Team Talk: Round 14

Round 14 starts with a Grand Final replay in another mouth-watering round of rugby league action.

Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm

The Sharks will be fresh off the bye with the Origin players returning to the squad while Jayson Bukuya also makes his return from an ankle injury.

Cameron Smith will play despite reports he has a fractured sternum with first-gamer Brandon Smith to sit out.

Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights

Jorge Taufua's season is over after he suffered an ACL injury last week with Jonathon Wright to replace the injury winger and Nate Myles should return after picking up an elbow injury in the Origin opener.

Newcastle's Jamie Buhrer is a chance to return to the cellar-dwellers side with Luke Yates the likely exclusion.

Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Broncos star Anthony Milford will return from a concussion while utility Kodi Nikorima's shoulder is good to go and will replace Jayden Su'a on the bench. Benji Marshall is likely to make way for Milford despite impressing last weekend against the Roosters.

For Souths, Adam Reynolds' knee leaves him in doubt with Luke Kelly to be his replacement if he fails a fitness test while Robert Jennings is a small chance to return in the centres.

Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors

Nathan Peats will return in the number 9 jersey as he recovers from a corked thigh, while Manu Vatuvei is a stronger chance than last week to return for the Warriors but will go in unchanged otherwise.

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders

In a massive game for both clubs, Peter Wallace is a chance to return for the home side but could be given an extra two weeks of rest with the Panthers' bye next week.

Isaah Yeo has recovered from an ankle injury and will be named.

For the Raiders, Shannon Boyd and Dunamis Lui are both out while Luke Bateman and Dave Taylor are in line to replace the pair.

Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys

The makeup of the Eels side is up for debate, with two certain outs in David Gower and Josh Hoffman while a host of players are in contention should they pass fitness tests.

Corey Norman is the man all Eels fans want to see back in the halves and is a chance to return, while Tim Mannah and Siosaia Vave are both considered a strong chance after late withdrawals last week.

Kaysa Pritchard is an outside chance, however, several concussions could keep him sidelined once again while Nathan Brown will push through the pain barrier and line up, courtesy of a needle or two.

Johnathan Thurston looks to return as he puts his hand up for an Origin spot, however, there is a reasonable amount of doubt over the champion five-eighth while Justin O'Neill will return after suffering a concussion in last week's Origin match.

Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters

JJ Felise and Chris Lawrence are likely outs for the Tigers with Sauaso Sue returning from suspension while Luke Brooks appears set to return from a serious hamstring injury in place of Jack Littlejohn.

The Roosters will welcome back Mitchell Pearce while Daniel Tupou is expected in the line-up after a groin niggle saw him play just 46 minutes on the weekend.

Connor Watson will make way for the Origin halfback.

Canterbury Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons

The Bulldogs will be out to avenge their disappointing performance on the weekend and will do so with the aid of Brett Morris, Josh Reynolds and James Graham.

The big-name inclusions mean Marcelo Montoya, Craig Garvey and Francis Tualau are all likely omissions

The Dragons scored a strong win on the weekend in Gareth Widdop's return, however, Tyson Frizell is in doubt with a rib injury despite being cleared of anything serious.