NRL 2023 trial guide: Everything you need to know about Pre-season Challenge

One expert has had their say on a couple of new recruits, as the NRL pre-season games heat up. Here’s everything you need to know about the trials and have your say.

All eyes will be on Stefano Utoikamanu and Charlie Staines as they look to secure starting spots for Round 1. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

The NRL returns tonight with a brand new trials format and there are more than just bragging rights on offer.

The Pre Season Challenge, where teams are awarded points for wins, tries and linebreaks, is up for grabs with the winner netting $100,000 in prize money.

All pre-season games – including the World Club Challenge (WCC) – will be live and exclusive on Fox League, available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.Ultimate Pre-Season Challenge Round 1 guide.

ULTIMATE PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE ROUND 1 GUIDE

SATURDAY

Panthers v Eels BlueBet Stadium, Penrith 6.00pm

After losing key personnel, both sides face a similar dilemma just on opposite sides of the coin. Has Penrith’s premiership window closed after losing Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau? Is Parramatta’s window still open without Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i? Saturday’s game is an early look into what life will be like without those crucial cogs in the respective forward packs.

Fans will get to see how Parramatta look after losing key personnel, with hooker Josh Hodgson set for his first Eels game. Source: Instagram

Fox League expert Braith Anasta says:

If I had the choice between Reed Mahoney or Josh Hodgson at the peak of their powers, my pick would be Hodgson. If he can get back to his best, the player that helped Canberra become a title contender, he can take the Eels to the next level. Of course a lot will depend on how well, and how quickly, he can fit into the spine.

Penrith haven’t named their likely hooker or the backrower for round one but Zac Hosking is in line to replace Kikau and has been impressive in the limited NRL he has seen. He’s got decent game awareness. It’ll be a talking point during the trials, can they readjust without Koroisau and Kikau.

Dragons v St Helens, WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8.05pm

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has mended his fractured relationships and his players say his message, and unique approach, is finally sinking in. Just how united are the coach and team? The effort put in this weekend will be the only true indicator. The Dragons aren’t taking St Helens lightly and have gone with NRL experience in the likes of Moses Mbye, Zac Lomax and Blake Lawrie.

Fox League expert Braith Anasta says:

The Dragons cannot hesitate, or get off to a slow start. Moses Mbye gets a chance at no.7 and with Talatau Amone banned from playing, Griffin might need to lean on Mbye in the halves, so with the lack of depth there, that’s worth keeping an eye on. Honestly, there is an element of unknown with the Dragons. The question is, where are they at as a club and in terms of their culture. We’re about to find the answer to that in how hard they worked for their coach in the off-season.

I’m a big fan of St Helens fullback Jack Welsby, he was good in the World Cup. I think he’d make it in the NRL from what I have seen, and it’s a chance to flex his muscles against NRL talent and show us what he has got.

SUNDAY

Storm v Roosters GMHBA Stadium, Geelong 1.50pm

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has gone with a star studded line-up in a bid to fine tune combinations and curtails the club’s notorious slow starts to a season. Ryan Papenhuyzen’s return for the Storm has been delayed but it’s a chance for boom rookie Sualauvi Fa’alogo to stake his claim. Newcomers Joe Chan and Eliesa Katoa will feature with Craig Bellamy to unleash Jonah Pezet, who delivered a man of the match performance for the NSW Blues in the under 19’s State of Origin last season.

Brandon Smith won’t have to wait long to face-off against his former team, when the Roosters clash with Melbourne in week one of the Pre-season Challenge. Picture: Roosters Digital.

Fox Sports expert Corey Parker says: Can they find continuity in the spine with new hooker Brandon Smith? It’s only the first week of the trials but Trent Robinson isn’t playing around, he’s named a strong side and that would be to help fine tune those combinations. Smith has to build relationships with his forward pack but also Luke Keary and Sam Walker. You can train as much as you like, but you need real game minutes to form combinations. I like this team.

I have the Roosters with the edge in this one but make no mistake, Craig Bellamy would have this team prepared to the nth degree. But the one I want to see is Eliesa Katoa, he’s such a good player. I can’t believe the bloody Warriors let him go to be fair. You look at him, he oozes talent, big frame and shown enough. He didn’t click at the Warriors but in this Melbourne system he could be anything.

Raiders v Bulldogs, Ack Weyman, Moruya 3.55pm

Canterbury refused to rush teen prodigy Paul Alamoti but the time has come for the destructive centre and the most hyped Bulldogs rookie since Sonny Bill Williams to prove his NRL pedigree. Canberra welcome back stalwart centre Jarrod Croker, who has overcome speculation of a forced retirement due to troublesome shoulder injury.

Fox Sports expert Corey Parker says:

Cameron Ciraldo comes with big wraps and expectations but you can underestimate how hard it is to deal with so many changes in so many key positions. Reed Mahoney was a coup, but how quickly can he build a relationship with the playmakers. Other than the Tigers, no other team has had that many eyeballs on them over the summer. You pick up a paper and you’re having a look at what they are doing. The question is, can they handle that pressure of expectation.

I like Corey Horsburgh and the way he has continued to develop, he’s in for a big season. It’s good to see Clay Webb get a run, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on. He’s only 20-years old but he’s a throwback to a workhorse backrower. He’s played a bit of reserve grade now and should be pushing for NRL time.

Reed Mahoney will run out in the Bulldogs’ blue and white for the first time.

Cowboys v Dolphins, Barlow Park, Cairns 6.00pm

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins usher in a new era for rugby league in Queensland, as the master coach unveils the game’s most promising talent, halfback Isaiya Katoa, to the NRL world. North Queensland have opted for a low-key approach resting the bulk of their stars but veteran James Tamou, who returns to the club, adds some experience to the young line-up.

Fox Sports expert Corey Parker says:

Wayne has put together a fair team but he’s given a lot of guys a lifeline. Anthony Milford, is he going to save his NRL career? Tesi Nui looks rejuvenated and happy, he’s been given a lifeline. Jamayne Isaako, the same. It’s a new team with a lot of eyes on them, but it’s a chance for a lot of guys to redeem themselves.

The Cowboys are red hot to win the title this year. Looking at this team, you have the forgotten man in Ben Hampton, he can play a number of positions but he gets a shot at five-eighth to make his mark. Forward Riley Price, the son of Steve, he’s got plenty to play for. He’s got this opportunity, he’s been close to NRL debut three or four times last year but couldn’t crack through.

Broncos v Titans, Sunshine Coast Stadium 8.05pm

Both Titans coach Justin Holbrook and Brisbane boss Kevin Walters are facing mounting pressure to deliver results. For the Broncos, off-field distractions threaten to taint their season, while Holbrook’s future could hinge on his ability to get the best out of David Fifita, who has been named for Sunday’s trial.

Fox Sports Corey Parker expert says:

Defence is a big thing for the Broncos, they were fourth with six weeks to go and failed to make the finals, that’s not good enough. They are missing some big stars but fans will be watching Reece Walsh. It’s a hotly contested spot with Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo in the mix, so Reece will want to put his best foot forward. Payne Haas has been given the captaincy for this game, aside from the off-field stuff, his job is to play football and he’ll be excited to get out there and run the ball hard. But he’ll be fine.

I’ve followed the Titans closely, they really need to approach this game as if it is a stepping stone. Quite frankly, they haven’t clicked over the last five years. Jayden Campbell is back fullback, there has been the chat that he can‘t play that position so with AJ Brimson available, how that unfolds will be interesting.

Originally published as NRL 2023 trial guide: Everything you need to know about Pre-season Challenge