How recruits rated in NRL Round 1: Viliame Kikau struggles in debut

The time for talk and expectations ended last weekend, and while some recruits shined, others looked disappointing in their debuts. Our verdict on high-profile NRL recruits.

Viliame Kikau, Luke Garner and Jeremy Marshall-King.

The time for talk and expectations is over and now some of the NRL’s biggest player movements are finally under the microscope.

While some of the new signings looked at home in their colours, others failed to impress in their first hitout over the weekend.

Here’s how we rated them out of 10.

Luke Garner – Penrith Panthers

Was caught flat-footed on numerous occasions on the end of short-side raids by Jarome Luai. Coach Ivan Cleary described it as Garner not playing at the intensity needed to fit into Penrith’s systems. No one expected Garner to be able to fill Viliame Kikau’s boots but if the 27-year-old struggles to find another gear, Penrith lose a potent dimension to their attack and he could be chopped.

Rating: 4

Luke Garner on club debut for Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – New Zealand Warriors

A constant ball of energy at the back for the Warriors, the fullback racked up 160 metres from 16 carries, scored a try and produced a try-saving tackle on Kalyn Ponga. CNK went under the radar amid a flurry of player movement heading into 2023, but if he continues on the same trajectory, the unwanted Raider is a smokey for the buy of the year.

Rating: 8

Viliame Kikau – Canterbury Bulldogs

His combination with Matt Burton on the left edge was more a comedy of errors than a one-two punch. The hulking back-rower was guilty of trying too hard, made clear when he kicked out on the full on a last tackle play. Penrith’s well-oiled left edge made Kikau look like a world beater but at Belmore it’s on the Fijian to bring the best out of those around him.

Rating: 5

Canterbury's Viliame Kikau had a tough first day at the office. Picture: NRL Images

Jackson Hastings – Newcastle Knights

Hastings’ kicking game let him down at stages in difficult, windy conditions in Wellington. The 27-year-old had promising touches but coach Adam O’Brien must trust Hastings to do what the halfback does best, create space and orchestrate backline shifts of the ball rather than have him play flat on the line. Especially since it’s Hastings’ job to bring fullback Lachlan Miller onto the ball.

Rating: 6

Martin Taupau – Brisbane Broncos

Taupau’s 20-minute stint off the bench showed he is ready to deliver on his promise to repay the faith Brisbane showed in the veteran forward who was unwanted by Manly. He had strong carries and gave Brisbane plenty of punch. In a young pack boasting Payne Haas, Corey Jensen and Thomas Flegler, Taupau’s experience will be invaluable to coach Kevin Walters and his side.

Rating: 7

Martin Taupau on the charge for Brisbane. Picture: NRL Images

Felise Kaufusi – Dolphins

Kaufusi went whack on Brandon Smith, then whack again on Egan Butcher. And with the biggest bone crunching hits of the first round, the veteran forward swung the momentum in his side’s favour. It also inspired the rest of the outfit to muscle-up in defence. He showed the value of his experience in attack too, when young five-eighth Isaiya Katoa shaped to kick, he stepped in demanding a pass that led to a Jamayne Isaako try.

Rating: 10

Jeremy Marshall-King – Dolphins

If Marshall-King can make inroads through the Roosters’ middle, he can do it against other heavyweights. No longer a makeshift hooker, Marshall-King announced himself as a genuine dummy-half, racking up 105 running metres, two try assists and a line break and totally outplaying the Roosters’ high-profile recruit and opposite number Brandon Smith. Also got the points for the opening round over other more fancied hooking recruits such as Canterbury’s Reed Mahoney and Parramatta’s Josh Hodgson.

Rating: 8

Jeremy Marshall-King had a blinder on club debut for the Dolphins.

Api Koroisau – Wests Tigers

A slow burn after starting from the bench. But when the Tigers hit back in the second half it was on the back of some wily work from Koroisau from dummy half.

A slight of hand from the hooker with the Tigers on the Titans’ line sparked a right edge raid for fullback Daine Laurie to score. Not his best game, but he wasn’t alone in that department for the Tigers.

Rating: 6.5

Originally published as How recruits rated in NRL Round 1: Viliame Kikau struggles in debut