2022 NRL trials week two: Ultimate guide, team lists, players to watch, talking points
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur may look close to home to find the club’s new utility. Paul Crawley previews the players to watch in every trial.
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Welcome to the most important week of the NRL pre-season. It’s the final weekend of trial matches and the last chance for clubs to get their combinations right ahead of Round 1.
Which established veterans are on the outer? Who are the bolters putting themselves in the frame for an unlikely call-up? PAUL CRAWLEY takes a look at every game and the big calls coaches have made with the NRL season kick-off just a fortnight away.
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NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS V GOLD COAST TITANS
Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe, Postponed, TBC
WARRIORS
- Nathan Brown has made his intentions clear with Kodi Nikorima selected at five-eighth and Shaun Johnson halfback. Chanel Harris-Tavita is at fullback with Reece Walsh not playing (and suspended for round one). Nikorima has been the clear standout of the Warriors’ halves contenders so far.
- That means Ash Taylor is out of the starting team, named on the extended bench in the No.21 jumper.
- Eliesa Katoa and Euan Aitken are the edge back-rowers again with Josh Curran at lock and Jazz Tevaga named at 14.
- Another interesting selection is teenage prop Otukinekina Kepu on the bench after only joining the NRL squad this summer with his twin brother Valingi. Both boys are on development contracts.
TITANS
- This could be a real key moment in the evolution of the Titans under Justin Holbrook with AJ Brimson named at five-eighth in his first game since fracturing his jaw against Souths in round 22 last season. That opened the door for young Jayden Campbell, who hasn’t looked back.
- It’s worth noting Brimson has played 15 of his 63 NRL games at five-eighth but most of those were back in 2018.
- After a blockbusting performance last week against the Broncos, Treymain Spry drops back to the extended bench for Corey Thompson, while Brian Kelly also returns.
WARRIORS
1 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Viliami Vailea, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Wayde Egan
10 Bunty Afoa, 11 Euan Aitken, 12 Eliesa Katoa, 13 Josh Curran. Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga 15 Otukinekina Kepu, 16 Ben Murdoch-Masila, 17 Aaron Pene, 18 Bayley Sironen, 20 Taniela Otukolo, 21 Ash Taylor, 22 Edward Kosi, 23 Jack Murchie, 24 Adam Pompey, 25 Junior Ratuva, 26 Jayden Corrigan
TITANS
1 Jayden Campbell, 2 Phillip Sami, 3 Brian Kelly, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Toby Sexton, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Erin Clark, 10 Jaimin Jolliffe, 11 David Fifita, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c). Interchange: 14 Tanah Boyd, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Jarrod Wallace, 17 Will Smith, 18 Herman Ese’ese, 19 Kevin Proctor, 20 Sam McIntyre, 21 Paul Turner, 22 Treymain Spry, 23 Greg Marzhew, 24 Esan Marsters
PENRITH PANTHERS V PARRMATTA EELS
BlueBet Stadium, Penrith, Saturday, 5pm
PANTHERS
- Last week the Panthers didn’t play any starters from the grand final. This week they at least resemble something near their top squad, albeit with a few significant absentees.
- And with Nathan Cleary racing to be fit for round one, Sean O’Sullivan this week partners five-eighth Jarome Luai.
- Charlie Staines gets another crack at fullback and Izack Tago in the centres. Robert Jennings and Brian To’o are the wings, and Stephen Crichton the other centre.
- Ivan Cleary has also named a strong pack with Moses Leota and Spencer Leniu starting props, Api Koroisau at dummy half and Viliame Kikau playing.
- And how about this, Mavrik Geyer has been named at No.14 after his impressive performance against the young Sharks to keep alive his dream of securing an NRL debut.
- Even with the likes of Cleary, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards all still missing, there will be a lot of interest in how the Panthers go about setting up their title defence. Cameron Smith said recently the biggest threat to them going back-to-back will be if they become complacent.
EELS
- With Will Smith gone, does the bench selection of coach Brad Arthur’s son Jakob (ahead of Mitch Rein) mean the 19-year-old is ready to nail down a permanent place in the top 17? They reckon young Arthur has been outstanding during pre-season and has a phenomenal work ethic and his attention to detail is second to none.
- Ryan Matterson also gets a chance to push his claims for a starting spot following a dramatic drop down the pecking order last season. Matterson comes in for Nathan Brown (leg injury) at lock, although Brown is expected to be fit for round one.
- Sean Russell also has the chance to claim a wing spot following Haze Dunster’s season-ending knee injury, with Solomone Naiduki on an extended bench. Bailey Simonsson is on the other wing.
- Although Marata Niukore is named in an extended squad he is not in the top 17 given he’s suspended for round one, with Makahesi Makatoa, Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone the bench forwards.
PANTHERS
1 Charlie Staines, 2 Robert Jennings, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Stephen Crichton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Sean O’Sullivan, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Spencer Leniu, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Scott Sorensen, 13 Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14 Mavrik Geyer, 15 Chris Smith, 16 J’maine Hopgood, 17 Jaeman Salmon, 18 Eddie Blacker, 19 Sunia Turuva, 20 Taylan May, 21 Mitch Kenny, 22 Soni Luke, 23 Arthur Crichton
EELS
1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Sean Russell, 3 Will Penisini, 4 Waqa Blake, 5 Bailey Simonsson, 6 Dylan Brown, 7 Mitch Moses, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Junior Paulo (c), 11 Shaun Lane, 12 Isaiah Papali’i, 13 Ryan Matterson. Interchange: 14 Makahesi Makatoa, 15 Oregon Kaufusi, 16 Ray Stone, 17 Jake Arthur, 18 Mitch Rein, 19 Marata Niukore, 20 Ofahiki Ogden, 21 Jordan Rankin, 22 Brendan Hands, 23 Ky Rodwell, 24 Bryce Cartwright, 25 Hayze Perham, 26 Solomone Naiduki, 27 Tom Opacic, 28 Sam Loizou
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS V ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee, Saturday, 7pm
RABBITOHS
- Jason Demetriou has pretty much named his top team, minus of course the suspended Latrell Mitchell and new skipper Cam Murray (recovering from off-season shoulder surgery but racing to be fit to start the season proper).
- All eyes will be on new halfback Lachlan Ilias to see how his combination with Cody Walker has developed. Ilias also had off-season back surgery so it is interesting Dean Hawkins gets a bench spot.
- Jai Arrow looks set to shift from the middle this year to take over that right edge back-row spot from the departed Jaydn Su’A.
- With Jaxson Paulo now in the centres, Josh Mansour comes onto the wing.
DRAGONS
- Tyrell Sloan takes the fullback jumper from Cody Ramsey, who shifts to the wing with Makaele Ravalawa.
- Moses Suli partners Zac Lomax in what could develop into one of the NRL’s best attacking centre combinations.
- Junior Amone and Ben Hunt are the halves with Moses Mbye (quad) and Jayden Sullivan (hamstring) not named.
- Jack Bird is playing on the edge with Su’a on the other side and Jack de Belin at lock. Aaron Woods and Blake Lawrie are the starting front-rowers. Tariq Sims is not playing because of a minor calf injury but is expected to be fit for round one.
- And spare a thought for Julie Burgess when big George tackles twin brother Tom for the first time in a competitive match, with both George and Tom starting from the bench.
RABBITOHS
1 Blake Taaffe, Alex Johnston, 3 Jaxson Paulo, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Josh Mansour, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Lachlan Ilias, 8 Junior Tatola, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Hame Sele, 11 Keaon Koloamatangi, 12 Jai Arrow, 13 Mark Nicholls. Interchange: 14 Dean Hawkins, 15 Siliva Havili, 16 Thomas Burgess, 17 Jacob Host, 18 Michael Chee Kam, 19 Josiah Karapani, 20 Richie Kennar, 21 Davvy Moale, 22 Romano Cook, 23 Terrell Kalo Kalo, 24 Taane Milne
DRAGONS
1 Tyrell Sloan, 2 Cody Ramsey, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Zac Lomax, 5 Mikaele Ravalawa, 6 Junior Amone, 7 Ben Hunt (c), 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Blake Lawrie, 11 Jack Bird, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14 Francis Molo, 15 Josh Kerr, 16 George Burgess, 17 Michael Molo, 18 Tautau Moga, 19 Jaiyden Hunt, 20 Jackson Ford, 21 Jack Gosiewski, 22 Mat Feagai, 23 Josh McGuire, 24 Connor Muhleisen, 25 Jonathon Reuben, 26 Dean Blore
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS V BRISBANE BRONCOS
BB Print Stadium, Mackay, Saturday, 9pm
COWBOYS
- The big shock here is Tom Dearden starting at five-eighth with Chad Townsend at halfback and Scott Drinkwater demoted to an extended bench in jumper No 19. Todd Payten has said Drinkwater will get half the game but it looks like the six jumper is Dearden’s to lose.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is named at fullback with Val Holmes in the centres. How the Hammer develops in this position could make or break the Cowboys’ season.
- No sign of Jason Taumalolo because of a hamstring injury, although he is expected to be right for round one. And don’t they need him to return to his best this year. While Taumalolo’s minutes only dropped marginally last year, his average metres were down alarmingly, from 193m in 2020 to 139m last season.
- And Jordan McLean is on the bench with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Coen Hess starting props.
BRONCOS
- Kevvie Walters has really rattled the cage in Brisbane, naming Cory Paix at hooker and Selwyn Cobbo at fullback.
- And with Adam Reynolds still out of action, the big debate over who should be his halves partner rolls on. Walters is going with Albert Kelly at five-eighth and Billy Walters at halfback with Ezra Mam and Tyson Gamble on the extended bench. You still get the feeling this is Billy’s to lose this week.
- Payne Haas will also be back in action, while Herbie Farnworth, Ryan James and Jordan Riki play their first game of the season.
COWBOYS
1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Valentine Holmes, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Tom Dearden, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Coen Hess, 11 Heilum Luki, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Reuben Cotter. Interchange: 14 Jake Granville, 15 Jordan McLean, 16 Mitch Dunn, 17 Tom Gilbert, 18 Brendan Elliot, 19 Scott Drinkwater, 20 Griffin Neame
BRONCOS
1 Selwyn Cobbo, 2 Corey Oates, 3 Kotoni Staggs, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Jordan Pereira, 6 Albert Kelly, 7 Billy Walters, 8 Pat Carrigan, 9 Cory Paix, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Jordan Riki, 13 Kobe Hetherington. Interchange: 14 Ryan James, 15 Keenan Palasia, 16 Jake Turpin, 17 Rhys Kennedy, 18 Corey Jensen, 19 Tyson Gamble, 20 Teui Robati, 21 David Mead, 22 Ezra Mam, 23 Brenko Lee, 24 Jamayne Isaako
MELBOURNE STORM V NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Mars Stadium, Wendouree, Sunday, 5.45pm
STORM
- Big Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named on an extended bench with Josh King starting lock. Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch are also back after missing the opening trial.
- But Brandon Smith, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant have all been left out of the starting squad obviously due to their first-round unavailability (all are on the extended bench).
- Former Bulldog Nick Meaney also gets a shot at fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen not playing. I can’t wait to see what Craig Bellamy does with Meaney this year.
- Cooper Johns is filling in for Munster at five-eighth while former Dragon Tyran Wishart gets to start in the No.9 jersey.
KNIGHTS
- Adam O’Brien’s new-look halves looked pretty good against the Bulldogs first-up but this is going to be a far better indication of where young Jake Clifford and Adam Clune are really at against the might of Melbourne. The Knights have one of the most inexperienced spines after losing Mitchell Pearce followed by another long-term injury to Jayden Brailey.
- Kurt Mann was another who impressed last Monday night against the Dogs and he retains the No.13 jumper, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon on an edge this week and Mitch Barnett on the bench.
STORM
1 Nick Meaney, 2 George Jennings, 3 Reimis Smith, 4 Justin Olam, 5 Xavier Coates, 6 Cooper Johns, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Tyran Wishart, 10 Christian Welch, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Kenny Bromwich, 13 Josh King. Interchange: 14 Sua Fa’alogo, 15 Will Warbrick, 16 Alec MacDonald, 17 Chris Lewis, 18 Jayden Nikorima, 19 Dean Ieremia, 20 Bronson Garlick, 21 Trent Loiero, 22 Brandon Smith, 23 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 24 Cameron Munster, 25 Jack Howarth, 26 Harry Grant, 27 Grant Anderson
KNIGHTS
1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Enari Tuala, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Dominic Young, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Adam Clune, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Chris Randall, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13 Kurt Mann. Interchange: 14 Phoenix Crossland, 15 Jacob Saifiti, 16 Mitch Barnett, 17 Jirah Momoisea, 18 Tex Hoy, 19 Dylan Lucas, 20 Matt Croker, 21 Leo Thompson, 22 McKenzie Baker, 23 Chris Vea’ila, 24 Brayden Musgrove, 25 Liam Wilkinson, 26 Jaron Purcell, 27 Ben Talty
CRONULLA SHARKS V CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla, Monday, 7pm
SHARKS
- New coach Craig Fitzgibbon will roll out the big guns with Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane set to pull on the Sharks jumper for their first official hitout in new colours.
- Hynes will partner Braydon Trindall in the halves with Matt Moylan rested until round one, although the rest of the backline is ready to go with Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Connor Tracey, Jesse Ramien and Ronaldo Mulitalo all selected.
- Wade Graham has also been named while Andrew Fifita is on the bench.
- But Cam McInnes has copped some more rotten luck, injuring the same knee that required an ACL reconstruction last year. Now he’s facing another four weeks out.
BULLDOGS
- Arguably the most anticipated selection this week in any team will be that of new Bulldog Matt Burton. And we have to wait until Monday night to watch him run around.
- Trent Barrett couldn’t hide his disappointment in the aftermath of last Monday night’s trial draw with Newcastle in relation to the performance of his halves. Yet Jake Averillo stays as starting halfback with Brandon Wakeham at 14 and Kyle Flanagan still on the outer in No.26.
- Josh Addo-Carr and Brent Naden also make their club debuts, with Jack Hetherington named in the back row. All up, it’s the most dangerous Bulldogs team we’ve seen in a while.
SHARKS
1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Connor Tracey, 4 Jesse Ramien, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nicho Hynes, 8 Toby Rudolf, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Matt Ikuvalu, 15 Teig Wilton, 16 Andrew Fifita, 17 Siosifa Talakai, 18 Royce Hunt, 19 Luke Metcalf, 20 Lachlan Miller, 21 Tom Hazelton, 22 Jayden Berrell
BULLDOGS
1 Matthew Dufty, 2 Jayden Okunbor, 3 Aaron Schoupp, 4 Brent Naden, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Matt Burton, 7 Jake Averillo, 8 Luke Thompson, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Jack Hetherington, 12 Tevita Pangai Junior, 13 Josh Jackson. Interchange: 14 Brandon Wakeham, 15 Chris Patolo, 16 Max King, 17 Corey Waddell, 19 Khaled Rajeb, 20 Braidon Burns, 21 Lipoi Hipoi, 22 Paul Alamoti, 23 Ava Seumanufagai, 24 Bailey Biondi-Odo, 25 Declan Casey, 26 Kyle Flanagan, 27 Joe Stimson, 28 Jackson Topine, 29 Josh Cook
*All times are AEDT and will be shown live on Fox League
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Originally published as 2022 NRL trials week two: Ultimate guide, team lists, players to watch, talking points
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