Team List Tuesday: 10 SuperCoach factors to look out for in first squads of NRL season

THE first Team List Tuesday of the year is on the horizon and the make-up of almost every squad is shrouded in mystery. With many SuperCoaches sweating on the teams to drop, we take a look at the 10 things we’re all looking out for.

THE first Team List Tuesday of the year is on the horizon and the make-up of almost every squad is shrouded in mystery.

With many SuperCoaches sweating on the teams to drop, we take a look at the 10 things we’re all looking out for.

1) South Sydney’s back-row

The emergence of Cameron Murray has had a major bearing on where Sam Burgess will start in round one.

Burgess was initially expected to play on an edge in 2018, but he may shift to prop to allow Murray to start at lock.

Cameron Murray has had a major impact on the Rabbitohs’ back-row

One of either Angus Crichton, John Sutton, Murray or Burgess will miss a starting spot in the back-row.

With the delegation of minutes largely unknown in the Rabbitohs’ pack, all purchases are lined with an element of risk.

Former Storm prop Mark Nicholls also looms as an outside chance to start and could be a cash cow option at just $192,800.

2) Farah’s presence

Damien Cook has been a popular alternative to Siliva Havili as a bench hooker.

This purchase relies solely on whether or not Robbie Farah scores a bench spot.

If Farah misses selection, Cook will seemingly have 80-minutes locked in.

Luciano Leilua is expected to play off the bench but is in contention for a starting role

3) Luciano Leilua

The brother to Canberra’s Joey Leilua is in contention for a starting back-row role at the Dragons.

His main competition is Tariq Sims who is favoured to claim the position.

Leilua looms as a solid option regardless of his position on the team list, however his ownership will skyrocket should he jag a starting berth.

4) Tigers’ backline

There’s been plenty of speculation surrounding the make-up of the Tigers’ back five.

Corey Thompson has come from the clouds to stake a claim for the No. 1 role ahead of Tui Lolohea.

Should Thompson oust Lolohea for the role, goal-kicking duties would be passed onto Esan Marsters.

While appearing unlikely, the inclusion of Mahe Fonua and/or Taane Milne would also pique SuperCoach interest at just $264,800 and $192,800 respectively.

5) Raiders’ hooker

It appears bargain buy Siliva Havili has won the starting hooker role at Canberra, but confirmation would ease many concerns for prospective owners.

With much uncertainty surrounding the club’s spine, any shake-up could have major implications on Havili as a purchase.

Regardless of the side, expect Havili to play around 50 minutes.

6) Panthers’ back-row

SuperCoaches will be sweating on Anthony Griffin’s team list with Viliame Kikau already in 27 per cent of sides. Priced at just $192,800, Kikau’s ownership could exceed 50 per cent if given a starting role in place of Corey Harawira-Naera as he eases back from shoulder surgery.

7) Bulldogs’ utility

With a greater licence to run on show in Canterbury’s trial win over Canberra, Michael Lichaa presented himself as a left field hooker option.

Should the versatile Fa’amanu Brown gain a utility role on the bench, it would spell curtains for Lichaa as it’d be unlikely the rake would play 80-minutes.

8) Tigers’ back-row

Robbie Rochow is another who few in the game would have predicted as piquing SuperCoach interest to begin 2018.

However the well-travelled forward is in line to gain a start in the second-row at the Tigers, making him a tempting purchase at just $242,600.

While he won’t bust out big numbers, Rochow has a solid work-rate and holds the valuable dual FRF/2RF status.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho will see greater minutes should he start at prop for the Roosters

9) Chooks’ top props

All eyes will be on the Roosters’ prop pairing. Sio Siua Taukeiaho stormed into SuperCoach contention when he was reported to have overtaken Jared Warea-Hargreaves in the Roosters’ front-row pecking order.

SST is expected to kick goals when on the field, and would likely command a substantial rise in minutes should he gain the nod to start.

10) Rabbitohs’ wingers

Highly credentialed young gun Campbell Graham ($207,700) is under an injury cloud for the opening stages of the season.

With Richie Kennar ($239,600), Robert Jennings ($356,400), Braidon Burns ($241,400), Hymel Hunt ($284,000) and Adam Doueihi ($177,300) all in contention for wing spots, Anthony Seibold’s team list will have huge ramifications on SuperCoach squads.

With most contenders awkwardly priced in the hotly contended position, the starting wingers come with plenty of risk.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach news section / Cheapie Bible 2018 / Tom Sangster’s team / Copes’ team/ Reigning champ’s team / Wilfred Zee’s team / Top 10 PODs / SuperCoach strategy 101 / Most popular SuperCoach players / Must-haves for 2018 / Pre-season casualty ward / Eels fans are biggest SuperCoach addicts / Former champ’s top 10 mid-rangers / Champion’s Choice: Alex Twal / CTW: Risk vs. reward / HOK: Smith or not? / Your club’s biggest selection issue / SuperCoach study guide: Broncos / Bulldogs / Cowboys / Eels / Knights / Panthers / Roosters / Rabbitohs / Raiders / Sharks / Sea Eagles / Storm / Tigers / Titans / Warriors

Originally published as Team List Tuesday: 10 SuperCoach factors to look out for in first squads of NRL season