Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco won't back up from State of Origin against Melbourne on Saturday night while the Storm will be at full strength.
The NSW captain played a starring role in his side's 24-10 win over Queensland on Wednesday night with Roosters coach Trent Robinson saying he will be rested.
Joey Manu will start at fullback instead, while Maroons prop Lindsay Collins will play.
Melbourne's Queensland representative trio Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates all completed their captain's run on Friday and look set for the SCG clash.
"It's been a big few months there for Ted so it's been planned for quite a few weeks that he was going to rest this week," Robinson said on Friday morning.
Robinson said a mix of physical and mental reasoning was behind his call to sit the 30-year-old out, despite the Roosters sitting two points outside the top eight in 13th spot.
"It wasn't a decision based on this week, it was made a few weeks ago to give him that time off because it accumulates ... he will come back and go hard again for the last seven rounds," Robinson said.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said his fourth-placed side was feeling fresh coming off the bye, and expected his Origin players to be available despite Munster carrying a cut knee.
"Unless something happens between now and the game the three of them should back up," the coach said.
Bellamy believed the inclusion of the versatile Manu to replace Tedesco meant the Roosters wouldn't skip a beat.
"In a couple of games that Teddy missed early in the season, Joey was outstanding for them," he said.
"It doesn't matter which position he plays, fullback or centre, he's one hell of a player so he'll be in plenty of the action tomorrow night so we will need to be good on our contact on him."
The Roosters have former Storm star hooker Brandon Smith returning from a broken thumb via the bench, while winger Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and centre Billy Smith have both overcome concussion symptoms.
Robinson said he was looking for Brandon Smith to make an "impact" against his old team.
"He's worked really hard on his game and on the style we want him play but we expect him to come on and be himself and add that physicality."
Meanwhile, Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen rounded off his first week of team training in his journey back from a shattered knee cap.
"This week has a been a big step forward for him and I was a bit surprised earlier in the week with how well he's moving," Bellamy said.
"We're not going to push his return but this week has been very promising in the progress that he's made."
