NRL trial team lists 2021, plus KFC SuperCoach NRL players to watch

Tevita Pangai Jnr has surged in KFC SuperCoach ownership and headlines a host of top buys on show this weekend. Analysis by TOM SANGSTER.

Brad Arthur’s son Jake is among a crop of exciting young Parramatta rising stars set to impress in this Thursday’s trial match against St George Illawarra at Kogarah.

It comes after the Eels suffered a setback on Sunday with confirmation Bryce Cartwright has a broken jaw that is likely to sideline him for between four and six weeks.

The match against the Dragons was expected to be Cartwright’s first in his new colours following his shift from the Gold Coast.

Watch Live & On-Demand coverage of NRL pre-season trial matches on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Cartwright suffered the injury during training last week.

While it is not likely to keep him out for an extended period it will probably end his hopes of pushing for selection in round one against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on March 12.

Jake Arthur makes a break in the NRL Schoolboy Cup. Picture: Toby Zerna

Meanwhile, Parramatta have handed former St George Illawarra and Canterbury centre Tim Lafai a career lifeline with the 29-year-old to turn out for the injury ravaged Eels in the trial.

Young guns Arthur, promising prop David Hollis, outside backs Sean Russell and Haze Dunster, Titans recruit Keegan Hipgrave, Jordan Rankin, Isaiah Papali’i and Joey Lussick have all been named.

Arthur is a talented young playmaker who was one of the stars in the Blacktown Patrician Brothers team that won the schoolboy competition last year.

Jake is considered a genuine NRL prospect in the making, although probably still a good 12 months away from legitimately pushing for NRL selection up against the likes of Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.

Parramatta Eels youngster David Hollis. NRLPhotos/Gregg Porteous

What he does have on his side right now is a terrific kicking game and game management beyond his years, while his running game is said to be improving all the time, as is his size.

There has been plenty of pressure on him coming through the grades at Parramatta just because of who he is, or more to the point, who his old man is.

But those who have watched his development say he has really earned his place just by the way he has continued to rise to every challenge with an outstanding attitude and dedication.

— Paul Crawley

DRAGONS RECRUIT GETS FIRST CRACK

Andrew McCullough will have just one training run with his St George Illawarra teammates before donning his new colours in a pre-season hitout on Thursday.

McCullough will line-up alongside former Broncos teammates Jack Bird and Tariq Sims after a whirlwind few weeks for the 31-year-old who made the gut-wrenching decision to leave Brisbane and take up a three year deal with the Dragons.

— Full story by Michael Carayannis

Andrew McCullough has joined the Dragons.

FEB 18

Eels v Dragons: 6pm (AEDT) at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (players with 12 games from 2020 or less)

Eels: 1 Sean Russell 2 Michael Oldfield 3 Will Penisini 4 Tom Opacic 5 Haze Dunster 6 Will Smith 7 Jakob Arthur 8 Dave Hollis 9 Joey Lussick 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11 Keegan Hipgrave

12 Isaiah Papalií 13 Makahesi Makatoa 14 Josh Tuipulotu 15 Matt Komolafe 16 Jordan Rankin 17 Caleb Tohi 18 Charbel Tasipale 19 Solomone Naiduki 20 Toa Mata’afa 21 Eli El Zahkem NN (no-number) Tim Lafai NN Charlton Schaafhausen NN Noel Aukafolau

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Tom Opacic appears to have won the centre spot of Michael Jennings (provisionally suspended), with main rivals Michael Oldfield and Haze Dunster named on the wings. This is particularly bad news for Dunster owners given he sits in the top 50 most popular players, and he now looms as a sell. Opacic himself sits in border line cheapie range at $330,000, but is very awkward at that price.

Dragons: Daniel Alvaro, Junior Amone, Jack Bird, Eddie Blacker, Billy Brittain, Luke Chalker Josh Coric, Kaide Ellis, Mat Feagai, Max Feagai, Jackson Ford, Zeik Foster, Jaiyden Hunt, Hayden Lomax, Andrew McCullough, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Cody Ramsey, Charly Runciman, Shaun Sauni-Esau, Tariq Sims, Tyrell Sloan, Jayden Sullivan, Brayden Wiliame, Tyran Wishart.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: All eyes are on the centre position vacated by Euan Aitken (Warriors), which is all but certain to be taken by a cheapie. Max Feagai, twin Mat Feagai and Brayden Wiliame are the contenders, and all are cheap as chips. Feagai (of the Max variety) is considered the favourite, but it’s a genuine shootout and plenty can change with poor/brilliant performances in the trials.

Jack Bird will play “about 20 minutes” in the middle. This is Bird’s new position under Anthony Griffin, who wants to reduce Bird’s lateral movement following successive ACL injuries. Bird is currently the 30th most popular player so plenty of KFC SuperCoaches are hoping for a big game. Popular mid-ranger Jackson Ford can confirm his favouritism for Tyson Frizell’s vacated back row spot, with main rival Tyrell Fuimaono to be saved for the Charity Shield. Young playmakers Junior Amone and Jayden Sullivan get fresh chances to impress after starring last week, although realistically they are unlikely to start round one ahead of Ben Hunt and Corey Norman.

The race is on for Euan Aitken’s spot. Picture: Phil Hillyard

FEB 19

Brisbane Broncos v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Kitchener Park

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Richie Kennar 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Tesi Niu 5. Dale Copley 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Albert Kelly 8. Tevita Pangai Jnr 9. Kobe Hetherington 10. Matt Lodge 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Leivaha Pulu 13. Ethan Bullemor; Interchange: 14 Calum Gahan 15. Logan Bayliss-Brow 16. Isaiah Taas 17. Josh James 18. Brendan Frei 19. Xavier Willison 20. Selwyn Cobbo

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Tesi Niu is a surprise inclusion in basically a QLD Cup trial team given he’s all but confirmed at right centre for round one. Niu is currently the fourth most popular player and the only way his KFC SuperCoach credentials change this week is if he gets injured. More on Niu here.

Tevita Pangai Jnr has been a “potential gun” his entire career and never quite produced. But his popularity has surged in recent days as 2RF guns continue to fall, the latest casualties being Cameron McInnes (ACL, season) and Jason Tauamlolo (set for reduced minutes and increased ball playing role, neither of which is good for KFC SuperCoach).

Tevita Pangai will run out in an under-strength trial. Picture: Peter Wallis

Gold Coast Titans v Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Greg Marzhew 4. Treymain Spry 5. Jonus Pearson 6. Toby Sexton 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jai Whitbread 9. Erin Clark 10. Darius Farmer 11. Beau Fermor 12. Sam Stone 13. Tristan Powell. Interchange: 14. Braden McGrady 15. Andre Niko 16. Corey Denniss 17. Will Brimson 18. Joseph Collins 19. Brent Woolf 21. Lloyd Perrett

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Not much doing here. Let’s wait for the full strength trials next week.

FEB 20

Newcastle Knights NSW Cup squad to face Cessnock Goanas at Cessnock Sports Ground, Saturday 6pm

Knights: 1. Mackenzie Baker 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Brayden Musgrove 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Dom Young 6. Hayden Loughrey 7. Kobe Davis 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Mitch Black 10. Garrett Smith 11. Jaron Purcell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Jack Johns. Interchange: 14. Luke Huth 15. Christian Ma’anaima 16. Mat Croker 17. John Tolofea 18. Zac Hosking, 19. Dan Ticehurst, 20. Blake Campbell, 21. Harvey Neville, 22. Matt Soper-Lawler, 23. Ben Talty, 24. Liam Wilkinson, 25. Harry Croker, 26. Harry van Dartel, 27. Sione Tuitupou-Kutu, 28. Henry Penn, 29. Jesse Cronin, 30. Tyler Coburn, 31. Blake Lenehan

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Basically a NSW Cup trial and nothing of KFC SuperCoach interest.

South Sydney Rabbitohs to face Group 20 Invitational at Solar Mad Stadium, Griffith, Saturday 7pm

Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Zane Bijorac 3. Steven Marsters 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Troy Dargan 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Patrick Mago 9. Joe Lovodua 10. Hame Sele 11. Jacob Host 12. Matt French 13. Trent Peoples. Interchange: 14. CJ Mundine 15. Nic Mougios 16. Lachlan Ilias 17. Davvy Moale 18. Maila Chanfoon 19. Jack Cameron 20. Peter Mamouzelos

KFC SuperCoach analysis: (Cut and paste alert) ... Basically a NSW Cup trial and nothing of KFC SuperCoach interest.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021 Cheapie Bible

KFC SuperCoach NRL: 21 players set to shine in 2021

SuperCoach club-by-club guide to transfer madness

Strength of schedule: SuperCoach draw analysis

CASUALTY WARD: Every club’s injury list reveal

Wests Tigers v Roosters: 6.30pm (AEDT) at Kirkham Oval, Camden (players with 12 games from 2020 or less)

Tigers: Team to come

Roosters: Team to come

NRL All Stars: Indigenous v Maori men’s game 7.10pm (AEST) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Indigenous: Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Blake Ferguson (Parramatta Eels) Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders) Jesse Ramien (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Jamal Fogarty (Gold Coast Titans) Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys) Josh Kerr ( St George Illawarra Dragons) David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans) Tyrell Fuimaono (St George Illawarra Dragons) Tyrone Peachey (Gold Coast Titans) Corey Thompson (Gold Coast Titans) Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Warriors) Cade Cust (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles) Chris Smith (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Zac Saddler (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles) Josh Curran (Warriors) Brian Kelly (Gold Coast Titans)

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Realistically, there are only two gun options at five-eighth — Cody Walker and Cameron Munster. Yet Walker is owned by just 6.3 per cent compared to Munster’s 38.5 per cent. Delve a bit deeper and see Walker, somehow, is just the 13th most popular player in the position and 88th in any position. This despite Walker scoring the most points of any half (not just five-eighths) over the last half decade. Crazy. Further, Walker averaged 92.3 last year once given a roaming licence upon Latrell Mitchell’s injury. Further, he is set to score that same roaming licence again in 2021. Further, with a good game this weekend, plenty will make the switch from Munster to Walker. Further, he looms at the POD of the year. Further, he’s chronically under-owned. Further, that’s all.

Tom Sangster is calling Cody Walker the POD of the year. Picture: Brett Costello

KFC SuperCoaches are expecting big things from David Fifita. He is currently the 26th most popular player and eighth most popular 2RF. Obviously KFC SuperCoaches are predicting a big up-turn from his switch to the Titans and the All Stars match is his first big test following off-season ankle surgery.

Latest mail suggests Tyrell Fuimaono is slightly behind Jackson Ford in the race for Tyson Frizell’s back row spot, but only slightly. A big game in the All Stars could put him well in contention. Currently owned by just 1.8 per cent, placing him as the 182nd most popular player in the game, we are talking serious POD territory.

Zac Saddler shot to prominence last year in this exact game, playing 60 minutes mostly on an edge and running for 83 metres, with 34 tackles (none missed), two offloads and two tackle busts. He is still the 23rd most popular player in KFC SuperCoach following favourable write ups from the likes of Rob Sutherland. However, realistically he’s little chance to start the season and one to stash in the back pocket for later in the year.

Maori: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Canberra Raiders) Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters) Dylan Walker (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles) Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans) Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers) Benji Marshall (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Russell Packer (Wests Tigers) Jeremy Marshall-King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers) Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) Jordan Riki (Brisbane Broncos) Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders) Issac Luke (Brisbane Broncos) Emry Pere (North Queensland Cowboys) Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers) Jackson Topine (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Esan Marsters (North Queensland Cowboys) Bailey Simonsson (Canberra Raiders) Daejarn Asi (North Queensland Cowboys)

KFC SuperCoach analysis: All eyes are on Jordan Riki, who is a serious contender for the edge back row spot vacated by David Fifita at the Broncos. And in a strange twist, he may actually mark up against Fifita in this match. Riki is heavily-backed in KFC SuperCoach circles, currently the 12th most popular player and fourth most popular 2RF. He is competing for a round one starting spot with Alex Glenn and Corey Oates, and a massive game on Saturday night could give him the edge.

Jordan Riki will run out in the All Stars game. Picture: Liam Kidston

Bailey Simonsson is as safe as they come for pre-season cheapies and currently the 13th most popular player.

Seemingly the only way Simonsson can harm his KFC SuperCoach credentials this weekend is by getting injured. Nick Cotric’s wing spot is open at the Raiders and Simonsson is all but locked in.

His price is based on a season average of 23.1, which is way down due to stints on the bench in 2020. His 2019 average of 38 is a more accurate representation of what we can expect.