The Mole's Team of the Week: NSW Blues face 'outrage' if unlikely star isn't picked to fill Payne Haas void
Obvious Haas replacement emerges
Payne Haas is suddenly in doubt for the State of Origin series opener after suffering an injury while playing for the Broncos.
And with just a few weeks until team selections for game one, NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has an obvious replacement staring him in the face.
See who The Mole picks in his Team of the Week for round seven.
1. Matt Dufty (Rabbitohs)
Was always going to haunt the team that didn't want him, running for a career high 325 metres and scoring a fine try in the defeat of the Dragons.
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors)
I had a feeling the Titans' decision to boot out this speedster would come back to bite them and sure enough it did - two tries and three line breaks in his first game against his old mates.
His pace burnt the Titans.
3. Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
Four tries - just about every one of them a solo effort - he destroyed the fragile Dragons defence with the most dominant display by a centre so far in 2026.
4. Simi Sasagi (Raiders)
One of the form centres of 2026 - scored a try, took two intercepts and ran for more metres than anyone in the hard-fought defeat of the Storm on Friday night.
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters)
Up to all his old tricks with two tries, three line breaks and some great high ball catches. What a pity he is going to the dark side next year.
6. Ronald Volkman (Eels)
The surprise of the round - only selected because of the Eels' injury crisis but stood out in the fine win over the Bulldogs, scoring a try and having a hand in several others.
7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
The Ice Man delivered in the thriller in Darwin, setting up three tries and then booting the field goal in golden point to break the Dolphins' hearts.
8. Jackson Ford (Warriors)
Forget Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake - this guy is the form prop of the NRL, topping the run metres AND tackles every week, and did it again in the defeat of the Titans.
If he's not first forward picked for NSW, it will be an outrage.
9. Api Koroisau (Tigers)
Crafty around the rucks, scoring a try, knowing when to run and when to let his supports have the ball in the unlucky loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.
