KEY POINTS:
The State of Origin stand-down rips top players from the majority of NRL teams for this weekend, leaving the Warriors without captain Steve Price and centre Brent Tate.
Two other big names return to the starting line-up, Ruben Wiki stepping up from his sojourn with the Auckland Vulcans and Manu Vatuvei back from injury for the clash with South Sydney on Friday night.
"Clash", however, might be too strong a word, given there was little that was gladiatorial about the Rabbitohs' last outing against the Dragons, a 26-12 defeat that pushes them behind the Warriors and into last place in terms of points differential.
Wiki comes back into the run-on side for Price and Aidan Kirk moves in from wing to replace Tate in midfield because Vatuvei is back after repairing the spiral fracture in his right leg.
Lance Hohaia is over the thigh problem that meant he couldn't play in Newcastle but instead of returning to fullback he comes off the bench, Patrick Ah Van keeping the No 1 jersey in the team named yesterday. Because Ah Van made a good fist of fullback in Newcastle, coach Ivan Cleary can use Hohaia's acceleration out of dummy-half against tiring forwards.
Michael Witt is again unavailable with a hip flexor problem and Nathan Fien stays at five-eighth.
Souths come into round 13 of 26 with just one win behind them, lacking stability in selection especially in the crucial half and five-eighth roles, low on confidence and with few of their players performing at NRL level. And with major internal ructions in the front office, as usual.
The greatest danger here for the Warriors is thinking they have it won before they actually have. If they start fast as they did when winning in Newcastle, the "blackout" crowd should carry them home.
Souths coach Jason Taylor yesterday chopped and changed his 17, with under-20s Luke Capewell at fullback and halfback Jamie Simpson given a chance. Lock John Sutton is their sixth try at finding a five-eighth while team elder David Kidwell and last week's halfback George Ndaira are on the bench.
Eels wing Jarryd Hayne was named by New South Wales yesterday despite being charged with a grade two dangerous throw which carries a two-week suspension. He is contesting the grading before the judiciary tonight.
Justin Hodges will miss the next two Origin games after copping a six-week ban for a grade three dangerous throw on Eels hooker Mark Riddell, the length of the ban extended because he has a previous conviction.
Queensland and Cowboys lock Luke O'Donnell was cited twice for striking for lifting his elbow into tackles by Panthers Luke Priddis and Luke Lewis and will also appear at the judiciary after pleading not guilty, but he is out of the match against the Tigers after admitting a contrary conduct charge for abusing the touch judge who reported him.
The Eels lose Brendan Oake for a week for leading with a forearm and Manly are without Adam Cuthbertson for a week for a high shot.
