Pre-season guide: Quest for NRL glory in 2019 begins now
PREPARATIONS for next year have kicked-off with four clubs starting their pre-season today. But some of the biggest names in the game will be forced to watch from the sidelines due to injury. Fatima Kdouh looks at every club’s schedule.
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PREPARATIONS for next year have kicked-off with four clubs starting their pre-season today.
But some of the biggest names in the game will be forced to watch from the sidelines due to injury.
Souths captain Greg Inglis had surgery to fix a neck complaint in the off-season but it isn’t expected to delay his return to training on light duties later this month.
Across the ditch, New Zealand’s Issac Luke has had a shoulder reconstruction. The hooker, who was slated to miss the bulk of the preseason, will be out for the first three rounds of next year.
SEE BELOW FOR A FULL CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE
Paramatta will clock on for day one today after a bitterly disappointing wooden spoon finish to last season.
Star back Jarryd Hayne is yet to re-sign with the club despite both parties expressing a desire to come to an agreement.
The squad will travel to Armidale on Sunday for a training camp.
There was first-day-at-school nerves across town at Belmore when six new faces reported for the first day of pre-season.
The arrival of Jack Cogger, Christian Crichton, Corey Harawira-Naera, Nick Meaney and Sauaso Sue will likely be overshadowed by David Klemmer’s contract saga, which looks certain to reach a crescendo over the summer.
SEE BELOW FOR A FULL CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE
At the foot of the mountains, new coach Ivan Cleary will be without his first-choice halves pairing James Maloney and son Nathan until the new year.
Cleary has had surgery on a troublesome ankle injury. Maloney is scheduled to go under the knife next week to fix a neck complaint.
The Daily Telegraph understands while Maloney still has two years on his deal at Penrith, the club has concerns about his body handling the rigours of two more NRL campaigns.
Ben Barba’s two-year NRL exile will be over on Monday when he has his first pre-season since 2016 up in Townsville. North Queensland Warhorse Matt Scott required another neck operation and will be eased back to training from November 15.
SEE BELOW FOR A FULL CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE
The Broncos are confident their entire casualty ward will be available for round one selection. This includes Anthony Milford, who had a shoulder reconstruction and won’t be back at Red Hill until after Christmas. Hooker Andrew McCullough had finger surgery on a damaged ligament and will be on light duties next month.
There have been a slew of football department appointments across all 16 clubs. Newcastle have welcomed six new performance staff following the appointment of Brian Canavan as director of football. The man at the helm of Tonga’s rise on the international stage, Kristian Woolf, joins the Knights as an assistant to Nathan Brown.
PRE-SEASON GUIDE
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Return to training: November 24
Ins: Sean O’Sullivan (Roosters)
Outs: Korbin Sims (Dragons), Sam Thaiday (retired), Tom Opacic (Cowboys), Jonus Pearson (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Staff appointments: None
Training camps: TBC
Trial games: TBC
Injury update: Payne Haas (shoulder), Andrew McCullough (finger) and Jack Bird (sternum) will return to full training by Christmas. Anthony Milford (shoulder) isn’t expected back until January.
Talking point: Coach Wayne Bennett’s future is sorted for now, but how will it impact team camaraderie during the pre-season knowing their leader will out the door, possibly taking star players to Redfern with him.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Return to training: Today
Ins: Ryan Sutton (Wigan), John Bateman (Wigan)
Outs: Shannon Boyd (Titans), Junior Paulo (Eels), Blake Austin (Warrington Wolves), Charlie Gubb (Widnes Vikings)
New staff: Andrew McFadden (Assistant Coach)
Training camps: Planned, location TBC
Trial games: TBC
Injury update: Ata Hingo (shoulder) could miss two months of season 2019. Captain Jarrod Croker (knee) won’t begin contact training until January. Both players required surgery.
Talking point: The departure of bopper Boyd and Paulo signals a change in Ricky Stuart’s blueprint of a power-game based on his behemoth forwards. Can a new look mobile pack take Canberra into September?
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Returning to training: November 1
Ins: Jack Cogger (Knights), Christian Crichton (Panthers), Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers), Nick Meaney (Knights), Sauaso Sue (Tigers)
Outs: Matt Frawley (Huddersfield Giants), Brett Morris (Roosters), Josh Morris (Sharks), Clay Priest (released), Asipeli Fine (released)
New staff appointments: Tony Ayoub (High Performance Manager)
Training camps: None
Trial games: v Raiders, 23 February
Injury update: Kieran Foran (toe) is back for the first day of preseason after missing the bulk of 2018. Josh Jackson had shoulder surgery which will require two months of rehab. He’ll then move into a modified program for four weeks. Kerrod Hollad (ankle) won’t be in full-training until December.
Talking point: The contract saga surrounding David Klemmer will hang over the club until it is resolved. Coach Dean Pay will have his hands full galvanising a roster with six new faces.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Return to training: November 12
Ins: Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
Outs: Luke Lewis (retired), Jesse Ramien (Knights), Edrick Lee (Knights) Ricky Leutele (Toronto Wolfpack), Joseph Paulo (St Helens RLFC), Kurt Dillon (Rabbitohs), Trent Hodkinson (Sea Eagles)
New staff appointments: None
Training camps: None
Trial games: v Manly, February 23; v Knights in Maitland, March 2
Injury update: Wade Graham (knee) will be on a modified program for the entire preseason. Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan and Jayson Bukuya all required shoulder surgery and will be on rehab programs during the first half of pre-season.
Talking point: From today Valentine Holmes is a free agent and speculation about his future will dominate talk down in the Shire.
GOLD COAST TITANS
Return to training: November 5
Ins: Jesse Arthars (Rabbitohs), Ryley Jacks (Storm), Shannon Boyd (Raiders), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington)
Outs: Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos), Kane Elgey (Sea Eagles), Brendan Elliot (released), Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Simpkins (retired)
New staff appointments: Dan Ferris (Head of Performance)
Training camps: TBC
Trial games: TBC
Injury update: AJ Brimson, Morgan Boyle and Max King all had shoulder surgery. Boyle and King will be on no-contact programs until around December. Brimson won’t be rushed back with January 2019 his earliest possible return.
Talking point: After a lowly finish Garth Brennan will be coaching for his career. He’ll also need to convince star signing Tyrone Peachey the Gold Coast is exactly the place he wants to be.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Return to training: November 5
Ins: Trent Hodkinson (Sharks), Kane Elgey (Titans), Brendon Elliot (Titans)
Outs: Akuila Uate (Huddersfield Giants), Shaun Lane (Eels), Lewis Brown (released)
New staff appointments: Des Hasler (coach), Noel Cleal (recruitment)
Training camps: TBC
Trial games: v Cronulla 23 February; v Roosters 2 March
Injury update: Api Koroisau will be at day one of preseason after missing the back half of this season with a foot injury.
Talking point: Hasler v Trent Barrett. The club refuses to release Barrett before July and Barrett is adamant he should be the coach until then. November 5 will be an interesting day at Narrabeen.
MELBOURNE STORM
Return to training: November 15
Ins: Albert Vete (Warriors)
Outs: Billy Slater (retired), Ryan Hoffman (retired), Tim Glasby (Knights), Ryley Jacks (Titans), Young Tonumaipea (released)
New staff appointments: Ryan Hinchcliffe (development coach), Billy Slater (specialist coach)
Training camps: TBC
Trial games: TBC
Injury update: Nelson Asofa-Solomona didn’t play an off-season Tests due to an ankle injury. He’ll be in rehab until he returns to the training paddock in early 2019.
Talking point: Cameron Smith is the last man standing of the ‘Big Three’. Or is he? There’s still no official word on his future.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Return to training: November 5
Ins: Ben Barba (St Helens), Nene Macdonald (Dragons), Tom Opacic (Broncos), Kurt Baptiste (Roosters)
Outs: Johnathan Thurston (retired), Antonio Winterstein (retired), Kane Linnett (released), Shaun Fensom (released), Lachlan Coote (St Helens)
New staff appointments: David Tangata-Toa (assistant coach), Michael Dobbin (head of high performance)
Training camp: Yes, location TBC
Trials: TBC
Injury update: Michael Morgan (bicep) and Matt Scott (neck) will return to training on November 12 and will be on light duties.
Talking point: Will electric fullback Ben Barba rediscover the form that helped Cronulla to a title after his two-year exile from the NRL?
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Return to training: November 5
Ins: Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Tim Glasby (Storm), Edrick Lee (Sharks), Mason Lino (Warriors)
Outs: Chris Heighington (retired), Brock Lamb (released), Jacob Lillyman (retired), Jack Cogger (Bulldogs), Nick Meaney (Bulldogs), Chanel Mata’utia (released), Pat Mata’utia (released)
New staff appointments: Brian Canavan, Balin Cupples (physical performance manager), Kristian Woolf (assistant coach)
Training camps: TBC
Trial games: v Dragon in Cessnock; v Sharks in Maitland
Injury update: Kalyn Ponga (ankle) will be fit to return in November. Nathan Ross (groin) will re-join the group in December. Jacob Saifiti (shoulder) and Tautau Moga (knee) will be on modified programs when they return to training in November.
Talking point: Will coach Nathan Brown pull off one of the biggest signing coup’s by luring Canterbury’s David Klemmer to Newcastle?
PARRAMATTA EELS
Return to training: November 1
Ins: Blake Ferguson (Roosters), Shaun Lane (Sea Eagles), Junior Paulo (Raiders)
Outs: Cameron King (released), Suaia Matagi (Huddersfield Giants), Kenny Edwards (Catalan Dragons)
New staff appointments: TBC
Training camps: Armidale
Trial games: v Panthers March 2
Injury update: Blake Ferguson (broken fibula) won’t be delayed despite and will begin training following his mandated break in mid November. Kaysa Pritchard (shoulder) will be on light duties for most of the preseason. Nathan Brown and Daniel Alvaro will be on rehab programs for their respective knee injuries.
Talking point: Brad Arthur and his squad are back to training but the stalemate between Jarryd Hayne and the club continues. Will he be in the Blue and Gold next year?
PENRITH PANTHERS
First day: November 12
Ins: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Tim Grant, Tyrell Fuimaono
Outs: Corey Harawira-Naera (Bulldogs), Tyrone Peachey (Titans), Maika Sivo (Eels), Christian Crichton (Bulldogs)
New staff: Ivan Cleary (coach), Hayden Knowles and Craig Catterick (strength and conditioning)
Training camps: None
Trial games: v Eels, March 2
Injury update: James Maloney (neck) and Nathan Clearly (ankle) both had surgery and won’t be in full training until after the New Year.
Talking point: Keeping up with the Cleary’s. Rest assured the father son combination will be the talk of Penrith over the summer.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Return date: November 12
Ins: Corey Allan (Broncos), Kurt Dillon (Sharks) and Bayley Sironen (Tigers).
Outs: Angus Crichton (Roosters), Jason Clark (Warrington Wolves)
New staff appointments: None
Training camp: TBC
Trial games: v Dragons, March 2
Injury update: Sam Burgess went under the knife to fix his shoulder and wrist. Cameron Murray also had shoulder surgery. Greg Inglis had a neck operation. All will return on modified program before going into full training.
Talking point: Anthony Seibold built his 2018 campaign on camaraderie, will his side buy into this approach given he’s already committed his future to the Broncos?
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Return to training: November 5
Ins: Korbin Sims (Broncos), Jonus Pearson (Broncos)
Outs: Jason Nightingale (retired), Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors), Nene Macdonald (Cowboys), Hame Sele (released)
New staff: None
Training camps: TBC in December
Trial games: v Rabbitohs, March 2
Injury update: Tariq Sims (knee) will be eased back after surgery and is a chance of playing in the charity shield. Gareth Widdop won’t be back at training until the New Year as he rehabs his shoulder. Paul Vaughan (foot) isn’t scheduled back until post-Christmas.
Talking point: This side’s late-season fades have been attributed to Paul McGregor’s gruelling summers, will the coach change up his pre-season approach?
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Return to training: Late November
Ins: Angus Crichton (Rabbitohs), Brett Morris (Bulldogs), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Outs: Blake Ferguson (Eels), Ryan Matterson (Tigers), Paul Momirovski (Tigers), Sean O’Sullivan (Broncos), Kurt Baptiste (Cowboys)
New staff appointments: Adam O’Brien (assistant coach)
Training camps: Yes, TBC
Trial games: v Wigan Warriors; v Sea Eagles, March 2
Injury update: Cooper Cronk (scapula) isn’t scheduled back until after Christmas. Angus Crichton (shoulder) had surgery and will require rehab before he returns to full contact early in 2019. Zane Tetevano (bicep) will miss the bulk of the pre-season.
Talking point: Cooper Cronk played with the kind of injury that ruins careers, will he be the same player in 2019? Oh, and will Angus Crichton be allowed to keep his rock star haircut?
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Return to training: November 1
Ins: Leeson Ah Mau (Dragons)
Outs: Simon Mannering (retired), Albert Vete (Storm), Mason Lino (Knights)
New staff appointments: Todd Payten (assistant coach), Nathan Cayless (ISP coach)
Training camps: Yes, location TBC
Trail games: TBC
Injury updates: Tuivasa-Sheck (knee) will return to training on light duties. Issac Luke (shoulder) will miss the opening month of season 2019.
Talking point: The news Shaun Johnson has been told to look for a new club has tongues wagging and the speculation will continue well into the pre-season.
WESTS TIGERS
Return to training: November 15
Ins: Ryan Matterson (Roosters), Paul Momirovski (Roosters)
Outs: Sauaso Sue (Bulldogs) Tim Grant (Panthers), Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Naiqama (St Helens RLFC)
New staff: Michael Maguire (coach)
Training camps: None
Trial games: TBC
Injuries: Josh Reynolds has overcome his shoulder complaint and will be back in full-training in November. Robbie Rochow (hand) is still on a rehab program following surgery.
Talking point: The bus has a new driver with premiership credentials, can Maguire steer his new side back into finals contention?