NRL Team Line-Ups for Round 12: Dom Young Poised for Roosters Comeback Amid State of Origin Selection Turmoil

The much-awaited State of Origin is finally here, heralding a period of sheer mayhem for club teams over the next six weeks.

With the line-ups confirmed for both NSW and Queensland, numerous coaches are now rushing to secure substitutes for this weekend’s matches.

In addition, injury issues are rampant across the league, with both the Bulldogs and Roosters enduring setbacks at the most inopportune time.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Round 12.

THURSDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins, Accor Stadium (7:50 pm)

Predicted Bulldogs lineup: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Cassius Tia 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Sam Hughes 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Luke Smith

Bulldogs update: Stephen Crichton, Max King, and Kurt Mann are unavailable due to Origin selections. However, Sam Hughes (ankle) and Josh Curran are set to make their return. Jacob Kiraz (calf) will be sidelined for a month, which could lead to Blake Wilson filling the wing spot. Don’t miss young Cassius Tia, who might make his debut in the centres after some time in the NSW Cup.

Predicted Dolphins lineup: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Ray Stone 13. Harrison Graham 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Josh Kerr 16. Connelly Lemuelu

Dolphins update: Tom Gilbert (pectoral) will be out for a while, a significant loss for the skipper. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will also miss out due to Origin commitments. Expect either Jake Averillo or Herbie Farnworth to step in at fullback during his absence.

FRIDAY

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles, CommBank Stadium (8 pm)

Predicted Eels lineup: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Matt Doorey 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Kitione Kautoga

Eels update: Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax will be absent after being selected for NSW, with Dean Hawkins and Jake Tago likely stepping into their roles. Kelma Tuilagi (suspension) is expected to return and will probably start in the back row.

Predicted Sea Eagles lineup: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jake Arthur 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown

Sea Eagles update: Jake Trbojevic (concussion) will miss the game, as will captain Daly Cherry-Evans due to Origin duties. Jake Arthur is expected to take over at halfback, while Josh Aloiai (shoulder) looks set to return in the forwards.

SATURDAY

Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights, Carrington Park (5:30 pm)

Predicted Panthers lineup: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Tom Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Trent Toelau 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Casey McLean

Panthers update: Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, and Liam Martin will all miss this weekend’s clash due to Origin commitments. Daine Laurie, Tom Jenkins, and Trent Toelau are poised to enter the starting 13, while Scott Sorensen (suspension) returns to bolster the forward pack.

Predicted Knights lineup: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Jack Hetherington

Knights update: Kalyn Ponga is set to be away in Maroons camp, which might prompt some reshuffling in the spine, potentially allowing Fletcher Sharpe to take on the fullback role.

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks, Industree Group Stadium (7:35 pm)

Predicted Roosters lineup: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Dominic Young 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Egan Butcher 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Blake Steep 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Xavier Va’a

Roosters update: Following a narrow defeat against the Bulldogs last week, the squad has been significantly hit by injuries. Lindsay Collins, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton, and Robert Toia will be out, while Naufahu Whyte (knee) is expected to be unavailable for several weeks. New talents Xavier Va’a and Benaiah Ioelu could be in line for their debut.

Predicted Sharks lineup: 1. William Kennedy 2. Eli Clark 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Sharks update: Sam Stonestreet (ankle) left the field in Round 11 and is anticipated to be sidelined, while Teig Wilton (shoulder) is likely to return to the back-row. The Sharks remain unaffected by Origin absences.

SUNDAY

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders, Go Media Stadium (4:05 pm)

Predicted Warriors lineup: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jacob Laban 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Warriors update: Mitch Barnett will be away in NSW camp, while his front-row partner, James Fisher-Harris (suspension), will miss the game as well.

Predicted Raiders lineup: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Josh Papali’i 16. Ata Mariota 17. Noah Martin

Raiders update: Hudson Young is the sole player unavailable due to Origin commitments, which will see Simi Sasagi come into the starting side and Noah Martin added to the bench.