NRL teams: Young guns galore named for trials
Competition for starting spots is heating up and players will get a big chance to impress this weekend. CHECK OUT ALL THE TEAMS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S NRL TRIAL MATCHES
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Team line-ups are rolling in for another big weekend of rugby league, headlined by the All Stars clash and World Club Challenge.
There will also be 13 NRL clubs in action for pre-season trials as players look to impress coaches in the lead-up to the start of the season.
In the biggest team news so far:
* New recruit Kyle Flanagan will make his Sydney Roosters debut against St Helens in the World Club Challenge
* Penrith utility Tyrone May has been given the green light to play in Saturday’s trial against Wests Tigers despite being banned for five NRL games
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* The Cowboys have confirmed Dean Ritchie’s report that Valentine Holmes will make his return to rugby league in North Queensland’s trial match against Brisbane.
* Parramatta will play recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard for around 20 minutes in a trial against South Sydney at Wentworthville on Friday night.
* Wests Tigers will select recruit Adam Doueihi at fullback for a trial against Penrith at Panthers Stadium on Saturday night. Fellow Tigers recruit Joey Leilua will be rested along with other big names players including Moses Mbye, Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks. Josh Reynolds will play.
* Recruit Brodie Croft will play his first game for Brisbane against the Cowboys on Saturday evening.
* Cronulla have resisted picking newcomer Jesse Ramien for a trial against Canterbury in Papua New Guinea on Saturday. Wantaway teammate Josh Morris will also sit out.
* Dragons coach Paul McGregor has decided to rest Trent Merrin for Saturday’s trial against Newcastle in Maitland. Issac Luke, another Dragons recruit, will play for Maori All Stars on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
* Boom Knights centre Bradman Best is out of the trial against the Dragons and will miss the next 6-12 weeks with a foot fracture that will sideline him for at least the first few rounds of the regular season.
EELS V RABBITOHS
Fri 21 Feb, Ringrose Park, Sydney, 7pm
Eels: Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Rhys Davies, Levi Dodd, Haze Dunster, Elie El-Zahkam, Kane Evans, John Fonua, David Gower, George Jennings, Michael Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Brad Keighran, Shaun Lane, Eli Levido, Reed Mahoney, Makahesi Makatoa, Marata Niukore, Ethan Parry, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Ray Stone, Peni Terepo, Stefano Utoikamanu.
Regan Campbell-Gillard has been named but fellow newcomer Ryan Matterson, who contested the Nines in Perth, is rested.
“’Reg’ will play about 20 minutes – I want him to get out there and make a couple of runs and a couple of tackles,” coach Brad Arthur told The Daily Telegraph.
“If he’s feeling all right he might go another five minutes.
“It’s about blowing that first wind and blowing out the cobwebs. It’s a new club for him. The next week (a trial against Penrith in Bega) we will increase him to 45 to 50 minutes.”
— Dean Ritchie
Rabbitohs: TBC
TITANS V BURLEIGH
Fri 21 Feb, Pizzey Park, Gold Coast, 8pm
Titans: 1. Jonus Pearson, 2. Dale Copley, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Greg Leleisiuao, 6. Toby Sexton, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Kea Pere, 13. Darius Farmer. Interchange: 14. Jaimin Joliiffe, 15. Jerry Key, 16. Tristan Powell, 17. Jayden Campbell, 18. Treymain Spry, 19. Ioane Seiuli, 20. Alofi Khan-Pereira, 21. Jed Edwards
Young gun Greg Leleisiuao gets a start on the wing while Darius Farmer has been named at lock. Exciting playmaker Toby Sexton joins Tanah Boyd in the halves, while Jayden Campbell — the son of Titans legend Preston — has been named on the bench alongside Treymain Spry.
Burleigh: TBC
BRONCOS V WYNNUM MANLY
Fri 21 Feb, Kitchener Park, Wynnum, 8pm
Broncos: TBC
Wynnum Manly: TBC
STORM V WARRIORS
Sat 22 Feb, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, 3pm
Storm: Dan Atkinson, James Atonio, Sam Bernstrom, Aaron Booth, Sandor Earl, Tom Eisenhuth, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Nicho Hynes, Dean Ieremia, Ryley Jacks, Cooper Johns, Max King, Brenko Lee, Chris Lewis, Trent Loiero, Siti Moceidreke, Jay Natapu, Justin Olam, Jack Peoples, Darryn Schonig, Marion Seve, Judda Turahui, Albert Vete
Warriors:
1. Rocco Berry 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Hayze Perham 4. David Fusitu’a 5. Edward Kosi
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Adam Keighran 8. Phillip Makatoa 9. Wayde Egan 10. Sam Lisone
11. Taane Milne 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Lachlan Burr Interchange 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Jackson Frei 16. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard 17. Paul Turner 18. Selestino Ravutaumada 20. Israel Ogden 21. Tom Ale 22. Setu Tu 24. Tyler Slade 25. Preston Riki 26. Isaiah Vagana 27. King Vuniyayawa 28. Leivaha Pulu
KNIGHTS V DRAGONS
Sat 22 Feb, Maitland Sports Ground, 5.30pm
Knights: Tex Hoy, Hymel Hunt, Enari Tuala, Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Gehamat Shibasaki, Edrick Lee, Matt Soper-Lawler, Starford Toa, Mason Lino, Kurt Mann, Mitchell Pearce, Simi Sasagi, Bayden Searle, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Aidan Guerra, Brodie Jones, Sione Mata’utia, Jirah Momoisea, Jayden Brailey, Luke Huth, Chris Randall, Mitch Barnett, Jack Cameron, Mathew Croker, Tim Glasby, Zac Hosking, David Klemmer, Brandon Russell, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Josh King, Matt Cooper, Dylan Lucas, Mitch Black
Fullback Tex Hoy starred at the NRL Nines and gets a chance to impress against the Dragons. Emerging star Bradman Best has been ruled out with a fractured foot. He will undergo surgery this week and is likely to miss the first few rounds of the season.
Dragons: Euan Aitken, Eddie Blacker, Adam Clune, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Jackson Ford, Tyson Frizell, Luke Gale, James Graham, Ben Hunt, Jacob Host, Tim Lafai, Blake Lawrie, Hayden Lomax, Zac Lomax, Joe Lovodua, Corey Norman, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Saab, Tristan Sailor, Shaun Sauni-Esau, Tariq Sims, Jayden Sullivan, Paul Vaughan, Brayden Wiliame, Tyran Wishart.
SHARKS V BULLDOGS
Sat 22 Feb, PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 6pm
Sharks: Bill Magoulias, William Kennedy, Brock Gray, Jonaiah Lualua, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Franklin Pele, Jackson Ferris, Teig Wilton, Royce Hunt, Kyle Paterson, Tom Hazelton, Connor Tracey, Cameron King, Sione Katoa, Wesley Lolo, Vito Tevaga, Lorenzo Mulitalo, Kayleb Milne, Braydon Trindall, Scott Sorensen, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Connor Luhan
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Jake Averillo, 6. Lachlan Lewis, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Renouf To’omaga, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Joe Stimson, 12. Dean Britt, 13. Aiden Tolman, 14. Brandon Wakeham, 15. Ofahiki Ogden, 16. Tui Katoa, 17. Isaiah Tass, 19. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 20. Matt Doorey
New recruits Joe Stimson, Dean Britt and Sione Katoa have all been named while rookie outside backs Morgan Harper and Jake Averillo get a chance to impress.
PANTHERS V TIGERS
Sat 22 Feb, Panthers Stadium, Penrith, 7pm
Panthers: TBC
Wests Tigers: Adam Doueihi, Alex Seyfarth, Austin Dias, Billy Walters, Brendan O’Hagan, Chris McQueen, Elijah Taylor, Etuale Lui, Jake Simpkin, Jock Madden, Joe Taipari, Jordin Leiu, Josh Reynolds, Logen Dillon, Luciano Leilua, Matheson Johns, Matt Eisenhuth, Michael Chee Kam, Oliver Clark, Reece Hoffman, Sam McIntyre, Terrell May, Tommy Talau, Vea Tapaatoutai, William Kei, Zac Cini, Zane Musgrove.
New recruits Adam Doueihi, Billy Walters, Zane Musgrove and Luciano Leilua have all been named, while young gun Tommy Talau will be out to impress as he pushes for a centre spot.
BRONCOS V COWBOYS
Sat 22 Feb, Barlow Park, Cairns, 8pm
Broncos: 1. Jack Bird, 2. Herbie Farnworth, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Jesse Arthars, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Tevita Pangai Jnr, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn (c), 12. Ethan Bullemor, 13. Patrick Carrigan. Interchange: 14. Jamayne Isaako, 15. Richie Kennar, 16. Tesi Niu, 17. Tom Dearden, 18. Cory Paix, 19. Thomas Flegler, 20. Joe Ofahengaue, 21. Rhys Kennedy, 22. Jamil Hopoate
Jack Bird has again been named in the No.1 jersey, with fullback rival Jamayne Isaako on the bench. New halves recruit Brodie Croft will partner Anthony Milford for the first time. Skipper Alex Glenn, Payne Haas, Tevita Pangai Junior and Kotoni Staggs will get to blow the cobwebs out. Young fliers Xavier Coates and Herbie Farnworth start on the wings while exciting rookie Tesi Niu will come off the bench.
Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Dan Russell 5. Connelly Lemuelu 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Coen Hess 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Reuben Cotter 15. Mitch Dunn 16. Corey Jensen 17. Peter Hola 18. Tom Gilbert 19. Emry Pere 20. Elijah Anderson 21. Daejarn Asi.
Valentine Holmes makes his Cowboys debut in the No.1 jersey. After impressing in the pre-season Coen Hess has been named to start at second-row alongside Shane Wright. Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford have both been named in the halves as they battle for a spot alongside Michael Morgan.
Dean Ritchie reports it will be Holmes’ first NRL game in 519 days after returning to Australia following his attempt to earn a full-time contract with NFL franchise the New York Jets.
It may not be the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets, but officials are hoping for a crowd of between 10,000 to 15,000 for the all-Queensland trial in Cairns.
“It’s like he has never been away,” said North Queensland football manager Peter Parr.
“He looks good at training, strength, speed, endurance, all terrific. He hasn’t missed a beat.
“We have been delighted with everything Val has done. He is usually first here at training. Val has been outstanding. The proof will be in the pudding but everything we have seen suggests he will come back as good as ever.”
It’s likely Holmes will play around 50 to 60 minutes from fullback.
“We’re not expecting too much from him when he does play, we’re not expecting miracles,” Parr said.
“We will ease him back but we expect him to play pretty well.”
ALL STARS: INDIGENOUS v MAORI
Sat 22 Feb, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 8.10pm
Indigenous squad: Latrell Mitchell, Blake Ferguson, James Roberts, Jesse Ramien, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Tyrone Roberts, Josh Kerr, Nathan Peats, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Joel Thompson, Wade Graham, David Fifita, Connor Watson, Chris Smith, Zac Saddler, Josh Curran, Alex Johnston, Tyrone Peachey, Tyrell Fuimaono.
Maori squad: Kalyn Ponga, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Esan Marsters, Dylan Walker, Bryson Goodwin, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jordan Riki, Kenny Bromwich, Briton Nikora, Corey Harawira-Naera, Issac Luke, Brad Takairangi, Zane Tetevano, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Pasami Saulo.
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: ST HELENS V ROOSTERS
Sunday 23rd Feb, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 6:45am
St Helens: TBC
Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Angus Crichton, Joseph Manu, Brett Morris, Luke Keary, Kyle Flanagan, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sitili Tupouniua, Mitchell Aubusson,Victor Radley. Interchange: Sam Verrills, Isaac Liu, Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Matt Ikuvalu, Poasa Faamausili, Asu Kepaoa, Lachlan Lam. (four to be omitted).
The wait is nearly over for Kyle Flanagan who will make his Sydney Roosters debut.
Flanagan will join Luke Keary in the halves for the Roosters in a new-look backline that features Angus Crichton at left centre following Latrell Mitchell’s departure.
The only surprise is Sam Verrills being named on the bench after playing in the Roosters’ Nines campaign.
Skipper Boyd Cordner will sit out the game, with Sitili Tupouniua taking his spot in the second-row.