How every team will line up for round one of the 2019 NRL season

Wayne Bennett shuffles South Sydney, Zac Lomax will miss Round 1, a NZ young gun is out, injury hampers Wests Tigers star and Raiders’ selection surprise. Keep up to date with all the latest news ahead of the team announcements.

• Cheapie Bible: Bargains who will make or break your season

• NRL Physio: Casualty ward list from final NRL trials

SuperCoaches are reaching for the trade button with a host of popular players set to miss round one selection.

Teams for the opening week will be announced on Tuesday, but already The Daily Telegraph can confirm a number of the most-owned players in SuperCoach will miss out.

LOSERS

• Young Warriors back-rower Isaiah Papali’i is out of the season opener after being stood down for a week over a “club issue”.

• The most popular player in SuperCoach Zac Lomax is a shock omission for the Dragons. However, he is replaced by another cheapie in Mikaele Ravalawa on the right wing.

Zac Lomax won’t play the opening round.

• Wests Tigers fullback Moses Mbye is in doubt as he struggles with a knee injury.

• Melbourne forward Joe Stimson is in doubt for the Storm’s NRL season opener against Brisbane with a lower-back injury.

• Cronulla centre sensation Bronson Xerri (ninth most popular) won’t debut unless there is an injury.

• Manly speedster Albert Hopoate (13th most popular) didn’t trial and will be eased back from an ACL injury, although he is replaced by another cheapie Reuben Garrick.

• Broncos behemoth Payne Haas (18th most popular) will miss the first four weeks through disciplinary suspension. But his bench spot will be filled by another cheapie Thomas Flegler, who has leapfrogged the more fancied Patrick Carrigan (39th most popular).

• Newcastle recruit Kurt Mann, formerly the fifth most popular player in SuperCoach, has sunk to 31st following news he will be eased into his hooking career from the bench.

• Warriors recruit Taane Milne has slid from sixth to 36th after failing to trial. He is no chance for round one.

The predicted squads for every team ahead of round one of the 2019 NRL season.

• Melbourne young gun Scott Drinkwater is still owned by almost 10 per cent of SuperCoaches, but must be sold immediately following news he will miss up to three months with a pectoral tear.

• Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita was a top 10 player early in the pre-season, but has dropped to 50th following news fellow cheapie Adam Keighran is the favourite for the halves spot vacated by Shaun Johnson.

• Tevita Pangai Jnr once sat in the top three most popular players, but has fallen to 26th following news he will be eased back from a hamstring injury from the bench.

WINNERS

• Wayne Bennett will today announce Greg Inglis has overcome a knee injury and is ready for the season kickoff, but will play a new role for the Rabbitohs

• Dylan Brown, Briton Nikora, Keighran and Garrick are assured round one spots and can be safely locked in as cheapies.

• Former All Blacks sevens flyer Bailey Simonsson has jumped into contention for a wing spot in Canberra.

• Manly’s cheapie forward Corey Waddell has come from the clouds to score a spot in the Sea Eagles’ 17 for round one.

• Storm cheapie Tui Kamikamica is also a strong chance for round one after being named in Storm’s provisional side, although the prop must prove his fitness following a knee injury.

• Cronulla young gun Blayke Brailey, brother of established NRL player Jayden, has surged into cheapie calculations at hooker following news James Segeyaro will be let go as part of Cronulla’s salary cap penalties.

• Lachlan Burr has emerged as a left-field cheapie. He is in contention for a starting lock spot at the Warriors following news Adam Blair (hamstring) is racing the clock.

• With Jack De Belin stood down and Tyson Frizell moving to lock, Dragons youngster Jacob Host is expected to start on the edge and is therefore set to surge through the rankings from his current position of 55th.

• Penrith star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is all but certain to make his return from a knee injury in round one.

UNCERTAIN

• Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic is slated for round three as he battles a hamstring injury but is “pushing” for an earlier return.

• Mail remains strong that the third most popular player in SuperCoach Corey Allan remains a good chance for a round one wing spot despite denials from South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett.

BRONCOS

Team: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jack Bird 4. James Roberts 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matt Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Matt Gillett 14. Kotoni Staggs 15. Tom Flegler 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. David Fifita

Comment: Anthony Seibold has dropped his first selection bombshell as Brisbane coach by handing teenage prop sensation Tom Flegler his NRL debut for the season opener against Melbourne this Thursday night. Seibold used Brisbane’s gala 2019 season launch to unveil his maiden 17-man Broncos squad with 19-year-old Flegler to face a daunting baptism against grand finalists Melbourne at AAMI Park.

In another selection surprise, Seibold will deploy Matt Gillett in a new role with the Origin star to move from second row to lock in his return to the NRL from the fractured neck that threatened his career last season. But the big shock is the blooding of Flegler, who has rocketed into the top squad following the suspension that rubbed out monster prop Payne Haas for the opening month of the premiership.

Utility Kotoni Staggs has secured the No.14 super sub role with Tevita Pangai Jr and David Fifita to join Flegler on the bench. There are no shocks in the backline. Skipper Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Jack Bird, James Roberts and Jamayne Isaako form the back five while Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford will call the shots in the halves.

Anthony Milford (hamstring) must prove his fitness.

Full story by Peter Badel

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

BULLDOGS

Team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Reimis Smith 3. Will Hopoate 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Christian Chrichton 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Danny Fualalo

Comment: The big name missing here is 2018 breakout Rhyse Martin who looks to have lost his spot in the starting side to Raymond Faitala-Mariner (whose 2018 season finished after round 15 due to injury) and on the bench to new recruit Corey Harawira-Naera. Nick Meaney joins the Bulldogs from the Knights, where he deputised at fullback in the final rounds of 2018 for an injured Kalyn Ponga, and looks set to have first crack at the custodian role at Belmore. Meaney’s selection sees Will Hopoate move back into the centres.

Bailey Simonsson is in the frame to make his debut for Canberra.

CANBERRA

Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Bayley Simonsson 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Josh Papalii 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. John Bateman. Interchange: 14 Siliva Havilii 15 Sia Soliola 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Horsburgh

Comment: Former All Blacks rugby sevens flyer Bailey Simonsson is set to nab the wing spot vacated by injured star Jordan Rapana and make his NRL debut.

Michael Oldfield is Ricky Stuart’s prefererred man for the role but the veteran is battling a groin injury and is likely to miss at least the season opener.

Simonsson is highly regarded at the Raiders and will be given every opportunity to cement his spot.

– Tim Williams

Meanwhile, there are ew faces galore at the Raiders for 2019. John Bateman is yet to trial in the lime green, but captain Jarrod Croker says he expects the Englishman to start round one at lock. With Joseph Tapine on one edge and Elliott Whitehead set to play on the other, expect Josh Papalii to partner Dunamis Lui at prop who we have named ahead of another English recruit John Sutton.

Corey Horsburgh gets the nod for the last bench spot ahead of Luke Bateman and the kid has huge potential. Jack Wighton’s move to five-eighth leaves a hole at fullback and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the man most likely to wear the No. 1 jersey to start the season. Word around the office is that Rapana is recovering faster than expected from his shoulder injury and will return well ahead of forecast (which was rounds 7-10).

Tyrone Peachey (C) will be in the Gold Coast’s starting 13 — but in what position? Picture: Adam Head

GOLD COAST

Team: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Brenko Lee 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan James 13. Jai Arrow. Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Will Matthews

Comment: The versatility of new recruit Tyrone Peachey may be a blessing for coach Garth Brennan but it’s a nightmare for those trying to predict what the Gold Coast team will look like. Should Michael Gordon retain his fullback role then expect Peachey to be named in the centres. If Ryan James fails to overcome injury then Peachey may start at second row with Brenko Lee shifting to centre, Gordon to the wing and AJ Brimson coming into the side to play fullback. The coach has suggest Brimson may return from off-season shoulder surgery through reserves.

Phillip Sami is currently ahead of club stalwart Anthony Don on the wing but you should not write off Don’s challenge. Bryce Cartwright was much improved in the final trial of the season playing the full 80 minutes against the Broncos, showing improved defence and he was more circumspect in attack.

Joe Stimson is in doubt for Melbourne’s season opener. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE

Team: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Tom Eisenhuth

Comment: Melbourne forward Joe Stimson is in doubt with a lower back injury. Stimson’s named was missing as Storm unveiled a provisional 21-man squad at a fan day on Sunday, after missing the Storm’s last pre-season trial against North Queensland. The extended squad is not the Storm’s official entry for the first team naming of the year, and might still change before Tuesday’s deadline. Stimson played all but three games last year for Melbourne, starting in the second row throughout the finals series ahead of retiring veteran Ryan Hoffman. His injury is not considered a long-term threat. Fellow forward Tui Kamikamica, who earned plenty of praise through the pre-season, has been named despite picking up a minor knee injury in the trial loss to the Cowboys.

Meanwhile, the battle to replace Billy Slater at fullback has sadly been decided not on form but injury, with Scott Drinkwater out until round eight at best after tearing a pectoral muscle in the final trial. Joe Stimson, Christian Welch and Will Chambers missed that trial also but all are expected to be right by round one.

Manly will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic for the opening rounds. Picture: Nathan Hopkins

MANLY

Team: 1. Brendan Elliott 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Moses Suli 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Trent Hodkinson 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10 Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Corey Waddell 17. Frank Winterstein/Lloyd Perrett

Comment: New recruit Brendan Elliot is ready for the challenge of replacing star fullback Tom Trbojevic.

The former Titan, Knight and Rooster is expected to take over in the No.1 jersey as Trbojevic recovers from a hamstring injury.

“They’re massive shoes to fill but I’m looking forward to it, if I’m chosen,” Eliot said.

Jake Trbojevic hopes his brother Tom will return from injury by round three – but that’s being “conservative.”

Tom Trbojevic continues to work overtime on a hamstring injury sustained during a Manly trial game against Cronulla at Shark Park.

“If it was his choice, he’d play today,” Jake said.

“But a hammy is one of those things you can’t hide. And you can’t manage it during a game, especially him because he has to move at high speeds. They are thinking round three at the moment – but that is pretty conservative. He will be pushing it.”

Meanwhile, with forwards Kelepi Tanginoa and Taniela Paseka unavailable through injury, Des Hasler will add second-rower Corey Waddell into Manly’s top 17 following his impressive trial form and praise from former Test star Noel Cleal and Manly great Brett Stewart, who likens him to champion big man Ben Kennedy.

Waddell, 22, is a Penrith junior who played in the Panthers’ 2015 premiership-­winning under-20s team and the club’s 2017 NSW Cup premiership-winning side.

– Dean Ritchie

Veteran Trent Hodkinson and new recruit Kane Elgey both impressed in the final trial and while we have Hodkinson pencilled in for now it would not surprise to see Elgey named to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.

The Sea Eagles are not rushing young talent Albert Hopoate so expect Reuben Garrick to be named on the wing despite his more natural position being in the centres. While the starting positions in the forward pack appear locked in, the make-up of the bench is very much in flux.

NEWCASTLE

Team: 1. Connor Watson 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Hymel Hunt 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. James Gavet 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata’utia/Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Sione Mata’utia/Mitchell Barnett

Comment: Hymel Hunt is fit after overcoming a hamstring injury and looks set to start in the centres. That would mean Sione Mata’utia moving to the second-row, although he could come off the bench with Mitchell Barnett starting. Reports suggest Herman Ese’ese could be the unlucky omission from the bench.

– Fiona Bollen

How long the Knights continue with ‘The Switch’ between Connor Watson and Kalyn Ponga is uncertain with neither looking totally comfortable at their new positions in the trials. Danny Levi looks to have edged Kurt Mann for the starting role at hooker while Mann earned high praise from coach Nathan Brown for his versatility all pre-season.

Recruits James Gavet (prop) and Tim Glasby (lock) have won Brown’s trust pushing two of the team’s better performers from 2018 in Aidan Guerra and Herman Ese’ese to the bench. Centre Tautau Moga (ACL) is due back from injury by round two.

How coach Paul Green uses the blockbusting Jason Taumalolo (C) is the biggest question coming out of North Queensland. Picture: Getty

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Team: 1. Jordan Kahu 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Ben Hampton 5. Nene Macdonald 6. Te Maire Martin/Jake Clifford 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matt Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Jason Taumalolo 12. Gavin Cooper 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. John Asiata 15. Coen Hess 16. Mitchell Dunn 17 Francis Molo

Comment: There are two big question marks at the Cowboys. Firstly, who will coach Paul Green select to partner Michael Morgan in the halves? Following the final trial of the pre-season Green, at least publicly, suggested he could not split Te Maire Martin and Jake Clifford. Secondly, how will Green juggle his superstar forward pack? Jason Taumalolo looked good playing 40 minutes on an edge but he was the world’s best forward at lock. Expect Gavin Cooper to reclaim his starting role on one edge after being limited in the pre-season.

Coen Hess is the man who makes way from the Cowboys’ 2018 starters where he can make an impact off the bench. It’s equally possible that Green opts to stick with his 2018 starting second-row combination and uses Taumalolo at prop with Matt Scott or Jordan McLean to the bench.

New recruit Nene Macdonald was dropped from the team for the trial against the Storm for disciplinary reasons, though he is still likely to be named for round one despite not playing a trial for his new club. Jordan Kahu looks to have first crack at fullback while Tom Opacic is putting pressure on Ben Hampton. Scott Bolton will not be available for selection for the first five rounds due to a disciplinary issue.

Adam Keighran showed flashes of class during the Warriors’ trial against the Storm. Picture: Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Keighran 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tohu Harris 12. Leivaha Pulu 13. Adam Blair. Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Sam Lisone 17. Bunty Afoa

Comment: Back-rower Isaiah Papali’i is out after being stood down for a “club issue”, although he’ll be available to face Wests Tigers in Round 2. “He’s not (up for selection), no. It’s a club issue, but he will be available for selection next week for sure,” Kearney said.

Meanwhile, it’s another case of two into one won’t go with young halves Adam Keighran and Chanel Harris-Tevita battling it out to partner Blake Green in the halves. Both impressed in patches in the final trial, both made some obvious errors — about what you’d expect from young halves still feeling their way.

If Isaac Luke is not right to go by round one then Jazz Tevaga would start at No. 9 with Nathaniael Roache coming onto the bench. Blake Ayshford has been playing more edge backrow in preseason and looms as a left-field utility. Adam Blair (hamstring) must prove his fitness, which could open a starting lock spot for Lachlan Burr.

PARRAMATTA

Team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. George Jennings 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Marata Niukore 12. Shaun Lane 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange 14. Tim Mannah 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Peni Terepo 17. Will Smith

Comment: Peni Terepo has been stood down over an alcohol-related incident. Youngster Dylan Brown has not put a foot wrong in the pre-season and is set to partner Mitch Moses in the halves. Clint Gutherson looks fit and strong at fullback. An injury to Manu Ma’u in the final pre-season trial opens up a spot on the edge for Parramatta and the word is Marata Niukore will get first crack ahead of Tepai Moeroa.

Reed Mahoney is capable of playing big minutes at hooker though you can expect a 50/30 split with Will Smith. Jaeman Salmon will sit out round one as a disciplinary issue but will be pushing for selection from round two. Junior Paulo (hamstring) must overcome injury.

Dylan Brown looks certain to take over Corey Norman’s five-eighth role. Picture: Nathan Hopkins

PENRITH

Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dean Whare 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Jack Hetherington 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Tim Grant 16. Kaide Ellis 17 Hame Sele/Moses Leota

Comment: Penrith star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is all but certain to make his return from a knee injury in round one. The winger will swoop in and take over from his brother, Malakai, who has been training in the right spot during the preseason in his absence.

Centre Dean Whare, who is also making a comeback from a broken arm, confirmed he and Dallin would make up the right edge combination in the season opener against Parramatta. “Malakai has been there the whole preseason but Dallin has been there the last week. So he’s just come in and taken his brother’s spot,” he said.

The right edge position isn’t the only hotly contest spot in Ivan Cleary’s side for round one’s clash against the Eels. Over on the left edge, the likes of Jack Hetherington, Tyrell Fuimaono and new recruit Frank Winterstein are all in contention to replace Viliame Kikau after he suffered a knee injury in a trial match against South Sydney last month.

Sione Katoa looks to have beaten Wayde Egan to the starting role at number nine. Jarome Luai may push Egan for a bench spot.

— Fatima Kdouh

Jack Hetherington looks set to start for the Panthers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

SHARKS

Team: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Josh Morris 5. Sosaia Feki 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen Interchange: 14. Kyle Flanagan/Blayke Brailey 15. Aaron Woods 16. Jayson Bukuya 17. Scott Sorensen

Comment: From the rubble emerges hope and the realisation of two brothers achieving a shared dream. The anticipated exclusion of James Segeyaro from Cronulla’s 2019 roster has triggered anticipation that brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey will receive the NRL dream they’ve waited a lifetime for. Youngest of the siblings, Blayke 20, is on the verge of being handed his NRL debut against the Newcastle Knights next Friday night.

The timing of his anticipated NRL selection couldn’t be better with the NSW under-20s and Junior Kangaroos hooker viewed as one of the game’s hottest young prospects.

Off-contract at the end of this season at the Sharks, Blayke is weighing up interest from at least six rival NRL clubs. His speed out of dummy-half and ability to break down the defence has earned him huge admiration from the game’s best judges. Sharks coach John Morris is determined to hold on to the boom talent, having coached both he and Jayden when the pair last played together in the under-20s in 2016.

Boasting enormous resilience and toughness Jayden, 22, has cemented his position as the Sharks’ starting hooker following the retirement of Michael Ennis. Blayke is recovering from a broken thumb and will need to pass a fitness test on Tuesday before Morris decides whether to name the young star.

— David Riccio

Shaun Johnson’s arrival at the Shire sees Matt Moylan move to fullback and Moylan was impressive at the back during the first half of the trial against the Knights. While Moylan left the field at halftime and had his calf iced, he is expected to be good to go for round one. Despite impressing in the trials, youngster Bronson Xerri is unlikely to make his NRL debut in round one, but expect him to play later in the year. Injury to Wade Graham (knee, round 9-12) and the retirement of Luke Lewis will see the Sharks roll out an inexperienced combination of Briton Nikora and Kurt Capewell in the second row.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Team: 1. Gareth Widdop 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jacob Host 12. Tariq Sims 13. Tyson Frizell. Interchange: 14. Matt Dufty 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Jeremy Latimore/Josh Kerr

Comment:

Paul McGregor is set to drop a selection bombshell today with teenage sensation Zac Lomax expected to lose his NRL spot to a young Fijian rookie whose freakish skills have been likened to the legendary Noa Nadruku.

While McGregor won’t name his team to take on North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night until this afternoon, Mikaele Ravalawa trained with the team in Wollongong yesterday and looks set to get his dream NRL debut in round one.

The other option for McGregor is former Brisbane Bronco Jonus Pearson who didn’t play in either of the first grade trials against Newcastle or South Sydney but did score a hat-trick in reserve grade against the Rabbitohs and also ran for a stack of metres.

But Ravalawa is going to be hard to hold out after starring with two tries in the first trial against Newcastle and he also played the second half of the Charity Shield in Mudgee.

A former Canberra under 20s player of the year who arrived in Australia carrying only a back pack of clothes and some wonderful athletic ability, Ravalawa’s meteoric rise has reminded those who have watched his development closely to that of Nadruku.

Lomax will not play in the season opener. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

He was originally spotted by the Raiders’ recruitment guru Peter Mulholland playing schoolboy rugby in New Zealand.

But Ravalawa decided to chase a new start at the end of last year because he had Nick Cotric and Jordan Rapana in front of him in Canberra.

While he is raw and still has plenty to learn, there is no doubting his power on kick returns or his ability to sniff out a try from nothing.

For one of his touchdowns against the Knights, Ravalawa beat five players like he had spiders on him after collecting a cut-out pass from Matt Dufty despite having a swarm of defence in his path.

Lomax’s axing will come as a huge surprise to many given he is regarded as one of the best young players coming through in the NRL.

But it has to be said he did not look comfortable while playing on the wing during the trials and Euan Aitken well and truly earned the right to keep hold of the right centre spot.

– Paul Crawley

With star backrower Jack de Belin stood down by the NRL the Dragons are set to move Tyson Frizell to lock, opening up a spot in the second row. Coach Paul McGregor has said he expects Jacob Host, who played minimal minutes off the bench in 2018, to step up and start in Frizell’s place. However, keep in mind that new recruit Korbin Sims (suspension) will be eligible for selection in round three.

Paul Vaughan (head knock) should be okay for round one. Despite some defensive lapses in the Charity Shield, Zac Lomax is the man most likely to replace Nene Macdonald on the right wing. Josh Kerr had a good pre-season and must be pushing journeyman Jeremy Latimore for a spot on the bench. Corey Norman and Ben Hunt form a new-look halves combination with Gareth Widdop at fullback and Matt Dufty the bench utility.

Cameron Murray had a barnstorming game in the Charity Shield, and should back-up his breakthrough 2018. Picture: Getty.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Team: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Braidon Burns 4. Greg Inglis 5. Dane Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange 14. Ethan Lowe 15. Matt McIlwrick 16. Tom Amone 17. Liam Knight

Comment: Skipper Greg Inglis will make a shock appearance playing at right centre, marking him up on Roosters young gun Latrell Mitchell in Friday night’s blockbuster at the SCG.

New South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett will today announce that Inglis has overcome his knee complications and is ready for the season kickoff.

But the big surprise is that the 32-year-old Maroons Origin superstar has played his entire career at centre on the left edge when he’s not at fullback.

However, Bennett doesn’t see this posing any problems at all and given his experience playing both sides of the field at fullback.

I23-year-old t also opens up an opportunity for Braidon Burns to own the left edge centre spot given the long term goal is for Inglis to return to the No.1 jumper this year.

Dane Gagai will be on the right wing outside Inglis, the position he has starred in for Queensland and Australia.

– Paul Crawley.

ROOSTERS

Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Mitch Aubusson 15. Isaac Liu 16. Lindsay Collins 17. Zane Tetevano

Comment: The reigning premiers look very settled with Lindsay Collins filling Dylan Napa’s shoes, Brett Morris replacing Blake Ferguson and Angus Crichton filling the right edge position vacated by Ryan Matterson.

WESTS TIGERS

Team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Corey Thompson 3. Esan Marsters 4. Robert Jennings 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Robbie Farah 10. Ben Matulino 11. Luke Garner 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Alex Twal 17. Michael Chee-Kam

Comment: Fullback Moses Mbye (knee) is struggling with a PCL injury he carried into the final trial. If out, Corey Thompson would play fullback with Mahe Fonua coming on to the wing.

– Wacko’s Whispers

Meanwhile an injury to Chris Lawrence (broken jaw, TBC) has opened the door for Luke Garner to start in round one. New recruits Paul Momirovski and Robert Jennings are battling it out for a spot in the centres. Elijah Taylor (pectoral) missed the last pre-season trial but is expected to be fit for round one.