Teams for NRL Pre-Season Challenge 2025: Jarome Luai rested, Dragons unleash new-look spine

Wests Tigers fans will be forced to wait another week to see Jarome Luai in action, while Des Hasler will play a highly-rated teen halfback for the Titans as the Pre-season Challenge continues. FULL TEAMS

Wests Tigers fans will be forced to wait another week to see Jarome Luai in action as the club prepares to play teenage tearaways Lachlan Galvin and Latu Fainu in the halves in their opening trial against Canterbury on Sunday.

Luai, the Tigers’ $6 million man, will likely play in the club’s final trial against Parramatta in just over a week. In the meantime, Galvin and Fainu will be charged with leading the side around the park against the Dogs at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Galvin is coming off a breakout season where he established himself as one of the rising stars of the game. Fainu had a more difficult maiden season at the club, struggling with a hamstring injury and then raising the ire of club officials when he returned to preseason out of shape.

The 19-year-old was given a warning but it appears he is back in coach Benji Marshall’s good books as he prepares to press his case for selection in round one.

The Tigers play Newcastle at Campbelltown Stadium to open the premiership.

Tigers fans will have to wait to see Jarome Luai in action. Picture: Rohan Kelly

DWZ INJURY ROCKS WARRIORS

-David Riccio

Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s season launch in Las Vegas is in disarray after undergoing surgery on a broken wrist.

In a major blow, the 212-game winger has been ruled out of the Warriors final trial match against the Storm as he awaits surgery.

The Warriors confirmed on Tuesday that Watene-Zelezniak suffered a broken and dislocated left wrist only eight minutes into last Friday night’s trial against Cronulla.

Champion outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will replace Watene-Zelezniak on the wing for the trial match in Hamilton.

Zane Harrison will play for the Titans in their trial this weekend. Picture: Liam Kidston

TITANS BLOOD YOUNG HALF

-Travis Meyn

Des Hasler will give Titans fans a glimpse of the NRL’s hottest young halfback when schoolboys sensation Zane Harrison pulls on a Gold Coast jersey for the first time.

Harrison will come off the bench in Sunday’s NRL Pre-season Challenge clash with the Broncos in Toowoomba.

Hasler has named close to a full strength team for Gold Coast’s first hit-out of the season which will see Queensland Origin star David Fifita start in the back row.

With Jayden Campbell on Indigenous All Stars duties, veteran playmaker Kieran Foran will start in the No. 7 jersey alongside new five-eighth AJ Brimson.

Maroons star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee) will be rested for the opening trial while Wallabies convert Carter Gordon (back) and Parramatta recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard (shoulder) are unavailable.

Hasler will run his eye over a host of his top players ahead of the 2025 NRL season launching next month.

One of the most interesting prospects is Harrison.

The Palm Beach Currumbin High School product was last year’s national schoolboys player of the year, winning a host of accolades.

Harrison has been named in jersey No. 18 and is likely to see between 20-40 minutes of action.

He is unlikely to start the season in the NRL, but the Titans have high hopes for Harrison and hope he can be a long-term solution in the club’s troublesome No. 7 role.

Young gun Jaylan De Groot will start at fullback with Keano Kini playing for the Maori All Stars.

Jake Averillo will play at five-eighth for the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

DOLPHINS REST BIG GUNS

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf is keeping his big guns on ice.

Woolf has named a host of second-stringers for Friday night’s NRL Pre-season Challenge clash with the Cowboys in Cairns.

Halfback Sean O’Sullivan will captain the Dolphins as he pushes for a spot in Woolf’s round 1 team.

He will be joined by Jake Averillo at five-eighth, a position the regular centre starred in late last season.

Recruits Max Feagai (Dragons) and Junior Tupou (Tigers) will pull on Dolphins jerseys for the first time.

But Woolf has opted to keep the bulk of his top 17 on the sideline for at least another week.

Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on Indigenous All Stars duties while hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima are with the Maori All Stars.

The likes of Isaiya Katoa, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Jamayne Isaako, Daniel Saifita, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Max Plath will be rested.

The Dolphins will host the Titans in their last trial match at Redcliffe on Saturday week where Woolf is likely to roll out a stronger team.

DRAGONS UNLEASH NEW-LOOK SPINE

-David Riccio

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will unleash his first-choice spine in the club’s opening trial match of the season against the Roosters.

St George Illawarra’s high-profile spine recruits including co-captains Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook and Lachlan Ilias will all feature in the pre-season clash at Jubilee Oval on Sunday evening.

Halfback Ilias will work alongside five-eighth Kyle Flanagan, as the duo aim to finetune their preparation for round one.

Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring), Blake Lawrie (hamstring) and Tyrell Sloan (foot) are carrying minor niggles and will be rested from the hitout.

Damien Cook and Clint Gutherson will play for the Dragons this weekend.

COWBOYS HALF RACE STILL OPEN

-Fatima Kdouh and Pamela Whaley

Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden has declared the race to partner him in the halves for North Queensland’s season opener against Manly is wide open.

Jake Clifford was viewed as the front runner to wear the No. 7 jumper but was forced to go under the knife to repair a hernia only three weeks ago.

The disruption to Clifford’s pre-season preparations has seen two rookies, in highly touted playmaker Tom Duffy and Jaxon Purdue, press their claims for the halfback role in Round 1.

Duffy, who starred in the Queensland Cup last year, and Purdue will get an audition for the role in the Cowboys’ opening trial against the Dolphins at Barlow Park on Friday night. Purdue is also an option for coach Todd Payten at centre.

Jaxon Purdue is in line for the Cowboys No. 7 jersey and will have his chance to impress in their trial match against the Dolphins. Picture: Getty Images

Dearden told this masthead Clifford will be kept on ice until the final week of the trials.

“Cliffo (Clifford) will be back for that second trial against the Storm,” Dearden said.

“It’s disappointing for Cliffo because he had to sit out a lot of training recently after having that operation but he is a quality player.

“But we all know what Cliffo can do and what he brings. He showed it in the last year in those final games but he’ll be back in the frame.

“Tommy Duffy has had an awesome pre-season but so has Jaxon Purdue as well. All three are all around the mark. I certainly wouldn’t want to be making the decision. It’ll be a big headache for the coach with who he is going to pick there in the halves. All three deserve to be playing NRL.”

Tom Duffy has declared he is ready to be the Cowboys halfback. Picture: NRL Images

SOUTHS SKIPPER’S PRE-SEASON SETBACK

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is taking a cautious approach to his return from a wrist injury suffered during Kangaroos camp in last year’s Pacific Championships.

Murray has been given the green light by specialists to make a Round 1 return against the Dolphins but will leave the final call to Rabbitohs medical staff.

Murray told this masthead he will sit out South Sydney’s trial matches against Manly and St George Illawarra as a precaution.

“I’m ticking the boxes. I still have a long way to go before I can say that I’ll be right for round one but it’s still in the picture,” Murray said.

Cameron Murray has been cleared to return in Round 1, but will miss the Rabbitohs’ pre-season trial matches. Picture: NRL Imagery

“With the surgery, they had to take a ligament from my forearm and used it as a graft in my wrist.

“I feel like it’s an easier recovery from say a shoulder. You have a lot more mobility. I could run pretty much after surgery, so I have that fitness in my legs, which will help.”

Star centre Campbell Graham, who missed all of last season with a sternum injury, suffered a broken hand at training late last month. But Murray said the pre-season setback won’t leave Graham “underdone” if he is cleared to make a return against the Dolphins.

“He had around two months of full contract training, so he’s got that confidence built up already. It’s a little obstacle compared to what he’s been through in the last 12 months.”

Murray is confident Graham won’t be underdone if he is cleared to return in Round 1. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Thurs February 13 2025, 7:50pm

at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Canberra Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Savelio Tamale 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Trey Mooney 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Albert Hopoate 16. Adam Cook 17. Jed Stuart 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Jenson Taumoepeau 20. Manaia Waitere 21. Myles Martin 22. Simi Sasagi 23. Ethan Sanders 24. Jordan Martin 25. Noah Martin 26. Ata Mariota 27. Pasami Saulo 28. Michael Asomua

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Billy Burns 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Chris Veaila 22. Riley Pollard 23. Taj Ford 24. Michael Gabrael 25. Kristian Dixon 26. Eli Clark

Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

Fri February 14 2025, 6:00pm

at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Newcastle Knights

1. Will Pryce 2. James Schiller 3. Kyle McCarthy 4. Riley Jones 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Brodie Jones 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jackson Hastings 17. Sebastian Su’a 18. Matthew Arthur 19. Connor Votano 20. Jermaine McEwen 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Siteni Taukamo 23. Logan Aoake 24. Wilson De Courcey 25. Cody Hopwood 26. Tyrone Thompson 27. Fletcher Hunt 28. Malachi Smith

Parramatta Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jake Tago 3. Richard Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Arthur Miller-Stephen 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Kitione Kautoga 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Charlie Guymer 14. Joash Papali’i 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Toni Mataele 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Joey Lussick 19. Ryley Smith 20. Saxon Pryke 21. Te Hurinui Twidle 22. Brock Parker 23. William Latu 24. Joshua Lynn 25. Araz Nanva 26. Samuel Loizou 27. Max Tupou 28. Teancum Brown

North Queensland Cowboys v Dolphins

Fri February 14 2025, 8:00pm (7:00pm local)

at Barlow Park, Cairns / Yidinji

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Mutua Brown 2. Robert Derby 3. Assariah Lenoy Sam 4. Esom Ioka 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jarrett Subloo 7. Zac Herdegen 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Karl Lawton 10. Coen Hess 11. Mason Kira 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Marly Bitungane 14. Xavier Kerrisk 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Jeremiah Matautia 17. John Radel 18. Adrian Trevilyan 19. Rayden Burns 20. Brenton Baira 21. Campbell Duffy 22. Ryan Rivett 23. Matthew Watts 24. Dane Aukafolau

Dolphins

1. Kurt Donoghoe 2. LJ Nonu 3. Tevita Naufahu 4. Max Feagai 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Joshua Allen 9. Harrison Graham 10. Ryan Jackson 11. Aublix Tawha 12. James Walsh 13. Mason Teague 14. Elijah Rasmussen 15. Lewis Symonds 16. John Fineanganofo 17. Zac Garton 18. Michael Waqa 19. Ethan Quai-Ward 20. Cooper Marshall 21. Jordan Lipp 22. Larson Dale-Doyle 23. Ben Stevanovic 24. Joshua James

Warriors v Melbourne Storm

Sat February 15 2025, 1:30pm (3:30pm local)

at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton / Aotearoa

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Eddie Ieremia 5. Edward Kosi 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Demitric Vaimauga 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Marata Niukore 16. Leka Halasima 17. Tom Ale 18. Samuel Healey 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Chanel Harris-Tavita 23. Geronimo Doyle 24. Luke Hanson 25. Kalani Going 26. Moala Graham-Taufa 27. Sio Kali 28. Motu Pasikala 29. Jett Cleary

Melbourne Storm

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Kane Bradley 3. Mitchell Jennings 4. Coby Williamson 5. Setu Tu 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Keagan Russell-Smith 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Lazarus Vaalepu 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Joe Chan 13. Angus Hinchey 14. Stanley Huen 15. Cooper Page-Wilson 16. Nathaniel Roache 17. Ben Talty 18. Morgan Harper 19. Jak Goulding 20. Hugo Peel 21. Joshua Billing 22. Suli Pole 23. Vaka Sikahele 24. Preston Conn 25. Liam Williams 26. Eli Morris 27. Ioane Lui 28. Tuipulotu Katoa

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Sat February 15 2025, 3:30pm

at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Declan Casey 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Talanoa Penitani 6. Jamie Humphreys 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Max Mccarthy 12. Thomas Fletcher 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Ashton Ward 15. Salesi Ataata 16. Nazareth Taua 17. Ryan Gray 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Matthew Humphries 20. Siliva Havili 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Luke Webley 23. Joshua Stuckey 24. Bailey Biondi-odo

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Clayton Faulalo 5. Navren Willett 6. Dean Matterson 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Corey Waddell 13. Caleb Navale 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Chris Patolo 16. Aitasi James 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Zane Dunford 19. James Uesele 20. Charlie Thompson 21. Jordan Swann 22. D’Jazirhae Pua’avase 23. Max Haley 24. Hugo Hart

Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans

Sun February 16 2025, 3:30pm (2:30pm local)

at Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba / Giabal

Brisbane Broncos

1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Gehamat Shibasaki 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Benjamin Te Kura 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Latrell Siegwalt 15. Ronald Philitoga 16. Israel Leota 17. Coby Black 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Saxon Innes 20. Martin Taupau 21. Vaa Semu 22. Cameron Bukowski 23. Jett Bryce 24. Matthew Koellner 25. Tristan Powell 26. Jaiyden Hunt 27. Luke Gale 28. Joshua Coric

Gold Coast Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Allan Fitzgibbon 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Tony Francis 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Thomas Weaver 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Zane Harrison 19. Arama Hau 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Ryder Williams 23. Brock Gray 24. Sam Stephenson 25. Josh Patston 26. Sunny Kama 27. Cooper Bai 28. Kieran Hayman

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Wests Tigers

Sun February 16 2025, 5:30pm

at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Luke Smith 4. Danny Gabrael 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Joseph O’Neill 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sam Hughes 11. Harry Hayes 12. Lipoi Hopoi 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Reuben Moyle 15. Tom Amone 16. Alekolasimi Jones 17. Jack Todd 19. Cassius Tia 20. Taye Cochrane 21. Logan Spinks 22. Ratu Rinakama 23. Zyon Maiu’u 24. Ragarive Wavik 25. Cooper Toy 26. Taniela Otukolo 27. Jed Reardon 28. Joseph Teaupa

Wests Tigers

1. Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Alexander Lobb 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Tim Johannssen 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. David Klemmer 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Tristan Hope 15. Kit Laulilii 16. Jaxson Rahme 17. Solomane Saukuru 18. William Craig 19. Lachlan Broederlow 20. Marc Tannous 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Max Liles 23. Jared Haywood 24. Noah Johannssen

St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

Sun February 16 2025, 7:30pm

at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Hame Sele 18. Ryan Couchman 19. Dylan Egan 20. Jonah Glover 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 23. Mikaele Ravalawa 24. Nathan Lawson 25. Benjamin Rumble 26. Hayden Buchanan 27. Finau Latu 28. Michael Molo

Sydney Roosters

1. Ethan King 2. Dominic Young 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Siua Wong 14. Salesi Foketi 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Xavier Va’a 17. Delasalle Vaa 18. Max McCathie 19. Tyler Moriarty 20. Toby Rodwell 21. Jake Elliott 22. Benjamin Johnson 23. Hugo Savala 24. Reece Foley 25. Tyreece Tait 26. Tom Rodwell

Originally published as Teams for NRL Pre-Season Challenge 2025: Jarome Luai rested, Dragons unleash new-look spine