NRL trials teams, fixtures: Sam Burgess returns for Rabbitohs; Trent Hodkinson debuts for Knights
JOSH Dugan has been named in the centres, with Kurt Mann holding on to the Dragons fullback spot. Check out all the NRL trial teams and fixtures.
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STAR recruits Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon will run out for Parramatta for the first time in their NRL trial against Penrith this weekend.
Eels fans will get their first glimpse of what to expect from Foran’s new scrumbase partnership with Auckland Nines player of the tournament Corey Norman against the Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Saturday night.
Elsewhere Sam Burgess headlines a host of big guns returning to action this weekend as preparations ramp up for the fast-approaching NRL season.
Burgess has been named at lock for the Rabbtiohs’ clash with the Titans on the Gold Coast.
Three NRL teams will also be in action in England, with the Cowboys, Broncos and Roosters all involved in the World Club Series.
All the teams for this weekend’s matches have been announced.
Check out the teams and NRL trials and World Club Series fixtures below.
In the big news around the grounds:
* Raiders fullback Jack Wighton was ruled out following a concussion in the All Stars match last weekend, but is expected to be fit for the season opener against the Panthers;
* Kurt Mann has again been named at fullback, with Josh Dugan starting in the centres for the Dragons
* New recruit Trent Merrin will start at prop for a strong Panthers side that features Bryce Cartwright on the bench;
* The Eels will roll out their star recruits for the first time, with Michael Jennings, Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott make to debut in the blue and gold;
* Warriors coach Andrew McFadden has revealed his starting line-up, with Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke confirmed to play their first game together. New skipper Ryan Hoffman, veteran winger Manu Vatuvei and Test prop Ben Mautlino also set to start, but wrecking ball centre Konrad Hurrell has been left on the bench in favour of Blake Ayshford;
* Rookie Roosters forwards Mitchell Frei and Vincent Leuluai and exciting outside back Latrell Mitchell have been included in a 19-man squad for the clash with St Helens;
* Captain Paul Gallen will have his first hit-out of the pre-season after being named to start at lock for the Sharks. Jack Bird has again been named at fullback, with Valentine Holmes on the wing and Ben Barba on the bench;
* The Titans have named two rookie centres — Brian Kelly and Nathan Davis — to face the Rabbitohs with Nene McDonald out injured;
* Sam Burgess will play his first game for the Rabbitohs since the 2014 grand final;
* Storm star Billy Slater, who hasn’t played since Origin II last year after undergoing shoulder surgery, will miss his side’s final pre-season trial — against the Bulldogs. Cameron Munster (knee) also remains sidelined, while teen sensation Curtis Scott has been named on the wing;
* NSW Origin halfback Trent Hodkinson will have his first hit-out for the Knights in a trial against the Raiders;
* The Bulldogs have named a near-strength team with Josh Reynolds played his first match this year alongside Moses Mbye.
* Dylan Walker, Nate Myles and Martin Taupau all make their club debuts for the Sea Eagles. Blake Leary will play hooker with Matt Parcell, Apisai Koroisau and Jayden Hodges all injured.
* Tyson Frizell (back) has been named for the Dragons, despite originally being slated for a round three return.
* Raiders stars Blake Austin and Shaun Fensom will sit out the match, meaning they will miss Canberra’s only pre-season trial;
Warriors recruits Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke, along with veteran Jeff Robson, have been named alongside returning halfback Shaun Johnson for a clash against the Dragons;
* The Broncos will unleash Greg Eden against Wigan, with the man once hailed as the British version of Billy Slater confirmed to start on the wing.
* Jack Littlejohn will start in the halves for Wests Tigers with Luke Brooks to come off the bench.
DUGAN TAKES CENTRE STAGE FOR DRAGONS
Paul McGregor has stuck with Kurt Mann at fullback for the trial against the Warriors with Josh Dugan to make his first appearance of the season in the centres.
The potential switch of Dugan has been a hot topic of discussion through the off-season and while the Blues representative is keen to make the move a reality, McGregor is understood to be hesitant to embrace the switch unless a stellar candidate steps up as a replacement.
Former Melbourne Storm prospect Mann produced a mixed bag in last week’s Charity Shield but the exclusion of Adam Quinlan indicates that the Queenslander would be the preferred replacement at the back.
STAR EELS RECRUITS TO TACKLE PANTHERS
The Eels have gone all out for their trial against Penrith, naming a near full-strength side.
Danny Wicks and Anthony Watmough are the sole exclusions from the side, which will see Michael Jennings, Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott make their debuts in the blue and gold.
Tepai Moeroa shifts to lock in Watmough’s absence and may be a candidate to start the season in the No. 13 jersey.
Brad Takairangi, who formed a strong partnership with Semi Radradra on the left side last season, has been shifted to the right, where he will be partnered by Clint Gutherson.
Nathan Peats will make his return to top flight football at the same venue where he broke his neck last season.
NEW FACES NAMED IN ROOSTERS SIDE
The Sydney Roosters have unveiled a new-look line-up for their World Club Series-opening clash with St Helens, with Trent Robinson naming four recruits in a 19-man squad.
England winger Joe Burgess and former Brisbane trio Dale Copley, Mitchell Frei and Jayden Nikorima have all made the cut for match at Langtree Park.
The match looms as a crucial opportunity for young halves Nikorima and Jackson Hastings to get some valuable match time together, less than a month after they were thrown together as the team’s playmaking duo following captain Mitchell Pearce’s Australia Day indiscretions.
Robinson should also get an insight into who will earn the starting second-row spot temporarily vacated by injured vice-captain Boyd Cordner.
The two leading contenders, Mitchell Aubusson and Frei, have both been named.
Blake Ferguson will get his first chance to impress in the No. 1 jersey he hopes to make his own following the off-season departure of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while young sensation Latrell Mitchell is also in line to play.
BURGESS BACK FOR BUNNIES
Sam Burgess will make his much-anticipated return for South Sydney in the Rabbitohs’ NRL trial on Saturday against Gold Coast.
It will be the first game Burgess has played for the Rabbitohs since their 2014 grand final win, following his season away playing rugby in England.
Along with the return of Burgess, the Rabbitohs have been boosted by good news on the injury front with Adam Reynolds named at halfback after scans cleared him of a fractured foot following his performance in the All Stars fixture.
He will be partnered in the halves by Cody Walker. Luke Keary, who will miss the Rabbitohs’ season opener against the Sydney Roosters due to suspension, has been named on an extended bench.
Cameron McInnes appears to be the frontrunner for Issac Luke’s vacated hooking role at Redfern after being named at No.9. Recruit and ex-Canterbury rake Damien Cook is on the bench.
HODKINSON DEBUTS FOR KNIGHTS
Star recruit Trent Hodkinson will don Newcastle colours for the first time in the Knights’ sole NRL trial match for 2016 against Canberra in Orange on Saturday.
Hodkinson shapes as the key to a Knights’ resurgence under new coach Nathan Brown in 2016 and the NSW halfback will play his first match since a wrist injury suffered in August ruled him out of Canterbury’s finals tilt last season.
The match won’t give much of a clue of what to expect from Hodkinson and Jarrod Mullen in the Knights’ halves this season though. Mullen has been stood down from the game as punishment for drinking while injured.
Youngster Brock Lamb, who featured at the NRL Auckland Nines, will partner Hodkinson in the halves.
BULLDOGS GO WITH STRENGTH
Des Hasler has gone with his best available team for their final hit-out before the season proper. Will Hopoate and, Brett Morris are both out with injury with gives young recruit Brad Abbey his first shot at a full game at fullback.
Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds have played together before, but this is their first match together for 2016. After going through last season with constant questions over who was the best partnership there, with Trent Hodkinson also at the club, they have stability now and this is their first chance to show what they can do this season.
STORM WITHOUT SIDELINED STARS
MELBOURNE Storm superstar Billy Slater won’t play in this weekend’s final pre-season trial match, but remains “hopeful” of being there in Round 1.
Slater will miss the clash against the Bulldogs as the Storm exercise extreme caution on the Queensland star, who hasn’t played since Origin II last year, in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Cameron Munster (knee) will also be missing for Melbourne, with the young gun aiming for a return in Round 1 or Round 2.
Skipper Cameron Smith will lead a strong Storm side featuring Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Marika Koroibete, Dale Finucane, Kevin Proctor and Blake Green.
Teen sensation Curtis Scott has been named on the wing for the Storm.
DCE, WALKER TO FINE-TUNE COMBINATION
Daly Cherry-Evans and Dylan Walker will be given their first opportunity to fine-tune their new halves’ combination when Manly host Ipswich Jets in their final NRL pre-season trial.
One of several big off-season recruits for the Sea Eagles, Walker’s combination with Cherry-Evans will be crucial for the club in 2016 in the wake of Kieran Foran’s defection to Parramatta.
The match will also be the first in Sea Eagles colours for key acquisitions Martin Taupau and Nate Myles.
Blake Leary will play hooker for Manly with Matt Parcell, Apisai Koroisau and Jayden Hodges all injured.
TIGERS TRYING OUT NEW HALF
Some of Wests Tigers’ new recruits get a start this weekend with Jack Littlejohn, Tim Grant, Jordan Rankin, Justin Hunt and Josh Aloiai all named. Littlejohn has a great chance to impress Taylor as he will start in the halves with Luke Brooks to come off the bench.
Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods will play his first match of the year in Wests Tigers’ final trial match, against Cronulla at Campbelltown. Coach Jason Taylor has named a 20-man squad for the Sharks with the clash, which includes livewire fullback James Tedesco and edge back-rower Curtis Sironen. It will be the first time both have taken the field in 2016.
NRL TRIALS FIXTURES, TEAMS
WARRIORS v DRAGONS
3pm AEDT Saturday at Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Solomone Kata 3 Blake Ayshford 4 Tuimoala Lolohea 13 Manu Vatuvei 6 Jeff Robson 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Albert Vete 9 Issac Luke 10 Ben Matulino 11 Simon Mannering (c) 12 Ryan Hoffman 14 Ligi Sao. Interchange: Matt Allwood, Charlie Gubb, James Gavet, Nathaniel Roache, Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Jonathan Wright, Sam Lisone, Ata Hingano
Dragons: 19. Kurt Mann 2. Peter Mata’utia 4. Tim Lafai 1. Josh Dugan 3. Euan Aitken 6. Gareth Widdop (c) 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. Russell Packer 11. Will Matthews 12. Joel Thompson 15. Mike Cooper. Interchange: 13. Jack de Belin 14. Ben Creagh 16. Jake Marketo 17. Siliva Havili 20. Taane Milne 22. Tyrone McCarthy 23. Josh McCrone 24. Dunamis Lui..
BULLDOGS v STORM
5.30pm AEDT Saturday at Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore
Bulldogs: 1. Brad Abbey, 2. Curtis Rona, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Chase Stanley, 5. Sam Perrett, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham (C), 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Greg Eastwood. Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Danny Fualalo, 19. Kerrod Holland, 17. Pat O’Hanlon, 20. Craig Garvey, 21. Shaun Lane, 22. Matt Frawley, 23. Adam Elliott, 26. Tyrone Phillips.
Storm: 1. Young Tonumaipea 2. Curtis Scott 3. Richie Kennar 4. Will Chambers 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Tim Glasby 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Francis Tualau 18. Matt White 19. Kenny Bromwich 20. Felise Kaufusi 21. Jeremy Hawkins 22. Tony Tumusa 28. Matt Grieve (Sunshine Coast Falcons).
TITANS v RABBITOHS
6pm AEDT (5pm local) Saturday at Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Titans: 1 William Zillman 2 David Mead 3 Nathan Davis 4 Brian Kelly 5 Anthony Don 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ash Taylor 8 Ryan James 9 Nathan Friend 10 David Shillington 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Agnatius Paasi. Interchange: 14 Daniel Mortimer 15 Lachlan Burr 16 Luke Douglas 17 Eddy Pettybourne 18 Leivaha Pulu 19 Leva Li 20 Shannon Walker 21 Matt Srama 22 Cameron Cullen
Rabbitohs: 1 Greg Inglis (c), 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Bryson Goodwin, 5 John Olive, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Jason Clark, 11 Kyle Turner, 12 John Sutton, 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Aaron Gray, 15 Kirisome Auva’a, 16 David Tyrrell, 17 Zane Musgrove, 18 Damien Cook, 19 Luke Keary, 20 Paul Carter, 21 Nathan Brown.
SEA EAGLES v IPSWICH JETS
Pittwater Park, Narrabeen at 6pm AEDT on Saturday
Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Jamie Lyon, 4 Steve Matai, 5 Tom Trbojevic, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Jake Trbojevic. 9 Blake Leary, 10 Nate Myles, 11 Nathan Green, 12 Tom Symonds, 13 Martin Taupau. Interchange: 14 Hugh Pratt, 15 Josh Starling, 16 Darcy Lussick, 17 Brenton Lawrence.
Jets: 1 Michael Purcell, 2 Marmin Barba, 3 Rory Humphries, 4 Nemani Valekapa, 5 Richie Pandia, 6 Haydan Lipp, 7 Dane Phillips, 8 Kyle McConnell, 9 Landon Hayes, 10 Josh Seage, 11 Nathaniel Neale, 12 Abraham Attallah, 13 Sam Martin. Interchange: 14 Chris Ash, 15 Nathan Gaulton, 16 Sebastian Pandia, 17 Chol Chol, 18 Benjamin White, 20 Theeran Pearson, 21 Raymond Baira, 22 Hugh Seger.
RAIDERS v KNIGHTS
6.30pm AEDT Saturday at Wade Park, Orange
Raiders squad: Kurt Baptiste, Mitchell Barnett, Luke Bateman, Shannon Boyd, Adam Clydsdale, Jarrod Croker (c), Lachlan Croker, Josh Hodgson, Jarrad Kennedy, Rhys Kennedy, Brenko Lee, Edrick Lee, Joey Leilua, Jeff Lima, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Kato Ottio, Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Zac Santo, Aidan Sezer, Sia Soliola, Paul Vaughan, Sisa Waqa, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Williams, Sam Williams.
Knights: 1. Jaelen Feeney 2. Jake Mamo 3. Pat Mata’Utia 4. Dane Gagai 5. Akuila Uate 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Kade Snowden 9. Danny Levi 10. Jack Stockwell 11. Korbin Sims 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith. Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. Mickey Paea 16. Pauli Pauli 17. Sam Mataora 18. Jacob Saifiti 19. Daniel Saifiti 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Will Pearsell 22. Nathan Ross 23. Sione Mata’utia 24. David Bhana 25. Chanel Mata’utia.
TIGERS v SHARKS
7pm Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Wests Tigers: 1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Justin Hunt, 18. Mitchell Moses, 7. Jack Littlejohn, 8. Aaron Woods (C), 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Curtis Sironen, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Sauaso Sue. Interchange: 6. Jordan Rankin, 14. Ava Seumanufagai, 15. Josh Aloiai, 16. Manaia Cherrington, 17. Kyle Lovett, 19. Luke Brooks, 20. Josh Drinkwater.
Sharks: 1. Jack Bird 2. Valentine Holmes 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Sosaia Feki 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Sam Tagataese 9. Michael Ennis 10. Andrew Fifita 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen. Interchange: 16 Jayson Bukuya 18 Joseph Paulo 19 Ben Barba 21 Matt Prior 22 David Fifita 23 Chris Heighington.
PANTHERS v EELS
7.10pm AEDT Saturday at Pepper Stadium, Penrith. TV: Live on Fox Sports 1
Panthers: 1. Matt Moylan (c) 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Peta Hiku 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 8. Trent Merrin 9. James Segeyaro 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Tyrone Peachey 12. Elijah Taylor 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: Will Smith, Leilani Latu, Te Maire Martin, Bryce Cartwright, Jeremy Latimore, James Fisher-Harris, Sitaleki Akauola
Eels: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clint Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran 8. Tim Mannah 9. Nathan Peats 10. Junior Paulo 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Peni Terepo 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Kenny Edwards 18. David Gower.
WORLD CLUB SERIES
ROOSTERS v ST HELENS
7am Saturday at Langtree Park, St Helens. TV: Live on GEM
Roosters squad: Mitchell Aubusson, Joe Burgess, Dale Copley, Kane Evans, Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Frei, Jake Friend, Aidan Guerra, Jackson Hastings, Ian Henderson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Vincent Leuluai, Isaac Liu, Latrell Mitchell, Sam Moa, Dylan Napa, Jayden Nikorima, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Daniel Tupou.
BRONCOS V WIGAN
7am AEDT Sunday at DB Stadium, Wigan. TV: Live on GEM
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Greg Eden, 3. Jordan Kahu, 4. James Roberts, 5. Corey Oates, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Sam Thaiday, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker. Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Travis Waddell, 18. Herman Ese’ese, 19. Tom Opacic
COWBOYS v LEEDS RHINOS
6am Monday at Headingley Stadium, Leeds. TV: Live on GEM
Cowboys: TBA
Originally published as NRL trials teams, fixtures: Sam Burgess returns for Rabbitohs; Trent Hodkinson debuts for Knights
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