NRL trial teams 2021, plus KFC SuperCoach NRL analysis

Already one of the best players in KFC SuperCoach NRL, Ryan Papenhuyzen’s stocks will soar on the back of this news. FULL TRIAL SQUADS

Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given first crack at succeeding future rugby league immortal Cameron Smith as Melbourne Storm’s goalkicker in 2021.

The Storm flyer has confirmed he’ll take the goal kicking duties in Saturday’s trial clash with Newcastle in Albury.

Smith has been Storm’s goalkicker since 2006, but his departure has left a big vacancy which Papenhuyzen is happy to fill.

“I’ve been practising pretty hard out and if it doesn’t go to plan (Cameron) Munster will kick,” Papenhuyzen said on Friday.

“I’ve got the job this week and hopefully I can take it into the season as well.

“The natural side is probably the left side but you’ve got to learn to kick them from anywhere.”

The secret is out.

👟🏉 pic.twitter.com/ObpfoEKasE

— Melbourne Storm 🏆 (@storm) February 26, 2021

The fullback kicked 26 goals for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup in 2018, while Munster has slotted 22 of his 37 attempts in the NRL with his most prolific year being 2017 when he kicked 12 from 23.

“I was pretty average last year and I’ve put a bit of work into it over the pre-season so hopefully that shows,” Papenhuyzen said.

Meanwhile, Storm forward Christian Welch believes the club’s decision to not bring the players back until January will reap rewards as it begins its quest for back to back NRL titles on Saturday.

Storm will unleash its best possible team in Albury today as this will be its only full scale hitout before the NRL season opener at AAMI Park on March 11.

Rising star Harry Grant will start in the No. 9 jersey to kickstart the post Cameron Smith era, while

Premiership centre Brenko Lee (hamstring tightness) will miss with Victorian product Dean Ieremia with recruit Reimis Smith moved across to the centres.

Sam Walker during Roosters training Source: Roosters Digital

ROOSTERS REVEAL PLAYMAKER PLANS

The wait is over. Rugby league fans will finally get a glimpse of teen sensations Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker in their first senior games on Saturday afternoon.

In one of the most anticipated club debuts in recent times, Suaalii has been named at centre in the Roosters’ reserve grade side, North Sydney Bears, to take on Canberra in Queanbeyan. Fellow teen prodigy Walker will play halfback for the Bears, alongside young gun Ronald Volkman.

Such is the anticipation surrounding Suaalii, Kayo will stream the match from 2pm as a curtain raiser to the NRL trial between the two sides.

New recruit Adam Keighran has been named on the bench in Trent Robinson’s NRL side, as he presses for a utility spot for round one against Manly. Luke Keary will miss the trial with a hamstring complaint, leaving Lachlan Lam to line-up alongside Drew Hutchison.

Sam Walker during Roosters training Source: Roosters Digital

The battle for Melbourne’s starting hooker role comes to a head on in Albury when the Storm take on the Newcastle Knights.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Harry Grant has been named to start in the no. 9 jumper with Brandon Smith preferred on the bench.

Tom Opacic has one final chance to cement the left centre spot in Brad Arthur’s side vacated by Michael Jennings when the Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers on Saturday night.

For Penrith the likes of Tyrone May and Paul Momirovski will get a chance to press their claim to Brent Naden’s right centre spot. Coach Ivan Cleary has placed a four-match suspension on Naden after he tested positive to cocaine following the grand final.

Canterbury coach Trent Barrett will be forced to play his second choice five-eighth in Brandon Wakeham with Jake Averillo out injured (elbow) when the Bulldogs take on Cronulla.

Matt Moylan will take the field for the first time since August last year alongside halfback Chad Townsend.

As expected, Matt Moylan will line-up in the halves for Cronulla, with Shaun Johnson out injured. Picture: Getty Images.

INJURIES CRUEL BARRETT’S BULLDOGS REBUILD

The first glimpse of Canterbury’s new era under Trent Barrett will begin with an untried halves pairing, a new fullback and a centre aiming to prove his worth.

In a far from ideal build-up ahead of the season proper for Barrett’s Bulldogs, the new coach has been impacted by injuries before the club’s first and only NRL-standard trial match against Cronulla at Kogarah on Saturday night.

Unavailable for the hitout against the Sharks are Jeremy Marshall-King, who had been training all summer at hooker and Jake Averillo, the club’s first-choice five-eighth.

Full story by David Riccio

Jake Averillo will miss the trial. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders

Sat February 27 2021, 4:00pm at Seiffert Oval

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Josh Morris 4 Joseph Manu 5 Brett Morris 6 Lachlan Lam 7 Drew Hutchison 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9 Jake Friend 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11 Angus Crichton 12 Sitili Tupouniua 13 Isaac Liu 14 Nat Butcher 15 Adam Keighran 16 Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17 Lindsay Collins 18 Matt Ikuvalu 19 Egan Butcher 20 Sam Walker 21 Freddy Lussick

Raiders: Caleb Aekins, Elijah Anderson, Adam Cook, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson, Albert Hopoate, Corey Horsburgh, Ryan James, Seb Kris, Dunamis Lui, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kai O’Donnell, Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Harry Rushton, Curtis Scott, Harley Smith-Shields, Bailey Simonsson, Sia Soliola, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Semi Valemei, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Sam Williams, Hudson Young

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Always tricky when coaches name extended squads (32 in the Raiders – thanks Ricky!) and not players in position. However, it is good to see Bailey Simonsson (in 28.6% of teams currently) named, as it indicates the leading contender to nab the spot left vacant by the departure of Nick Cotric, has recovered from the leg injury he suffered in the pre-season. The other player everyone will be watching is former Titan Ryan James. Currently the 11th most popular cheapie and in 27.1% of teams, James is thought to lie outside of Canberra’s best 17 but if given a solid role against the Roosters that may need a rethink. The injury to Luke Keary may have opened up another spot in the halves, but popular SuperCoach cheapie Sam Walker has seemingly missed out yet again, named on an extended bench with Drew Hutchison and Lachlan Lam in the halves. As expected Sitili Tupouniua has won a starting role with Boyd Cordner sidelined long-term, and Sio Siua Taukeiaho has been named to start, shaking off some slight injury concerns.

Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights

Sat February 27 2021, 5:30pm at Albury Sports Ground

Storm: 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen 2 Dean Ieremia 3 Reimis Smith 4 Justin Olam 5 Josh Addo-Carr 6 Cameron Munster 7 Jahrome Hughes 8 Jesse Bromwich (c) 9 Harry Grant 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11 Felise Kaufusi 12 Kenny Bromwich 13 Dale Finucane (c). Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith 15 Christian Welch 16 Tui Kamikamica 17 Tom Eisenhuth

Newcastle Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Starford To’a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Gehamat Shibasaki 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. David Klemmer 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson 14. Chris Randall 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Josh King 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Brodie Jones 20. Mathew Croker 21. Brayden Musgrove 22. Pasami Saulo 23. Dominic Young

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The biggest talking point here is that KFC SuperCoach cheapie Connor Watson has seemingly won the 13 jersey, making him a virtual must-have player given his price of $288,600. Interestingly Kurt Mann has not been named for the Knights, with Phoenix Crossland instead starting in the halves. For Storm, the injury to Brenko Lee sees Reimis Smith start at centre, with Victorian junior Dean Ieremia on the wing. As expected Harry Grant has won the starting hooking role, with Brandon Smith on the bench, while Christian Welch will likely start off the bench, a blow to the 8.7% of KFC SuperCoaches who currently own him.

Gold Coast Titans v Warriors

Sat February 27 2021, 5:30pm at Oakes Oval, Lismore

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. David Fifita, 12. Kevin Proctor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Interchange: Phillip Sami, Tyrone Peachey, Sam Lisone, Jaimin Jolliffe, Beau Fermor, Sam Stone, Tanah Boyd, Treymain Spry, Greg Marzhew, Erin Clark, Jai Whitbread, Toby Sexton

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Ken Maumalo, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Peta Hiku, 14. Marcelo Montoya, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 21. Josh Curran, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tohu Harris. Interchange: 5. Adam Pompey, 11 Ben Murdoch Masila, 15. Kane Evans, 17. Rocco Berry, 18. Paul Turner, 23. Hayze Perham, 25. Jazz Tevaga, 26. Jack Murchie, 27. Bunty Afoa, 28 Leeson Ah Mau.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The Titans are rolling with what looks like their first XIII here and it is a joy to see Tino Fa’asuamaleaui named at lock and not stuck in the prop rotation. AJ Brimson is a trendy POD pick at fullback, especially now that Tom Trbojevic is out of the action and there will be interest in whether he can continue in the sensational form he finished 2020 in. Greg Marzhew is still on the outside looking in, but his hat-trick in last week’s trial must be putting some pressure on Corey Thompson and or Anthony Don.

For the Warriors, halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita is a late withdrawal, with former Bronco Sean O’Sullivan set to start in the halves, while popular CTW cheapie David Fusitua is also not named, a concern for the 14.7 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches who own him. And as expected, Tohu Harris has seen a shift to the middle, opening a starting spot for Bayley Sironen, while Josh Curran has been a late replacement for another popular KFC SuperCoach mid-ranger Ben Murdoch Masila. If BMM fails to secure a starting spot at the Warriors, the 16% of SuperCoaches who own him may want to downgrade to a more genuine cheapie.

KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST: Join Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland for the latest.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Sat February 27 2021, 6:00pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Billy Magoulias

Interchange: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Jack Williams, 16. Teig Wilton, 17. Andrew Fifita, Luke Metcalf, 19. Mawene Hiroti, 20. Braydon Trindall, 21. Nene Macdonald

Bulldogs: Corey Allan, Renouf Atoni, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Dean Britt, Declan Casey, Nick Cotric, Brad Deitz, Matt Doorey, Adam Elliott, Kyle Flanagan, Jack Hetherington, Will Hopoate, Josh Jackson, Sione Katoa, Tui Katoa, Lachlan Lewis, Falakiko Manu, Nick Meaney, Ofahiki Ogden, Aaron Schoupp, Ava Seumanufagai, Chris Smith, Joe Stimson, Jackson Topine, Corey Waddell, Brandon Wakeham, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

KFC SuperCoach analysis: SC darling that he is, I fearthat despite being named to start at lock, Billy Magoulias will not be in the 13 – or even 17 – come Round 1 as both Toby Rudolf and Aiden Tolman need to come into the squad. Not a shock to see Connor Tracey named at 14 instead of the hoped for fullback role though he may yet split the custodian duties. Keep an eye on minutes there. The other player of real SC interest is Matt Moylan with all hoping he just gets through the game unscathed.

Bulldogs are another lacklustre KFC SuperCoach team with no player named this weekend at over 10.5 per cent. The most popular player is Jack Hetherington, who joins the club via the Panthers and Warriors, and he looms as a mid-range buy at $294,000. He could surge in ownership with a strong trial performance, for those willing to run the gauntlet with injury. Jake Averillo was one of the buzz buys of the pre-season and remains at 9.4 per cent ownership despite being ruled out of the opening round with an elbow injury.

(CHARITY SHIELD) South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons

Sat February 27 2021, 6:30pm at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Josh Mansour 16. Tautau Moga 17. Steven Marsters 18. Troy Dargan 19. Hame Sele 20. Benji Marshall 21. Mark Nicholls 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Patrick Mago 24. Jai Arrow 25. Joshua Cook

Dragons: Daniel Alvaro, Jack Bird, Adam Clune, Matt Dufty, Kaide Ellis, Poasa Faamausili, Max Feagai, Jackson Ford, Tyrell Fuimaono, Ben Hunt, Jaiyden Hunt, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie, Zac Lomax, Andrew McCullough, Trent Merrin, Corey Norman, Jordan Pereira, Cody Ramsey, Mikaele Ravalawa, Tariq Sims, Jayden Sullivan, Paul Vaughan, Brayden Wiliame

KFC SuperCoach analysis: In a strange twist, new Rabbitohs recruits Josh Mansour and Jai Arrow were both only named on the bench, with Jaxson Paulo set to start on the wing. With Jaydn Su’a not named, it gives both Keaon Koloamatangi and Jacob Host a start in their battle to claim the starting role left vacant by Bayley Sironen with Cameron Murray to stay at lock. There aren’t too many surprises for the Dragons, with either Adam Clune or Jayden Sullivan set to start in the halves with Corey Norman suspended. With Jack Bird set to play in the centres there is potentially just one backline spot up for grabs in this trial.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021 Cheapie Bible

KFC SuperCoach NRL: 21 players set to shine in 2021

SuperCoach club-by-club guide to transfer madness

Strength of schedule: SuperCoach draw analysis

CASUALTY WARD: Every club’s injury list reveal

Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels

Sat February 27 2021, 7:30pm at Panthers Stadium

Panthers: Api Koroisau, Brian To’o, Charlie Staines, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, J’maine Hopgood, Kurt Capewell, Liam Martin, Matt Burton, Matt Eisenhuth, Moses Leota, Nathan Cleary, Paul Momirovski, Spencer Leniu, Stephen Crichton, Tyrone May, Viliame Kikau

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Marata Niukore

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Another squad selection but coach Cleary has kept it to a more manageable 19 names. Areas of SuperCoach interest include who is in the running to replace Brent Naden (who will miss the opening four rounds in a self-imposed ban) at right centre. There may be a fresh face at left centre too with Stephen Crichton only rated a 50/50 chance to play due to a minor foot injury. Back on the right, all eyes will be on Charlie Staines with the young star currently in 53% of SuperCoach teams. We don’t need a repeat of the four tries Staines scored on debut, just some promising signs would be enough to lock him in. And then there’s the middle … the Panthers will be without a couple of established veterans from 2020 and it will be interesting to see how many minutes Spencer Leniu and Moses Leota get.

The Eels aren’t the most exciting KFC SuperCoach team for 2021. Ryan Matterson is a very popular safe buy and in almost a quarter of teams, but from there it’s thin pickings with no named player over 10 per cent ownership. The smoky could be Tom Opacic at $325,000, who has beaten cheapie prospect Haze Dunster to the centre spot vacated by Michael Jennings (provisionally suspended). And while on that, Dunster is a definite sell for the cheapie hunters after missing the side.

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys

Sat February 27 2021, 8:05pm (7:05pm QLD) at Dolphin Stadium

Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Tesi Niu, 5. David Mead, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Tevita Pangai Jnr. Interchange: 14. John Asiata, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Corey Oates, 17. Ben Te’o, 18. Cory Paix, 19. Tyson Gamble, 20. Richard Kennar

Cowboys:

1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Michael Morgan (c), 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Mitch Dunn, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo (c). Interchange: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Lachlan Burr, 16. Peter Hola, 17. Corey Jensen, 18. Shane Wright,

19. Ben Hampton, 20. Murray Taulagi, 21. Reuben Cotter, 22. Esan Marsters

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Both teams have confirmed a number of positional switches that had been reported, with the biggest being Scott Drinkwater moving to fullback, with Hamiso to centre and Valentine Holmes to the wing. Holmes is currently owned by 14.2% of KFC SuperCoaches, many of whom will surely want to jump ship now that he is on the wing. Patrick Carrigan moves to prop, with Tevita Pangai Jnr earning a starting role at lock and popular Jordan Riki replaces David Fifita on an edge, making him a must have player for Round 1.

Wests Tigers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Sun February 28 2021, 5:00pm at Leichhardt Oval

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Aj Kepaoa 6. Jock Madden 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Twal 14. Tommy Talau 15. Reece Hoffman 16. Adam Doueihi 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Kelma Tuilagi 23. Zane Musgrove 24. Russell Packer 25. Thomas Mikaele 26. Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Sea Eagles: 1. Morgan Harper 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Cade Cust 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Morgan Boyle 14. Tevita Funa 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Andrew Davey 19. Jack Birt 20. Ben Trbojevic 21. Tolu Koula 22. Zac Saddler 23. Daniel Ala 24. Sione Fainu 25. Dylan Smith 26. Alec Tuitavake 27. Jonah Palota Kopa 28. Zane Harris

Daine Laurie pictured at the Panthers. He recently joined the Tigers. Picture: NRLPhotos/Gregg Porteous

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie Daine Laurie has scored the Tigers’ fullback spot, although it may be false hope with Moses Mbye out through injury. KFC SuperCoaches also get a look at popular players Stefano Utoikamanu (sixth most popular), Jacob Liddle (23rd) and James Roberts (25th). However, highly-fancied cheapie Shawn Blore is out with a wrist injury and set to miss the start of the season.

Hard to read anything into this second string team with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Aloiai, Kieran Foran, Jake Trbojevic and Dylan Walker left out. A more notable omission for KFC SuperCoach is cheapie Jason Saab. Does this mean he’s guaranteed a round one spot like the other stars left out, or out of favour? In other news, Jack Gosiewski has been named ahead of Andrew Davey in the back row spot vacated by Joel Thompson (Super League). Morgan Harper appears set for first crack at the fullback spot vacated by Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round five).

Originally published as NRL trial teams 2021, plus KFC SuperCoach NRL analysis