NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Sunia Turuva boost, Jacob Kiraz replacement locked

Canterbury have all but locked in their wing pairing for Round 1, while the Tigers have received a massive boost on star recruit Sunia Turuva.

Wests Tigers recruit Sunia Turuva is expected to be fit to play Newcastle in Round 1 after undergoing emergency appendix surgery last month.

The former Penrith flyer has returned to training and is firming to start the season with the Tigers in Campbelltown on March 7, which would be just over five weeks post-operation.

The 22-year-old scored 17 tries for the premiers last season and is a major part of the club’s new-look squad headlined by four-time title-winner Jarome Luai.

However, the two were left out of both trial games for the Tigers this pre-season as well as a number of backline players with ongoing injury concerns.

Fullback Jahream Bula also missed both of the club’s trials as he recovers from shoulder surgery in August last year and is pushing to play round 1, with Turuva to come into consideration as a replacement if needed.

Centre Brent Naden is also expected to be sidelined for between six to eight weeks after suffering a painful dislocated kneecap in the club’s trial win over Parramatta over the weekend, with Adam Doueihi expected to replace him on the right edge.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinean representative centre Justin Olam’s immediate playing future remains uncertain as he weighs up retirement.

Sunia Turuva is set to play round one. Picture: Richard Dobson

BULLDOGS CONFIRM KIRAZ REPLACEMENT

—Dean Ritchie

Recruit Marcelo Montoya and Blake Wilson are certain to claim the two Canterbury wing spots vacated by Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will formally name his side to play St George Illawarra next Tuesday with Montoya and Wilson ready to claim round one positions.

Addo-Carr split with the club last year for Parramatta while Kiraz is unavailable through a back injury.

Montoya is a former Bulldog who left in 2020 for four seasons with the Warriors.

Wilson continues to establish himself at Belmore after joining the club last season. He has played 15 NRL games over the past two years.

Connor Tracey would expect to retain the fullback spot from Blake Taaffe.

Matt Burton and Toby Sexton will team-up again in the halves with Roosters recruit Sitili Tupouniua hoping to be an interchange player, perhaps on an extended bench.

Sam Hughes and Max King would be front-runners to be Canterbury’s starting props.

New buy Enari Tuala is recovering from a foot injury with Josh Curran unavailable through suspension.

Canterbury and St George Illawarra play at Kogarah on Saturday, March 8.

Jacob Kiraz. Picture: NRL Photos

EELS IN WING STING

—Dean Ritchie

Honesty. Consistency. Work ethic.

These are the three decisive qualities new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles pinched from his mentor, Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, the pair going head-to-head in an epic Round 1 Ryles has described as “surreal and fitting.”

The match, at AAMI Park on March 9, will be Bellamy’s 587th NRL games with Ryles on his head coaching debut.

After 12 years as an assistant under Bellamy at Melbourne, Trent Robinson (Sydney Roosters) and Eddie Jones (English rugby), Ryles says he is “finally at the starting line.”

And it certainly won’t be easy given Melbourne has won 22 of its past 24 Round 1 matches.

Ryles spoke passionately about his new coaching career while still pondering over team selection for the Storm game.

“We haven’t settled on a team yet. We are just getting through this week and we’ll know more early next week. We’re the Sunday game so we have a little bit of time to go,” he said.

A wing position remains unresolved, as does starting front-row and back-row spots along with a bench place with star players Josh Addo-Carr, Shaun Lane and Bailey Simonsson unavailable.

The Eels have four spots up for grabs, with a host of stars unavailable for Round One, including Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Getty Images

Sean Russell and Jake Tago are favourites to play wing with Jack Williams and Joe Ofahengaue battling for a starting front-row spot alongside Junior Paulo.

Kelma Tuilagi, Ryan Matterson and J’maine Hopgood are backrow contenders along with Bryce Cartwright, who could come off the bench with Charlie Guymer and Wiremu Greig also interchange options.

PAP A CHANCE AS STORM GUNS EYE COMEBACKS

—Pamela Whaley

Melbourne gun Su’a Fa’alogo is set to be available to face Parramatta in round 1 as a host of stars are expected to return for the season opener.

Scans have ruled out a hamstring injury for Fa’alogo after he was pulled from the field in Sunday’s trial loss to North Queensland with tightness in his leg.

Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick also started full training on Wednesday and are set to play the season opener, while Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

“I think they’re all going to be pretty good, Sua’s been given the all clear for round 1, Paps is on track for round 1 and Xav is the same and Brick should be right,” said skipper Harry Grant on Wednesday.

“For us at this time of year it’s about being ready for round 1 and that’s the priority, obviously there’s trials, but if guys are 50-50 for the trials, they’ve got enough first grade experience or ability to get themselves right.

“Hughsey’s looking OK too, he was probably pushing for the trial but given it was a trial and how experienced and important Hughesy is it’s probably better to play the safe option. For my understanding he’ll be sweet.”

Papenhuyzen has been dealing with knee and ankle issues, and needs to get through every training session over the next week to be considered.

Meanwhile, rookie Hugo Peel has undergone surgery for a fractured jaw and will be sidelined for between eight to 10 weeks after a collision in Sunday’s trial game.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Sunia Turuva boost, Jacob Kiraz replacement locked