NRL round 1 predicted teams: Early Mail and latest injury news from every club

Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey has had a fresh setback in his bid to return to the NRL with the latest injury tipped to keep him out of the starting side for round one.

The first official round of trials have begun and team news is coming thick and fast. Keep up to date with all the latest team news, injury updates and more for every club right here.

HAMSTRING NIGGLE KNOCKS BRAILEY BACK

Newcastle’s Jayden Brailey is racing the clock to be fit for round one after picking a slight hamstring injury. Brailey won’t play for the Knights this weekend and is considered unlikely to play for them in week two of the trials. The form of Phoenix Crossland last year may leave Brailey starting from the interchange bench or in NSW Cup to begin the year as he makes his way back from another knee reconstruction.

Jayden Brailey is in doubt for round one due to a hamstring strain. Picture: Getty Images

DRAGONS EYE ROUND ONE BOLTER

— Peter Badel

Bundaberg product Jesse Marschke could be selection bolter for the Dragons’ premiership opener against the Titans.

Marschke has caught the eye of new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who is considering deploying the 26-year-old in a super-sub role in round 1.

Marschke arrived at the Red V over summer after a sensational 2023 campaign with North Sydney, playing every match of the Bears’ 27-game run to the NSW Cup grand final against the Rabbitohs.

A veteran of 72 reserve-grade games, Marschke has yet to make his NRL debut, but that could change if Flanagan bloods him in the No.14 jumper for the Titans clash.

Marschke is capable of playing in the halves or hooker and is viewed as a potential back-up for Dragons’ first-choice halfback Ben Hunt.

Shane Flanagan (right) is eyeing Jesse Marschke for round one. Picture: NRL Photos

TITANS SUFFER DOUBLE INJURY BLOW

— Fatima Kdouh

Gold Coast have suffered a huge blow ahead of the Titans’ season opener in three weeks with star players David Fifita and Jayden Campbell ruled out until April.

A popular SuperCoach option, Fifita is only just now easing back into full training after going under the knife to repair a pectoral injury in December.

While, wily backline star Jayden Campbell is still on a modified training program and is yet to train with the main group.

New coach Des Hasler is set to turn to rising fullback Keano Kini for the side’s round one clash against St George Illawarra.

AJ Brimson is also an option for Hasler, but after spending the pre-season training at centre it’s expected he’ll be named in the outside backs in round one.

Jacob Alick and Klese Haas will battle it out for Fifita’s edge spot. Earlier this week, Alick pulled out of the All Stars fixture in Townsville after picking up a minor ankle injury during training.

The Titans have suffered a massive blow with David Fifita and Jayden Campbell set to miss the opening rounds of the 2024 season as they continue their recovery from injury.

TIME TO BURBO-CHARGE YOUR CHEAPIES

Ben Trbojevic is set to be rewarded for a brilliant pre-season by securing a starting spot alongside his two brothers when Manly open their premiership campaign against South Sydney in Las Vegas.

The youngest of the three Trbojevic brothers produced a barnstorming three-try performance in a trial against an undermanned South Sydney at the weekend and looks to have locked down a starting spot ahead of Josh Schuster, who will make his maiden appearance of the pre-season this weekend in a trial against the Sydney Roosters.

Coach Anthony Seibold certainly has not shut the door on Schuster as a starting option but SuperCoaches are jumping on Trbojevic junior who has handy dual-position status (2RF/CTW) and is priced at just $277,400.

Ben Trbojevic has pushed his Rd 1 credentials with some solid pre-season work. Getty Images)

RABBITOHS FORCED INTO LAS VEGAS BACKLINE GAMBLE

South Sydney have launched a bid to have Jacob Gagai cleared for their season opener in Las Vegas after their mounting injury crisis claimed another victim in the outside backs – teenage flyer Tyrone Munro.

Gagai, is yet to play first grade but has vaulted into contention to play in Round 1 after the Rabbitohs were rocked when Munro broke his collarbone at training over the weekend.

Izaak Thompson would have come into contention but he is unavailable for the game, leaving Gagai as one of the few outside backs on the club’s books capable of playing at Allegiant Stadium.

Munro joins a growing list of absentees as the Rabbitohs prepare to head for America. Centre Campbell Graham headlines the slew of sidelined stars thanks to a sternum injury that may take up to six months to heal.

The Rabbitohs will also be without star recruit Jack Wighton, who is serving a suspension dating back to last season that will mean he is unavailable for the game against the Sea Eagles.

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Key positional battles: Back row/prop

Verdict: Kurt Capewell’s departure could have a huge impact on the Broncos’ premiership hopes.

In fact, it has the potential to be an even bigger blow than losing Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth given Capewell’s experience and leadership on and off the field.

Brendan Piakura has all the potential in the world but, at 21, he has only 15 NRL appearances to date compared to Capewell’s 139.

An option would be to switch up Pat Carrigan’s role and give him some time on the edge to ease Piakura’s load.

Farnworth was in the top two centres in the game last season so his loss is also massive. His spot will be taken by Selwyn Cobbo, who moves in from the wing, with Corey Oates and Deine Mariner vying for Cobbo’s wing spot.

The Broncos have a ready-made Flegler replacement in tough veteran Corey Jensen and added some bulk with the recruitment of Rooster Fletcher Baker. Young giants Xavier Willison and Ben Te Kura will keep the others honest.

Tristan Sailor pushed his claims to be used as a ‘super sub’ with a superb performance in the trial against Wynnum Manly.

Broncos’ predicted Rd 1 team

1. Reece Walsh

2. Corey Oates / Deine Mariner

3. Selwyn Cobbo

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Jesse Arthars

6. Ezra Mam

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Payne Haas

9. Billy Walters

10. Fletcher Baker/Corey Jensen

11. Brendan Piakura

12. Jordan Riki

13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange:

14. Tyson Smoothy/Tristan Sailor

15. Kobe Hetherington

16. Corey Jensen/Fletcher Baker

17. Xavier Willison

Reece Walsh is locked in at fullback for the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Key positional battles Fullback/five-eighth

Verdict: The Raiders have a really tough and talented pack but it’s the lack of star power and experience in key spine positions that has everyone tipping they will be the team to drop out of the top eight.

Which is why the battles for fullback and five-eighth are so crucial.

Ricky Stuart can either keep Seb Kris at fullback or put him back in the centres and play Jordan Rapana in the No. 1 for what will be Rapana’s final NRL season.

Young gun Chevy Stewart looks the goods, but the question is when he is physically ready to handle the week-to-week rigours of NRL.

Adding to the drama is that Kris will miss the opening round though suspension, although he has had three matches from last year’s Pacific Championships count towards a five match ban for a dangerous throw in round 27. He will therefore return in round two.

The other option is Xavier Savage who needs a big pre-season after falling out of favour in 2023.

As for the five-eighth battle, it will most likely come down to new recruit Kaeo Weekes and rookie Ethan Strange. Both are very promising players, but they’re not Jack Wighton yet.

So far Weekes only has 12 NRL appearances and Strange just the one. Our tip is Weekes will get first crack at six with Strange in the centres.

Stuart also has a number of selection calls to make in the forward pack, including Horsburgh’s replacement at No. 13 with the lock currently serving a four-game ban for a shoulder charge on Brisbane’s Corey Jensen.

Tapine has backed new signing and former Wigan Warriors forward Morgan Smithies ahead of the likes of Trey Mooney and Hohepa Puru.

“I’ve been really impressed with Morgs (Smithies), he adds a bit of ball playing in the middle as well,” Tapine said.

Raiders’ predicted Rd. 1 team

1. Jordan Rapana/Chevvy Stewart

2. Jordan Rapana/Nick Cotric

3. Ethan Strange

4. Matthew Timoko

5. Albert Hopoate

6. Kaeo Weekes

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papali’i

9. Danny Levi

10. Joseph Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Elliott Whitehead

13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange:

14. Tom Starling

15. Trey Mooney/Zac Hosking

16. Ata Mariota

17. Emre Guler

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Key positional battles: Pretty much the entire starting team

Verdict: It’s like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together in the dark working out what Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo are up to with all the utility options they’ve recruited.

The trick will be finding a way to fit the best players in the top 17 and work out what position they play from there.

Using that scenario, we’ve put Blake Taaffe at fullback (he has the jump on fellow new recruit Connor Tracey who is unlikely to play against the Storm having just rejoined full training after a recent ankle injury), partnered Connor Tracey and Stephen Crichton in the centres, and kept Matt Burton at five-eighth with Drew Hutchison at halfback ahead of Toby Sexton because of Hutchison’s experience.

Crichton or Tracey could just as easily play in the No. 1 jersey to open the door for Bronson Xerri. What can’t be disputed is that this is a far stronger 17 than the Dogs have had in some years, and the competition for starting spots should have them training the house down over summer.

The big SuperCoach watch is if Josh Curran scores the lock spot, as expected, would make him a very tempting purchase. The injury to Ryan Sutton opens the door for rookie Sam Hughes to earn early-season game time and may see Curran spend some time at the position too.

Bulldogs’ predicted Rd. 1 team

1. Blake Taaffe

2. Josh Addo-Carr

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Connor Tracey

5. Jacob Kiraz

6. Matt Burton

7. Drew Hutchison

8. Max King

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Liam Knight

11. Jacob Preston

12. Viliame Kikau

13. Josh Curran

Interchange:

14. Kurt Mann

15. Poasa Faamausili

16. Jaeman Salmon

17. Sam Hughes

Stephen Crichton can fill centre or fullback for the Bulldogs. Picture: David Swift

CRONULLA SHARKS

Key positional battles: Five-eighth/centre

Verdict: With excitement machine Kade Dykes capable of playing fullback, centre or in the halves, his return against the Knights in Saturday’s trial will keep the entire backline on their toes.

Will Kennedy looks safest at fullback but Dykes could easily challenge for Sifa Talakai’s starting centre spot, while Kayal Iro is another centre option putting the heat on the incumbents.

Braydon Trindall also needs a big start or he could come under pressure from Dykes. NSW Cup five-eighth Daniel Atkinson also adds great utility value and should come right into the frame following Matt Moylan’s departure.

Sharks’ predicted team

1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Siosifa Talakai

4. Jesse Ramien

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Braden Hamlin-Uele

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Toby Rudolf

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Dale Finucane

Interchange:

14. Cameron McInnes

15. Royce Hunt

16. Jack Williams

17. Thomas Hazelton

DOLPHINS

Key positional battles: Five-eighth/halfback

Verdict: The fact the Dolphins have gone so hard to try to sign Ezra Mam for 2025 shows they have identified the need for a running five-eighth.

Young Isaiya Katoa is learning the ropes, but he needs to put the foot down in 2024.

Kodi Nikorima’s utility value and unquestionable commitment also makes him a must pick somewhere in the 17.

Top recruits Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo form a new-look centre pairing while Travis Meyn writes that Jack Bostock has clinched a wing spot.

Dolphins’ predicted team

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Herbie Farnworth

4. Jake Averillo

5. Jack Bostock

6. Isaiya Katoa

7. Sean O’Sullivan

8. Jesse Bromwich

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Thomas Flegler

11. Felise Kaufusi

12. Connelly Lemuelu

13. Tom Gilbert

Interchange

14. Kodi Nikorima

15. Ray Stone

16. Mark Nicholls

17. Kenny Bromwich

Isaiya Katoa has bulked off in the pre-season. Picture: The Dolphins

GOLD COAST TITANS

Key positional battles: Fullback/centre

Verdict: The Titans are set to be without Jayden Campbell (knee) and David Fifita (pectoral) as they recover from injuries. They are due back in round four. Joe Stimson is the man most likely to fill in for Fifita.

Rising talent Keano Kini is set to play fullback in place of Campbell with AJ Brimson making a switch to centre.

Titans’ predicted team

1. Keano Kini

2. Phillip Sami

3. AJ Brimson

4. Brian Kelly

5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

6. Kieran Foran

7. Tanah Boyd

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

9. Sam Verrills

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Joe Stimson

12. Beau Fermor

13. Isaac Liu

Interchange

14. Chris Randall

15. Keenan Palasia

16. Erin Clark

17. Jaimin Jolliffe

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Key positional battles: Fullback/centre/second row

Verdict: When he’s fit, Tom Trbojevic is the best fullback in the game. But in recent years the poor bugger has had no luck with injury, which has led to debate over whether the Sea Eagles should consider moving Turbo into the centres to reduce his workload (and potentially save his career).

I can’t see the point of playing your $1 million superstar in a position that could potentially limit his impact when he is available. From what we’ve seen of young Tolutau Koula, he is a tremendous talent, but not in the same stratosphere as Turbo at his best.

Reuben Garrick is also a solid option but the same deal. Manly’s best and only chance of fighting for a top-four spot is if Tom is wearing the No. 1 jersey.

The other massive call relates to the battle between Schuster and Ben Trbojevic for the starting edge spot. Schuster is on a massive contract but coach Anthony Seibold has been impressed with Trbojevic’s workrate through the summer. Brad Parker has been training in the back row this year although he will be hard-pressed to find a spot in the 17. Matt Lodge (ACL) will miss a large chunk of the season.

Jamie Humphreys is set to score a bench hooker role ahead of Gordon Chan Kum Tong.

Sea Eagles’ predicted team

1. Tom Trbojevic

2. Jason Saab

3. Reuben Garrick

4. Tolutau Koula

5. Jaxson Paulo

6. Luke Brooks

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Taniela Paseka

9. Lachlan Croker

10. Josh Aloiai

11. Haumole Olakau’atu

12. Josh Schuster/Ben Trbojevic

13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange:

14. Jamie Humphreys

15. Ethan Bullemor

16. Toafofoa Sipley

17. Ben Trbojevic/Josh Schuster

MELBOURNE STORM

Key positional battles: Fullback/centre

Verdict: Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to start at in Melbourne’s trial against the Bulldogs with teammate Cameron Munster reporting that the star fullback has been training the house down.

This relegates young gun Sua Faalogo to the bench or out of the 17, despite the Samoan star’s billing as a generational player.

But how long coach Craig Bellamy can keep him out of the starting side even when Papenhuyzen is available will be extremely interesting to watch unfold.

Nick Meaney, who covered fullback admirably in Papenhuyzen’s absence in 2023, shifts to the centres to replace Justin Olam (Tigers).

One big question mark is how recruit Shawn Blore fits into the 17. We’ve slotted him in on the bench for now pending training reports.

Storm’s predicted team

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Will Warbrick

3. Reimis Smith

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

9. Harry Grant

10. Christian Welch

11. Eliesa Katoa

12. Trent Loiero

13. Josh King

Interchange

14. Sualauvi Faalogo/Bronson Garlick

15. Tui Kamikamica

16. Shawn Blore

17. Aaron Pene

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Key positional battles: Halves/back-row

Verdict: Warriors fans have every reason to be super excited when you think a side that shocked everyone to finish top four in 2023 have now added Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell, as well as Chanel Harris-Tavita.

It’s expected Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will stay at fullback with Tuivasa-Sheck in the centres, while Capewell’s arrival sets up an interesting back-row battle given how far Jackson Ford has come since joining the Warriors.

As for the fight to be Shaun Johnson’s first-choice halves partner, we’ve gone for Luke Metcalf ahead of Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin.

Warriors’ predicted team

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3 Rocco Berry

4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

5 Marcelo Montoya

6 Luke Metcalf

7 Shaun Johnson

8 Addin Fonua-Blake

9 Wayde Egan

10 Mitch Barnett

11 Kurt Capewell

12 Marata Niukore

13 Tohu Harris

Interchange:

14 Dylan Walker

15 Jazz Tevaga

16 Bunty Afoa

17 Jackson Ford

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Key positional battles: Winger/halves/back row

Verdict: Dominic Young’s move to the Roosters has set up a battle for the right wing spot. The Knights have recruited Thomas Jenkins from Penrith, while Enari Tuala looks the most obvious challenger.

The arrival of Panthers’ grand final hero Jack Cogger also sets up a conundrum in the halves given the job Tyson Gamble did riding shotgun for Jackson Hastings in 2023.

Although Cogger’s grand final performance also reiterated what a talent he is, despite playing more the traditional halfback role with Nathan Clearly switching to second receiver, I’d still be shocked if Gamble hasn’t earned the right to get first crack.

The edge back row spot is also interesting given the way Dylan Lucas came of age when he got a go. While Wigan recruit Kai Pearce-Paul arrives on a monster contract and with a hell of a lot of hype, you’d imagine Lucas won’t be ready to surrender his spot without a fight. Pearce-Paul’s foot injury also gives Lucas a head start.

Knights’ predicted team

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Greg Marzhew

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Enari Tuala/Thomas Jenkins

6. Tyson Gamble

7. Jackson Hastings

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Leo Thompson

11. Tyson Frizell

12. Dylan Lucas

13. Adam Elliott

Interchange:

14. Phoenix Crossland

15. Kai Pearce-Paul

16. Daniel Saifiti

17. Jack Hetherington

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Key positional battles: Halves/back row

Verdict: Chad Townsend is fighting a battle to retain his starting spot in the halves given the club has re-signed Tom Dearden long term (with indications Dearden wouldn’t mind another crack at halfback).

This is on the back of the return of supremely talented Jake Clifford from Super League, while they have two outstanding young guns coming through in Thomas Duffy and Jaxson Purdue.

The Cowboys’ back-row stocks are equally loaded with a four-way shootout between Jeremiah Nanai, Luciano Leilua, Heilum Luki and young tearaway Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Even though the club says it has no intention of offloading any of them, rivals are certainly watching with interest to see how this unfolds in the countdown to the 2024 season.

Zac Laybutt is expected to win the centre spot of Peta Hiku, although SuperCoaches hope the much cheaper Viliami Vailea scores the role.

Cowboys’ predicted team

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Semi Valemei/Kyle Feldt

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Tom Dearden

7. Chad Townsend/Jake Clifford

8. Coen Hess

9. Reece Robson

10. Reuben Cotter

11. Heilum Luki

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange:

14. Jake Granville

15. Jordan McLean

16. Luciano Leilua

17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Chad Townsend faces some stiff opposition for a starting role. Picture: Evan Morgan

PARRAMATTA EELS

Key positional battles: Centre/hooker

Verdict: For all the speculation last year the Eels were chasing X-factor to potentially move Clint Gutherson to centre, we saw in Parramatta’s final win over the Panthers why Gutho remains the heartbeat of this team and must remain fullback in the foreseeable future.

As for the battle to be Will Penisini’s centre partner, this should be a beauty between Sea Eagles recruit Morgan Harper and Bailey Simonsson. While everyone seems to have Simonsson locked in for this spot, Harper should be a really handy pick up.

The battle for dummy half is between Joey Lussick and Brendan Hands. While Lussick is no frills, that’s exactly the style of hooker Arthur wants who can just deliver good ball to Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown when they want it.

Arthur says he wants an 80 minute hooker so whoever scores the role is a serious SuperCoach contender given they both sit in the mid-low $300,000s.

Eels’ predicted team

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Sean Russell

3. Bailey Simonsson

4. Will Penisini

5. Maika Sivo

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Joey Lussick/Brendan Hands

10. Junior Paulo

11. Shaun Lane

12. Bryce Cartwright

13. J’Maine Hopgood

Interchange:

14. Ryan Matterson

15. Kelma Tuilagi

16. Wiremu Greig

17. Joe Ofahengaue

PENRITH PANTHERS

Key positional battle: Centre

Verdict: Stephen Crichton was the best centre in the game in 2023.

In saying that, Ivan Cleary sure has some talented options at his disposal with Taylan May returning from that ACL knee injury suffered back in the World Club Challenge and favourite for the role, while Jack Cole and Jesse McLean look exceptional.

Cole is the country boy from Orange likened to Matt Burton, while McLean is still only 18 but debuted in the centres in round 26 against the Eels when Crichton played fullback.

Mavrik Geyer is expected to make the World Club Challenge squad and a big performance there could see the son of a gun make his NRL debut come round one.

Panthers’ predicted team

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Izack Tago

4. Taylan May

5. Brian To’o

6. Jarome Luai

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. James Fisher-Harris

11. Scott Sorensen

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange:

14. Tyrone Peachey/Soni Luke

15. Lindsay Smith

16. Luke Garner

17. Liam Henry/Matt Eisenhuth/Mavrik Geyer

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Key positional battles: Fullback/centre/five-eighth

Verdict: Does Shane Flanagan put the focus on attack or defence when it comes to who wears the No. 1 jumper out of Tyrell Sloan or Zac Lomax? Everyone knows Sloan is a freak talent with the ball in his hand.

But there is no hiding that he has been a liability defensively. For now it looks like Sloan has won the starting job at the back for the Red V with Zac Lomax moving to the wing to accommodate Jack Bird’s return to the centres. Kyle Flanagan looks the obvious option to partner Ben Hunt in the halves.

Dragons’ predicted team (updated 16 Feb)

1 Tyrell Sloan

2 Zac Lomax

3 Moses Suli

4 Jack Bird

5 Mikaele Ravalawa

6 Kyle Flanagan

7 Ben Hunt

8 Francis Molo

9 Jacob Liddle

10 Blake Lawrie

11 Dylan Egan

12 Jaydn Su’A

13 Jack de Belin

Interchange

14 Connor Muhleisen

15 Michael Molo

16 Hame Sele

17 Tom Eisenhuth/Ben Murdoch-Masila/Jesse Marschke

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Key positional battle: Halves

Verdict: Star recruit Jack Wighton will miss round one in Las Vegas due to suspension (he’s back in round three), while Campbell Graham (sternum) is facing six months out.

Isaiah Tass will fill in for Wighton while Michael Chee Kam is set to take Graham’s spot in a new-look centre pairing.

Jacob Gagai, is yet to play first grade but has vaulted into contention to play in Round 1 after the Rabbitohs were rocked when Munro broke his collarbone at training over the weekend.

Tallis Duncan is set for a regular bench spot following the exits of Jed Cartwright (Knights), Liam Knight (Bulldogs) and Hame Sele (Dragons).

Rabbitohs’ predicted team

1. Latrell Mitchell

2. Alex Johnston

3. Isaiah Tass

4. Michael Chee Kam

5. Jacob Gagai

6. Cody Walker

7. Lachlan Ilias

8. Tevita Tatola

9. Damien Cook

10. Thomas Burgess

11. Keaon Koloamatangi

12. Jai Arrow

13. Cameron Murray

Interchange

14. Siliva Havili/Peter Mamouzelos

15. Shaquai Mitchell

16. Davvy Moale/Sean Keppie

17. Tallis Duncan

Siua Wong is a strong chance to retain his starting job. Picture: Getty Images

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Key positional battles: Winger/centre/back row/bench

Verdict: Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been rubbed out of the season opener in Las Vegas after the NRL rejected his bid to make an early return from suspension.

The Kiwi international was able to shave three matches off his seven game ban, received for two separate offences against the Wests Tigers back in round 26 last year.

NRL judiciary chair Geoff Bellew allowed three matches from New Zealand’s end of season Pacific Championships to be counted towards the ban but denied an application to have next month’s All-Stars game included.

He had already missed the Roosters’ two finals matches plus the final round of the regular season last year.

It means Waerea-Hargreaves will now return to the field in round two against the Manly Sea Eagles.

New Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu is the frontrunner to replace Waerea-Hargreaves in the starting side.

Elsewhere, Trent Robinson has some massive calls to make. Who will be the odd man out in the wing/centre conundrum between Daniel Tupou, Dominic Young, Billy Smith, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii?

While Smith was one of the Roosters’ best in 2023, it would not shock to see him lose his spot on the back of Young’s arrival.

The fight for back-row spots is equally intriguing with Nat Butcher, Siua Wong, Angus Crichton and Sitili Tupouniua. Throw in Egan Butcher and Naufahu Whyte who are also legitimate options to push to be somewhere in the top 17, while Spencer Leniu’s arrival only increases the competition.

It will also be interesting to see who gets first crack at the bench utility spot between Connor Watson and Sandon Smith after the way Smith came of age in 2023. Young hooker Tyler Moriaty is the other bloke to keep an eye on given he is a serious talent.

Roosters’ predicted team

1 James Tedesco

2 Daniel Tupou

3 Joey Manu

4 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

5 Dominic Young

6 Luke Keary

7 Sam Walker

8 Spencer Leniu

9 Brandon Smith

10 Lindsay Collins

11 Siua Wong

12 Nat Butcher

13 Victory Radley

Interchange:

14 Sandon Smith/Connor Watson

15 Terrell May

16 Angus Crichton

17 Sitili Tupouniua/Egan Butcher

WESTS TIGERS

Key positional battles: Halves/back row

Verdict: With all the recent focus on the hunt for Jarome Luai and how he could be the Tigers’ saviour, it’s taken the spotlight away from the emergence of a young playmaker already at the club who has the potential to be anything right now.

And it’s going to be really interesting to see how Benji Marshall manages the arrival of teenage prodigy Latu Fainu.

While most are predicting the Tigers will kick off with Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer in the halves, Fainu would handle NRL if was named to start the season.

If that is the case, why would you hold him back? Likewise his brother Samuela, who is NRL ready after five appearances for the Sea Eagles in 2023.

Samuela is such a talent that it wouldn’t surprise to see John Bateman shift to lock to accommodate him in the starting side.

New recruit Justin Olam has been dealing with a knee injury, but is expected to be available in round two – note the Tigers have a bye in round one.

Tigers’ predicted team

1. Jahream Bula

2. Charlie Staines

3. Starford To’a

4. Justin Olam

5. Junior Tupou

6. Jayden Sullivan/Latu Fainu

7. Aidan Sezer

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. David Klemmer

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Isaiah Papali’i

13. John Bateman

Interchange:

14. Asu Kepaoa

15. Fonua Pole

16. Alex Twal

17. Justin Matamua