PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND 13 MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
South Sydney v Newcastle at ANZ Stadium, 6pm
Head to Head: Knights 25, Rabbitohs 16, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 9, 2018 – Rabbitohs 36 bt Knights 18 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle have won five straight but Souths still enter this one favourites with a trio of Origin stars returning and despite Adam Reynolds (back) getting ruled out. The Knights have their own Origin weapons back with Kalyn Ponga and David Klemmer expected to start. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has wasted no time returning James Roberts to NRL action with the centre making his first appearance at the club since 2012. Souths are chasing an NRL record 10 consecutive wins against a club.
Key: Knights veteran Mitchell Pearce has notched a remarkable five straight man-of-the-match awards and another could see him back in a Blues jersey.
Tip: Knights
Wests Tigers v Canberra at Bankwest Stadium, 7.55pm
Head to Head: Wests Tigers 19, Raiders 16, Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 22, 2018 – Wests Tigers 22 bt Raiders 20 at GIO Stadium
Canberra snapped a three-game losing streak last week and welcome back four of their best. Origin trio Josh Papalii, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric should all start, while Jordan Rapana returns from injury. Tigers veteran Chris Lawrence makes an emotional return from a horrific facial injury in the pre-season.
Key: How does Jack Wighton bounce back from his mixed Origin debut?
Tip: Raiders
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Warriors v Melbourne at Mt Smart Stadium, 3pm
Head to Head: Storm 25, Warriors 16, Drawn 3
Last clash: Round 7, 2019 – Storm 13 bt Warriors 12 at AAMI Park
The Warriors will see this as a prime chance for revenge after their last ditch loss in their Anzac Day match, which came on the back of a dodgy penalty. They don’t have any players backing up from Origin while the Storm have four of their stars with Queensland centre Will Chambers the only in doubt.
Key: Can Kodi Nikorima take advantage of Storm playmaker Cam Munster’s big Origin outing?
Tip: Warriors
Cronulla v Parramatta at PointsBet Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to Head: Sharks 48, Eels 43, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2019 – Eels 24 bt Sharks 12 at ANZ Stadium
It’s all about Wade Graham as the Sharks co-captain makes his long-awaited return from an ACL injury. It’s a huge boost for Cronulla, who have been ravaged by injury but are still within striking distance of the top four. Josh Morris has been rested. The Eels are coming off a win and could get Nathan Brown back.
Key: Can the Eels big men slow their Sharks counterparts enough to prevent Matt Moylan from running amok?
Tip: Sharks
North Queensland v Manly at 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to Head: Sea Eagles 16, Cowboys 13, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 13, 2018 – Cowboys 26 bt Sea Eagles 12 at Brookvale Oval.
Manly may be struggling after losing three straight but they will be buoyed by the long awaited return of fullback Tom Trbojevic at fullback from a hamstring injury to push his NSW claims. It marks the first time the Sea Eagles have been able to name a full strength side this season as long as Origin stars Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic back up. North Queensland have won three straight but are ravaged by injury, ensuring a new-look backline with Jordan Kahu (shoulder) and Gideon Gela-Mosby (collarbone) joining a lengthy list on the sidelines.
Key: Can regular half Michael Morgan back up for Origin and step up at fullback to meet the challenge from fit again Tom Trbojevic?
Tip: Cowboys
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Brisbane v Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm
Head to Head: Broncos 19, Titans 6, Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 20, 2018 – Broncos 34 bt Titans 0 at Cbus Super Stadium
Brisbane have won eight of their last nine matches against the Titans and will be out to extend that record after being buoyed by the return of former Queensland hooker Andrew McCullough from a knee injury eight weeks ahead of schedule. Broncos look set to lose Joe Ofahengaue (knee) but are expected to welcome back fellow Origin players Corey Oates, Matt Gillett, Payne Haas and David Fifita. Hooker Nathan Peats (pectoral) may yet return from injury for Gold Coast who need all the help they can get after a fifth loss in six games last round to North Queensland.
Key: Can halfback Ash Taylor finally step up and earn his marquee dollars for the Titans?
Tip: Broncos
Penrith v Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium, 4.05pm
Head to Head: Roosters 59, Panthers 35, Drawn 3
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 – Roosters 32 bt Panthers 6 bt Allianz Stadium.
The third-placed Roosters should make easy work of the 14th-placed Panthers. But the defending premiers have lost two straight, and are without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the concussed Luke Keary. Penrith are injury-riddled too, but have a pulse after consecutive wins.
Key: Burned by a disappointing Origin showing, Latrell Mitchell could find some form against stop-gap centre Isaah Yeo.
Tip: Roosters
MONDAY, JUNE 10
Canterbury v St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, 4pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 24, Dragons 13, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 5, 2019 – Dragons 40 bt Bulldogs 4 at Jubilee Stadium
A desperate battle between two of the most out-of-form teams in the NRL. The last-placed Bulldogs have lost four of five and are unchanged, but could rush Queensland prop Dylan Napa back in. The spiralling Dragons have lost five on the bounce and have made three changes, including Corey Norman’s return.
Key: NSW stars Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell and Ben Hunt are on an extended bench, and their inclusion could be the difference.
Tip: Dragons