KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021: 10 things we learned from weekend trials, via former champion Wilfred Zee

Former KFC SuperCoach champion Wilfred Zee runs his eyes over the weekend trials and reveals the players to target — and avoid.

The pre-season rolls on but we’re definitely at the business end now. The trials have started! And there are plenty of things to draw from them, so let’s go through 10 lessons we learned from the first week of trials in 2021.

1 Opacic to open the season at left centre

With Michael Jennings, the incumbent left centre for the Eels, still provisionally suspended due to alleged performance-enhancing substance usage, it may be that Opacic is ‘last man standing’ due to Michael Oldfield’s injury. Opacic was solid without being outstanding in his time on the field, scoring a nice try.

2 Jordan Riki is a specimen

He’s the next big thing for the Broncos after David Fifita walked out the door (I mean, 1.9m, 106kg Riki is one of the few who can compare to the 1.86m, 107kg Fifita), but he is really putting in a compelling case to start on an edge for the Broncos. He flashed in small glimpses last year, being one of the few bright spots of a dismal 2020 for the Broncos, but he has now started and played big minutes on an edge in a representative (albeit still an exhibition) game. The way he seemed comfortable, working well with Benji Marshall and just being a constant threat on that left edge all night, before he eventually scored the opening try of the night – let’s hope we see some of that magic for the Broncos (and also our KFC SuperCoach teams).

Jordan Riki had a cracker for the Maori All Stars. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

3 Jack is back

It was great to see Jack Bird back on the footy field, albeit only for a short stint. He played left centre though, and was solid while on the field. He looks like he is still a bit off as far as match fitness goes, but his recent talk of wanting to play centre instead of moving into the pack is bad news for those KFC SuperCoaches hoping for a cheap CTW option in Feagai (either one of them) or even Brayden Williame. There is still the chance that Bird is eased back into first grade action off the bench, as you have to wonder if he has the match fitness to last 80 minutes in any position.

4 Jayden Sullivan continues to impress

It still seems highly unlikely that he will lock in a permanent starting position but Sullivan has looked the goods at every opportunity. He continues to play with composure well beyond his years and experience, and also can kick goals too (although he probably wouldn’t take over that role from Zac Lomax). With Corey Norman suspended for Round 1, Sullivan might find himself starting beside Ben Hunt. But please don’t be trapped, he most likely will drop out of the team or even worse, move into the utility role, after this game. Wait until his third game before jumping on.

5 Tigers’ hooker a Liddle bit more competitive than expected

Jacob Liddle entered the 2021 pre-season with two hands on the No.9 jersey worn briefly by the on-loan Harry Grant. However, at this point in time we saw Liddle come off the bench, playing roughly 30 minutes to the starting Jake Simpkin who saw 50 minutes and by all reports, looked like the superior hooking option for the Tigers during this trial game. The next two weeks will be critical and at the very least, it means Liddle will have to be on high alert to lose his starting spot even if he keeps the job for Round 1!

6 Big Stefano is a goer

Many KFC SuperCoaches are counting on big Stefano due to his price tag and also the lack of viable bottom dollar rookies at the FRF position, so it was positive that we saw a decent hitout for him in the first trial. He made decent metres every time he ran the ball, and also made 29 tackles without a single miss. With his coach known for being ‘no nonsense’, it was the type of performance we wanted to see from Stefano to lock down a spot in the 17 for Round 1.

7 Which Fifita was that?

Was it just me that did a double-take when we saw Andrew Fifita run onto the field? It’s been a long time since we saw him so slim, and he played long minutes to prove the weight loss wasn’t just for show, and that he is fit. Having said that, the lower weight seemed to make him easier to push back in tackles, as he didn’t have as much impact as usual on his runs. Still, it’s just about the minutes for Fifita, as we know he can bust a tackle and throw an offload – gold for KFC SuperCoach purposes. I won’t go too far, but he’s at least on the “watch list” now as opposed to “not interested” before this game!

Andrew Fifita for the All Stars. Picture: Evan Morgan

8 Latrell Mitchell might start slow

Coming off a serious hamstring injury, the concerns were there that Latrell might struggle with his fitness and weight given his prior history in these areas. Our first signs of him in the All-Stars game showed he may struggle to be at his proper fitness in the early parts of the season, and that it may take some time for him to reach his peak form. We saw glimpses of his potential again and hopefully with his future settled, he will be able to play some consistent footy for the Rabbitohs (and for KFC SuperCoach purposes too).

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

9 Luai still as confident as ever

We saw Luai just grow more and more confident in 2020, not that he was ever shy but his game certainly became more polished and self-assured as the season went on. It’s safe to say that he was a great option at the back end of 2021, finishing the last six rounds with an average of 90.7 points per game, outplaying Nathan Cleary over that period. You saw him grow more confident on the field and this seems to have carried across to 2021 based on his performance in the All-Stars. This sometimes sees him throw the wild, errant pass, which can be a bit of a ‘coach-killer’ but it’s also that flamboyant playstyle that makes Luai so dangerous and unpredictable. He’s a tough one to consider but if his late season 2020 form continues, he could be a real POD at five-eighth.

10 Joseph Tapine keeps improving as a middle forward

It doesn’t feel that long ago that we were hoping to see Tapine as a rampaging 80 minute edge forward. However, his usage for the Raiders off the bench, and then eventually starting, seems to have revealed that Tapine is very much suited as a lock forward in the new, faster NRL.

He is strong, fast and powerful beyond what he appears (I mean, he’s 1.88m and 107kg as well, but doesn’t quite have the imposing presence of David Fifita) and his footwork can cause real problems for the opposition defenders. He remains an intriguing POD in the second row forward position, given his strong finish to the regular season in 2020 (averaged 69.6 points per game from just 52.2 minutes per game) and the minutes available in the new-look Raiders pack.