NRL Pre-season round 2: What to look out for in every game
Parramatta’s veteran signing Josh Hodgson can’t completely fill Reed Mahoney’s boots, says Corey Parker. Check out the key thing to watch in every pre-season match.
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Week two of the Pre-Season Challenge is a final chance for coaches to test their combinations and fine tune their systems ahead of round one.
One team will also walk away with $100,000 in prizemoney with the Roosters and Manly in the box set.
Friday, February 17
Knights v Eels, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford 5.55pm
Newcastle: Knights fans will be watching the new-look spine of fullback Lachlan Miller, five-eighth Kalyn Ponga, halfback Jackson Hastings and hooker Jayden Brailey, whose combination will make or break Newcastle’s campaign.
Parramatta: Jirah Momoisea got his chance last week, now fellow recruits Jack Murchie and Matt Doorey have their shot at securing a starting back-row spot.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: If Kalyn wants to own that team, the positional switch can work. I just don’t get the feeling, from what I’ve seen in Kalyn’s career, that he is going to be that player. I don’t see Josh Hodgson as an 80-minute player, if he’s not playing 80 how does Parramatta fill that role? They’re light on at hooker.
Roosters v Sea Eagles, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford 8pm
Manly: You wouldn’t blame Manly fans for cringing at this match-up. The corresponding game last season ignited the gay pride saga that derailed their season. Six of the seven players that boycotted that game, Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu, Haumole Olakau’atu, and new five-eighth Josh Schuster, will play. Will there be any mental scars?
Roosters: Roosters’ spine depth is tested with both Luke Keary and Joey Manu out, with both in doubt for Round 1. Trent Robinson has a stopgap five-eighth in Drew Hutchison but the next man in line, Sandon Smith, is talented but not ready for NRL.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: The Roosters will win the pre-season challenge with this team. Joseph Suaalii, who’ll have devastating impact centre, will play a huge role in the result. Seeing Reuben Garrick on the wing, not centre, is a fascinating move by Anthony Seibold. He’d be wasted on the edge. Kelma Tuilaga in the backrow is exciting, he’s got skill, size, aggression. The Tigers are crazy for letting him go.
Saturday, February 18
Dragons v Rabbitohs Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee 4.20pm
South Sydney: Taane Milne’s suspension has opened the door door Izaac Thompson to start in round one but with Josiah Karapani and Terell Kalo Kalo breathing down his neck, Thompson will need a solid 80 minuets in Mudgee.
St George Illawarra: Normally a right-sided player, Zac Lomax shifts to the left in a move designed to shore-up that edge’s defence. It will be interesting to see if it continues, but if Moses Suli isn’t up to scratch on the left, Anthony Griffin has merely weakened one edge to strengthen another.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: If I’m Hook (Griffin), I’m sticking with Moses Mbye for Round 1. The Dragons need his experience since it’s lacking at fullback and hooker. Sullivan just has to bide his time. Lachlan Ilias had a tough start to his career at Souths, but he’s in for a big year surrounded by a suburb spine.
Panthers v St Helens BlueBet Stadium 6.50pm
St Helens: How good are England’s best? Buoyed from their win against the Dragons, St Helens test themselves against the most dominant team in the NRL.
Panthers: No Viliame Kikau, no Api Koroisau, no worries? Luke Garner and Mitch Kenny usher in life without the Fijian powerhouse and three-time premiership winner. Zac Hosking gets a shot to prove he should be there in Round 1, called-up to replace Liam Martin.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: What a juicy battle between James Fisher-Harris and the old pro Alex Walmsley, it’ll be explosive. ‘Fish’ will get him but for Walmsley this will be his grand final after missing out on St Helens’ Super League title win. St Helens have won 83 from 102 games, that’s Penrith like. Luke Garner could be the unheralded buy of the year.
Broncos v Cowboys Sunshine Coast Stadium 8.55pm
Brisbane: Jock Madden left the Tigers, convinced he was more than a depth halves player, and with Adam Reynolds out, the halfback gets his chance to start and prove his worth.
North Queensland: He looked on the outer but rejuvenated hooker Jake Granville gets a shot to lock in the No.14 jumper after finding himself in and out of the Cowboys’ 17 last season.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: Kevin Walters has a selection headache. Reece Walsh was good in last week’s trial but Selwyn Cobbo is a hell of a player and destined to play fullback. After he was used in multiple positions in the forwards, Coen Hess needs to step up and claim that starting back-row spot.
Warriors v Storm Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch 12.50pm
Warriors: Shaun Johnson and Te Maire Martin are 80 minutes away from locking in their spot in the halves.
Storm: Xavier Coates will push Grant Anderson out of the no.5 jumper for round one but Justin Olam’s (broken arm) centre spot for the taking, Anderson finds himself in a live action duel against Young Tonumaipea on Sunday.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: Dylan Walker’s signing has gone under the radar. He’s got a tough edge, he’s robust and strong in the way he plays and the Warriors need that, he’ll own that no. 14 role. Knowing Craig Bellamy, he’ll be looking at this game like it’s an NRL match. Speaking of buys of the year, Eliesa Katoa will be huge and we get to see what he can do in a strong Storm side.
Tigers v Raiders Belmore Sportsground 2.55pm
Tigers: A big performance from Daine Laurie is sure to go a long way to cementing the fullback spot for Round 1 after Charlie Staines’ underwhleming performance at the back last week.
Raiders: Jordan Rapana, called in to replace Xavier Savage at fullback, needs to show some leadership. With stocks skinny, Canberra can’t afford to lose Rapana to a defensive brain explosion.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: Fox League expert Corey Parker says: It’s a risky move putting Luke Brooks and Api Koroisau on ice if they could have played. I would have thought the more reps together in a new spine the better. There hasn’t been a club that has had more eyeballs on them, the Tigers need to be ready to compete on the weekend. If Harley Smith-Shields can stay fit for the Raiders he’ll surpass Matt Timoko and Sebastian Kris in the centre role.
Bulldogs v Sharks Belmore Sportsground Sunday 5pm
Bulldogs: Beaten heavily up front last season a new look forward pack with Tevita Pangai Junior at prop and Viliame Kikau in the backrow must step up and dominate the contest for Cameron Ciraldo’s spine to make an impact.
Sharks: Craig Fitzgibbon has gone with incumbents Toby Rudolf and Royce Hunt at prop but watch for Oregan Kaufusi to make his presence felt off the bench, as he goes after a starting 13 spot for the season opener.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: There’s no Franklin Pele on the bench for Canterbury, he was huge last week. He should feel hard done by if he isn’t there in round one. Wade Graham has lost his stranglehold on the starting edge spot, but Briton Nikora and Teig Wilson have far superior leg speed.
Dolphins v Titans, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe 7.05pm
Dolphins: Anthony Milford has survived a disappointing start to his Dolphins career and beaten boom rookie Isaiya Katoa to a halves spot. Milford will line up alongside Sean O’Sullivan but young gun Katoa is breathing down his neck.
Titans: All eyes will be on the completely new-look spine with AJ Brimson at fullback, Sam Verrills at hooker and Tanah Boyd and Kieran Foran in the halves as they get one final run before the season opener.
Fox League expert Corey Parker says: There’s no one better at playing the game than Wayne Bennett. He would have loved the circus his absence caused last week. You know what? I think he’ll double down and not show up this week. Toby Sexton hasn’t worked out in the halves for the Titans, Tanah Boyd was really good in week one of the pre-season and should be there in round one.
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