$10 million talent pool: Reserve grade SuperCoach cheapies make case for NRL round 2 starts

The NSW and QLD Cup competitions will feature more than 50 players with either NRL experience or a top-30 contract worth a staggering $10 million. See the full list.

Kiwi Test forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves heads a staggering list of around $10 million in NRL talent named to play park football this weekend.

The who’s who of reserve grade includes the return to the game of exiled centre Bronson Xerri for Canterbury, Connor Watson’s first game in 17 months and the comeback of former NSW State of Origin forward Tevita Pangai Jr.

The NSW and QLD Cup competitions will feature more than 50 players with either NRL experience or a top-30 contract.

In front of a few thousand fans, Rabbitohs rising star Tallis Duncan, Warriors comeback half Chanel Harris-Tavita and Penrith centre recruit Paul Alamoti will all run out in reserve grade this weekend.

The Roosters are eager to use their NSW Cup clash with the Panthers as an opportunity to feed much-needed match-fitness into Waerea-Hargreaves, who hasn’t played since round 26 against the Wests Tigers last year.

He was handed a seven-game ban from two separate charges in the clash with the Tigers.

The suspension cost him a spot in the Roosters side that beat the Broncos in Las Vegas.

Alongside the Roosters enforcer will be Watson, who has endured a tortuous recovery from a torn patella tendon.

Other high-profile Roosters to feature in the match at St Mary’s will be Dylan Napa and Egan Butcher.

In proof that Canterbury has its deepest roster in years, Xerri will return for his first official game in four years following an ASADA ban against the Eels in NSW Cup in a team that will also feature Toby Sexton, Jeral Skelton, Bailey Biondi-Odo and Liam Knight.

Bronson Xerri and Tallis Duncan will stat their case in reserve grade.

Unable to crack a starting berth in Las Vegas for the Rabbitohs, Taane Milne, Shaquai Mitchell, Michael Chee Kam and Duncan will all feature in a Saturday afternoon match against Sea Eagles feeder-club the Blacktown Workers at Four Pines Park. Jake Arthur, Tommy Talau, Ray Vaega and Brandon Wakeham will tackle the reserve grade Bunnies.

The Warriors have a host of big guns set to face the Newtown Jets, who are the feeder club to the Sharks.

Harris-Tavita will make his return after taking a 12-month absence from the game with Te Maire Martin and Jazz Tevaga also named to play.

All eyes will be on QLD Cup side Souths Logan – feeder-club to the Broncos – on Saturday night where Pangai Jr will make his return after dropping a bombshell on the Dogs last year when he announced he was quitting the sport to take up boxing.