NRL Round 1 2023 teams live: KFC SuperCoach teams analysis ahead of opening week

KFC SuperCoach plans have been turned upside down following a number of shocks in the round one teams. Check out Tom Sangster’s full analysis.

Journeyman Brayden Wiliame has emerged as the biggest bolter from round one teams day after scoring a starting centre spot for the Warriors.

The news is sure to see the former Eels, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Catalans player surge from just 5.2 per cent ownership.

The 30-year-old played centre in both trials and notched and impressive 48 KFC SuperCoach points in the first pre-season game without scoring a try.

His main attacking stats came from a linebreak, try assist and tackle bust.

While Wiliame has never managed to nail down an NRL spot long-term, he clearly has the trust of new Warriors coach Andrew Webster and has the added KFC SuperCoach bonus of dual position flexibility between back row and centre, all while starting at just a tick above bottom dollar.

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Brayden Wiliame during his time at the Dragons. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

WINNERS

* J’maine Hopgood, Paul Alamoti, Stefano Utoikamanu, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - I’ve talked about these guys endlessly during the pre-season and the predictions thankfully came true. Just lock them in. More info here and here.

* Isaiya Katoa - The 18-year-old prodigy has ousted Anthony Milford for a Dolphins halves spot in huge news for KFC SuperCoaches. The Dolphins hardly loom as an attacking powerhouse, but he’s in for Sangster’s Paradise following some very classy touches in the trials.

* Sunia Turuva - Looms as one of the cheapies of the season after scoring the vacant wing spot of Taylan May (ACL, season) at the high-scoring Panthers. Turuva edged out young gun Jess McLean for the spot.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereira - One of the revelations of the pre-season with six tries in two games, AKP has scored a wing spot at the Titans as expected and is therefore a lock for KFC SuperCoach sides. Am I worried about the returns of Brian Kelly (suspension, round three) and Patrick Herbert (knee, indefinite)? It’s crossed my mind but both are mainly centres and Khan-Pereira is a specialist winger, so job security is pretty solid for a guy with such upside.

* Davvy Moale - Scores a bench spot for the Rabbitohs and therefore the fourth FRF spot for Sangster’s Paradise ahead of Franklin Pele (more below). The return of Hame Sele (calf, round two) is a red flag, but cheapies at prop are few and far between and Moale is the best of the lot.

* Jackson Ford - Came into TLT at just 3.5 per cent ownership but should be at 30 per cent. Named to start on the edge for the Warriors after a brilliant pre-season. Lock him in.

* William Warbrick - Has won a wing spot at the Storm as expected and will hold the spot for at least three weeks until George Jennings returns. But going on Warbrick’s brilliant pre-season (73 SuperCoach points in the final trial including a try, linebreak and a massive seven tackle busts) the spot appears his to lose.

* Reimis Smith - Hardly the most fancy buy at 10 per cent ownership, but Smith starts cheap after an injury-ruined season and plays centre at the attacking juggernaut that is the Storm. That alone puts him ahead of many similar-priced players at the position.

* Harley Smith-Shields - My POD of the year. Only at 1.2 per cent ownership coming into TLT, Smith-Shields has scored a centre spot at the Raiders and is theoretically locked in until round eight when Savage is back. This kid is a serious player but hasn’t had a solid run at first grade due to a string of injuries.

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* Tom Trbojevic - The best player in KFC SuperCoach when fit. Confirmed to return from a hamstring injury for the Sea Eagles and therefore confirmed for my side at an outrageously low price after an injury-ruined season. The round two bye is just a minor inconvenience.

* Brandon Smith - While the man himself says he won’t play 80 minutes, he still appears set for big game time with specialist hooker Jake Turpin named out of the 17 and Drew Hutchison scoring the bench utility role. Owned by more than half of KFC SuperCoaches and could go large in the opening two rounds against the Dolphins and Warriors

* Franklin Pele - A few factors here. The injury to Luke Thompson (foot, six months) opens up middle game time at the Bulldogs and Pele is no doubt a beneficiary. That said, the returns of Tevita Pangai Jnr (calf, round four) and the highly-rated Chris Patolo could see Pele lose his spot or see reduced minutes. Risky FRF buy, but the position is hardly flushed with great cheapies.

LOSERS

* Nicho Hynes - Out for round one with a calf injury and therefore out for Sangster’s Paradise. With so many gun purchases having byes in the opening rounds - Turbo in round two, Nathan Cleary in round three, James Tedesco in round four - he’s one I just can’t carry for now. Hynes to Tanah Boyd is very popular, while Tom Dearden is the POD purchase (with the right duals) given the Cowboys have an outrageously easy run to start the season.

Josh Schuster won’t play round one but is still a decent buy.

* Josh Schuster – Formerly the most popular player in KFC SuperCoach, Schuster is out until round three with an ankle injury. But he’s still a solid stash at either five-eighth or back row. Game time is set to increase from 43 minutes last year as a bench player to 80 minutes as a starting five-eighth.

* Ben Murdoch-Masila - He’s a no for me. The Dragons are on bye in round one and BMM could easily lose his spot in round two to Jack Bird (knee), who is due back from injury. Trap.

* Valynce Te Whare - Extremely popular pre-season buy has missed the squad for the Dolphins. One to keep up your sleeve for later.

* Ray Stone - We were hoping Stone would score the lock spot but he’s been relegated to the bench for round one. Avoid for now but one to watch.

* Jack Howarth – The Storm young gun sat at over 30 per cent ownership at one stage this pre-season but couldn’t score a spot in Melbourne’s round one squad even with nine injuries.

ROUND 1 TEAMS

EELS V STORM

Thursday 2 March, CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jake Arthur, 19. Ky Rodwell, 20 Ofahiki Ogden 21 Mitch Rein 22 Isaac Lumelume

Team news: There was some respite for Brad Arthur when Parramatta’s injury crisis was eased by the return of centre Waqa Blake (arm), winger Maika Sivo (knee), Matt Doorey (ankle) and Bryce Cartwright (jaw). Doorey and Cartwright will make-up a new back-row combination against Melbourne on Thursday after Shaun Lane was sidelined with a broken jaw. Jack Murchie and Jirah Momoisea are on the bench.

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec Mac Donald 16. Chris Lewis 17 Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18 - 19 Grant Anderson, 20 Bronson Garlick 20 Sualauvi Faalogo 21 Joe Chan 22 Jonah Pezet

Team news: Injury and player exits have forced Storm coach Craig Bellamy into naming a new look side. Young Tonumaipea is at centre for Justin Olam (broken arm), while Will Warbrick’s strong trial form is rewarded with a spot on the wing. Trent Loiero and recruit Eliesa Katoa get first crack at replacing Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi in the back-row.

Will Warbrick (right) has been chosen to make his NRL debut amid a Melbourne injury crisis. Picture: Michael Klein

WARRIORS V KNIGHTS

Friday 3 March, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 6:00pm

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Brayden Williame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkmnan 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Edward Kosi

Team news: Rookie coach Andrew Webster has rolled out his off-season buys with forwards Marata Niukore and Mitch Barnett, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and five-eighth Te Maire Martin to start, as Dylan Walker assumes his role in No.14.

Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Dom Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Adam Elliott 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Leo Thompson

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Brodie Jones 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Bailey Hodgson

Team news: Enari Tuala has replaced Dane Gagai (hamstring) at centre for Newcastle against the Warriors on Friday night. As expected, Kalyn Ponga will wear the No.6 jumper alongside halfback Jackson Hastings with Lachlan Miller at fullback. Adam Elliott (ankle) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) will play off the bench.

PANTHERS V BRONCOS

Friday 3 March, BlueBet Stadium, 8:05pm

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18 Zac Hosking 19 Matt Eisenhuth 20 Tyrone Peachey 21 Jack Cogger 22 Lindsay Smith

Team news: Sunia Turuva has beaten Jesse McLean to Taylan May’s (ACL) wing spot for Penrith’s clash against Brisbane. Luke Garner is favoured over Zac Hosking to replace Viliame Kikau in the backrow. Forward Liam Martin (knee) and fullback Dylan Edwards (hamstring) have been cleared to take the field.

Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17 Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18 Deine Mariner 19 Brendan Piakura 20 Xavier Willison 21 Josk Madden 22 Delouise Hoeter

Team news: Kevin Walters has filled Selwyn Cobbo’s wing spot with Jesse Arthars, and the former will line-up at fullback for Reece Walsh (facial fracture). Cory Paix, Keenan Palasia, Martin Taupau and Thomas Flegler are on the pine.

Tom Trbojevic will start for Manly after travelling to the United States to rehab a hamstring injury. Picture: Jeremy Piper

SEA EAGLES v BULLDOGS

Saturday 4 March, 4 Pines Park, 3:00pm

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Sean Keppie

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Ben Condon, 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, 21. Morgan Harper, 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Team news: Tom Trbojevic takes flight for Manly for the first time in nine months, while fullback-in-waiting Kaeo Weekes has scored a utility role on Saturday against Canterbury. Josh Schuster (calf) is out with Cooper Johns to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.

Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown

Bench: 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns, 20. Josh Reynolds, 21. Andrew Davey, 22. Jackson Topine, 23. Jayden Okunbor

Team news: Cameron Ciraldo was forced to scramble to find a replacement for forward Luke Thompson after the English forward broke down with an ankle injury at training on Tuesday.

Fa’amanu Brown takes over at lock but an exemption was needed to name Jayden Tanner on the bench, where is joined by Franklin Pele and Jacob Preston. Star signings Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney are set to go, teen prodigy Paul Alamoti will debut, while Ciraldo has opted to stick with Hayze Perham at fullback despite a lacklustre effort in week two of the trials.

Luke Thompson has been ruled out of at least Round 1 after suffering an ankle injury at training. Had to be helped from the field, will undergo scans to determine severity & recovery time pic.twitter.com/c1bGo7A9im

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 28, 2023

Unfortunately Luke Thompson’s injury is quite serious. Prognosis is for minimum 6 months recovery. Possibly longer depending on surgery type. Very sad for Luke and the club. Thunderbolts happen.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) February 28, 2023

COWBOYS V RAIDERS

Saturday 4 March, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Mitchell Dunn 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Tom Chester 21 Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Team news: The luxury of roster stability has meant Cowboys coach Todd Payten has made one change to the starting side from last year’s preliminary final. Coen Hess has been named in the backrow. Veteran James Tamou and Jack Gosiewski will come off the bench.

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18 Albert Hopoate 19 Matt frawley 20 Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22 Peter Hola

Team news: Seb Kris has been given the job to replace Xavier Savage (jaw) at fullback ahead of winger Jordan Rapana. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has handed Danny Levi the starting hooker role, while Pasami Saulo is in for Josh Papalii (calf) at starting prop.

SHARKS V RABBITOHS

Saturday 4 March, PointsBet Stadium, 7:35pm

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Thomas Hazelton 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru

Team news: Cronulla have suffered a huge blow with Dally M player of the year Nicho Hynes succumbing to a calf injury. Braydon Trindall will replace him at halfback. Oregon Kaufusi will debut for the club from the bench, while Braden Hamlin-Uele comes in for Royce Hunt (elbow).

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray.

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Michael Chee-Kam 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Josiah Karapani

Team news: Late bloomer Izaac Thompson has received the nod on the wing with Taane Milne serving a one game ban. Blake Taaffe gets a shot to cement a utility role after he was named at No.14.

The Sharks will be without Nicho Hynes, after succumbing to a calf injury. Picture: Getty Images.

DOLPHINS V ROOSTERS

Sunday 5 March, Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Mason Teague 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Team news: Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has pulled the trigger on Isaiya Katoa and named the boom playmaker to start at five-eighth ahead of Anthony Milford against the Roosters. He isn’t the only former Penrith player to debut, Jersey Flegg premiership Kurt Donoghue will come off the bench. Ray Stone is back after suffering an ACL injury in round three last season playing for Parramatta.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May 18. Jake Turpin 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Junior Pauga

Team news: Star Tricolours centre Joey Manu hasn’t recovered from a facial fracture and is replaced by Corey Allan. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) is also out. On the edge, Nat Butcher will provide cover while Angus Crichton is on personal leave. But in better news, Luke Keary has overcome a jaw injury and will line-up alongside Sam Walker. Brandon Smith has been named at hooker but has conceded he might struggle to get through 80 minutes and that the loss of Connor Watson has affected the side’s plans going into the new season. Robinson has again leaned on the reliable Drew Hutchison as the back-up dummy half in No.14.

TIGERS V TITANS

Sunday 5 March, Leichhardt Oval, 6:15pm

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’I 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Fonua Pole 17. Asu Kepaoa

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth, 19. Starford Toa, 20. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Justin Matamua, 22. Junior Tupou

Team news: The new era at the Wests Tigers officially kicks off against the Titans with new skipper Api Koroisau poised to lead the side, that includes Luke Brooks (calf) at halfback, for the first time. David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i have been named but there is no sign of John Bateman. After missing the 2022 season with ACL injuries, centre Tommy Talau and backrower Shawn Blore have been given the all clear to return. Impressive in the trials, Junior Tupou is unlucky to miss out on a wing spot to Charlie Staines.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. JoJo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (C) 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre, 19. Keano Kini, 20. Chris Randall, 21. Klese Haas, 22. Treymain Spry

Team news: Five-eighth Kieran Foran headlines a new look spine with Tanah Boyd at halfback, AJ Brimson at fullback and Sam Verrills at hooker.

BYE: Dragons