Rookies, recruits, combinations: What we learned from every NRL trial
Footy is back! Our NRL experts have analysed all the weekend’s trial action, casting a keen eye on the rookies, recruits and players vying for Round 1 spots.
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Our NRL experts have analysed all the weekend’s trial action, casting an eye on the rookies, recruits and players vying for Round 1 spots.
Here’s what we learned from every NRL trial.
SHARKS 40 RAIDERS 10
By Martin Gabor
Combinations
Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall didn’t get to play as many games together last year as Sharks fans would have liked, but they showed their potential with both playmakers scoring off kicks.
Injuries and a suspension kept them apart for long stretches last season, but the signs are promising that these two could be one of the most potent pairings in the NRL.
Hynes showed off some of the form that saw him win the Dally M Medal with a couple of lovely passes to Samuel Stonestreet who scored one and butchered another, while both halves scored tries off kicks as the Sharks ran away with it.
Hynes took the first shot at goal but Trindall replaced him after that in a sign the Sharks might not have settled on their kicker just yet.
Recruit Watch
The Sharks have been one of the top teams ever since Craig Fitzgibbon took over, and he may have found the missing piece of the puzzle that will take them a step further in their pursuit of a title.
Addin Fonua-Blake didn’t do anything out of the ordinary in the first half, but the two-time Dally M prop of the year dazzled with a trademark try to start the second-half procession.
He finished with eight runs for 92 metres and can be the difference maker for a team that has been crying out for a superstar enforcer in the middle who can also score tries for fun.
Rookie Watch
There’s a spot in the backline ready to be snapped up given we know Albert Hopoate won’t be going to Las Vegas, and Savelio Tamale did his chances no harm with a couple of nice involvements in the first half.
Dragons fans were disappointed to see the talented young gun leave after one game in the top grade, and he showed his versatility with a nice kick return, some tough carries and a strong challenge in the air which forced an error and led to a Seb Kris try.
A nasty head clash saw Jed Stuart split open late in the game, while Chris Vea’ila looks to be a star of the future after he almost scored one of the greatest tries of all time before he crossed a minute later.
Hot Take
The Sharks will be in the top two for points scored this season, with the recently-resigned Ronaldo Mulitalo crossing for at least 20 tries.
Final Say
There’ll be plenty of footy fans rolling the dice in Vegas next month, but they won’t want to see too many rolled balls after another night where both teams were guilty of incorrect play the balls.
The officials were all over it on Thursday and we’re likely to see plenty more infringements this weekend if the players don’t adapt to the crackdown.
EELS 44 KNIGHTS 18
By Tyson Jackson
Combinations
Without dominant half Mitchell Moses, the combination of Brown and Ronald Volkman stood out as if they were ready to partner in round one.
The pair straightened the Eels attack all night, caused major headaches for the Knights defence.
When the Eels were able to compete, their ability to move the ball to any point of the field allowed Brown and Volkman to bring their outside men into the game.
Recruit Watch
Volkman, Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani were all let go by their former clubs for one reason or another, but they looked like outright first graders on Friday night.
The trio, picked up reasonably late into the off-season, showed glimpses of x-factor and toughness, giving Ryles plenty of food for thought ahead of their next trial.
Volkman’s showing came after a torrid year dealing with a shoulder injury that ended in a controversial departure from St George Illawarra.
Iongi produced a perfectly timed outside ball for a try early in the first half, before Papalii matched the effort with a try of his own early in his stint.
Apart from scoring a great try, set up by Papalii, Samrani’s sound defensive work fixes a major issues which the Eels carried all throughout the 2024 season.
Rookie Watch
Ryley Smith needs to be the Eels starting hooker come round one.
He may be young and not played a minute of NRL, but Smith looks the best to fill the giant hole Reed Mahoney left after the 2022 grand final.
The former Australian schoolboy representative in both league and cricket had an unmatchable energy in defence, and every pass from the ruck hit the mark right.
Hot Take
Friday night’s trial proved at his best Brown deserves a contract of $1.2 million, but his consistency separates him from the price tag he desires.
Brown started the game on fire, taking the entire Newcastle side on and providing some of the game’s best highlights.
But as the game went on, he fell away from the things which made his start so explosive.
If Brown really wants to solidify himself as one of the highest paid players in the game, consistency is key.
Final Say
Both the Eels and the Knights showed promising signs, and the ability to score a lot of points. However Parramatta will be pleased with the early form of Brown and Iongi, as well as a depth that wasn’t as strong in previous years.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien will be unhappy with his team’s defence, but would want to see more from his experiment with Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves.
DOLPHINS 50 COWBOYS 8
Combinations
Sean O’Sullivan captained the Dolphins, suiting up in the halves alongside Averillo, and the pair of NRL-experienced playmakers were terrific combining on both sides of the field.
O’Sullivan was also sensational from the tee, nailing multiple sideline conversions to finish 5/7.
“A lot of the younger boys were nervous coming into this game so it’s good we got off to a good start, I’m very proud of them,” O’Sullivan said at halftime.
“We knew that they had a bit more experience in their forward pack and I thought that Ryan Jackson, Josh Allen and Mason Teague – it was really good to see them match it and lift the intensity.”
The Cowboys chopped and changed their combinations and the rag-tag side of rookies played about as well as you’d expect for such a new-look team with little experience together.
Recruit Watch
Kai O’Donnell showed some good toughness on the left edge in defence while Karl Lawton played about 25 minutes at dummy half before moving to the right edge.
Left winger Jaxson Paulo made a poor read on the first try, allowing LJ Nonu to cross untouched during the Dolphins’ first attacking opportunity, but he was otherwise reliable and impressed more than right winger Rob Derby who made six errors in slippery conditions.
Ex-Tigers winger Junior Tupou, 22, was a late withdrawal for the Dolphins to make way for Ethan Quai-Ward, while Max Feagai had a quiet game at right centre.
Feagai, who signed a two-year-deal with the Dolphins after four season at the Dragons, finished the game with just four runs for 46m, two tackles and one try assist.
Rookie Watch
Dolphins flyer Nonu not only shares a name with the greatest winger to ever play either rugby code, he also proved to be a prolific tryscorer with two four-pointers inside the first 10 minutes.
Nonu represented the Queensland under-19s last year and showed plenty of promise on the right wing, completing his hat-trick not long after halftime.
Cowboys fullback Mutua Brown made an awesome trysaving effort on Ethan Quai-Ward in the first half, showing he has more to offer North Queensland than just his flashy attacking brilliance.
Left-footed halfback Zac Herdegen had one of the biggest moments for the home side, slicing through the defence after a late offload from man-mountain Jeremiah Mata’utia.
Mata’utia is a giant of a kid at 198cm and the 20-year-old Kirwan High product has the hulking frame to be an NRL enforcer when he breaks into first grade.
Hot Take
Donoghoe suited up for the Dolphins at fullback and while he’s not about to usurp Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the No.1 jersey anytime soon, he could be a SuperCoach gold mine as a $232,600 hooker that will see plenty of action in 2025.
Donoghoe finished the game with two try assists, two linebreak assists, two tackle breaks and a linebreak.
Final Say
It wasn’t the hit-out Cowboys fans hoped for, but it’s probably the one many expected.
Todd Payten won’t read into it too much but most of the players didn’t do themselves any selection favours.
The Dolphins looked much better across the park and Sean O’Sullivan is starting to deliver on his big wraps, as many halves do as they get more experience. The team from Redcliffe could be a surprise finals inclusion in 2025.
WARRIORS 36 STORM 10
By Martin Gabor
Combinations
Andrew Webster changed up his halves with Chanel Harris-Tavita playing at five-eighth in the first half alongside Metcalf, with Te Maire Martin shifting to fullback.
Martin and Metcalf will likely be the halves in Vegas, but Webster got a good look at the depth with Harris-Tavita scoring a try and having a role in another as he looked good on the left.
There’s not much to say about the Storm’s attack given most of these guys won’t be in first grade, but Tyran Wishart would’ve been disappointed with a couple of errors, while Sua Fa’alogo was kept quiet but did break loose before half-time.
Recruit Watch
Stefano Utoikamanu got involved with the first carry of the afternoon, but that’s as good as it got for Melbourne’s key signing in the first half after he finished with two runs for 16 metres as his side enjoyed just 30 per cent of the ball.
The former Tiger is supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle who can take the Storm one step further than their grand final run last year, and he showed why with a dominant second stint as he finished with 110 metres.
He has the size, footwork and motor to be a difference maker in the middle when he runs out alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona, while Erin Clark feasted with 89 metres in his first stint in his return to the Warriors.
Rookie Watch
He’s technically not a rookie anymore, but keep an eye out for Ali Leiataua this season after the young gun dominated the Storm in the first half.
The Warriors centre has played seven NRL matches but looks set to become a household name after he torched the minor premiers with two tries, five tackles busts and a couple of assists in the first half.
His lightning quick hands saw Taine Tuaupiki cross for the first of his two tries after just two minutes, before the powerful centre bullied Melbourne’s inexperienced outside backs to grab a double of his own.
Webster would’ve also liked what he saw from some of the young forwards, including Leka Halasima who will learn plenty from James Fisher-Harris.
Hot Take
Roosters fans will recall Roger Tuivasa-Sheck breaking ankles to score a stunning try against the Storm in 2014.
More than a decade later, he was at it again to leave Fa’alogo clutching thin air after he was on the receiving end of some flashy footwork for once.
The veteran’s time at fullback is probably up given the Warriors have plenty of depth in that position, but he’ll prove a headache on the wing, with Tuivasa-Sheck to finish 2025 in the top three for most metres made by wingers.
Final Say
It’s hard to imagine Chiefs fans watching a replay of the Super Bowl, and it’s highly unlikely Storm players will have to sit through video of Saturday’s clash.
Last year’s grand finalists will take absolutely nothing out of this game, with their superstars fully focused on going one better in 2025.
SEA EAGLES 34 RABBITOHS 24
Recruit Watch
In a trial match devoid of big guns including Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans, Luke Brooks, Tom Trbojevic or the Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton, there’s no doubt that for South Sydney fans, this trial match was all about laying eyes on English import and halfback Lewis Dodd.
Steady without being sensational is about the best way to describe the former St Helens star.
The Rabbitohs were on the wrong end of the possession count with just over 40 per cent of the ball, but Dodd’s inability to swing the momentum through his kicking game, left Fox League commentator Greg Alexander with more questions than answers, including who between Peter Mamouzelos, Jamie Humphreys, Siliva Havili and Ryan Gray plays hooker.
“Coming into the game I was fascinated in Lewis Dodd, that was a big signing,’’ Alexander said.
“Is he up to it? That’s the question mark. That question mark still hangs, is Lewis Dodd up to it (NRL)?
“I guess he gets a run again next week. So question marks for me for South Sydney coming into the season are, (positions) seven and nine.’’
Rookie Watch
Despite the lack of high-profile talent on display for both sides, the eyes were peeled to unearth any future stars.
You didn’t have to look to hard with Manly unleashing one of the tallest players in NRL history – 201cm winger Navren Willett.
Recruited from the Wests Tigers to Manly on a train and trial contract, Willett showed all the signs of a future NRL player with his size and support-play integral in his two tries.
Only Brisbane giant Ben Te Kura at 205cm stands taller than Willett with his height matching that of Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Backs depth
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has an embarrassment of talent and depth in his backline, so much so, clubs on the hunt for more stocks in their backs, like the Warriors, will surely come knocking.
Not only did Manly unveil Willett, but sending a message to the coach that they want more NRL in 2025 were winger Raymond Tuaimolo-Vaega (two tries), centre Clayton Faulolo (two tries) and Aaron Schoupp (try). The trio were superb in the absence of Reuben Garrick, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Tommy Talau and superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic.
Final say
Given the inconvenient delay of the match, which undoubtedly would’ve impacted the player’s final preparation and the amount of stars absent from the clash it’s difficult to be too critical on either side, particularly the Rabbitohs, who made the scoreboard appear better than what it should’ve been with a couple of late tries.
The biggest concern for both coaches is injuries in trial matches.
For the Rabbitohs, Siliva Havili (HIA) was forced from the field while for Manly, hard-running prop Taniela Paseka is in doubt for round one, with scans set to determine the severity of a shoulder injury after being forced from the field in the second-half.
BRONCOS 50 TITANS 12
Combinations
With veteran halves Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt watching from the sideline, Billy Walters and Jock Madden had the Broncos machine purring like a Ferrari.
Madden produced a try assist with a pinpoint cross-kick for Deine Mariner, while Walters ignited Brisbane’s surge, setting up the opening try of the game for Gehamat Shibasaki.
Conversely, the Titans’ halves pairing of Kieran Foran and AJ Brimson were seen as often as the Loch Ness Monster.
Foran gave away three penalties and Brimson was barely sighted as Madden and Walters took control.
Recruit Watch
A mid-season transfer last year, Cowboys discard Jack Gosiewski has been touted as a back-row bolter for round 1. Gosiewski started in the No.11 jumper and was solid without sufficiently dominating to apply pressure on incumbent back-rower Jordan Riki.
Forward teammate Tristan Powell, an off-season pick-up from the Storm, charged for 101 metres from nine runs. The 24-year-old has beefed-up Brisbane’s depth chart.
Rookie Watch
Big Ben Te Kura could be a monstrous X-factor for the Broncos off the bench this season. The biggest man in the NRL at 205cm, the towering Te Kura set the tone early and complemented his 116 metres with a well-deserved try from close range in the 59th minute.
The Broncos have a front-row interchange spot up for grabs for round 1. Te Kura is banging down the door.
While Te Kura flexed his muscle in midfield, Jaylan De Groot had a glorious chance to impress at fullback for the Titans. The 22-year-old never stopped trying and scored a classy solo try 11 minutes from time.
Another fullback rookie, Brisbane young gun Latrell Siegwalt, crossed in the 46th minute and looks the goods, while Broncos prop Va’a Semu will have scans after injuring his shoulder in the 25th minute
Hot take
The time-worn dictum is that defence wins premierships. Titles aren’t won in February, but it’s clear Maguire has injected a more desperate edge to Brisbane’s defence.
The Broncos produced a 22-0 shutout of Burleigh last week and kept the Titans scoreless for 39 minutes on Sunday. Brisbane’s defensive principles are slick and their tryline attitude oozed hunger. Maguire’s punishing pre-season is paying dividends. The Broncos looked twice as fit as the labouring Titans, who had a disastrous start, trailing 18-0 after 22 minutes.
Final say
Granted, it’s only a trial, but Hasler should be filthy with his squad. This was a full-strength Titans team, but they lacked discipline and their defensive aptitude was disgraceful. They missed 42 tackles. If they play like this in 2025, they will finish in the bottom four.
Maguire’s Broncos clearly mean business and they have every reason to believe they are the real deal. Brisbane have the roster to win the premiership and snap Penrith’s golden dynasty.
BULLDOGS 20 WESTS 14
By Martin Gabor
Combinations
We’ll learn a lot more next week when both teams roll out most of their key men, with the Bulldogs holding back stars like Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton.
For the Tigers, Latu Fainu was kept quiet in his short stint at halfback, while Solomona Faataape scored two tries in three minutes after failing to meet fitness standards in the pre-season.
Recruit Watch
Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, Terrell May and Jack Bird were held back for Sunday’s trial, but Jeral Skelton impressed on the left wing in his first game for the Tigers.
Skelton was as busy as ever with a game-high 110 metres in the first half against his former side and is firmly in the mix for a wing spot in round one.
Tom Amone did what he was brought in to do, with the big man providing the size the Bulldogs have desperately missed in the middle.
Rookie Watch
Canterbury’s back five looks fairly settled, but Cameron Ciraldo must be confident in his depth after Jonathan Sua again showed that he can match it with the big dogs.
The 20-year-old winger played one game last season in the top grade and dominated NSW Cup with 15 tries from just 11 appearances.
He ran for a game-high 170 metres on Sunday and scored the try that put his side ahead 18-14 with 15 minutes to go, while fellow winger Ratu Rinakama shone with a try in each half.
Jack Todd also looks like a promising talent after he scored a try and broke the line twice.
Hot Take
It’s hard to make any major calls based on a trial match between two severely depleted teams, but what is clear is that Galvin is in for a special year.
He’s bigger, fitter and more confident than he was 12 months ago, with Galvin to be mentioned as an Origin bolter as we enter May.
Final Say
Canterbury’s defensive resolve isn’t just limited to what we see in first grade, and it’s why they’ll be fighting for a top-four spot this season with their attack set to be more dynamic than what it was in 2024.
DRAGONS 26 ROOSTERS 8
By Martin Gabor
Combinations
While Flanagan starred, halves partner Lachlan Ilias had a quiet night in his first game in the Red V.
But he still produced one highlight play in defence when he chopped down man mountain De La Salle Va’a close to the line.
There was a lot to like from Moses Suli who switched to right centre to make room for new recruit Valentine Holmes, with the powerful runner causing all sorts of problems for the Roosters defence.
Recruit Watch
The Roosters are one of the teams under the most scrutiny this season given they’ve lost Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the two Josephs to rugby union.
Throw in major injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith, and it’s no wonder why Chad Townsend looms as one of their most important signings for 2025.
The veteran playmaker will have to step up as the chief playmaker for the first half of the season, but he was kept very quiet on Sunday night, with Sandon Smith outplaying him with a try assist for Dom Young.
Rookie Watch
The Roosters have lost some quality strike out wide, but fans have high hopes for youngster Robert Toia who is ready to make his mark after years of injury heartbreak.
Toia made a couple of mistakes and was found out defensively, but he is well and truly in the mix to start at right centre this season after getting through plenty of work in attack.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is also fighting for a sporting spot but had limited opportunities, with the former Wallaby boasting all the physical traits to make it in the NRL.
Hot Take
The Dragons have been one of the most popular picks for the wooden spoon, but they won’t finish last in 2025.
They have too many experienced players who know how to win the big moments, while Flanagan will come up with plans to win enough games.
Final Say
Sunday’s result told us nothing about the Roosters, but there’ll be plenty of scrutiny on their final trial game with question marks over whether their new-look side will make the top eight this season.
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Originally published as Rookies, recruits, combinations: What we learned from every NRL trial
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