NRL trials 2021: The key takeaways heading into the new season
Rookies shined, injuries created headaches and coaches were given selection dilemmas – check out what we learned from all the weekend’s NRL action.
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All 16 clubs were in action on a huge weekend of rugby league — here’s what we learned from all the NRL trials.
RAIDERS v ROOSTERS
1. An emergence of two teenage stars. For many it was the first time they had a good look at Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker. The two teenagers have shared headlines in recent months with the hype around Suaalii near ridiculous. He scored two tries for the Bears and defended well but it was his right foot step which is going to become a box office hit for years to come. Walker produced a classy spiral pass to Angus Crichton and then backed up to score giving a glimpse just how good he will be.
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2. Josh Hodgson gives the Raiders genuine star power. The Raiders missed their co-captain last year when he was ruled out of the season after just nine games. In his 40 minute return he gave everyone a reminder just how dangerous he can be, splitting the Roosters middle apart in the opening half. Two of three Canberra’s first half tries came through the middle. He will thrive under the faster paced game.
3. Corey Horsburgh’s discipline remains an ongoing problem. The Raiders firebrand has generated plenty of headlines throughout his young career because of his in your face style. While there is no doubting his ability, he was again caught in the crosshairs regarding ill-discipline. Horsburgh, who was playing his first game since round seven was placed on report twice for shoulder charges. He was also involved in a push and shove off-the ball with Angus Crichton.
– Michael Carayannis
TITANS v WARRIORS
1. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be the NRL’s buy of the year. “Big Tino” kicked off his Titans career in sensational style, running away for a 40m try to prove he is still a long way from achieving his potential. Fa’asuamaleaui had a sensational 2020 season, winning the NRL premiership with Melbourne and dominating in his maiden State of Origin series, and he still has plenty more left in him.
2. The expectations on Titans $3.5 million man David Fifita will be high this year and he made a promising start to his time at the Gold Coast. Fifita was solid without being sensational in his first run in Titans colours, bulldozing hapless Warriors halfback Sean O’Sullivan and punching out 60 minutes to get his fitness levels up. But average won’t be enough for Fifita this year and he will have to dominate more games than he doesn’t to be a success.
3. Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may be bound for rugby union next year but he will not stop giving his all for New Zealand in his final season. Tuivasa-Sheck was the Warriors’ best on ground, sparking his side in the second half to salvage a draw. The Warriors won’t be premiership contenders this year but they can count on their skipper giving them all he has got before he attempts to crack into the All Blacks.
– Travis Meyn
SHARKS v BULLDOGS
1. Canterbury have depth in their pack who can hold the fort until the cavalry returns. Dylan Napa and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are both racing the clock to be fit for round one and Luke Thompson is suspended, so Trent Barrett needs all hands on deck in his pack. And it’s the no frills trio of Ofahiki Ogden, Jack Hetherington and Renouf To’omaga who not only took on, but held their own against a Sharks pack boasting Aaron Woods, Braden Uele, Jack Williams and Andrew Fifita. “We’re missing a few that are racing the clock, so we’ve just got to get through the next fortnight,’’ Barrett said.
2.Kyle Flanagan is a tough bugger. Sharks captain Wade Graham had a missile aimed at the young Bulldogs halfback’s body throughout the trial and where few would find their feet after the ferocity of the repeated body shots, Flanagan kept coming. Trent Barrett loves halves that aren’t afraid to take a hit and he’s got that in Flanagan.
“He was looking for me, but he’s played for NSW and Australia, so it’s always good going up against him to test yourself,’’ Flanagan said.
3. The footy gods need to give Matt Moylan a break to show fans what he’s capable of. The trial match was Moylan’s first match in six months after being hampered by chronic hamstring issues, but you would never have known. The former NSW Origin half was lethal on the left for the Sharks and only needs to stay on the field to get back to his best.
“I just want to build on this now,’’ Moylan said.
– David Riccio
STORM v KNIGHTS
1.Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be wishing he could go back in time to take his stars off at the break after hooker Harry Grant came off with a knee injury three minutes into the second half. The youngster, who is set to replace Cameron Smith in the No. 9 jersey, had slotted in seamlessly before he injured his medial, and is now in doubt to play in Round 1. That opens the door for Brandon Smith to play in his preferred position.
2. SuperCoach enthusiasts would have been impressed with Ryan Papenhuyzen after the fullback landed a sideline conversion with his first shot at goal. Replacing Smith goes beyond what he does at the ruck, and the Storm can rest easy knowing the Clive Churchill medallist is more than capable with the boot. Dean Ieremia is probably down in the pecking order for the vacant right wing position, but he did his chances no harm with the first try of the game.
3. A change of scenery has worked wonders for Tyson Frizell, with the rep star showing glimpses of his best on the right edge. The Knights recruit was very busy in the first half and showed off his trademark footwork and robust carries following a lean year at the Dragons.
– Martin Gabor
DRAGONS v RABBITOHS
1. Anthony Griffin won’t be swinging golf clubs – or whatever it is the new St George Illawarra coach does to relax – for some time. Serious question marks have emerged over the Dragons’ roster after a horror Charity Shield thumping. Defending their own red zone, the Red V were terrible. Only a fortnight out from the NRL season opener, Griffin has some real work to do with a squad that looked worryingly off the pace.
2. Exactly a year ago, we were asking if Latrell Mitchell was a fullback. Now, the conversation has turned to just how great this South Sydney No. 1 becomes? In Mudgee on Saturday night, Mitchell scored one try, orchestrated three more and generally looked every inch a 2021 Dally M medal contender.
3. South Sydney are ready to challenge for the title of most lethal backline in the NRL. Apart from boasting the game’s most accurate kicker in Adam Reynolds, Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker are quickly developing, as the old saying goes, the most dangerous partnership since Smith & Wesson. For the Dragons, rookie winger Cody Ramsey had a mixed night but, more than once, showed an incredible turn of speed – giving Dragons fans a few rare moments to get excited.
– Nick Walshaw
BRONCOS v COWBOYS
1. New Cowboys coach Todd Payten could surprise a few critics this season. Payten did a remarkable job in a caretaker role at the Warriors last season, almost steering them to the finals, and Paul Green’s successor has overhauled North Queensland’s game model this year. The Cowboys trailed 12-0 early against the Broncos but showed impressive character to hold their nerve and grind down Brisbane after halftime. Coen Hess looks fit and primed for a big year on the edges, while Michael Morgan appears to have regained his sharpness after two injury-plagued seasons.
2. The Broncos have to fix their defensive structures. Brisbane were the worst defensive team in the league last season and new coach Kevin Walters needs to work on the Broncos’ attitude without the ball. Brisbane should have put the Cowboys away with an 18-6 lead at halftime, but they capitulated in the second stanza, leaking five tries. If the Broncos don’t tighten up around the rucks, they will miss the finals again.
3. Jamayne Isaako and Tom Dearden are two rays of hope for the Broncos. Isaako was very good at fullback and is developing the passing game to be a real threat, while the 19-year-old Dearden is the real deal at halfback. He has impressive composure for a teenager and most importantly he is vocal, repeatedly barking orders at his forwards as he pointed them to various part of the field. That’s the sign of a genuine halfback organiser. Walters must persist with him.
– Peter Badel
PANTHERS v EELS
1. With Josh Mansour’s departure, Brian To’o is now Penrith’s most important outside back when it comes to yardage. Charlie Staines is fast as lightning but doesn’t have the size or the workrate to make the same kind of impact out of the backfield so the onus is on To’o to churn through even more metres in 2021. The flamboyant winger certainly has the physicality and strength to do so – against Parramatta he almost always beat the first defender.
2. Penrith’s front-row problems may have been overstated. A lack of depth and a lack of experience are two different things and even though the Panthers lost Zane Tetevano and James Tamou over the off-season they have some young, talented props who can cover the gaps. J’maine Hopgood, who was elevated to the club’s Top 30 on the morning of the match, did not look out of place among the top graders and Spencer Leniu has been ready for a bigger role in the team for some time. Throw in the possibility of Liam Martin spending some time at prop and Ivan Cleary has more middles than many may have thought.
3. Arthur swapped backrowers Ryan Matterson and Shaun Lane with Matterson’s playmaking coming to the fore on the left side more than once. Tom Opacic has won the left centre spot vacated by Michael Jennings but the rugged former Cowboy is better known as a defensive player, which necessitates the injection of Matterson in order to make the edge more dangerous.
– Nick Campton
TIGERS v SEA EAGLES
1.If Daine Laurie isn’t in your SuperCoach team already, then get him in immediately. New recruits don’t often get standing ovations in trials, but the Leichhardt faithful rose as one to acknowledge the former Panther who scored two tries, set one up and had three line-breaks in a breakout performance that will make him one of the rookies to watch this year.
2. Luke Brooks has been crying out for a dominant forward pack ever since he joined the league. It looks like he now has the tools he needs to succeed. New recruits James Tamou, Stefano Utoikamanu and Joe Ofahengaue all impressed, while a physically-imposing Luciano Leilua looks fitter than ever. It is also worth noting that Brooks did the goalkicking even when Adam Doueihi came on to partner him in the second half.
3. Cade Cust’s hopes of starting the year at hooker have been dealt a blow after he was taken from the field in the first half with a left wrist injury. The clearly frustrated playmaker missed his chance to impress Des Hasler, and was outpointed by fellow hopeful Josh Schuster who scored a late try.
– Martin Gabor
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Originally published as NRL trials 2021: The key takeaways heading into the new season
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