NRL 2021 predicted lineups, rookies and injury news: Wacko’s Whispers previews the season

Straight on the watch list! The best mail man in the business, Wacko’s Whispers, reveals the top 40 rookies in rugby league right now.

Wacko has been gazing into his 2021 crystal ball.

No need to wait until the NRL trials to find out what’s happening behind closed doors at every NRL club.

Wacko’s Whispers reveals all the latest news regarding positional changes, injuries, the rookies to watch, predicted lineups and, of course, who is training the house down.

Wacko has been gazing into his 2021 crystal ball.

ROUND 1 TEAM NEWS PREDICTIONS

BULLDOGS: Jake Averillo looks set to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves provided Matt Burton doesn’t gain an early release from the Panthers.

SHARKS: Provided he gets through the trials injury free after an injury plagued 2020 season Matt Moylan will start round one in the halves partnering Chad Townsend.

WESTS TIGERS: Tommy Talau looks set to win the left wing spot for round one.

EELS: Tom Opacic is leading the race to replace Michael Jennings at left centre.

TITANS: Beau Fermor tipped to jag the bench utility position at the Gold Coast.

Barring Matt Burton arriving at the Bulldogs, Jake Averillo will partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

POSITIONAL CHANGES FOR 2021

WESTS TIGERS: Joseph Leilua set to switch sides to left centre in 2021 with James Roberts at right centre whilst Tommy Talau has won left wing gig and will play outside Leilua.

WARRIORS: New signing Ben Murdoch-Masila has been training on the right edge after only arriving in January due to covid quarantine requirements, Murdoch-Masila suffered a minor pec injury but has recovered from that and returned to training last month.

PANTHERS: Winger Brian To’o looks set to switch sides in 2021 and will play left wing outside Stephen Crichton setting up a formidable left edge combination with Viliame Kikau and Jarome Luai.

SHARKS: Connor Tracey has spent time training at fullback this pre-season and could see time in the NRL at that position during 2021.

RABBITOHS: New signing Josh Mansour, who has played the majority of his career as left wing will switch sides and play right wing for the Rabbitohs outside Campbell Graham with Alex Johnston remaining on his preferred left wing.

KNIGHTS: Connor Watson looks like he will spend 2021 at lock and could even jag the starting role.

COWBOYS: Peter Hola and Hamiso Taubuai-Fidow have been training in new positions this pre-season with Hola training out on edge as a second-rower and Tabuai-Fidow training at left centre.

SHARKS: Rookie Jack A Williams, who is Reg Gasiner’s grandson, and not to be confused with lock Jack Williams, has spent the majority of the pre-season training running at hooker during scrimmages with regular hooker Blayke Brailey recovering from ankle surgery. Despite playing his junior footy in the halves and currently being on a trial and train contract, Williams will see some time in the trials as he looks to push for a contract upgrade to the top 30 or a development contract which would allow him to make NRL debut at some stage during the season.

Cade Cust is tipped to win the race to start at hooker for the Sea Eagles. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

PRE SEASON TRAINING NEWS

SEA EAGLES: Cade Cust and Lachlan Croker have been spending pre-season training rotating at hooker.

WESTS TIGERS: Mr Versatility, Moses Mbye, is expected to play multiple positions this season covering fullback, centre, 5/8, hooker and bench utility

RABBITOHS: Keaon Koloamatangi has spent time training on the left edge next to Cody Walker in pre-season training

BRONCOS: Anthony Milford has been spending this pre-season training on the right side building up combinations with Tesi Niu and Xavier Coates.

INJURY NEWS

KNIGHTS: Blake Green, who will be named Knights captain for 2021, could be back as early as round 2-3 as he is ahead of schedule with his recovery from an ACL injury.

SHARKS: Andrew Fifita has had a limited pre-season on the training field as he manages a calf injury and was still with the rehab group as the new year started.

RABBITOHS: Junior Tatola had both ankle and knee surgeries this off-season and is only rated a 50/50 chance to be fit for round one.

BULLDOGS: Raymond Faitala – Mariner has had an interrupted pre-season due to ankle surgery but has just has received clearance to have his moon boot removed with a view to returning to the training field in coming weeks, his work will be managed early in the season.

Blake Green’s recovering from injury ahead of schedule. Picture: Paul Barkley/NRL Photos

FAMILY AFFAIR

Eels Coach Brad Arthur’s son Jakob Arthur has joined Eels NRL squad on a development contract, he has spent his first pre-season training with the NRL squad after leading Patrician Brothers Blacktown to victory in the National Schoolboys final in 2020.

A playmaking halfback who has a good kicking game, Arthur has spent time training with the top 13 at times during this pre-season in scrimmages but won’t be eligible to play NRL till after round 16 unless promoted to the top 30.

SECOND YEAR FORWARDS TO WATCH

Ethan Bullemor

Matt Doorey

Teig Wilton

Beau Fermor

Jaimin Jolliffe

Haumole Olakau’atu

Make sure you pick the correct Jack Williams at the Sharks. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

NAME CONFUSION

As mentioned above, the Sharks have two Jack Williams in their squad this season, Jack Williams the lock that has played in previous season and young Jack A Williams who is a half by trad but been training at hooker.

The Tigers have a Simpkin and a Simpkins. Jake Simpkin is a young QLD hooker fighting for the bench hooker role and new signing Tukimihia Simpkins is a promising young 2RF.

Mark sure if you are selecting one of these players that you get the right one

ROOKIE OF YEAR TIP

A Roosters player will win rookie of Year in 2021 with either Sam Walker or Joseph Suaalii tipped to win.

TOP 40 ROOKIES

Best NRL Rookies 2021 by Position (D = Development Player)

FRF – Franklin Pele, David Hollis, Sione Fainu (D), Alec Tuitavake (D), Ata Mariota (D)

Hooker – Jake Simpkin, Joshua Cook, Kyle Patterson, Kobe Hetherington (D), Brendan Hands (D)

2RF – Egan Butcher, Zac Saddler, Jackson Topine (D), Brendan Piakura (D), Kelma Tuilagi (D)

Lock – Lindsay Smith, James Roumanos, Wiremu Grieg, Sam Hughes, Tukimihia Simpkins

Halves – Sam Walker, Toby Sexton, Jock Madden, Blake Taaffe (D), Jakob Arthur (D)

Centre – Jensen Taumoepeau, Ben Trbojevic, Shaun Sauni-Esau (D), Judda Turahui (D), William Kei (D)

Wing – Jonaiah Lualua, Greg Marzhew, Kane Bradley, Michael Bell (D), Xaiver Savage (D)

Fullback – Joseph Suaalii, Tolutau Koula, Moala Graham-Taufa, Luke Metcalf (D), Reece Walsh (D), Jayden Campbell (D)

Despite still awaiting NRL clearance to play, Sydney Roosters recruit Joseph Suaalii is a popular tip to win rookie of the year. Picture: Roosters Digital

KEEP AN EYE ON THE BUBBLE BOYS

Expect to see more coaches running with a back on bench this season as coaches look to have cover on bench in case of a HIA to an outside back

With teams having a limited pre-season this year due to Covid and Origin, some teams could get off to a slow start to the season as they look to build combinations.

With Covid still being a moving issue in 2021, it is going to be interesting to see how the 2020 covid season impacts the development of non-NRL players and I would expect rookies who were a part of the NRL bubble in 2020 to be a step ahead of other rookies who weren’t.

With all Top 30 Squads and NRL Development Players announced on March 1 (yet to be published) make sure you only select players listed in Top 30 Squad.

NAMES TO WATCH MAYBE NOT FOR 2020 BUT IN FUTURE YEARS

Brendan Piakura

Aaron Schoupp

Joshua Finau

Terrell Kalokalo

Jonah Pezet

Jacob Kiraz

WACKO’S WHISPERS NRL RD 1 PREDICTED LINE UP – (D) = IN DOUBT

BRONCOS

1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Tesi Niu, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Thomas Dearden, 13. John Asiata, 12. Alex Glenn, 11. Jordan Riki, 10. Pat Carrigan, 9. Andrew McCullough, 8. Matt Lodge

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Corey Oates (d) 15. Kennedy, 16. Tevita Pangai 17. Tom Flegler

RAIDERS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 1. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (d), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 5. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 13. Joe Tapine, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera (d), 11. Elliott Whitehead, 10 Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Hudson Young 16. Corey Horsburgh (d) 17. Iosia Soliola

BULLDOGS

1. Corey Allan, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Nick Cotric, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Nick Meaney, 6. Jake Averillo (d), 7. Kyle Flanagan, 13. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Waddell, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner (d), 10. Dylan Napa, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 8. Jack Hetherington

Bench: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Adam Elliott (d) 16. Ofahiki Ogden 17. Renouf Atoni

SHARKS

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 13. Toby Rudolf, 12. Briton Nikora, 11. Wade Graham, 10. Aaron Woods, 9. Blayke Brailey, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Andrew Fifita (d) 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Jack Williams

TITANS

1. AJ Brimson (d), 2. Anthony Don, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Ash Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 12. David Fifita, 11. Kevin Proctor, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Mitch Rein, 8. Jarrod Wallace

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Beau Fermor

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Reuben Garrick, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Dylan Walker, 5. Jason Saab, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 12. Curtis Sironen, 11. Andrew Davey, 10. Martin Taupau, 9. Cade Cust, 8. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 13. Dale Finucane, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 10. Christian Welch, 9. Harry Grant, 8. Jesse Bromwich

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Tom Eisenhuth

KNIGHTS

1. Tex Hoy, 2. Hymel, Hunt, 3. Bradman Best, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Edrick Lee, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce (d), 13. Connor Watson, 12. Mitch Barnett, 11. Tyson Frizell, 10. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 8. Daniel Saifiti

Bench: 14. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Euan Aitken, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 13. Tohu Harris, 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Wayde Egan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake

Bench: 14. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 15. Jazz Tevega 16. Bailey Sironen 17. Kane Evans

COWBOYS

1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Murray Taulagi, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Kyle Feldt, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Jake Clifford, 13. Jason Taumalolo, 12. Tom Gilbert, 11. Mitch Dunn, 10. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 8. Michael McGuire

Bench: 14. Reuben Cotter 15. Coen Hess 16. Lachlan Burr 17. Francis Molo

EELS

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake, Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitch Moses, 13. Nathan Brown, 12. Shaun Lane, 11. Ryan Matterson, 10. Junio Paulo, 9. Reed Mahoney, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Bench: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Ray Stone 16. Isaiah Papali’I 17. Oregon Kaufusi

PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 13. Isaah Yeo, 12. Viliame Kikau, 11. Liam Martin, 10. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 8. James Fisher-Harris

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Kurt Capewell 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Matt Eisenhuth

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds (d), 13. Cam Murray, 12. Kaeon Koloamatangi, 11. Jaydn Su’A, 10. Tom Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 8. Tevita Tatola (d)

Bench: 14. Braidon Burns (d) 15. Liam Knight 16. Jai Arrow 17. Jed Cartwright (d)

DRAGONS

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Mikaele Ravalawa, 3. Brayden Williame, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Jordan Pereira, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 13. Blake Lawrie, 12. Tariq Sims, 11. Jackson Ford, 10. Paul Vaughan, 9. Cameron McInnes, 8. Josh Kerr

Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Jack Bird 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Trent Merrin

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Lachlan Lam, 7. Luke Keary, 13. Victor Radley, 12. Angus Crichton, 11. Sitili Tupouniua, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 9. Jake Friend, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins

WESTS TIGERS

1. Moses Mbye, 2. Tommy Talau, 3. James Roberts, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. David Nofoaluma, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Luke Brooks, 13. Alex Twal, 12 Luciano Leilua, 11. Shawn Blore, 10 James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 8. Jo Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Michael Chee-Kam

GOAL KICKERS FOR EACH CLUB

BRONCOS

Kicker to Start Season – Jamayne Issako

Regular Kicker – Kotoni Staggs

Back up –

RAIDERS

Kicker to Start Season – George Williams

Regular Kicker – Jarrod Croker

Back up – George Williams

BULLDOGS

Kicker to Start Season – Kyle Flanagan

Back up – Nick Meaney

SHARKS

Kicker to Start Season – Chad Townsend

Regular Kicker – Shaun Johnson

Back up – Chad Townsend

TITANS

Kicker to Start Season – Ash Taylor/Patrick Herbert

Regular Kicker – Ash Taylor/Patrick Herbert

Back up – Ash Taylor/Patrick Herbert/Jamal Fogarty

SEA EAGLES

Kicker to Start Season – Reuben Garrick

Back up – Daly Cherry-Evans

STORM

Kicker to Start Season – Ryan Papenhuyzen

Back up – Cooper Johns/Cameron Munster

KNIGHTS

Kicker to Start Season – Mitchell Barnett/Tex Hoy

Regular Kicker – Kalyn Ponga

Back up – Mitchell Barnett/Tex Hoy

WARRIORS

Kicker to Start Season – Chanel Harris-Tavita/Kodi Nikorima

Regular Kicker – Chanel Harris-Tavita/Kodi Nikorima

Back up – Chanel Harris-Tavita/Kodi Nikorima

COWBOYS

Kicker to Start Season – Valentine Holmes

Back up – Jake Clifford, Esan Marsters

EELS

Kicker to Start Season – Mitchell Moses

Back up – Clinton Gutherson

PANTHERS

Kicker to Start Season – Nathan Cleary

Back up – Stephen Crichton

RABBITOHS

Kicker to Start Season – Adam Reynolds

Back up – Latrell Mitchell

DRAGONS

Kicker to Start Season – Zac Lomax

Back up –

ROOSTERS

Kicker to Start Season – Sio Siua Taukeiaho/Lachlan Lam

TIGERS

Kicker to Start Season – Moses Mbye

Back up – Moses Mbye

Originally published as NRL 2021 predicted lineups, rookies and injury news: Wacko’s Whispers previews the season