After the first split round of the season, rugby league fans have seven games following the first State of Origin battle of the year.

The Sea Eagles and Raiders kick off the week’s action in the nation’s capital, with the Broncos then heading to Auckland to meet the Warriors on Saturday.

Last year’s premiers, the North Queensland Cowboys, then host last year’s wooden spooners, the Newcastle Knights. Saturday wraps up in Melbourne as the second-placed Storm do battle with one of the NRL’s most exciting young teams in the Penrith Panthers.

Canberra Raiders versus Manly Sea Eagles
Friday, June 3, 7:50pm (AEST) at GIO Stadium

Ricky Stuart’s men recorded a come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs last week, pushing the Green Machine into sixth position.

Stuart has made a number of changes, with Brenko Lee replacing his brother Edrick on the wing, the latter out with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Joseph Tapine moves into the front row, shifting Paul Vaughan to the bench, off the back of an impressive performance.

Josh Papalii has been named in the back row, pending a healthy return from Origin duties, pushing Sia Soliola to the interchange. Luke Bateman moves to lock with Shaun Fensom dropping out of the side, while Clay Priest comes onto the bench at the expense of Jeff Lima.

New recruit Joseph Paulo has been named as 19th man, after arriving in Canberra on Sunday afternoon to watch the clash with the Bulldogs.

The Silvertails had the bye last week, but have lost their last three games, slumping to 12th position on the ladder with just four wins in 2016.

The Sea Eagles need a big performance from Daly Cherry-Evans after the 2013 Clive Churchill Medallist was shunned from Queensland selection in favour of Cowboys livewire Michael Morgan.

Steve Matai returns, taking the place of Matthew Wright, while Apisai Koroisau has been named on a five-man bench.

In 23 meetings between the two clubs, the Raiders have won on ten occasions with Manly victorious 13 times.

They are yet to clash in 2016, however they met twice last year. The Sea Eagles won 26-24 in Canberra in Round 23, while in Round 5, the Raiders came out on top 29-16.

Prediction
Canberra will earn their third win in as many weeks.

Raiders by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sea Eagles defeated Raiders 26-24 (Round 23, 2015)
Head-to-head: 23 played – Raiders 10, Sea Eagles 13
Raiders last three games: 32-20 versus Bulldogs, 38-12 versus Warriors, 12-16 versus Dragons
Sea Eagles last three games: 12-20 versus Sharks, 6-30 versus Broncos, 18-34 versus Cowboys

Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton, 2. Brenko Lee, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Shannon Boyd, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Luke Bateman
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Iosia Soliola, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Paul Vaughan, 19. Junior Paulo

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Brett Stewart, 2. Brayden Wiliame, 3. Dylan Walker, 4. Steve Matai, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Jamie Lyon (c), 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Darcy Lussick, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Lewis Brown, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Apisai Koroisau, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Brenton Lawrence, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Blake Leary

New Zealand Warriors versus Brisbane Broncos
Saturday, June 4, 3pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden has made massive changes, with six new players in for this crucial match.

Some of the Warriors’ biggest stars return, including Solomone Kata, Manu Vatuvei and Charlie Gubb. They are joined by Albert Vete and Nathaniel Roache, while Ligi Sao has been named as 18th man.

James Gavet, Jazz Tevaga, John Palavi, Jonathan Wright and Matthew Allwood are the victims of their inclusions.

The game will be decided by the might of Shaun Johnson, the former Golden Boot winner possessing lethal power that could upset the Broncos.

With six players absent last week through Origin, Brisbane went down by one point to the Wests Tigers, the inexperience of their forward pack proving costly.

Coach Wayne Bennett has called on Corey Parker, Darius Boyd, Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday to back-up from State of Origin, with Corey Oates and Matt Gillett to be rested.

Travis Waddell also comes in, starting at hooker after Andrew McCullough was injured in the Broncos’ second loss in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, Tevita Pangai Junior is in line to make his second NRL appearance, after the promising youngster made his mark on debut last week.

It is the Broncos’ game to lose, and a loss could seriously harm their confidence and see them drop out of the top four.

The two have had 32 meetings since 1998, with the Broncos having the slight upper-hand 17 wins compared with the Warriors’ 15.

The two sides met in Round 2, with the Broncos coming out 25-10 victors at Suncorp Stadium.

Prediction
Brisbane’s star power will be too big a force for the Warriors to handle.

Broncos by 16.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Broncos defeated Warriors 25-10 (Round 2, 2016)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Warriors 15, Broncos 17
Warriors last three games: 12-38 versus Raiders, 18-30 versus Panthers, 26-10 versus Dragons
Broncos last three games: 18-19 versus Wests Tigers, 18-19 versus Cowboys, 30-6 versus Sea Eagles

New Zealand Warriors
1. Tuimoala Lolohea, 2. David Fusitua, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Nathaniel Roache, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Albert Vete, 17. Charlie Gubb, 18. Ligi Sao

Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Lachlan Maranta, 3. Jack Reed, 4. James Roberts, 5. Jordan Kahu, 6. Anthony Milford, 7., Ben Hunt, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Travis Waddell, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker (c)
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Tevita Pangai Junior, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Kodi Nikorima, 18. Herman Ese’ese, 19. Jai Arrow

North Queensland Cowboys versus Newcastle Knights
Saturday, June 4, 5:30pm (AEST) at 1300Smiles Stadium

The Cowboys went down to the Dragons last week 14-10, while the Knights flexed their muscles to nearly knock over the Eels 20-18 in Newcastle.

The Cowboys felt the massive loss of their Origin stars, with halves pairing Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston absent, as well as Matthew Scott, James Tamou and Justin O’Neill.

Ray Thompson and Jahrome Hughes failed to deliver in the halves, while they also didn’t have enough go forward up front.

With Scott and Tamou back, North Queensland will have plenty more experience and muscle up front, setting a huge challenge for the young Knights.

Nathan Brown’s side have struggled to keep pace with other NRL franchises this year, grabbing just one win and a draw in 12 matches.

The Novocastrians have been hit hard by injuries with, Jarrod Mullen one of many Newcastle stars on the sidelines.

They will get Dane Gagai and Jeremy Smith back, while Pat Mata’utia and David Bhana come onto the bench, with Tariq Sims almost certain to be excluded after signing off on a mid-season transfer to the St George Illawarra Dragons.

This match will be the perfect challenge for the Knights and if they are able to keep the margin within 12, it could be the start of a rise for the inexperienced outfit.

In 32 meetings since 1998, the Knights have surprisingly won 18 to the Cowboys’ 14.

Last time they met was Round 8 last year, where the Cowboys came out slim victors 26-24. Their previous meeting came in Round 2 of 2015, with the Knights pipping the Cowboys 16-14 in Townsville.

Prediction
The disparity between these two teams is far too big and the Knights will seriously struggle to keep pace with the Cowboys. Backing up from State of Origin could prove to be the biggest downfall for the reigning premiers.

Cowboys by 18.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Cowboys defeated Knights 26-24 (Round 8, 2015)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Cowboys 14, Knights 18
Cowboys last three games: 10-14 versus Dragons, 19-18 versus Broncos, 14-15 versus Storm
Knights last three games: 18-20 versus Eels, 12-20 versus Wests Tigers, 0-62 versus Sharks

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. Patrick Kaufusi, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben Hannant, 18. John Asiata

Newcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Cory Denniss, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Nathan Ross, 5. Jake Mamo, 6. Jaelen Feeney, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tariq Sims (c), 12. Pauli Pauli, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell, 15. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 16. Josh King, 17. Mickey Paea, 20. David Bhana, 23. Pat Mata’utia

Melbourne Storm versus Penrith Panthers
Saturday, June 4, 7:30pm (AEST) at AAMI Park

State of Origin stars Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith may not have been named by Craig Bellamy, but the Storm have quality players at their disposal even despite an injury crisis this year that has severely depleted their backline.

Tohu Harris will wear the No.7, Kenneath Bromwich will start at hooker, with Christian Welch, Young Tonumaipea and Dean Britt named on an extended bench.

Harris has experience playing in the halves, having recently represented the New Zealand Kiwis at five-eighth, and will offer the x-factor that the Storm need.

The Panthers were dealt a massive blow over their bye weekend. with Peta Hiku out for the season through an ACL injury. Hiku is replaced by Fijian international Waqa Blake, with Moses Leota in line to make his NRL debut on an extended bench which also features Chris Grevsmuhl, who recently arrived at the club from South Sydney.

Grevsmuhl will provide plenty of grunt to the Panthers’ forward pack and will prove vital in the dying stages of the match, with the future representative star to help the likes of Bryce Cartwright, Trent Merrin and Reagan Campbell-Gillard in a monstrous Penrith side.

Since the Storm entered the NRL back in 1998, they have won a total of 23 from 30 meetings with the Panthers, Penrith taking the remaining seven fixtures.

Last time they met, the Panthers conceded a massive 52-10 defeat in Melbourne, during Round 19 of the 2015 season. They were also flogged in Round 13 of that year, the Storm coming out on top 20-0.

Prediction
It will not be nearly as big a margin as their previous meetings, with the Panthers having been one of the most competitive teams so far in 2016. However, Melbourne will get the win and stretch their competition lead.

Storm by 8.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Panthers 52-10 (Round 19, 2015)
Head-to-head: 30 played – Storm 23, Panthers 7
Storm last three games: 18-6 versus Eels, 15-14 versus Cowboys, 38-0 versus Titans
Panthers last three games: 24-28 versus Titans, 30-18 versus Warriors, 19-18 versus Raiders

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Tohu Harris, 8. Jesse Bromwich (c), 9. Kenneath Bromwich, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tim Glasby, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15. Felise Kaufusi, 16. Christian Welch, 17. Young Tonumaipea, 19. Dean Britt

Penrith Panthers
1. Matt Moylan, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Isaah Yeo, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Tyrone Peachey, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Sam McKendry, 9. Peter Wallace, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Bryce Cartwright, 12. Trent Merrin, 13. Leilani Latu
Interchange: 14. Suaia Matagi, 15. Jeremy Latimore, 16. Chris Grevsmuhl, 17. Sitaleki Akauola, 20. Moses Leota

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 13?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the remaining three fixtures of Round 13.