back in the team, while Kurt Capewell (concussion) will be back and will start in the back-row.
Zero Tackle understands that Adam Pompey and Jacob Laban will be the replacements if Watene-Zelezniak and Walker are unavailable to take the field, just like in Round 5.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita
The Manly Sea Eagles are expected to remain unchanged this weekend, apart from Reuben Garrick (concussion) exiting the team due to the 11-day stand-down period.
Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega is set to be chosen in his place, but Lehi Hopoate is also a potential option. Tuaimalo Vaega's inclusion may see him push Tommy Talau to the centres.
Forward Matt Lodge will also be available for selection, but he is expected to make his return through the NSW Cup first after not playing in some time.
Project Round 6 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown
Despite losing in horrible fashion to the Canberra Raiders on Sunday, it's hard to see Brad Arthur making any changes to the line-up - Moses and Cartwright remain unavailable with injuries.
However, News Corp reports that Arthur has decided to drop winger Maika Sivo from the team, with five-eighth Daejarn Asi being promoted from the NSW Cup.
This means Blaize Talagi will move back into the centres, and Bailey Simonsson will push to the wing.
Suspended for the first three rounds of the season, Sivo only made 57 running metres last week against the Raiders but did score a double during the game.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Will Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Wiremu Greig
Todd Payten will unfortunately be forced into making a change with centre Zac Laybutt rupturing his ACL in Round 5 against the Gold Coast Titans.
This opens the door for Tom Chester, Viliami Vailea, and Semi Valemei, all of whom will contend for the vacant wing spot. Chester seems the likely choice after previously playing in the centres earlier this year.
Griffin Neame tweaked a medial, but Payten indicated that after the match, there would be no dramas and that he would be good to go for Round 6.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tom Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Rabbitohs will unveil young gun Jye Gray in the number one jersey, who will make his NRL debut as Latrell Mitchell (suspension) is sidelined for the next few weeks.
Per the publication, Tyrone Munro will also make his return from injury and will take his spot on the wing.
Head coach Jason Demetriou will also welcome back Shaquai Mitchell (concussion), who is available to be selected, while Peter Mamouzelos is set to play a one-two punch with Damien Cook.
According to the Herald and News Corp, Damien Cook is set to start from the interchange bench with Mamouzelos wearing the number nine jersey.
Dean Hawkins will remain in the halves after Lachlan Ilias sustained a broken leg in the NSW Cup in what could be a season-ending injury.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jack Wighton 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Michael Chee-Kam 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Shaquai Mitchell 17. Damien Cook
Coming off the bye in Round 5, Craig Fitzgibbon will make at least one change from their victory against the Canberra Raiders, with Briton Nikora returning from suspension.
He also may make some other changes depending on the availability of Dale Finucane (eye socket).
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Tom Hazleton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha
The Wests Tigers are forced to make two changes for this week and are set to make another one, making it three changes.
John Bateman (concussion) and Samuela Fainu (concussion) will be forced to remain on the sidelines.
Latu Fainu (hamstring) is also in doubt for the clash after picking up a niggle in his NRL debut against The Dolphins.
Asu Kepaoa will likely return to the NRL side, while Zero Tackle understands that Jake Simpkin and Justin Matamua will take the other two spots after being withdrawn from the NSW Cup last round.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Justin Olam 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Asu Kepaoa 16. Alex Twal 17. Justin Matamua
Shane Flanagan is set to swing the axe this week, and two club stalwarts will be dropped to the NSW Cup after a disappointing performance against the Newcastle Knights.
As reported by News Corp, Blake Lawrie and Mikaele Ravalawa are both on the chopping block and are set to be relegated to the NSW Cup.
According to the publication, Christian Tuipulotu will take the vacant wing position after scoring four tries two weeks ago in reserve grade and Hame Sele will return in favour of Lawrie.
The Daily Telegraph also reports that Zac Lomax is expected to be named at fullback despite being one of the best wingers in the competition to begin the season.
Jack Bird (knee) is set to retain his spot in the centres after suffering an injury late in the game last week.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Zac Lomax 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jadyn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Hame Sele 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Despite a dominant win against the Eels, the Raiders will still likely make changes as they receive Zac Hosking (concussion) back, and he is set to slot straight into the starting second-row.
Skipper Elliott Whitehead (calf) may also make his return, but the club has yet to provide an update on his condition or when his likely return date will be.
The Daily Telegraph reports that young gun Chevy Stewart will make his long-awaited NRL debut this week. He will replace veteran Jordan Rapana, who has succumbed to a knee injury and will require surgery.
With James Schiller scoring a try on the wing and playing good football, Albert Hopoate (burns) will likey remain out of the team.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Xavier Savage 17. Pasami Saulo
Aiming for their first win of the season, Des Hasler is set to be forced into making at least one change this week with five-eighth and skipper Kieran Foran (ankle) failing to return to the field.
Foran will be monitored this week and Thomas Weaver will remain on standby and will move into the halves if he is unavailable.
Try-scoring wizard Alofiana Khan-Pereira is a chance to be recalled after spending last week in the QLD Cup. Still, Philip Sami (ankle) and Keenan Palasia (quad) will be unavailable.
Palasia will make his return over the next few weeks but may make a surprise return in Round 6.
Projected Round 6 Team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Thomas Weaver 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark 14. Sam Verrills 15. Klese Haas 16. Joe Stimson 17. Josiah Pahulu