NRL TEAMS: Bulldogs will wait to see how skipper Stephen Crichton pulls up from Origin as Bronson Xerri returns

While many coaches will nervously watch their stars in State of Origin, Cronulla’s Craig Fitzgibbon can breathe easy ahead of their Friday night NRL clash with Canterbury.

With no players in the Origin arena for game two in Melbourne, Fitzgibbon has retained the side that fell to the Dolphins, led by dumped NSW playmaker Nicho Hynes.

The Bulldogs will wait to see how their skipper Stephen Crichton comes through the MCG match, listing him among the reserves, but given the tight turnaround and travel he’s unlikely to back up.

Having climbed the ladder to sixth, the Dogs will replace fullback Connor Tracey (concussion) with Blake Taaffe while centre Bronson Xerri has recovered from a hamstring issue.

Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson will miss the next month due to his troublesome achilles injury with Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita the halves for their Saturday home clash with Brisbane.

The Auckland outfit are looking for a response after a dismal loss to Gold Coast and welcome winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak back from suspension.

The Broncos’ representative trio Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas have been included among the reserves with fullback Walsh the least likely to feature given his recent concussion, with Tristan Sailor named at No.1.

Newcastle will have two imports in the line-up with five-eighth Will Pryce set to make his NRL debut, while fellow Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul has overcome a toe injury to be named on the bench to take on Parramatta.

The Eels have named Blues halfback Mitchell Moses for the McDonald Jones Stadium match given his value to the side as they look to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Winger Maika Sivo’s return from a hamstring injury sees Sean Russell move to the centres.

Fellow strugglers Canberra have included Corey Horsburgh (groin) on the bench for just his third game of the season for their trip to Melbourne.

Hooker Tom Starling has returned from concussion to line up against the Storm, who will be without centre Nick Meaney, who picked up a calf injury.

St George Illawarra have named Queensland pair Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A and Blues winger Zac Lomax in the run-on side to face the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Dolphins are also on Origin watch, naming Queensland star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback while veteran forward Felise Kaufusi has been included on the bench after his surprise Maroons recall.

Tesi Niu has replaced winger Jack Bostock (concussion) while Tevita Pangai Junior will again be used as a bench weapon in the Sydney clash.

All of Ivan Cleary’s state players have been named to back up as Penrith host North Queensland, who are also banking on swag of stars coming through the midweek clash unscathed, although Maroons back-rower Jeremiah Nanai will be rested.

The Sydney Roosters can revel in having skipper and fullback James Tedesco after his Origin omission while Sitili Tupouniua will cover centre Junior Pauga’s after his four-game ban.

They face Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night.