Teams analysis: Key burning issues as NRL coaches make crucial selection calls ahead of Round 1

Brendan Piakura has long been heralded as an elite backrower in the making, but he’s yet to really own that status at the Broncos and has now been benched. So what does his relegation mean?

Selection battles have been run and won as NRL coaches make decisive calls ahead of all the Round 1 action, kicking off with a blockbuster at Allianz Stadium when the Roosters take on Brisbane on Thursday night.

We take a look at the key Round 1 burning issues that are set to play out this weekend.

IS DYLAN BROWN A $13 MILLION MAN?

The clubs willing to throw the mega 10 year, $13 million deals at the Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown are about to find out whether he is worth the hefty price tag.

Brown will be charged with leading Parramatta’s attack against hot title favourites Melbourne after halfback Mitchell Moses was ruled out of Round 1 with a foot injury – and a return date for the halfback won’t be confirmed until next week.

It puts Brown on a collision course with the NRL’s best halves combination in Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes. But if Brown can take the Storm’s scalp on Sunday, he’ll go a long way in silencing the detractors that don’t believe he is worth that kind of coin.

Clubs are about to find out if Dylan Brown is worth his asking price, with Mitch Moses ruled out for Parramatta. Picture: Getty Images

All eyes will be on Brown and he handles the pressure, and whether he has the kicking game and poise to lead the Eels around the field.

It’s also shaping as a payday for Ronald Volkman, who will take over the no.7 jumper in the absence of Moses.

Volkman was handed a lifeline train and trial deal by the Eels but can now put himself in the shop front window.

WHAT DOES A BENCH RELEGATION MEAN FOR BRENDAN PIAKURA AT REDHILL?

After starting in the backrow in 2024, Brendan Piakura has now lost that role to journeyman Jack Gosiewski. That’s not to take anything away from Gosiewski, who has earned a starting spot through hard work and effort over the summer.

Piakura did have an interrupted pre-season with an ankle injury and that could have influenced Michael Maguire’s decision. But Piakura has long been heralded as an elite backrower but yet to really own that status at Red Hill.

Instead, Piakura has been left to fight to keep a bench spot in position that Maguire not only has other options in the likes of Fletcher Baker and Jaiyden Hunt if he fails to impress the coach.

Brendan Piakura has been relegated to the bench for the Broncos. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Piakura, who is signed until the end of 2027, also has rookie second rower Jett Bryce nipping at his heels. Bryce is only 18 but impressed in Brisbane’s trial against the Burleigh Bears and is edging closer to an NRL debut.

The 2025 season could be a decisive year in Piakura’s career at Brisbane.

CAN TYRELL SLOAN FIGHT HIS WAY BACK INTO SHANE FLANAGAN’S SIDE?

Sloan’s defence had arguably stunted his development as an elite fullback but now the 22-year old is out of Shane Flanagan’s side altogether.

With skipper Clint Gutherson in the No.1 jumper, Flanagan has opted to start Mathew Feagai and Christian Tuipulotu on the wing instead of Sloan – who had an interrupted pre-season with a foot injury.

Sloan, who is signed until the end of 2026, was initially to bid his time behind Gutherson on the wing, where he was to be given a roaming type role.

Tyrell Sloan (centre) has missed out on a Round 1 spot, with Clint Gutherson taking over at fullback., while Mathew Feagai and Christian Tuipulotu have been picked on the wings. Picture: Getty Images

The problem for Sloan isn’t just missing out on Round 1 selection, it’s the fact boom rookie Sione Finau has also missed out. Finau scored four tries in 30 minutes in the Dragons’ final trial against South Sydney and did enough to catapult himself above Sloan in the winger’s pecking order.

Sloan is too good, and too much of an x-factor, to be stuck in reserve grade but not enough to be Flanagan’s first choice winger. It leaves the coach with a conundrum that could play out all season long.

TRENT ROBINSON ROLLS OUT TEENAGE FORWARDS IN A NEW-LOOK PACK

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has turned to the club’s forward ranks thrusting teenagers Blake Steep and Salesi Foketi, both only 19, to the side to take on the Broncos, who boast a formidable pack.

The bench is rounded out by Siua Wong and Zack Dochar-Clay with Robinson opting for mobility over size.

Trent Robinson is set to unleash two rookies against the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

Steep made his debut last year but Foketi will be unleashed onto the NRL for the first time. Foketi, who was elevated into the top 30 this week, is considered the best forward coming through the ranks at the club.

Roosters fans, still ruining the loss of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will get a glimpse at the club’s boom rookies anointed to take over the enforcer’s mantle and lead the engine room into the future.

Robinson looks to have also pulled the trigger on moving for Victor Radley from lock onto the right edge with Nat Butcher now the preferred option in the no.13.

While Radley has made a reputation for himself as a hit man in defence, it’s his footy smarts and ball playing ability through the middle that the Roosters will miss most in attack. How Robinson’s new look spine handles not having Radley as the link man through the middle could determine just how permanent the move is.

BENJI MARSHALL’S $500,000 HALVES CONUNDRUM

Big money youngster Latu Fainu had been vying for the No.14 jumper in Benji Marshall side, but the coach has opted for 27-year old hooker Tristan Hope on the bench.

It’s a sign that Marshall favours a hooking rotation, which is likely to continue with Tallyn Da Silva and Api Koroisau, once the skipper returns from suspension in Round 2.

The move effectively squeezes Fainu – who is on around $500,000 per season – out of the Tigers’ best 17.

Latu Fainu has been overlooked for the Tigers’ Round 1 squad. Picture: Getty Images

The problem for the Tigers is that Fainu still has three years left on his deal at Concord and could spend his time in NSW Cup, where he was named at halfback this week.

Fainu only played nine games last year and battled through injury but is still one of the most highly rated young halves in terms of talent in the NRL.

But with Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai a lock in the halves, Fainu will be forced to bide his time as an expensive depth player. Given Finau’s talents, it won’t be long before rivals start sniffing around Concord too.

Originally published as Teams analysis: Key burning issues as NRL coaches make crucial selection calls ahead of Round 1