JASON Taumalolo is a certain starter for Saturday’s clash against the Tigers after travelling with the North Queensland side to Sydney.

The destructive lock boarded a plan in Townsville just after midday on Friday ahead of the Campbelltown Stadium clash.

Taumalolo was not named due to a knee injury, but will be a late inclusion for a Cowboys side missing four Origin stars - Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, James Tamou and Matt Scott.

Also on the plane were Javid Bowen and Cameron King, continuing coach Paul Green’s mind games over who will play five-eighth in place of Morgan.

It is expected Rory Kostjasyn will be promoted from the bench to partner Ray Thompson in the halves, with King to come into the side as a bench hooker.

The club says Bowen travelled as cover for Kane Linnett.

However, he can also cover fullback if Lachlan Coote spent time in the halves.

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media_camera Jason Taumalolo trains this week. Picture: Wesley Monts

Rabbitohs v Eels

Friday, 7.45pm at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: Chris Grevsmuhl was named an extended bench due to successive concussions and will likely be rested. Coach Michael Maguire this week refused to confirm if he would continue with his tactic of playing Cameron McInnes at hooker and Issac Luke off the bench. The Rabbitohs only had one player — Greg Inglis — named for Origin.

Eels: Chris Sandow will be a late inclusion - but not at the expense of Luke Kelly. He is set to play in the unfamiliar position of fullback. Reece Robinson is expected to shift to the wing, with John Folau the likely omission. Sandow produced a man-of-the-match performance for Wentworthville last week after being dumped to NSW Cup.

Wests Tigers v Cowboys

Saturday, 7.30pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tigers: Jason Taylor will make a final call on the bench after Friday’s captain’s run. With Robbie Farah on Origin duty, expect Joel Luani to come into the 17 and share the hooking role with Dene Halatau.

Cowboys - Updated 11.20pm Friday: The depleted Cowboys will be boosted by the late inclusion of Jason Taumalolo (knee). However, North Queensland will take the field without their starting halves and props, with Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, James Tamou and Matt Scott all on Origin duty. Ray Thompson will play halfback, with Rory Kostjasyn to be promoted from the bench to play five-eighth and Cameron King to come into the side as a bench hooker. Javid Bowen also travelled, reportedly as cover for Kane Linnett. However, he can also cover fullback if Lachlan Coote spent time in the halves. Robert Lui (hamstring, round 15) would normally be an automatic choice as a replacement half, but he sustained an injury in Queensland Cup on the weekend and is unavailable.

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Raiders v Bulldogs

Sunday, 4pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Sam Williams (collapsed lung) is next to no chance of being a late inclusion, with Mitch Cornish to retain the halfback spot. Williams trained very lightly on Wednesday, completing no contact or fitness. He would need to seriously up his output in the remaining sessions on Friday and Saturday to be any chance.

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs will field a very depleted side. James Graham (knee) and Chase Stanley (knee) have been ruled out. Danny Fualalo or Herman Ese’ese will come into the 17 for Graham, although a replacement is not yet determined for Stanley. Josh Morris, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer are on Origin duty. Brett Morris (hamstring) resumed straight line running this week, but remains a month away. In positive news, Tim Lafai (knee) has been cleared to return two weeks early, while Josh Reynolds will be available after missing Origin selection.

Knights v Broncos

Monday, 7pm at Hunter Stadium

Knights: Dane Gagai has been called into the Queensland squad as cover for Billy Slater (shoulder), Greg Inglis (chest infection) and Justin Hodges (cut foot). Maroons officials are backing all to play, with final decisions to be made on Saturday. If not required for the Maroons, Gagai would be released back to the Knights to play on Monday night. Jake Mamo heads a list of replacements. Newcastle have no other concerns, with Adam Clydesdale (shoulder) not considered a chance of being a late inclusion, and Chad Redman to retain his bench hooking spot.

Broncos: The Broncos have been hit hard by Origin, with five players unavailable — Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker. However, they have no injury concerns within the squad named and expect to be unchanged.

State of Origin

Wednesday, 8.05pm at ANZ Stadium

NSW: Ryan Hoffman (concussion) must pass final testing, but is set to play, with the Blues to be unchanged. Matt Moylan, Ryan James and Tyson Frizell are in camp as development players. However, all have the bye this week, meaning weekend games will not be affected.

Queensland: Billy Slater (shoulder) has until Saturday to prove his fitness, although he is tipped to play. Greg Inglis (chest infection) and Justin Hodges (cut foot) also missed training on Thursday. Dane Gagai has been called in as a shadow player. He will be released for Newcastle’s Monday game if not required for Queensland. With Slater, Inglis and Hodges sitting out, Michael Morgan ran at fullback in Thursday’s session after he was called into the 17 as a replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans (shoulder). Gagai and Will Chambers trained in the centres. Nate Myles (concussion) must pass final testing, but is set to be cleared. 18th man Dylan Napa has the bye this week, meaning weekend games won’t be affected if he stays with the squad.