NRL teams Round 1, Early Mail: Eels backrow crisis, Storm double injury blow, Joey Manu in doubt
Junior Paulo has revealed the Eels stars set for a Round 1 start, while the Storm have suffered a double injury blow on the eve of the season kick-off. See all the latest team news.
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Parramatta co-captain Junior Paulo is expecting coach Brad Arthur to turn to a mix of new and old faces to deal with the side’s injury crisis in the backrow.
With Shaun Lane (jaw) out indefinitely, Matt Doorey (ankle) under an injury cloud and Ryan Matterson to miss the first three rounds of the season, Arthur is expected to lean on new signing Jack Murchie and the more familiar Bryce Cartwright for round one’s clash against Melbourne.
“Luckily it’s not my job to pick the team each week but it opens up opportunities for a few of the boys,” Paulo said.
“It’s a tough decision for Brad and a bit of a headache for him. We get Bryce Cartwright coming back as well, so he’s in the mix. We’ve got three of four backrowers, guys like Jack Murchie in the frame.
Arthur has other options in the likes of recruit Jirah Momoisea and Uinitoni Mataele. Former Eel turned Wests Tigers Isaah Papali’i had tipped Mataele to be his long term replacement. But with Mataele on a development deal, the Eels would need dispensation to name the young forward.
Paulo was full of praise for former Penrith forward and NSW Cup player of the year J’maine Hopgood, who is expected to start at lock.
“He’s been quite the addition to us. Similar to Hodgson (Josh Hodgson) he has bought into the culture,” Paulo said.
“We know how good of a player he is, it was unfortunate he didn’t get to be part of that grand final winning forward team last year. But he was killing it at the NSW Cup level. He gets his chance to be a consistent player at NRL level. We’re glad to have him as part of our team.”
STORM DOUBLE INJURY BLOW
—David Riccio
The Storm have suffered a double blow on the eve of the season with outstanding young winger Dean Ieremia ruled out for the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL.
The shattering news has been confirmed by the club which will also be forced to deal with the loss of key forward Tui Kamikamica, who is facing up to six weeks on the sideline with a foot injury.
Kamikamica suffered a tendon injury in his foot in the pre-game warm-up against the Warriors last Sunday.
Yet the more significant blow is the loss of the Storm’s Rookie of the Year in 2021. Ierimia sustained the injury in the second half of the 24-6 win against the Warriors and underwent scans on his return to Melbourne.
He will have surgery later this week.
Dean Ieremia will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL in the final trial, will undergo surgery. Contact mechanism, can see knee collapse in & tibia (shin bone) shift forward within the knee. Tackler was penalised for a hip drop in-game but not charged post-match. pic.twitter.com/JSYGH8q8UO
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 22, 2023
TWO STAR ROOSTERS IN DOUBT FOR ROUND 1
There’s mixed news for the Roosters ahead of their historic clash with the Dolphins next week, with Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves expected to be fit while Joseph Manu and Angus Crichton remain in doubt.
Manu is still recovering from a facial fracture suffered during the team’s pre-season trip to Queenstown when he collided hard with new recruit Junior Pauga.
The Roosters would love to have the Golden Boot winner on deck for next Sunday’s season opener but they won’t rush him given he hasn’t started doing any contact work at training.
“I’m not sure. Obviously that’s the goal, but if not Round 1 then I should be there Round 2,” the strike centre said as the club announced a new sponsorship deal with Hyundai.
The Sydney Roosters are pleased to announce @HyundaiAus have joined the Club as a Platinum Partner and official automotive partner ðŸ“
— Sydney Roosters 📠(@sydneyroosters) February 21, 2023
Details - https://t.co/7J1R3WFhpK#EastsToWinpic.twitter.com/3Iu6tTz7NB
“I’m looking to try to get ready but I haven’t done any contact yet so I’m taking it day by day.
“The bone is still healing so I can’t do any contact because I don’t want to get another break.
“I just went in for a tackle off my edge and one of the boys turned outwards and got me right on the side there. I felt it straight away. I was coming in with a bit of speed so the impact hit it pretty hard.
“It was one of the young boys, Junior Pauga. He was playing centre and I tried to shoot in on him. I think the ball went behind him so he turned and I went straight into his elbow.
“I got stunned and felt it. I felt the indent because it was pretty pushed in. It felt similar to how this one was pushed in so I just walked off the field and knew I was done.”
MOST POPULAR PLAYER IN SUPERCOACH TO MISS ROUND 1
—Dean Ritchie, Wilson Smith
Manly has been whacked on the eve of this season through an injury to rising five-eighth Josh Schuster.
It just could signal the elevation of Cooper Johns, son of former Test player, Matthew Johns, and nephew of Immortal, Andrew.
The injury to Schuster comes when just everything seemed to be rolling along nicely at Brookvale.
Schuster, the five-eighth who will replace Kieran Foran this season, has a calf injury and will miss Manly’s massive round one game against Canterbury at 4 Pines Park.
It is understood Schuster sustained the injury during last Friday night’s win over the Sydney Roosters in the Pre-Season Challenge.
A Manly media statement read: “MRI scans on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the calf injury that will see him miss Manly’s match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, March 4.
“With the Sea Eagles having a bye in round two, Schuster should be available for the round three match against Parramatta Eels at 4 Pines Park.”
Schuster is currently the most popular player in KFC SuperCoach NRL, at 62% ownership, and his absence will be a massive blow. Given Manly have the bye in Round 2, it means SuperCoaches will now be without one of the games best cheapie options for at least the first two weeks of the season.
Johns would be the logical replacement option after his stellar form in the NRL’s pre-season challenge, which Manly claimed along with $100,000 in prizemoney.
SHOCK SEASON-ENDING BLOW FOR STAR PANTHER
Penrith’s hopes of a premiership three-peat have copped a serious blow with star winger Taylan May ruled out for the season.
May, 21, suffered an ACL injury during the first half of the Panthers’ 13-12 golden-point World Club Challenge loss against St Helens.
“Scans revealed May will require surgery on the ACL injury, ruling him out for the entire season,” the Panthers confirmed in a statement on Monday afternoon.
May was due to miss the opening two rounds of the season through a delayed suspension stemming from an assault charge in the wake Penrith’s 2021 grand final win in Queensland.
Exciting young outside back Sunia Turuva is the front runner to replace May.
Turuva, 20, was promoted into Penrith’s top-30 squad this year, and played in the centres against St Helens as Stephen Crichton deputised for injured fullback Dylan Edwards.
Boorowa product Tom Jenkins is another option for coach Ivan Cleary, whose outside backs have also been diminished with Charlie Staines’ departure to the Wests Tigers in the off-season.
EELS V STORM
Thursday 2 March, CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Haze Dunster/Zac Cini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Murchie 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Mitch Rein/Jake Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Ofahiki Ogden/Wiremu Greig 17. Jirah Momoisea
Early Mail: The Eels have numerous injury concerns to start the season, with backline members Bailey Simonsson and Waqa Blake both unavailable early on.
Maika Sivo and Sean Russell are expected to start on the wings, with Will Penisini in one centre position.
The left centre spot is up in the air, with Zac Cini or Haze Dunster likely for the spot. Russell can also play centre should they opt for an alternate winger.
Cini himself suffered a rib cartilage injury in the trial.
Their back-row has struck trouble, with Ryan Matterson suspended for the first three weeks, and Shaun Lane and Matt Doorey both injured in the trials.
Lane is out long-term, while Doorey is a chance to play the season opener with an ankle sprain.
Bryce Cartwright would be one man in line for a call-up, but he’s under an injury cloud himself.
Jack Murchie is likely to get one spot, while Jirah Momoisea may be called up in the other if Doorey is ruled out.
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick/Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King
Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tariq Sims 17. Chris Lewis
Early Mail: Injuries have hit Melbourne’s pre-season, namely their backline contingent.
Justin Olam, Marion Seve, George Jennings and Ryan Papenhuyzen are all unavailable.
Nick Meaney will start at fullback and kick goals, with Young Tonumaipea and Reimis Smith starting in the centres.
Xavier Coates will play one wing, with Will Warbrick likely to edge Dean Ieremia for the vacant wing spot.
Tariq Sims didn’t feature in either trial due to an injury niggle, he remains in doubt to face the Eels in round 1. If named, he’s likely to play as a middle forward.
This leaves the back-row edge roles vacated by Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich wide open.
Eliesa Katoa and Trent Loiero are the likely starters in round 1, with the likes of Joe Chan, Tom Eisenhuth and Jack Howarth putting pressure on for the roles.
The highly regarded Howarth has seemingly fallen down the pecking order for the time being.
WARRIORS V KNIGHTS
Friday 3 March, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 6:00pm
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Tom Ale
Early Mail: With Luke Metcalf injured, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will get first crack at fullback.
He’ll make up the spine alongside Te Maire Martin, Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan.
Expect movement in the forward pack, with Tohu Harris starting at lock before switching to prop.
Harris will be the link man in the pack and is expected to play big minutes, as will Marata Niukore who starts on the edge.
The other edge is up for grabs at this stage, with Jackson Ford preferred to Josh Curran in week two of trials.
Mitch Barnett will start at prop but is also likely to spend some time on the edge.
Jazz Tevaga is unavailable for the opening few rounds due to injury.
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dom Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott
Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Leo Thompson 16. Jack Hetherington (in doubt) 17. Jack Johns/Brodie Jones
Early Mail: After impressing in the trials, Greg Marzhew is likely to win the left wing role ahead of a number of candidates.
Kalyn Ponga starts at five-eighth, but has seemingly relinquished the goalkicking duties to Jackson Hastings for the time being.
Recruit Adam Elliott didn’t feature in the trials on return from injury, followed by a fresh niggle at training, but he’s expected to be fit for round 1 where he’ll start at lock.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon is expected to start on the left edge, with Elliott to move out wider at stages once fully fit.
Kurt Mann will play off the bench as the utility, with a plan to integrate him into the side at lock.
Recruit Jack Hetherington is in doubt for the early stages of the season with a calf injury.
PANTHERS V BRONCOS
Friday 3 March, BlueBet Stadium, 8:05pm
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Matt Eisenhuth
Early Mail: Taylan May (ACL) is out for the season, meaning Sunia Turuva will start on the wing.
Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin and Soni Luke didn’t feature in the World Club Challenge but are all expected to play in Round 1.
Luke Garner is expected to start in the position vacated by Viliame Kikau, while Zac Hosking is an outside chance to win the spot.
Mitch Kenny will start at hooker, with Luke expected to deputise at about the 25-30 minute mark, essentially the same rotation Api Koroisau was involved in late last year.
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh/Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo/Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam/Jock Madden 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Pat Carrigan
Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Martin Taupau 17. Thomas Flegler
Early Mail: Halfback Adam Reynolds is racing the clock to be fit for round 1 having missed the pre-season trials with a niggle.
He’s expected to face Penrith in the opener, with Jock Madden on standby if he were to miss.
If Reynolds is unavailable, Reece Walsh would take over the goalkicking duties.
Walsh himself is in some doubt with a facial fracture, with Selwyn Cobbo to deputise at fullback if unavailable, which would also see Jesse Arthurs named on the wing.
The biggest question mark over an otherwise settled line-up is the hooking battle, with Billy Walters, Cory Paix, Tyson Smoothy and Blake Mozer all competing for the position.
Walters is likely to get the nod, with Paix sharing the role off the bench.
SEA EAGLES v BULLDOGS
Saturday 4 March, 4 Pines Park, 3:00pm
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Tolu Koula 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooepr Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Sean Keppie
Bench: 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Ethan Bullemor
Early Mail: Tom Trbojevic will return for the season opener at fullback.
Despite a desire to move to centre, Reuben Garrick is expected to play on the wing in 2023.
Josh Schuster has been ruled out with a calf injury, and will likely be replaced in the halves by Cooper Johns.
Jake Trbojevic will make the move to prop, with Sean Keppie likely starting at lock, making for a big forward pack approach by coach Anthony Seibold.
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Luke Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Ryan Sutton
Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Franklin Pele 16. Andrew Davey 17. Jacob Preston
Early Mail: Paul Alamoti is tipped to partner Jake Averillo in the centres, with Hayze Perham to play fullback.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner will start on the edge, but is likely to spend time in the middle third.
This will open up an edge spot for Andrew Davey during the match.
Tevita Pangai Jnr picked up a calf strain at training that will see him miss the opening month of action with the best case scenario being a return for the round four clash against the Warriors.
This is likely to open up a starting role for recruit Ryan Sutton.
Exciting recruits Jacob Preston and Franklin Pele are fighting for bench roles, both may be included should Cameron Ciraldo leave Nu Brown out, making new skipper Reed Mahoney an 80-minute hooker which is likely.
Viliame Kikau failed a HIA in the trial loss to Cronulla, barring any lingering symptoms he should be fine to take his place on the left edge outside Matt Burton in the opener.
COWBOYS V RAIDERS
Saturday 4 March, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo
Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. James Tamou 16. Mitchell Dunn/Jack Gosiewski 17. Griffin Neame
Early Mail: There’s little movement to the Cowboys’ 17 from last season.
They’re down an edge back-rower with Luciano Leilua unavailable due to being subject to the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy, and Heilum Luki is still some time away from returning from an ACL injury.
This will see Coen Hess given first crack on the left edge.
Jake Granville is likely to be picked as the bench utility, a spot filled by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow last season.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Trey Mooney/Ata Mariota
Early Mail: The Green Machine are short a genuine fullback, with Xavier Savage breaking his jaw in week one of pre-season trials.
Jordan Rapana can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.
It was actually Sebastian Kris preferred at number one by coach Ricky Stuart in the final trial.
But Rapana is more likely to start come the season opener, with Kris back to centre and Harley Smith-Shields returning from an ACL injury on the wing.
The other watch at the Raiders is the starting lock role vacated by Adam Elliott.
Joseph Tapine was the preferred option in the second trial, while both Emre Guler and Corey Horsburgh are options.
Danny Levi is expected to start at hooker, with Tom Starling sharing the role off the bench and Zac Woolford the odd man out.
Rookies Trey Mooney and Ata Mariota will compete for the final bench spot.
SHARKS V RABBITOHS
Saturday 4 March, PointsBet Stadium, 7:35pm
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane
Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Royce Hunt 17. Oregon Kaufusi/Jack Williams/Tom Hazelton
Early Mail: An extremely settled line-up for the Shire folk.
Interestingly Ronaldo Mulitalo played left wing in the trial win over the Bulldogs, with Sione Katoa on the right outside Jesse Ramien.
Teig Wilton is tipped to start on the left edge, relegating club veteran Wade Graham to a bench role.
Royce Hunt suffered an elbow injury at training that has him in doubt for the opener.
Jack Williams, Oregon Kaufusi and Tom Hazelton will fight for a final bench spot, or two if Hunt is unavailable.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray.
Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell
Early Mail: The backline picks itself, with Taane Milne unavailable for the opening round with suspension.
Isaiah Tass will start at centre, with Izaac Thompson on the wing.
Siliva Havili is out for an extended period, while Hame Sele is in doubt for round 1, which would see Tom Burgess join Tevita Tatola up front, also opening up minutes for Davvy Moale.
Blake Taaffe is expected to be named as the bench utility, locking in big minutes for Damien Cook with no other noted hooker on the bench.
DOLPHINS V ROOSTERS
Sunday 5 March, Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm
Dolphins:1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Iassko 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tesi Niu 5. Robert Jennings 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert
Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Ray Stone 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Herman Ese’ese
Early Mail: For a new-look line-up, the Dolphins’ starting side looks fairly settled.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Anthony Milford, Sean O’Sullivan and Jeremy Marshall-King will make up the spine.
This will force exciting youngster Isaiya Katoa to bide his time in QLD Cup.
Euan Aitken will make the move back to centre in 2023 where he’ll start alongside either Tesi Niu or Brenko Lee.
Edrick Lee suffered an ankle injury at training and will miss a month of action, opening up a spot on the wing for Robert Jennings.
Tom Gilbert will be the 13, with Ray Stone playing off the bench.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joey Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Matt Lodge 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley
Bench: 14. Jake Turpin, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Siua Wong 17. Terrell May
Early Mail: Jaxson Paulo is expected to start on the right wing outside of Joey Manu.
Manu is in doubt with a facial fracture, with Corey Allan or Paul Momirovski in line to replace him if unavailable.
In his new position of centre, Joseph Suaali’i failed a HIA in the trial loss to Manly, but should be okay with the long turnaround until the season begins.
Egan Butcher is expected to replace Angus Crichton in the back-row, with promising rookie Siua Wong a chance to replace him off the bench if named in round 1.
That said, Crichton is back training so don’t write him off.
With Connor Watson injured, Jake Turpin is set to play off the bench.
He’ll enter the game at hooker, which will likely see recruit Brandon Smith spend time in the middle rotation. Drew Hutchison remains a favourite of coach Trent Robinson and could sneak in for a bench spot.
Luke Keary is expected to be fit for round 1 despite suffering a head knock at training that saw him miss the second trial.
TIGERS V TITANS
Sunday 5 March, Leichhardt Oval, 6:15pm
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. Brent Naden 5. Junior Tupou/Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. David Klemmer 9. Api Koroisau 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 11. John Bateman/Shawn Blore 12. Isaiah Papali’I 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Fonua Pole 16. Shawn Blore/John Bateman 17. Alex Twal
Early Mail: The Tigers backline is wide open, with Ken Maumalo suffering a knee injury that will likely see him be made unavailable for the early stages of the season.
Impressive trialler Junior Tupou and recruit Charlie Staines are the main options to partner David Nofoaluma on the wing.
Among a stack centre position, Brent Naden and Tommy Talau are likely to get the round 1 nod.
Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks missed the side’s comfortable trial win over Canberra, but are available for the opener.
John Bateman was finally given clearance to arrive in Australia, meaning he missed the entire pre-season with the Tigers.
As such, he may be eased in off the bench before joining the starting side in the back-row very early on in the season.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Phillip Sami 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. JoJo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark/Isaac Liu
Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Joe Stimson 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Isaac Liu/Erin Clark
Early Mail: With Patrick Herbert and Brian Kelly unavailable in the early stages of the season, Jojo Fifita, Alofiana Khan-Periera, Phillip Sami and Aaron Schoupp make up an exciting backline.
Blessed with options in the playmaking ranks, the spine will run out as AJ Brimson, Kieran Foran, Tanah Boyd and Sam Verrills.
Boyd will goal-kick and partner David Fifita on the right edge, with Foran on the left with Beau Fermor.
Jayden Campbell is likely to be named as the bench utility, he spent time at centre during the pre-season trials.
Erin Clark is likely to start at lock, however he faces competition from Isaac Liu.
ON THE BYE: DRAGONS
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mikaele Ravalawa 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mat Feagai 6. Moses Mbye 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila/Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 14. Aaron Woods 15. Francis Molo 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Josh Kerr
Early Mail: Moses Mbye is likely to get the nod in the halves for the Dragons’ round 2 kick-off, ahead of Jayden Sullivan who will play off the bench.
Back-rower Jack Bird is expected to be fit for the club’s first game in round 2 as he recovers from a knee injury, if ruled out Ben Murdoch-Masila would likely join Jaydn Su’A in the starting side.
Zane Musgrove and Blake Lawrie are likely to start at prop, but there’s a host of different avenues Anthony Griffin could opt for there.
Lock forward Jack de Belin is dealing with a calf complaint that has him in slight doubt for the opener, but he’s expected to play.
Originally published as NRL teams Round 1, Early Mail: Eels backrow crisis, Storm double injury blow, Joey Manu in doubt
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