Origin 3 is just around the corner, and with COVID isolation, injuries and suspensions, there are plenty of changes likely when teams for Round 17 drop on Tuesday afternoon.
The Sea Eagles lose Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans to State of Origin, leaving an enormous hole in their spine. Cade Cust is the man likely to start in the halves, given the way Lachlan Croker has handled dummy half.
It's likely a backline reshuffle will result in Moses Suli being added to the side effectively for Trbojevic, with Reuben Garrick shuffling to fullback. There is a strong chance that Jake Trbojevic will return from injury, replacing Kurt De Luis and pushing either Sean Keppie or Taniela Paseka back to the bench.
Ricky Stuart has warned his team that he will swing the axe this week. Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii are the only confirmed absences though due to their involvement in the Origin arena.
There is a chance underperforming outside back Semi Valemei won't hold onto his spot, with both Caleb Aekins and Xavier Savage in line for a spot, given Bailey Simonsson is unlikely to play on the back of an ankle injury. It's understood Matt Frawley will play in the halves, and Ryan James will effectively replace Josh Papalii with either Iosia Soliola, Joseph Tapine or Emre Guler starting at prop.
There are some enormous outs for the Rabbitohs ahead of their clash with the Cowboys. Wayne Bennett's side lose fullback Latrell Mitchell, outside back Dane Gagai, hooker Damien Cook and forwards Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow to the Origin arena.
There are no other selection headaches in the Rabbitohs camp. It appears Jacob Host and Liam Knight will move into the starting forward pack, with dumped Queensland Origin second rower Jaydn Su'A joining the bench. Young guns Blake Taafe and Peter Mamouzelos will play at fullback and off the bench respectively, with Benji Marshall set to start at hooker. Braidon Burns is likely to take Gagai's spot.
Three Origin exits too for the Cowboys, with Valentine Holmes to be replaced by Scott Drinkwater, allowing Daejarn Asi to slot into the halves. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is out too, allowing Justin O'Neill to return, while one of the reserve forwards from last week - Peter Hola, Tom Gilbert or Corey Jensen - is likely to replace Francis Molo.
It's unclear at this stage where Trent Barrett will recall the five players who breached the NRL bubble or not. Regardless, Jeremy Marshall-King and Ava Seumanufagai are spending time on the sidelines with suspensions of two and one week respectively.
It means Bailey Biondo-Odo could have his first NRL start at hooker after playing limited minutes from the bench in a 66-0 loss to the Sea Eagles on Saturday. Ofahiki Ogden is set to replace Sumanufagai.
Angus Crichton and James Tedesco will spend the week in New South Wales State of Origin camp. Joseph Manu will once again take the number one jersey, with Matt Ikuvalu coming into the side, pushing Joseph Sualii into the centres. With Fletcher Baker in isolation and Daniel Suluka-Fifita suspended, the Roosters will keeping their fingers crossed that Nat Butcher can return from his ankle injury.
Otherwise Isaac Liu may need to be used as a stop-gap second row option, with Victor Radley the effective replacement at lock. The final bench spot could be taken by Adam Keighran if he passes fit, otherwise Ben Thomas would be the likely man after being named in the Roosters' 21 last week.
The only game this weekend which won't feel the impacts of Origin. The Sharks could be without Matt Moylan again. His calf injury hadn't recovered adequately for him to take the field against the Broncos, and it's unclear whether he will play this weekend or not.
Braydon Trindall would once again fill in if Moylan is declared not fit. Will Chambers should be back too, with the utility option Connor Tracey to go back to the wing, and Sione Katoa to the bench.
The Warriors have a mountain of injuries to deal with. Tohu Harris, Chad Townsend and Eliesa Katoa are all expected to be unavailable, with Nathan Brown saying as much during his post-match press conference following the Warriors' horrid loss to the Dragons on the Central Coast last Friday.
It's understood Kodi Nikorima's injury should heal to allow him to replace Chad Townsend, while Matt Lodge will come straight into the side. This would push Kane Evans back to the bench, taking one of the spots likely to be vacated by Jazz Tevaga at lock and Bayley Sironen in the second row. The Warriors would then likely call Jack Murchie onto the bench to take the final spot.