NRL trials teams named: Sea Eagles rookies get chance to impress
Squads for the second week of NRL trials have been revealed and there are more than a few suprises. Check out all the teams!
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The countdown to the 2020 NRL season continues, with all 16 clubs in action this weekend for trials.
Keep up to date with all the teams and news ahead of this weekend’s NRL pre-season trials.
ROOKIE EAGLES GET CHANCE TO SOAR
A host of young guns will get the chance to impress Des Hasler in Manly’s sole NRL pre-season trial, with the Sea Eagles resting some of their biggest names.
Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic will both sit out Sunday’s clash with Cronulla as they eye the season opener against Melbourne, as will Dylan Walker who played in last week’s All Stars match.
Trbojevic hasn’t played since he tore his pec in Round 24 last year, but the Test and NSW State of Origin star is fit and firing for the 2020 campaign.
Trbojevic’s absence allows Nines standout Luke Metcalf the chance to impress in the No.1 jersey, while rookie Tevita Funa starts on the wing.
With Jake Trbojevic and Addin Fonua-Blake set to miss the opening rounds of the season, Hasler will run his eye over rising forwards Sean Keppie and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Keppie has been named to start at lock, while Olakau’atu will come off the bench. Toafofoa Sipley, named in the No.8 jersey, gets the chance to put his name forward for Fonua-Blake’s starting spot.
The bench also includes highly rated young gun Josh Schuster.
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
The Tigers team have offered some much needed clarity around how they’ll likely line up in Round One, after several selection battles through the NRL pre-season. The biggest question has been who would start at hooker, with captain Moses Mbye spending time there, while the club was reportedly in discussion to loan Paul Momirovksi to the Melbourne Storm and receive young rake Harry Grant in exchange.
But with that move now on the backburner, the club looks to have settled on Billy Walters, son of Queensland Maroons coach Kevin. This move will see Josh Reynolds play off the bench as a utility, with Moses Mbye moving back to centre, meaning SuperCoach cheapie Tommy Talau likely misses out for round one.
Backrower Matt Eisenhuth has not been named for this trial as he nurses a foot injury, with Josh Aloiai lining up at 13 instead. Alarmingly Adam Doueihi has not been named at fullback but will play off the bench, with Corey Thompson moving to the back. It’s only a trial so we can’t read too much into this but this will have some SuperCoaches concerned.
—Wilson Smith
BRONCOS FULLBACK BATTLE OVER
The race for the Brisbane Broncos’ No. 1 jersey is over, with ex-NSW Origin star Jack Bird to kick-off his career resurrection as Darius Boyd’s fullback successor.
Only injury or a disastrous performance in Saturday’s final pre-season trial against the Titans will prevent Bird from being Brisbane’s first-choice fullback in 2020.
Bird has beaten New Zealand international Jamayne Isaako to the fullback duties following an intense pre-season competition.
At the start of pre-season in November, Isaako was considered to be the frontrunner to replace Boyd in Brisbane’s famous No. 1 jersey.
But a stellar pre-season from Bird has seen the Cronulla Sharks premiership-winner edge ahead in the duel and he will start at fullback on Saturday night at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium.
Broncos captain Alex Glenn will miss the Titans trial after aggravating a hamstring injury and is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1.
Bird spent three quarters of yesterday’s training session at fullback and coach Anthony Seibold said he has impressed in two trial starts in the No. 1.
“Jack is going to start again,” he said.
“I’ve been really happy with him, particularly defensively. A lot of people don’t see what fullbacks do in defence.
“He has worked really hard and is really good at organising the defensive splits and line defence. We’ll get another look at him this weekend.
“On the other side, Jamayne is very athletically gifted and brings a lot of qualities.
“It is a really tough competition. Both players have shown some good signs, but Birdy is going to start again this week.”
Bird, 24, has had two seasons to forget at Red Hill, managing only 17 games combined due to shoulder, sternum and knee injuries.
But he has been a standout during the pre-season and Seibold said the No. 1 jersey was a reward for Bird’s efforts.
— Travis Meyn & Peter Badel
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PANTHERS V EELS
4pm Saturday at Bega
Panthers: Apisai Koroisau, Billy Burns, Brendan Hands, Brent Naden, Brian To’o, Caleb Aekins, Dean Whare, Isaah Yeo, Jack Hetherington, James Fisher-Harris, James Tamou, Jarome Luai, Jed Cartwright, Josh Mansour, Kurt Capewell, Liam Martin, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Matt Burton, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota, Nathan Cleary, Pat Hollis, Stephen Crichton, Tyrone May, Viliame Kikau, Zane Tetevano
Eels: Daniel Alvaro, Dylan Brown, Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Haze Dunster, Kane Evans, Blake Ferguson, Jai Field, David Gower, Clint Gutherson, George Jennings, Michael Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Shaun Lane, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Matterson, Mitch Moses, Marata Niukore, Ethan Parry, Junior Paulo, Jaeman Salmon, Maika Sivo, Will Smith, Ray Stone, Peni Terepo, Stefano Utoikamanu
STORM V COWBOYS
5.30pm Saturday at Casey Fields, Melbourne
Storm:
1.Ryan Papenhuyzen 2.Suliasi Vunivalu 3.Justin Olam 4.Marion Seve 5.Josh Addo-Carr 6.Cameron Munster 7.Jahrome Hughes 8.Jesse Bromwich 9.Cameron Smith 10.Tui Kamikamica 11.Felise Kaufusi 12.Kenny Bromwich 13.Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14.Harry Grant 15.Tino Fa’Asuamaleaui 16.Max King 17.Albert Vete
18.Tom Eisenhuth 19.Darryn Schonig 20.Nicho Hynes 21.Brenko Lee 22.Ryley Jacks 23.Cooper Johns 24.Chris Lewis
Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Esan Marsters 4. Tom Opacic 5. Justin O’Neill 6. Jake Clifford 7. Michael Morgan (C) 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Reece Robson 15. Shane Wright 16. Francis Molo 17. Corey Jensen 18. Mitch Dunn 20. Connelly Lemuelu
BULLDOGS V RAIDERS
5.45pm Saturday at Port Macquarie Stadium
Bulldogs: Adam Elliott, Aiden Tolman, Brandon Wakeham, Christian Crichton, Corey Hawira-Naera, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Britt, Dylan Napa, Isaiah Tass, Jack Cogger, Jake Averillo, Jayden Okunbor, Joe Stimson, Josh Jackson, Kerrod Holland, Lachlan Lewis, Morgan Harper, Ofahiki Ogden, Reimis Smith, Renouf To’omaga, Sione Katoa, Will Hopoate.
Raiders: Jarrod Croker, Nick Cotric, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson, Corey Horsburgh, Dunamis Lui, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kai O’Donnell, Michael Oldfield, Josh Papalii, Curtis Scott, Bailey Simonsson, Harley Smith-Shields, Sia Soliola, Daine Spencer, Ryan Sutton, Joe Tapine, Matt Timoko, Semi Valemei, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Sam Williams, Hudson Young
ROOSTERS V KNIGHTS
7pm Saturday at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Roosters: 1. Asu ‘AJ’ Kepaoa 2. McKenzie Baker 3. Christian Tuipulotu 4. James Tuitahi 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Lachlan Lam 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Egan Butcher 12. Tom Freebairn 13. Max Bailey
Interchange: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Lupe Tivalu 16. Elih Jackson 17. Ben Thomas
Knights: 1.Kalyn Ponga, 2.Edrick Lee, 3.Enari Tuala, 4.Gehamat Shibasaki, 5.Hymel Hunt, 6.Kurt Mann, 7.Mitchell Pearce, 8.David Klemmer, 9.Jayden Brailey, 10.Daniel Saifiti, 11.Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12.Aidan Guerra, 13.Mitch Barnett, 14.Connor Watson, 15.Herman Ese’ese, 16.Jacob Saifiti, 17.Tim Glasby, 18.Tex Hoy, 19.Pasami Saulo, 20.Mason Lino, 21.Starford To’a.
RABBITOHS V DRAGONS
8pm Saturday at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Rabbitohs: 1.Latrell Mitchell 2.Dane Gagai 3.James Roberts 4.Braidon Burns 5.Campbell Graham 6.Cody Walker 7.Adam Reynolds (c) 8.Junior Tatola 9.Damien Cook 10.Thomas Burgess 11.Jaydn Su’A 12.Cameron Murray 13.Liam Knight.
Interchange: 14.Patrick Mago 15.Hame Sele 16.Alex Johnston 17.Keaon Koloamatangi 18.Bryson Goodwin 19.Corey Allan 20.Bayley Sironen 21.Troy Dargan 22.Blake Taaffe 23.Jack Johns 24.Tom Amone
Dragons: Euan Aitken, Eddie Blacker, Billy Brittain, Adam Clune, Jackson Ford, Tyson Frizell, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host, Ben Hunt, Tim Lafai, Blake Lawrie, Zac Lomax, Issac Luke, Trent Merrin, Corey Norman, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Saab, Tristan Sailor, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan, Brayden Wiliame
BRONCOS V TITANS
8pm Saturday at Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: 1.Jack Bird 2.Corey Oates 3.Kotoni Staggs 4.Darius Boyd 5.Xavier Coates 6.Anthony Milford 7.Brodie Croft 8.Tom Flegler 9.Jake Turpin 10.Payne Haas 11.David Fifita 12.Tevita Pangai Jnr 13.Patrick Carrigan.
Interchange: 14.Jamayne Isaako 15.Herbie Farnworth 16. Jesse Arthars 17.Tesi Niu 18.Richie Kennar 19.Tom Dearden 20.Tyson Gamble 21.Jordan Riki 22.Andrew McCullough 23.Joe Ofahengaue 24.Rhys Kennedy 25.Jamil Hopoate 26.Ethan Bullemor
Titans: 1. Phillip Sami, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Jonus Pearson, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Sam Lisone, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Arrow.
Interchange: 14. Jai Whitbread, 15. Tyrone Peachey, 16. Nathan Peats, 17. Tanah Boyd, 18. Dale Copley, 19. Sam Stone, 20. Jaimin Jolliffe, 21. Erin Clark, 22. Greg Lelisisauo
WARRIORS V WESTS TIGERS
Noon Sunday at Rotorua
Warriors: 1.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2.Patrick Herbert 3.Hayze Perham 4.David Fusitu’a 5.Ken Maumalo 6.Kodi Nikorima 7.Blake Green 8.Leeson Ah Mau 9.Wayde Egan 10.Agnatius Paasi 11.Adam Blair 12.Tohu Harris 13.Isaiah Papali’i
Interchange: 14.Chanel Harris-Tavita 15.Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16.Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard 17.Karl Lawton 18.Paul Turner 20. Taane Milne 21.Josh Curran 24.Peta Hiku 25.Lachlan Burr
26.Eliesa Katoa 27.Edward Kosi 28.Leivaha Pulu
Wests Tigers:
1. Corey Thompson, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Joseph Leilua, 4. Moses Mbye (capt.), 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Benji Marshall (capt.), 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Thomas Mikaele, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Josh Aloiai
Interchange: 14. Michael Chee Kam 15. Josh Reynolds, 16. Adam Doueihi, 17. Oliver Clark, 18. Chris Lawrence, 19. Alex Seyfarth, 20. Chris McQueen, 21. Zane Musgrove, 22. Tommy Talau, 23. Elijah Taylor
SHARKS V SEA EAGLES
7pm Sunday at Jubilee Stadium
Sharks: 1.Will Kennedy 2.Sione Katoa 3.Josh Morris 4.Jesse Ramien 5.Ronaldo Mulitalo 6.Shaun Johnson 7.Chad Townsend 8.Andrew Fifita 9.Blayke Brailey 10.Aaron Woods 11.Briton Nikora 12.Wade Graham 13.Jack Williams
Interchange: 14.Connor Tracey 15.Braden Hamlin-Uele 16.Toby Rudolf 17.Scott Sorensen 18.Billy Magoulias 19.Siosifa Talakai 20.Royce Hunt 21.Jackson Ferris
Sea Eagles: 1 Luke Metcalf 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Brad Parker 4 Moses Suli 5 Tevita Funa 6 Lachlan Croker 7 Cade Cust 8 Toafofoa Sipley 9 Danny Levi 10 Martin Taupau 11 Joel Thompson 12 Curtis Sironen 13 Sean Keppie. Interchange: 14 Brendan Elliot 15 Abbas Miski 16 Josh Schuster 17 Haumole Olakau’atu
18 Zac Saddler 19 Zach Dockar-Clay 20 Dane Aukafolau 21 Keith Titmuss 22 Alec Tuitavake 23 Edwin Ipape 24 Sam Manuleleau 25 Reed Izzard 29 Alfred Smalley.
Originally published as NRL trials teams named: Sea Eagles rookies get chance to impress