Penrith have opted to go without their State of Origin stars for their clash with the Dolphins, sitting out all five of their NSW representatives.
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The Panthers confirmed on Saturday their Origin quintet would not play in the match, with Dylan Edwards the only one of those carrying an injury.
Edwards is expected to miss up to a month with a PCL tear as scans cleared the Panthers fullback of anything more serious.
Coach Ivan Cleary has opted to give Brian To'o, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Jarome Luai some time off after the Blues' Origin win.
Nathan Cleary is at least a confirmed starter for the Panthers and is set to play his first match since tearing his hamstring more than two months ago.
Penrith will likely limit some of his kicking duties as they manage him back in, but there are no concerns over his fitness after back-to-back hamstring injuries.
"He's a wonderful player," Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said.
"But they've all played against him before. He's not superman, we don't have to worry about that part of it.
"You just have to pressure (him). Not on his kicking game.
"Just pressure when he has the ball. Pressure when he is defending, having good options around him."
The Dolphins will have Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi back up from Origin, with Bennett declaring both will play on Sunday in Penrith.
Trai Fuller will then come off the bench with the Dolphins keen to find a spot for the electric fullback in the 17 with Tabuai-Fidow back.
Sunday's game looms as crucial for the Dolphins.
They entered the round one win behind the top four, but also only one clear of ninth spot.
Bennett's men have the toughest run home of all contenders, facing each of Penrith, Melbourne, the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury in the final eight rounds.
But the veteran coach said he had not allowed his players to start talking about the ladder, after sitting in the top four at the halfway point of the season.
"It hasn't (been mentioned)," Bennett said.
"We don't have to worry about (players getting caught up with it). We don't talk about it, we don't worry about it.
"We have a game to play tomorrow against a top team and the best team in the competition for the past three years.
"Why would you be talking about finals when you have that in front of you?"
Australian Associated Press
