NRL round 1 predicted teams, Early Mail: Campbell Graham faces six months with sternum injury
South Sydney have suffered a sledgehammer blow with star centre Campbell Graham set to miss the bulk of the season. Full round one predicted teams.
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South Sydney centre Campbell Graham is out of the Las Vegas season opener and could miss six months after suffering complications with a sternum injury.
Graham may require surgery which would rule him out for the opening half of the season and potentially the State of Origin series.
With Souths’ other centre Jack Wighton (suspension) also out of round one, Isaiah Tass and Michael Chee Kam are set to be the new centre pairing.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou praised Graham for battling through his injury but admitted the time had come to get it fixed.
“’Stretch’ (Graham) was keen to see how he went but I think it was pretty obvious to anyone that watched us play last year how much pain he was playing in and how brave he was,” said Demetriou.
“As his coach, you don’t want to see him go through that again. I’d rather just see him get it fixed. We just couldn’t do it (to him) ...
“It came to: ‘Do we just keep going and hope that we can get him through’ but when you’re thinking like that in January, February, it’s not a good sign.
“It’s been a process to get to this point and the medical staff have done a great job but he needs to get it fixed.”
ROOKIE SET FOR DEBUT IN MANLY HOOKING SHAKE-UP
Star recruit Luke Brooks and boom teenager Lehi Hopoate are to set to headline an understrength Manly squad as they step up their preparations for Las Vegas with a hit out against South Sydney in Gosford on Sunday.
Brooks played a handful of minutes in a scrimmage against St George Illawarra last week but he will increase the intensity against the Rabbitohs this weekend in a trial organised by the two clubs.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold will take few risks with his squad, wrapping most of his big names in cotton wool – Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Tolu Koula, Hamuole Olakau’atu and Reuben Garrick will watch from the sidelines.
The decision to take a cautious approach with his players in the lead up to round one means Seibold will hand an opportunity to some of the club’s emerging stars led by the latest member of the Hopoate dynasty and hooker Jamie Humphreys.
Hopoate, the son of former Manly star John Hopoate and brother to Will Hopoate, is only 18 but has been tipped for big things and is expected to play at least 20 minutes against the Rabbitohs.
The teenager was a central figure in the club’s premiership-winning Harold Matthews team in 2021 and captained their SG Ball side.
He signed a long-term contract late last year which will eventually see him become a member of the top 30 squad in 2026.
Humphreys, the son of former chief executive Steve Humphreys, is already a member of the club’s top 30 and is closing in on an NRL debut after impressing in the preseason.
Formerly a halfback, he has transitioned to hooker and looks set to deputise for Lachlan Croker when the season begins.
PAPENHUYZEN RETURN CREATES SUPERCOACH CHAIN REACTION
NRL SuperCoach prayers have been answered with Ryan Papenhuyzen on track to return for round one – and he may even play a trial.
The Storm fullback has experienced a horror run of luck, suffering a severe ankle injury in round one of the finals last year.
He was only three games back from a serious knee injury.
“I think I might be playing a trial game. I don’t know which trial game it is, but yeah, beauty,” he said.
The news is music to the ears of SuperCoaches, with Papenhuyzen currently in a quarter of teams.
However, his return could spike the credentials of Pap’s potential replacement and SuperCoach cheapie Sua Faalogo, who may now play for the bench or not make the 17.
The Storm play two trial games against the Bulldogs on February 15th and Newcastle nine days later in Fiji.
EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Papenhuyzen has declared he's ready to return to the NRL and says this time he'll come back better than ever.
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) January 30, 2024
The Storm fullback travelled around the world in the off-season to again rebuild his body. @ZacBailey14#9Newspic.twitter.com/b3IuMOwAZ2
SUPERCOACH CHEAPIE THE MASSES ARE MISSING
He’s the NRL SuperCoach cheapie the masses are missing.
Dragons junior Jack Bostock has clinched a spot on the Dolphins’ wing alongside Canterbury recruit Jake Averillo.
Yet Bostock is just the 30th most popular player in NRL SuperCoach 2024.
He starts at a bargain $314,500 and has a heavily-discounted price after playing just four games last year.
Bostock is a serious aerial threat.
At 197cm, he just edges out Roosters tower Daniel Tupou (196cm).
Check out our full round one NRL predicted teams below.
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.
Covering Flegler, former Rooster Fletcher Baker, 23, has 45 NRL games in the bank while young giants Xavier Willison, Ben Te Kura and Corey Jensen give Kevvie Walters terrific options.
Adam Reynolds will be right for round one in Las Vegas despite a pre-season mishap.
Broncos’ predicted 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
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange:
14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Corey Jensen
17. Xavier Willison
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 team
1. Jordan Rapana
2. 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
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 (although he could just as easily switch to the halves or bench), 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 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. Jake Turpin
15. Kurt Mann
16. Jaeman Salmon
17. Sam Hughes
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 from injury is going to 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.
Which brings us to Anthony Milford who is now most definitely on his last chance.
At his best, there’s no disputing Milford is the standout of the Dolphins’ available halves.
But at 29, Milford has promised it all before and failed to deliver. Like last pre-season when he paid the price for not training hard enough over the summer and gave Katoa the jump.
While it would be a shock to see Milford upstage either Katoa or Sean O’Sullivan to start the season, Milford certainly has the capabilities to be in charge of his own destiny. 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
GOLD COAST TITANS
Key positional battles: Fullback/centre
Verdict: Titans coach Des Hasler is set to make a major selection call by shifting Origin star AJ Brimson to centre as Jayden Campbell faces a fight for Gold Coast’s No. 1 jersey from a teen sensation.
Brimson played fullback for Queensland in last year’s final State of Origin game and has long been Gold Coast’s top No. 1.
However the rise of Campbell, who is most comfortable at fullback, has left Hasler with a selection conundrum in his first season in charge of the Titans.
Hasler is expected to solve the problem by moving Brimson to centre, allowing Campbell to start the season at fullback if he makes a successful return from knee surgery.
But while Campbell is set to win the No. 1 race, he also faces competition for his favoured position from rising talent Keano Kini.
Titans’ predicted team
1. Jayden Campbell
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. David Fifita
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 re-signing Josh Schuster on a monster $800,000-a-season deal to switch to the edge back row and make room in the halves for Luke Brooks.
Schuster certainly has the ability to make it work, and if he fully commits to the job he could be exceptional. But spoon feeding such a big fat contract to a young man not known for his work ethic is a dangerous gamble. Schuster is also in doubt for round one following a disrupted pre-season.
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
13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange:
14. Jamie Humphreys
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Toafofoa Sipley
17. Ben Trbojevic
MELBOURNE STORM
Key positional battles: Fullback/centre
Verdict: Ryan Papenhuyzen will be back for round one and may even trial following a horror run of injuries.
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 almost certainly shifts permanently 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
15. Tui Kamikamica
16. Shawn Blore
17. Aaron Pene
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. 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 looks to be fighting a losing battle 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 tear-away 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. Kyle Feldt
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Jake Clifford
7. Tom Dearden
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
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.
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. Soni Luke
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Luke Garner
17. Matt Eisenhuth
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.
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. Tyrone Munro
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. Peter Mamouzelos
15. Shaquai Mitchell
16. Davvy Moale
17. Tallis Duncan
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. And unless he can improve that area of his game dramatically, it would not shock to see Flanagan move Lomax to fullback.
That also opens up a spot for Jack Bird in the centres, which would give the Dragons a really hard edge. There is also a big rap on a young rugby union convert Savelio Tamale, who could come into the centre conversation. Kyle Flanagan looks the obvious option to partner Ben Hunt in the halves.
Dragons’ predicted team
1 Zac Lomax
2 Mathew Feagai
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 Ben Murdoch-Masila
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 front-runner 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
15 Terrell May
16 Angus Crichton
17 Sitili Tupouniua/Egan Butcher
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
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.
Tigers’ predicted team
1. Jahream Bula
2. Charlie Staines
3. Starford To’a
4. Justin Olam
5. Junior Tupou
6. 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. Jayden Sullivan
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Twal
17. Justin Matamua
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